Hidden Blade

2014-09-01T05:21:01Z

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{{Quote|The Hidden Blade has been a constant companion of ours over the years. Some would say it defines us – and they would not be entirely wrong. Many of our successes would not have been possible without it.|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex, page 13.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Eerste-info-onthuld-over-assassin-s-creed-2 5 460x0.jpg|thumb|250px|Front and back of the Hidden Blade; extended (center) and retracted (right)]]
The iconic weapon of the [[Assassins]], the '''Hidden Blade''' was used for both stealth [[Assassination targets|assassinations]] and regular combat. It was their most versatile weapon, with multiple upgrades and forms of use.

It consisted of a retractable blade, usually in conjunction with a protective bracer. As such, the blade could be discreetly extended or retracted, making it a valuable, yet stealthy piece of apparatus.

==Design==
{{Quote|The blade is designed to ensure the commitment of whoever wields it.|Leonardo da Vinci, regarding the Hidden Blade.|Assassin's Creed II}}
[[File:Ace 3 v.png|thumb|250px|left|Ezio Auditore with his father's Hidden Blade]]
The use of the Hidden Blade initially required the removal of a ring finger, both as a means of more easily extending the blade, and to show the commitment of the one wielding it.<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref> As such, many of the early [[Levantine Assassins]] could be recognized by their missing fingers.<ref name="Revelations">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref> However, the blade's mechanism was modified in the 13th century – as outlined in the [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex|Codex]] of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] – so as to no longer require such a sacrifice, and to keep Assassins from being identified so easily.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> Instead, from the [[Renaissance]] to at least the early 20th century,<ref name="Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref> Assassins branded one of their ring fingers (usually the left) during their [[Initiation into the Assassin Order|initiation into the Order]] as a sign of their devotion to [[the Creed]].<ref name="AC2" />

There is no exact explanation for how the Hidden Blade works. Some of the earliest designs indicate a control apparatus wrapped around the hand. The Hidden Blade design would evolve over time; Edward Kenway stated in the 18th century that it is activated by a "flick of the wrist".<ref>[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag (novel)|''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'' novel]]</ref>

However, despite their versatility and strength, Hidden Blades could be broken when struck with enough force. Several Assassins, including [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze]] and his son [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]], both had one of their blades broken in combat. In both scenarios, the blade broke at the wrist. Later, in 1715, [[Duncan Walpole]]'s blade was broken in combat with [[Edward Kenway]].

==History==
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===Phantom Blade===
The [[Phantom Blade]] was a variation of the traditional Hidden Blade utilized by the [[French Assassins]] during the [[French Revolution]].<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gypgS8Y9fgs ''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' - Introduction to Arno]</ref>

The Phantom Blade could be loaded with two types of projectiles: lethal and berserk poison darts, allowing Assassins like Arno Dorian a silent kill or distraction.

==Replicas==
{{Quote|The assassin leaps! As he lands upon the senator, a weapon protrudes from his wrist. Pierces his victim's neck!|Fiora Cavazza observing an Assassin's technique.|Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy}}
In their study of the Assassins' methods and weaponry, several members of the Templar Order created their own variations of the Hidden Blade, though the mechanism and appearance often differed.<ref name="Project Legacy" />

[[File:ACB prowler switchblade.png|thumb|250px|left|Il Lupo's switchblade]]
The first known instance of this was in the early 16th century, when [[Fiora Cavazza]] and [[Baltasar de Silva]] tailed the Assassins of Rome, in order to take note of their techniques. They eventually trained [[Il Lupo]] in the Assassins' ways, and equipped him with a switchblade, a Hidden Blade variation that split into two parts, folding forward only when in use.<ref name="Project Legacy" /> [[Lia de Russo]] also wore her own Hidden Blade, and though its mechanisms seemed to match that of the Assassins, it was worn on top of her forearm, rather than underneath.<ref name="Brotherhood">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

While disguised as a [[Slavery|slave]] in [[Chichen Itza]], [[Aveline de Grandpré]] was forced to make replica Hidden Blades by scrounging up knives, belts and wood.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III: Liberation]]''</ref>

In modern times, during the [[Assassin's Creed: Revelations|second stage]] of simulations hosted by the [[Animi Training Program]] of [[Abstergo Industries]], every recruit was given access to a variation of the Hidden Blade. The virtual weapon was also worn under the left forearm, but its blade folded along two circular joints when not being used.<ref name="Revelations" />

As part of the [[Assassin's Creed III|console stage]] of [[Abstergo Entertainment]]'s [[Animus]] technology, the Animi Avatars contained within could use another variation of the Hidden Blade, this time possessing a two-part telescopic function to the mechanism.<ref name="AC3">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''</ref>

==Trivia==
;Design
*[[Patrice Désilets]], one of the creative directors for the [[Assassin's Creed (series)|''Assassin's Creed'' series]], stated that the addition of a second blade in ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' also had a lucid reason: "it's ''Assassin's Creed II'', so there [were] two blades."
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]'' and early concept art for ''Assassin's Creed II'' showed Ezio possessing three Hidden Blades; one on his right, and two on his left.
*The original design of Ezio's second Hidden Blade in ''Assassin's Creed II'' was displayed as a brown glove, however, in-game, it was replaced with a second bracer. This was reverted in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' however, where his second Hidden Blade included a glove, until a bracer had been purchased.
*Concept art for the "Shock Blade", a modern version of the Hidden Blade, was shown in the ''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''.
*On his blog, ''Assassin's Creed'' concept artist [[Gilles Beloeil]] stated that the 21st century model of the hidden blade is much smaller, being 3.25 inches, yet still as effective as its older equivalents. It was shortened due to modern security systems, such as cameras.
*It is unknown why the ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' box art, E3 Trailer and other official media including the opening cinematics of ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' and ''Assassin's Creed III'' depict Ezio with a secondary Hidden Blade bracer that is identical to his primary one, as in-game, no such second bracer exists.
**The same happened with Ratonhnhaké:ton on the "Ignite the Revolution" poster and in the box art for ''Assassin's Creed III''.
*In early concept art for ''Assassin's Creed III'', [[rope darts]] were integrated onto the Hidden Blade's bracer, envisioned as the "Chain Blade". This concept was later modified to be closer to reality, resulting in the "Chain Blade" being scrapped for a more reasonable alternative.
*The second Hidden Blade was marginally longer than the primary one in ''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood''.
*[[:File:Assassin's Hidden Blade Concept Image.jpg|One concept art]] by [[Martin Deschambault]] for ''Assassin's Creed II'' showed two unimplemented Hidden Blade upgrades; a retracting arrow-shaped blade, and a retracting trident-ended blade for parrying weapons and disarming enemies.
**Martin Deschambault's art also shows two designs of the blade itself; feather-look, and normal blade with designed holes.

;Mechanism
*In the E3 teaser trailer of ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'', as well as in certain concept art, Altaïr could be seen pushing a button to operate his Hidden Blade. In-game however, no such button or other trigger mechanism existed.
*In ''Assassin's Creed: Renaissance'' and the [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]], unleashing the Hidden Blade required the use of a button, via a certain muscle on the forearm being flexed.
**The same mechanism also triggered the Hidden Gun if the user's thumb was pushed to the left.
*In an ''Assassin's Creed'' [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/developer-diary-assassins-creed/13648 developer diary] video, [[Jade Raymond]] spoke about the lack of Altaïr's ring finger and the Assassins' initiation ceremony.
*The Hidden Blade is a [[Crafting (Project Legacy)|crafted item]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''. The materials for its construction are 2 Coils, 1 Iron, 1 Hide and 1 Box of Components; the latter in turn being crafted using 3 Gears, 3 Screws, 1 Chain and 2 Sprockets.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]'', the trigger mechanism was depicted as a ring worn around a finger. Movement of that finger would cause the blade to extend or retract.
*The closest novel adaptation of the Hidden Blade to the in-game version appears in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag (novel)|Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]'', wherein Edward Kenway stated he had activated the blade by the tensing of a muscle that came from the upper arm as well as the forearm, and a simultaneous flick of the wrist. This is much unlike the ring-triggered or button mechanisms as mentioned in previous novels, thus more like the in-game Hidden Blade.

;Others
*In ''Assassin's Creed'', despite being equipped with a Hidden Blade, some Assassins, such as [[Malik Al-Sayf]], retained all fingers. This error was later corrected in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''.
**Along with this, however, came another error. The Assassins retained amputated ring fingers even after Altaïr changed the design of the blade so that amputation was no longer necessary.
*In ''Assassin's Creed'', the Hidden Blade was used in every major assassination. Even if an Assassin began by attacking their target with a sword, they would always finish them off with the Hidden Blade. Later however, it was changed so that they could use any weapon they wished.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'', if the PlayStation Portable was linked to ''Assassins Creed II'', Altaïr's Hidden Blade could be upgraded to be able to block light and heavy attacks.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'', Altaïr could only use the Hidden Blade to assassinate an enemy from behind, if it was related to the story.
*There was a glitch in the ''Assassin's Creed II'' mission "[[Practice What You Preach]]", in that if Ezio went to the blacksmith and purchased the Leather Vambrace, instead of practicing the new assassination techniques, he could acquire the second Hidden Blade before Leonardo had even made it for him.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'', the [[Chinese Assassins|Chinese Assassin]] [[Shao Jun]] used a modified Hidden Blade, located along the sole of her shoe. This operated essentially the same as a shoe knife, which was used by the {{Wiki|KGB}} during the {{Wiki|Cold War}}.
*In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brahman]]'', the [[Indian Assassins|Indian Assassin]] [[Arbaaz Mir]] was equipped with a modified Hidden Blade, which could extend into three blades.
*The Hidden Blade could be used in Valve's [[:http://community.wikia.com/wiki/c:teamfortress:Team Fortress 2|Team Fortress 2]] by the [[:http://community.wikia.com/wiki/c:teamfortress:Spy|Spy]] class, under the name [[:http://community.wikia.com/wiki/c:teamfortress:Sharp Dresser|Sharp Dresser]]. It was available for those who pre-ordered ''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' on Steam before December 2, 2011.
*The NBC series [[:http://community.wikia.com/wiki/c:Grimm|Grimm]] has featured a [[:http://community.wikia.com/wiki/c:grimm:Vambrace|vambrace]] which has been specially modified to include a retractable blade.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" spacing="small" position="center" widths="180">
Edward's hidden blade - concept art.jpg|Concept art of Edward Kenway's Hidden Blade
Modern hidden blade.jpg|Concept art of a modern Hidden Blade
HookBlade Concept Art.JPG|Concept art of a Hookblade
Phantom Blade concept.jpg|Concept art of the Phantom Blade
AC5EC-Hidden Blade kill.jpg|[[Numa Al'Khamsin]] killing a Templar with his Hidden Blade
As Good As New 3.png|Ezio Auditore testing his new Hidden Blade
Hidden footblade.png|Shao Jun's Hidden Blade
Journey to the New World 19.png|One of Haytham Kenway's Hidden Blades
Edward Kenway Memory 16.png|Edward Kenway holding a broken Hidden Blade
3blades.png|Arbaaz Mir's three-bladed Hidden Blade
Indian Hidden Blade.jpg|Siobhan Dhami's Hidden Blade with auto-destruction activated
</gallery>

==References==
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[[Category:Hidden weapons]]
[[Category:Assassin Order]]

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Hidden Blade