{{Quote|It's very compact and light. What makes it special is that it's just as powerful as those heaving things which are now being superseded by my wheel-lock […] the advantage it has over a gun is that it's more or less silent.|[[Leonardo da Vinci]] on his crossbow|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
{{Quote|It's very compact and light. […] the advantage it has over a gun is that it's more or less silent.|[[Leonardo da Vinci]] on his crossbow|Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)}}
The '''Crossbow''' was one of [[Ezio Auditore]]'s many weapons. It is mainly a long range weapon, but can also be used in up-close combat.
The '''Crossbow''' was one of [[Ezio Auditore]]'s many [[weapons]]. It was mainly a long range weapon, but could also be used in up-close combat.
==Altaïr's Chronicles==
==History==
In [[Altaïr's Chronicles]], [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]] uses a crossbow despite the handheld crossbow being common usage in Europe and the Middle East at the time of the [[Third Crusade]]. It uses a lock on system that targets specific enemies and switches enemies by using the D-Pad. In the later part of the game when Altaïr is disguised as a soldier and then afterwards a scholar, he is shown with a crossbow on his back despite not having one after killing the crossbowman under the guise of a scholar.
==Renaissance Purchase==
===High Middle Ages===
[[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]] used a crossbow despite the handheld crossbow being common usage in Europe and the Middle East at the time of the [[Third Crusade]]. In the later part of the game, when Altaïr is disguised as a soldier and then afterwards a [[scholar]], he was shown with a crossbow on his back despite not having one after killing the crossbowman under the guise of a scholar.
===Renaissance===
[[File:ACBCrossbow.jpg|thumb|The Crossbow in the shop menu.]]
[[File:ACBCrossbow.jpg|thumb|The Crossbow in the shop menu.]]
The crossbow was a ranged weapon that could be bought for 12,800 florins at any [[Blacksmiths|Blacksmith]] shop in [[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'']]. After purchasing the weapon, the number of bolts could be upgraded by buying the medium and large quivers from [[Tailors|Tailor]] shops. Each quiver increased the maximum number of bolts carried with 5 each time, the default number of bolts being 15 and the maximum being 25. However, in order to unlock the large quiver, the shop quest "[[Shop Quests#Pulling Threads|Pulling Threads]]" must be completed first.<ref name="AC:B">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
The crossbow was a ranged weapon that could be bought for 12,800 florins at any [[Blacksmiths|Blacksmith]] shop in [[Rome]]. After purchasing the weapon, the number of bolts could be upgraded by buying the medium and large quivers from [[Tailors|Tailor]] shops. Each quiver increased the maximum number of bolts carried with 5 each time, the default number of bolts being 15 and the maximum being 25.<ref name="AC:B">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
==Stealth usage==
==Usage==
===Stealth===
The crossbow was like the [[pistol]]'s complementary ranged weapon; it had the same range, but was silent. The way the crossbow was fired was similar to that of the pistol, though it aimed faster and could be fired while moving and while on beams.
The crossbow was like the [[pistol]]'s complementary ranged weapon; it had the same range, but was silent. The way the crossbow was fired was similar to that of the pistol, though it aimed faster and could be fired while moving and while on beams.
Unlike the pistol, which alerted guards the moment it was fired, the crossbow only called attention to Ezio when the target collapsed.<ref name="AC:B"/>
Unlike the pistol, which alerted guards the moment it was fired, the crossbow only called attention to Ezio when the target collapsed.<ref name="AC:B"/>
==Combat usage==
===Combat===
The crossbow could be used in battle as well as stealthily. In battle, it could be fired at close range, as well as used to counter an enemy's attack. When fired at close range, the crossbow would kill the targeted enemy but doing so would incur a rather long reload time. Non-Player Characters like [[crossbowmen]] and some [[horsemen]] were using the crossbow in battle, repeatedly firing at Ezio, while at close range as well as long range. Ezio can also use the crossbow to defend against charging horsemen by blocking with the crossbow equiped.<ref name="AC:B"/>
The crossbow could be used in battle as well as stealthily. In battle, it could be fired at close range, as well as used to counter an enemy's attack. When fired at close range, the crossbow would kill the targeted enemy but doing so would incur a rather long reload time. [[crossbowmen|Crossbowmen]] and some [[horsemen]] were using the crossbow in battle, repeatedly firing at Ezio, while at close range as well as long range. Ezio can also use the crossbow to defend against charging horsemen by blocking with the crossbow equiped.<ref name="AC:B"/>
==Finishing moves==
==Finishing moves==
[[File:240px-Ezio_Crossbow_1.png|thumb|250px|Ezio equipped with the Crossbow in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.]]
[[File:240px-Ezio_Crossbow_1.png|thumb|250px|Ezio equipped with the Crossbow in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.]]
The crossbow featured some animations while counter-killing opponents. The crossbow could not counter long or heavy weapons.
The crossbow featured some animations while counter-killing opponents. The crossbow could not counter[[Long weapons| long]] or [[heavy weapons]].
===='''Skull Smasher'''====
===='''Skull Smasher'''====
Ezio thrusts his crossbow into the target's abdomen. As his target doubles over, Ezio, with both hands, smashes the bottom of his crossbow onto the back of his target's head, forcing the target to land face-first onto the ground. ''Does not need ammunition or a reload to be performed''
Ezio thrusted his crossbow into the target's abdomen. As his target doubled over, Ezio, with both hands, smashed the bottom of his crossbow onto the back of his target's head, forcing the target to land face-first onto the ground. ''Does not need ammunition or a reload to be performed''
===='''Suffocation'''====
===='''Suffocation'''====
Ezio forcefully thrusts his target with the metal, beak-like tip of his crossbow twice. The first time in the abdomen, and the second time in the neck. The target slowly backs up and falls to his knees, holding his neck while choking, and collapses.'' Does not need ammunition or a reload to be performed''
Ezio forcefully thrusted his target with the metal, beak-like tip of his crossbow twice. The first time in the abdomen, and the second time in the neck. The target slowly backed up and falls to his knees, holding his neck while choking, and collapsed.'' Does not need ammunition or a reload to be performed''
===='''Neck Shot'''====
===='''Neck Shot'''====
Ezio thrusts his crossbow first into the target's abdomen and then in his neck, firing the crossbow the moment it makes contact with the enemy. ''Needs ammunition and must be reloaded in order to be performed.''
Ezio thrusted his crossbow first into the target's abdomen and then in his neck, firing the crossbow the moment it made contact with the enemy. ''Needs ammunition and must be reloaded in order to be performed.''
===='''Spinal Shot'''====
===='''Spinal Shot'''====
Ezio thrusts his crossbow into the target's abdomen, and then steps back to shoot him directly down the back of his neck as he doubles over in pain. ''Needs ammunition and must be reloaded in order to be performed.''
Ezio thrusted his crossbow into the target's abdomen, and then stepped back to shoot him directly down the back of his neck as he doubled over in pain. ''Needs ammunition and must be reloaded in order to be performed.''
===='''Trip Shot'''====
===='''Trip Shot'''====
Ezio ducks, spins around, and sweeps his target off of his feet with the crossbow. Ezio then quickly rises upright and shoots his target who is lying dazed on the ground. ''Needs ammunition and must be reloaded in order to be performed.''
Ezio ducked, spun around, and sweeped his target off of his feet with the crossbow. Ezio then quickly rose upright and shot his target who was lying dazed on the ground. ''Needs ammunition and must be reloaded in order to be performed.''
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*[[File:ACR_crossbow.png|thumb|196px|The Crossbow featured in Assassin's Creed: Revelations.]]The crossbow functions the same way as the pistol, however, it is less powerful, as it does not always kill certain targets such as Borgia Captains, unlike the hidden gun, which always guarantees a kill, unless used on a boss.
*[[File:ACR_crossbow.png|thumb|196px|The Crossbow featured in Assassin's Creed: Revelations.]]The crossbow functions the same way as the pistol, however, it is less powerful, as it does not always kill certain targets such as Borgia Captains, unlike the hidden gun, which always guarantees a kill, unless used on a boss.
*In order to unlock the large quiver, the shop quest "[[Shop Quests#Pulling Threads|Pulling Threads]]" must be completed first.
*Most of the time, when Ezio performs the Trip Shot counter attack, the firing sound will not occur.
*Most of the time, when Ezio performs the Trip Shot counter attack, the firing sound will not occur.
*During the [[Animus]] [[Memory Corridor|loading screen]], if Ezio draws his crossbow, a single crossbow bolt can be found lying on the ground. It disappears when the crossbow is put away and vice versa.
*During the [[Animus]] [[Memory Corridor|loading screen]], if Ezio draws his crossbow, a single crossbow bolt can be found lying on the ground. It disappears when the crossbow is put away and vice versa.
Altaïr used a crossbow despite the handheld crossbow being common usage in Europe and the Middle East at the time of the Third Crusade. In the later part of the game, when Altaïr is disguised as a soldier and then afterwards a scholar, he was shown with a crossbow on his back despite not having one after killing the crossbowman under the guise of a scholar.
Renaissance
The Crossbow in the shop menu.
The crossbow was a ranged weapon that could be bought for 12,800 florins at any Blacksmith shop in Rome. After purchasing the weapon, the number of bolts could be upgraded by buying the medium and large quivers from Tailor shops. Each quiver increased the maximum number of bolts carried with 5 each time, the default number of bolts being 15 and the maximum being 25.[1]
Usage
Stealth
The crossbow was like the pistol's complementary ranged weapon; it had the same range, but was silent. The way the crossbow was fired was similar to that of the pistol, though it aimed faster and could be fired while moving and while on beams.
Unlike the pistol, which alerted guards the moment it was fired, the crossbow only called attention to Ezio when the target collapsed.[1]
Combat
The crossbow could be used in battle as well as stealthily. In battle, it could be fired at close range, as well as used to counter an enemy's attack. When fired at close range, the crossbow would kill the targeted enemy but doing so would incur a rather long reload time. Crossbowmen and some horsemen were using the crossbow in battle, repeatedly firing at Ezio, while at close range as well as long range. Ezio can also use the crossbow to defend against charging horsemen by blocking with the crossbow equiped.[1]
The crossbow featured some animations while counter-killing opponents. The crossbow could not counter long or heavy weapons.
Skull Smasher
Ezio thrusted his crossbow into the target's abdomen. As his target doubled over, Ezio, with both hands, smashed the bottom of his crossbow onto the back of his target's head, forcing the target to land face-first onto the ground. Does not need ammunition or a reload to be performed
Suffocation
Ezio forcefully thrusted his target with the metal, beak-like tip of his crossbow twice. The first time in the abdomen, and the second time in the neck. The target slowly backed up and falls to his knees, holding his neck while choking, and collapsed. Does not need ammunition or a reload to be performed
Neck Shot
Ezio thrusted his crossbow first into the target's abdomen and then in his neck, firing the crossbow the moment it made contact with the enemy. Needs ammunition and must be reloaded in order to be performed.
Spinal Shot
Ezio thrusted his crossbow into the target's abdomen, and then stepped back to shoot him directly down the back of his neck as he doubled over in pain. Needs ammunition and must be reloaded in order to be performed.
Trip Shot
Ezio ducked, spun around, and sweeped his target off of his feet with the crossbow. Ezio then quickly rose upright and shot his target who was lying dazed on the ground. Needs ammunition and must be reloaded in order to be performed.
Trivia
File:ACR crossbow.pngThe Crossbow featured in Assassin's Creed: Revelations.The crossbow functions the same way as the pistol, however, it is less powerful, as it does not always kill certain targets such as Borgia Captains, unlike the hidden gun, which always guarantees a kill, unless used on a boss.
In order to unlock the large quiver, the shop quest "Pulling Threads" must be completed first.
Most of the time, when Ezio performs the Trip Shot counter attack, the firing sound will not occur.
During the Animusloading screen, if Ezio draws his crossbow, a single crossbow bolt can be found lying on the ground. It disappears when the crossbow is put away and vice versa.
When performing certain actions with the crossbow, Ezio's upper body does not move at all (besides the arm holding the crossbow while he is drawing it/beginning to aim/sheathing it). This may give Ezio a robotic appearance when running, as his entire upper body is completely still while performing any actions.
In a trailer seen at E3 (above picture of Ezio on the Colosseum) Ezio is seen equipped with a different crossbow to the one in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. This one is the same as the ones the Crossbowmen guards use.
The crossbow was featured in the mobile version of Assassin's Creed as a historical mistake by the developers, it was obtained prior to his confrontation with Majd Addin. The crossbow can be used to kill enemies at a safe distance, to trigger gear mechanisms or to shoot down flameholders to light torches. The ammunition of the weapon can be refilled by walking into a weapon recharge point.
