Fist

The Animus' icon for fists

Fists were the weakest form of fighting, useful when no weapons were available, or when an Assassin did not wish to draw the attention of a guard.

High Middle Ages

Altaïr engaged in a fist fight

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad could use his fists to fight or stun enemies at any time, though they were quite ineffective against alerted or armed opponents.

Novice Assassin were not yet allowed to carry weapons, and thus needed to avoid fights, or resort to their fists. Higher-ranked Assassins also used unarmed fighting to interrogate a target, or after being caught by thugs while attempting to pickpocket throwing knives.

Using fists in a fight against civilians did not raise suspicion with the guards, who would only intervene if they themselves were attacked or if the assassin drew his weapon during the fight while watched by the guards.

Renaissance

Ezio fighting with Duccio de Luca

Ezio Auditore da Firenze was more skilled in fist fighting than Altaïr, and was likely taught by his brother, Federico. The two were once embroiled in a brawl against Vieri de' Pazzi and his men, where all present used only their fists.

When unarmed, Ezio could perform many different combination strikes, counter other fist fighters, and throw sand in their faces. He also learned to disarm foes and use their weapons against them; eventually learning to kill them in one swift move right after doing so. Ezio could not chain together kills with his fists like he could with other melee weapons.

Fists also became a more viable option for combat when the Metal Cestus, a hard steel hand-guard, was purchased from blacksmiths.

The Caserma di Alviano Fight Club

Guards eventually learned to throw sand in Ezio's face, exactly as he could, though they could do so while still holding onto their weapons. Ezio could only perform the same move with his weapon equipped, as long as he had no bullets or throwing knives left.

Additionally, the Caserma di Alviano played host to a Fight Club, where mercenaries competed in unarmed fighting. Ezio was able to participate in the fights, by Bartolomeo d'Alviano's suggestion, in order to improve his skills with his fists.

American Revolution

Haytham Kenway and Ratonhnhaké:ton were skilled fighters, although their styles were different to Ezio's or Altaïr's. They would frequently use an environment to their advantage, such as glass bottles and breakable barrels against their enemies. Unlike Ezio, who had a much more elegant style, Haytham and Ratonhnhaké:ton fought with a more ruthless and powerful form. They were more than capable of snapping bones, as well as knocking people to the floor.

Ratonhnhaké:ton was invited to join a fight club known as the Boston Brawlers, who were having a tournament at the time. Throughout several fights around the colonies, he was ranked higher and higher until he was allowed to participate in the competition. At the end, Ratonhnhaké:ton became the new champion of the Boston Brawlers, but never participated in their fights following.

Modern Times

Desmond and Lucy fighting off Abstergo guards

Upon escaping Abstergo Industries with Lucy Stillman, Desmond Miles did not yet have a weapon, and was thus forced to fistfight the Abstergo security officers attempting to detain him.

Though his abilities were initially rather limited, over time, he was able to gain Ezio's fist-fighting skills through the Bleeding Effect. After this, he became able to perform counters and disarm his enemies.

Later, after reliving the memories of Ratonhnhaké:ton, Desmond's fighting style began to closely mimic his new ancestor's. He would fight with much more strength and could take down, very fluidly, several guards very quickly.

Trivia

• The achievement "Messer Sandman" could be earned by throwing sand at four guards at once; a skill that Ezio could learn from the instructor at Monteriggioni.
• When Ezio successfully disarmed a guard and continued to use his weapon, the icon at the bottom left hand of the screen remained as the fist icon, unless he had no weapon of his own. In this case, the guard's weapon would now become his.
• Despite seemingly lethal actions, such as attacks breaking the enemy's neck, targets defeated with fists would merely appear to be knocked out, and not count as dead.
  • In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed: Revelations, however, particularly during missions where full synchronization required Ezio to not kill anyone, knocking out a guard using fists would still count as a kill.
• In the Assassin's Creed II memory "Last Man Standing," it was possible to disarm the attacking Brutes, but not the normal guards.