War machine

File:Asscreed tank.jpg

The tank, one of the four war machines.

"War machines. I have constructed weapons for all the Borgia guards and other terrible monstrosities besides."

―Leonardo da Vinci.

The War Machines were four mechanical devices designed by Leonardo da Vinci for the Borgia forces during the early 16^th century.

Each could be found in cities or towns across Italy, outside of Rome. In order to severely reduce the Borgia's military strength, Ezio Auditore da Firenze burned each of the machines' blueprints, as well as commandeered and destroyed the machines themselves.

In order to locate the war machines, Ezio assassinated the Papal guard overseer of each of them. Then, upon arriving at the city or town in which it was being built, he interrogated the weapon's engineer. After burning the plans, he stole the weapon itself, and used it to destroy Borgia weapons and war supplies, before destroying the machine and returning to Rome.

Machine Gun

File:MachineGun.jpg

Ezio defending the machine gun.

Main article: Machine gun

The chariot machine gun was a technologically advanced weapon consisting of a rapid firing cannon placed on a horse-drawn chariot. This dangerously powerful machine was perfect for chases, as well as surprise attacks, due to its fast firing and mobility.

In order to destroy the machine, Ezio traveled to Colli Albani. After sneaking past the guards, Ezio located the blueprints of the machine, and burned them. Ezio then located the machine gun itself and destroyed it by igniting a few barrels of gunpowder that were lying beside it.

However, no sooner had he done so, when another machine gun emerged out of a stable, the horses drawing it being driven by a guard. Ezio quickly mounted a horse and set off in pursuit of the machine. Dodging bullets and overcoming obstacles, Ezio was finally able to jump aboard the war machine and take control of it.

As Ezio escaped, Borgia guards on horseback pursued the Assassin. Having no other choice, Ezio took control of the machine gun to fend off his attackers. After successfully doing so, Ezio separated the chariot housing the machine gun from the horses, and ignited the barrels of gunpowder present on the chariot, thus destroying the machine once and for all.

Bomber

Ezio using the Bomber.

Main article: Bomber

An advanced version of the flying machine, the bomber fundamentally worked the same as its predecessor, with the exception of an incendiary cannon installed on top of the wings. This cannon allowed the user to both attack, and to create fires to lift themselves back up into the air.

To destroy the bomber, Ezio went to the small town of Valnerina, and interrogated the weapons engineer. With the plan's location, Ezio infiltrated the fortress where the machine was being kept, avoided the guards, and burned the plans.

He then found the tower on top of which the bomber resided, and after stealthily climbing the structure, the Assassin commandeered the bomber. Flying high over Valerina, Ezio proceeded to burn four Borgia workshops that were being used to produce similar bombers.

After doing so, Ezio noticed a courier attempting to warn Cesare Borgia of the destruction. Ezio quickly eliminated the courier and then directed the bomber straight towards a tower. The Assassin jumped from the machine at the last moment, and allowed the bomber to crash.

Naval Cannon

The Naval Cannon in action.

Main article: Naval Cannon

The naval cannon was a modified gondola that carried a gun that shot fireballs. The speed and small size of the weapon made it a difficult target, while the powerful cannon could damage and destroy even the biggest ships. The weapon needed two people to properly work it, one to row it and the other to man the canon. Ezio, however, managed to use it alone, alternating between firing the cannon and rowing the gondola.

Arriving at the docks of Naples, Ezio found the engineer of the weapon, Eduardo. After Ezio confronted the engineer, Eduardo chose to assist the Assassin willfully. Piloting a gondola, Eduardo led Ezio through a secret tunnel to the dry dock where the machine was being held.

Ezio quickly dispatched the guards and burnt the blueprints of the machine, before flooding the dry dock and taking control of the naval cannon. Once Ezio navigated the cannon into the open waters, he saw several Templar ships sailing nearby. Ezio then used the naval cannon to destroy the four warships, before aiming the cannon at its own mechanism. and setting it off.

Tank

Ezio looking at the tank.

Main article: Tank

The most powerful weapon made by Leonardo, and the centerpiece of the Borgia army, the tank was a mobile cannon platform with wooden armor that could shoot in several directions. Thanks to its strong armor, the tank could not be severely damaged by bullets, and could also resist several cannon balls before being destroyed. This power came with a price, as a crew of at least three people was needed to use the weapon.

When Ezio arrived at Monte Circeo, he found the engineer of the weapon and his bodyguard. Ezio followed them to a heavily guarded factory, before infiltrating it and interrogating the engineer.

The engineer told him the location of the machine's blueprints, as well as of a group of captured Mercenaries that could help him operate the machine. Once the plans were burnt and the mercenaries freed, Ezio and his "crew" fought past several guards and ventured into a series of caverns.

At the end of the passage, the Assassin found the tank and used it to battle his way to the factory. After entering the factory, Ezio and his crew faced two enemy tanks. Once the opposition was destroyed, Ezio used a mounted cannon to destroy the machine he had been using.

Trivia

• Every one of Leonardo's machines in the game has infinite ammunition.
• When Ezio arrives in Rome, a herald can be heard announcing the exhibition of the "war machines of Maestro da Vinci" to the crowd.
• In the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel, there are no fully functioning war machines. Leonardo tells Ezio that he created the design so they (discretely) would not work.
• In the tank memory, Ezio destroys his own tank with only one cannon ball, even if takes several shots to destroy it during the battle.
• A miniature replica of each one of the machines are found at the Tiber Island headquarters after completing their memories.

Videos

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Source

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood