Hidden Gun

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Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

In Brotherhood, the player begins with the pistol already equipped, along with a full stock of bullets. The weapon functions as it did in Assassin's Creed II, however the aiming method has been modified. Though perfect aim is achieved much more quickly, the bullet can only be fired after the shot is fully charged. The maximum number of bullets is again set at 6, however, it is possibly to purchase 4 more slots in Uplay, for 30 Units.

A second additional feature is Ezio's ability to dual-wield the pistol along with a medium, primary weapon. While in combat, the player can hold down the attack button in low profile and aim at his currently locked target, making it easier to quickly dispatch faraway opponents without having to switch weapons. During a kill-streak, Ezio can hold down the attack button while targeting an opponent, causing him to perform an automatic double kill with his sword and pistol, using up ammunition in the process. The pistol is also used in a number of counter-kills and executions, in which Ezio shoots his opponent at point blank range. For reasons unknown, these attacks do not use up bullet ammunition, and if the ammunition is out, he won't use the pistol until at least one bullet is restored. It should also be noted that the player does not need to aim during double kills, counter kills, executions, or while on horseback.

The firing mechanism of the pistol differs to the one in Assassin's Creed II, as Ezio no longer has to pull the trigger to shoot the bullet; instead, all he has to do is simply target the victim and the gun will fire. Nowhere during the game is it stated why the weapon behaves in such a manner, and it can only be assumed that the pistol is used similarly to the hidden blade, which also has no visible trigger system.

Additionally, the sound of the pistol more closely resembles that of a musket, rather than the cannon-like sound in Assassin's Creed II. However, the Assassin Apprentices' hidden guns (obtained by rank 5) use the same firing sound as heard in the previous game.

After reuniting with Leonardo da Vinci, Ezio was able to purchase an upgrade to his pistol that allows him to fire small Poison Darts from it, in addition to bullets. These darts are usable when the poison blade is equipped, and shares its effects.

Codex Description

"Success! We have found a way to alter the structure of the hidden blade so that it can be used to launch small projectiles. It is capable of grievous damage – even from great distance. I confess, the means by which I came about the discovery was... risky to say the least. But I have found that in small doses, and with a focused mind, the Apple can be used without ill effect. Or so I hope.

The knowledge of projectile combat is not new to us, having been observed amongst our Eastern neighbors. But their weapons were much larger – and insufficient for our needs. I have now found a way to miniaturize their designs, embedding their fiery weapon into a form that can be worn on the wrist.

We have also refined the formula for combustible powder, such that common ingredients might be used. This is a dangerous bit of knowledge and it is best shared with only our closest allies..." -Altaïr in Codex Page 28.

Trivia

• Altaïr is the true designer of the pistol, as Leonardo just decodes his Codex. Altaïr claimed that he had invented a smaller version of the weapon his neighbors from the East had, using knowledge from the Apple of Eden.
• In Assassin's Creed II, often when the pistol is fired, a dog can be heard barking. Though not a surprise as dogs tend to bark at loud noises, no dogs are seen or mentioned in the game.
• Ammunition can be found as an item when looting the bodies of any deceased guards, whether or not they are arquebusiers.
• The design and physical appearance of the pistol is similar to the concept of a Pistol Sword, only applied to the Hidden Blade instead.
• In Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines when you connect your PSP to a PS3, you will obtain a variant of the pistol that fires Throwing Knives instead of bullets.
• The pistol is also a multiplayer ability for multiplayer characters to use in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood; though it is unknown if they actually possessed the weapon, or if Abstergo simply added the ability in the Animus.
• Strangely, in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood the Assassin recruits' pistols are much weaker than Ezio's, taking up to three shots to kill a guard; though this may be attributed to Ezio being more skilled in wielding the pistol, allowing him to kill in just one shot.
• Rifling (a barrel forging technique that improves the accuracy of a gun significantly) was not invented until the end of the 15^th century. As such, it is odd that the pistol is so accurate, especially since it would have a very short barrel, lowering its accuracy further than that of a musket. This may be due to the Apple revealling rifling to Altair.

Gallery

• Concept art of the pistol.
  Concept art of the pistol.
• The pistol design from the Codex.
  The pistol design from the Codex.
• The pistol shown in the inventory menu of the Animus 2.0.
  The pistol shown in the inventory menu of the Animus 2.0.
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  Bullet of the pistol with the Assassin insignia on the end of it.
• Ezio aiming the pistol.
  Ezio aiming the pistol.
• The pistol dual-wielded with the sword in combat.
  The pistol dual-wielded with the sword in combat.
• Ezio finishing a guard in Rome with the pistol.
  Ezio finishing a guard in Rome with the pistol.
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  The pistol as a multiplayer ability.
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  A close up of the pistol on Ezio's bracer.