Horseman

A horseman

Horsemen was a term given to those individuals who rode Horses as a part of their daily life. Guards capable of wielding a variety of weapons, and riding on horseback were a common sight through Renaissance Europe.

Equipment

Horsemen were mounted on one of two varieties of horse, being either the common horse or the warhorse.

They were equipped with both short-ranged weapons such as long swords or maces, and long-ranged weapons like throwing knives and crossbows. However, they did not possess long or heavy weapons.

Combat

Ezio fighting a horseman

When a horseman detected an Assassin on foot, the horseman would either charge at them with their short-ranged weapon at the ready, or they would attempt to strike the Assassin with their long-ranged weapon if they tried to flee or start freerunning.

Horsemen often held an advantage in a fight, as they could move faster, and could use their steeds to knock over enemies on the ground. However, they were vulnerable to long-ranged weapons, and could be unseated if their horses were injured while charging. Should they be unsaddled, horsemen would either challenge their enemies on the ground, or attempt to re-mount their horse.

Trivia

• A guard on foot would sometimes mount a nearby horse upon becoming hostile towards Ezio. If no free horse was available, the guard would hijack one from a passing civilian.
• Horsemen could not be killed with the Poison Blade while on horseback, and had to be unsaddled first. If shot with a poison dart however, there was a chance that the horseman would fall off.
• Horsemen could not be lured by thieves, attacked by mercenaries, or distracted by courtesans.
  • However, on completing the Roman Courtesans' guild challenges, the courtesans would be enabled to distract horsemen, making the guard dismount.
• Certain mounted Hermeticists shared the abilities of horsemen.
• In Colonial America, Officers and Jägers would sometimes mount horses, and use flintlock pistols to attack.

Gallery

• 
  Concept art of a horseman
• A horseman in Rome
  A horseman in Rome
• 
  Ezio air-assassinating a horseman
• 
  Ezio readying to throw a spear at a horseman
• 
  Ezio assassinating a horseman with his Hidden Blade
• 
  Ezio impaling a horseman with a spear

Reference

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood