Machine Gun

Ezio using the machine gun.

The Machine Gun was a ballistic weapon and one of the War machines designed by Leonardo da Vinci. Originally intended for use by the Borgia forces, the 16th century machine gun was placed on a horse-drawn chariot, so that one could shoot at any targets that came within range. It was immensely powerful, slaying men and momentarily crippling horses with a single shot.

Later on, the machine gun was implemented by both the Assassins and the Byzantine Templars, during conflicts in Constantinople, over various dens which were scattered throughout the city.

History

Colli Albani

Ezio destroying the machine gun.

In 1503, Leonardo was forced to create blueprints for a rapid-firing gun, and subsequently tasked his friend, the Assassin Ezio Auditore with its destruction. After assassinating the Overseer entrusted with its location, Ezio traveled to Colli Albani where he managed to remain undetected, before burning the blueprints for the device and setting off nearby barrels of gunpowder, destroying the main prototype.

After witnessing another horse-drawn prototype ride off in attempt to salvage the project, Ezio chased after the carriage on horseback, narrowly avoiding being gunned down by the weapon, before he hijacked the chariot it was mounted on and fended off numerous mounted arquebusiers.

Ezio destroying the last prototype.

After losing his pursuers, Ezio detached the prototype from the horses of the carriage and ignited the gunpowder laden chariot with his pistol. Because if this, the resulting explosion destroyed the machine gun, whilst Ezio rode to safety.

Constantinople

During Ezio's travels in Constantinople, machine guns were employed by both the Byzantines Templars and Assassins during attacks on Assassin Dens. While the Templars made use of it by mounting it on a war machine, the Assassins placed it on barricades, and while both were equally effective against the opposition's troops, they were less effective against structures or barricades that each side had constructed.

Trivia

Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination

Concept Art of the Machine Gun.

Error creating thumbnail: Unable to save thumbnail to destination

• Despite it needing a driver and a gunman, Ezio spent the first part of the escape steering the chariot, then later took over as gunman, much as he does with the Naval Cannon. However, this didn't come without drawbacks, and the horses often sent Ezio crashing into buildings.
• When Ezio hijacks the chariot, he kills the gunman with his left hidden blade, and the driver with right. If players haven't bought the double blade, he still kills the driver with the right hidden blade.
• Despite being called a machine gun, it cannot fire in full-automatic. It is only a "machine" gun in the sense that one can fire several bullets at a time without having to reload.
• Successfully using and destroying the Machine Gun grants the player the "Bang!" achievement.
• A miniature replica of the weapon can be found at the Armory in Ezio's Hideout.
• In the Machine Gun's memory description, it is said that the Machine Gun can kill one hundred men in mere seconds.