Soldier: Difference between revisions
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'''Guards''' were members of either a local militia, or an organized military force. They were usually assigned to defend or control access to locations of interest, or protect certain individuals. | '''Guards''' were members of either a local militia, or an organized military force. They were usually assigned to defend or control access to locations of interest, or protect certain individuals. | ||
The | The color and styles of their uniforms varied over time, as well as denoting their military rank, allegiance, and combat specialization. | ||
==Factions== | ==Factions== | ||
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{{-}} | {{-}} | ||
===Renaissance=== | ===Renaissance=== | ||
Throughout the [[Renaissance]], multiple factions of guards existed, as they were affiliated to either individual cities or people | Throughout the [[Renaissance]], multiple factions of guards existed, as they were affiliated to either individual cities or people instead of armies. They bore unique colors, often along with the family or city crest.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> | ||
[[File:NVS 5.png|thumb|250px|right|Four Pazzi guards.]] | [[File:NVS 5.png|thumb|250px|right|Four Pazzi guards.]] | ||
Guards for the [[House of Pazzi]] wore black caps, red sleeves with gold streaks, and the crest of the Pazzi. They could only be found in [[Florence]] and [[Tuscany]], during the height of the family's influence, until the [[Pazzi Conspiracy]].<ref name="AC2"/> | Guards for the [[House of Pazzi]] wore black caps, red sleeves with gold streaks, and the crest of the Pazzi. They could only be found in [[Florence]] and [[Tuscany]], during the height of the family's influence, until the [[Pazzi Conspiracy]] was abolished.<ref name="AC2"/> | ||
Guards serving the [[House of Medici]] wore dark yellow caps, yellow and white striped sleeves, black armor plates, and the crest of the Medici. They were notably seen during the repression of the Pazzi Conspiracy in Florence, as well as in [[San Gimignano]].<ref name="AC2"/> | Guards serving the [[House of Medici]] wore dark yellow caps, yellow and white striped sleeves, black armor plates, and the crest of the Medici. They were notably seen during the repression of the Pazzi Conspiracy in Florence, as well as in [[San Gimignano]].<ref name="AC2"/> | ||
Guards of the [[House of Borgia]] wore dark red caps, black sleeves with dark red streaks, and the crest of the Borgia. They often accompanied [[Rodrigo Borgia]], and could also be found in [[Romagna]] during the Templar meeting, in the [[Cannaregio District]] of [[Venice]],<ref name="AC2"/> or in Florence during the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]].<ref name="AC2 - Bonfire of the Vanities">''Assassin's Creed II'' - ''[[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)]]''</ref> | Guards of the [[House of Borgia]] wore dark red caps, black sleeves with dark red streaks, and the crest of the Borgia. They often accompanied [[Rodrigo Borgia]], and could also be found in [[Romagna]] during the Templar meeting that resided there, in the [[Cannaregio District]] of [[Venice]],<ref name="AC2"/> or in Florence during the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]].<ref name="AC2 - Bonfire of the Vanities">''Assassin's Creed II'' - ''[[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)]]''</ref> | ||
[[File:Florentine Fiasco 1.png|thumb|250px|left|[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] bypassing a line of Savonarola's guards.]] | [[File:Florentine Fiasco 1.png|thumb|250px|left|[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] bypassing a line of Savonarola's guards.]] | ||
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Guards serving the city of [[Forlì]] wore dark green caps and sleeves, as well as the crest of [[Caterina Sforza]]'s family, who ruled Romagna.<ref name="AC2"/> | Guards serving the city of [[Forlì]] wore dark green caps and sleeves, as well as the crest of [[Caterina Sforza]]'s family, who ruled Romagna.<ref name="AC2"/> | ||
For the guards who served the city of Venice, they wore blue caps and sleeves, with gold armor plates bearing the coat of arms of the Italian city. The quality of their armor was significantly better than that of their counterparts in other cities, as well as having the combat proficiency to deflect more damage.<ref name="AC2"/> | |||
Those who served the [[Vaticano District|Vatican]] wore white caps, red and white sleeves, and the coat of arms of the city of [[Rome]]. Similarly to Venetian guards, their armor was more resilient than most.<ref name="AC2"/> | |||
[[File:Gatekeeper 2.png|thumb|250px|right|A contingent of French soldiers.]] | [[File:Gatekeeper 2.png|thumb|250px|right|A contingent of French soldiers.]] | ||
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At that time, French soldiers were stationed in either the main camp in [[Castra Praetoria]], or in military guard posts throughout the [[Campagna District]] of Rome. They remained in the city throughout [[Liberation of Rome|its liberation]], often fighting the [[mercenaries]] of the [[Assassins|Assassin]] condottiero, [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]].<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | At that time, French soldiers were stationed in either the main camp in [[Castra Praetoria]], or in military guard posts throughout the [[Campagna District]] of Rome. They remained in the city throughout [[Liberation of Rome|its liberation]], often fighting the [[mercenaries]] of the [[Assassins|Assassin]] condottiero, [[Bartolomeo d'Alviano]].<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
Guards from the town of [[Viana]] in Spain wore yellowish-green. They notably participated in the [[Siege of Viana]], as they defended [[Viana Castle]] from King [[John III of Navarre|John III]]'s invading Navarre troops, who wore red uniforms with yellow accents.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | Guards from the town of [[Viana]] in Spain wore a yellowish-green color to their armor. They notably participated in the [[Siege of Viana]], as they defended [[Viana Castle]] from King [[John III of Navarre|John III]]'s invading Navarre troops, who wore red uniforms with yellow accents.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
[[File:Fourth part 3.png|thumb|250px|left|Ottomans guarding the docks.]] | [[File:Fourth part 3.png|thumb|250px|left|Ottomans guarding the docks.]] | ||
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Though Constantinople was held and controlled by the former, guards of the latter constantly fought for control. The region of [[Cappadocia]], particularly [[Derinkuyu]], remained in Byzantine hands.<ref name="Revelations"/> | Though Constantinople was held and controlled by the former, guards of the latter constantly fought for control. The region of [[Cappadocia]], particularly [[Derinkuyu]], remained in Byzantine hands.<ref name="Revelations"/> | ||
Ottoman guards wore green uniforms with red accents, while Byzantines wore small gray capes, and dark red and white uniforms. The | Ottoman guards wore green uniforms with red accents, while Byzantines wore small gray capes, and dark red and white uniforms. The Byzantine guards also distinctly wore the black eagle crest of the Byzantine Empire's [[Manuel Palaiologos|Palaiologos]] Dynasty.<ref name="Revelations"/> | ||
==Ranking== | ==Ranking== | ||
===High Middle Ages=== | ===High Middle Ages=== | ||
==== | ====Regular==== | ||
Regular guards were the most common, but lightest equipped of the guard ranks. Regular Crusader guards did not have helmets, and only wore leather armor, while Saracen ones wore turbans, and light lamellar armor.<ref name="AC"/> | |||
In combat, they were not skilled enough to grab, counterattack, or perform a combo. They could only deflect attacks, with a 25% chance of dodging a light attack.<ref name="AC"/> | In combat, they were not skilled enough to grab, counterattack, or perform a combo. They could only deflect attacks, with a 25% chance of dodging a light attack.<ref name="AC"/> | ||
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Sergeants were middle-ranked soldiers, and were equipped with helmets and heavier armor. Crusaders wore chainmail, and the Saracens possessed medium lamellar armor.<ref name="AC"/> | Sergeants were middle-ranked soldiers, and were equipped with helmets and heavier armor. Crusaders wore chainmail, and the Saracens possessed medium lamellar armor.<ref name="AC"/> | ||
They could grab, and had a 50% chance of breaking a grab attack, as well as a 50% chance of countering or dodging a light attack. They also had a 25% chance of breaking defenses, but could not perform combo attacks.<ref name="AC"/> | They could grab targets, and had a 50% chance of breaking a grab attack, as well as a 50% chance of countering or dodging a light attack. They also had a 25% chance of breaking defenses, but could not perform combo attacks.<ref name="AC"/> | ||
====Captain==== | ====Captain==== | ||
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They fought similarly to Leaders, but were more heavily and intricately armored. They wore a white cape with the Borgia crest.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | They fought similarly to Leaders, but were more heavily and intricately armored. They wore a white cape with the Borgia crest.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
Though most were courageous and skilled enough to counter most attacks, some were cowardly, and would flee into their tower should it be attacked.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | Though most were courageous and skilled enough to counter most attacks, some were cowardly, and would flee into their tower should it be attacked, only leaving once the next guard patrol was posted.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
{{-}} | {{-}} | ||
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===Crossbowmen=== | ===Crossbowmen=== | ||
{{Main|Crossbowmen}} | {{Main|Crossbowmen}} | ||
Similarly to Archers, Crossbowmen defended the rooftops or areas of interest, though the [[Crossbow]] | Similarly to Archers, Crossbowmen defended the rooftops or areas of interest, though the [[Crossbow|Crossbows]] they wielded could be fired more quickly, and caused more damage.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> However, they did not completely replace Archers, as longbows were more accurate if used by a skilled guard.<ref name="Project Legacy">''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref> | ||
Unlike Archers, Crossbowmen had no melee weapon, and if their enemy drew too close, they would only back away and keep firing. They were also more vigilant, as well as | Unlike Archers, Crossbowmen had no melee weapon, and if their enemy drew too close, they would only back away and keep firing. They were also more vigilant, as well as possessing some [[Freerunning|free-running]] ability, which permitting them to more closely investigate intruders.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
In Rome, Crossbowmen could be distinguished by their striped berets | In Rome, Crossbowmen could be distinguished by their striped berets and light armor.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
===Arquebusiers=== | ===Arquebusiers=== | ||
{{Main|Arquebusiers}} | {{Main|Arquebusiers}} | ||
[[File:Vilified 11 v.png|thumb|250px|left|A line of arquebusiers.]] | [[File:Vilified 11 v.png|thumb|250px|left|A line of arquebusiers.]] | ||
The Arquebusiers (also | The Arquebusiers (also named Gunmen or Riflemen) were [[Firearms|firearm]]-wielding soldiers who patrolled rooftops, protected high-value locations, and guarded important people.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
Though Arquebusiers did not have as great a range as Crossbowmen, what they lacked in distance, they made up for in power. Their shots dealt significant damage to both targets and enemy armor.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | Though Arquebusiers did not have as great a range as Crossbowmen, what they lacked in distance, they made up for in power. Their shots dealt significant damage to both targets and enemy armor.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
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===Bombmen=== | ===Bombmen=== | ||
Bombmen wielded [[Thunder Bombs]] and [[Short blades|short blades]], and commonly guarded rooftops in high traffic areas, such as the docks, arsenal, and harbor. They would also participate in the protection of [[Assassin Dens|Templar dens]], and would attack from the safety of reinforced sentry boxes.<ref name="Revelations"/> | In Constantinople, Bombmen wielded [[Thunder Bombs]] and [[Short blades|short blades]], and commonly guarded the rooftops in high traffic areas, such as the docks, arsenal, and harbor. They would also participate in the protection of [[Assassin Dens|Templar dens]], and would attack from the safety of reinforced sentry boxes.<ref name="Revelations"/> | ||
Byzantine Bombmen wore uniforms similar to Almogavars, though with longer red capes.<ref name="Revelations"/> | Byzantine Bombmen wore uniforms similar to Almogavars, though with longer red capes.<ref name="Revelations"/> | ||
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Agiles were lightly-armored, quick moving guards. They were one of the types capable of outrunning Assassins, and were also skilled free-runners. They more commonly fled to alert nearby guards, rather than face an enemy directly.<ref name="AC2"/> | Agiles were lightly-armored, quick moving guards. They were one of the types capable of outrunning Assassins, and were also skilled free-runners. They more commonly fled to alert nearby guards, rather than face an enemy directly.<ref name="AC2"/> | ||
During pursuits alongside other guards, Agiles would usually catch up to a target first | During pursuits alongside other guards, Agiles would usually catch up to a target first and injure them with the short blades they wielded. In battle, they were very light on their feet and could dodge nearly all attacks.<ref name="AC2"/> | ||
Agiles wore the least armor of any guard, with only a light leather chest guard, | Agiles wore the least armor of any guard, with only a light leather chest guard, metal helmet and spaulders. Due to their increased vulnerability, they were also the most cowardly of the specialized types.<ref name="AC2"/> | ||
===Brutes=== | ===Brutes=== | ||
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They were not very vigilant, and could not normally distinguish Assassins from anyone else in a crowd. In guard patrols, they often acted as the leader, as they had the highest morale of any guard type, fleeing only if they were disarmed and could not obtain another weapon.<ref name="AC2"/> | They were not very vigilant, and could not normally distinguish Assassins from anyone else in a crowd. In guard patrols, they often acted as the leader, as they had the highest morale of any guard type, fleeing only if they were disarmed and could not obtain another weapon.<ref name="AC2"/> | ||
Brutes could be easily seen from their large, reinforced armor | Brutes could be easily seen from their large, reinforced armor and closed helms.<ref name="AC2"/> Brutes in Rome had more intricate armor than those in other cities, with designs worked into the metal.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
===Seekers=== | ===Seekers=== | ||
{{Main|Seekers}} | {{Main|Seekers}} | ||
[[File:Ezio stalking inwater.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio swimming towards a Seeker.]] | [[File:Ezio stalking inwater.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Ezio swimming towards a Seeker.]] | ||
Seekers were guards who, as their name suggested, would search through [[Hiding Spots|hiding places]], on the suspicion that an Assassin had taken refuge within one. They always wielded [[Long weapons| | Seekers were guards who, as their name suggested, would search through [[Hiding Spots|hiding places]], on the suspicion that an Assassin had taken refuge within one. They always wielded [[Long weapons|polearms]], such as spears and halberds.<ref name="AC2"/> | ||
Similarly to Brutes, they would lead patrols of guards, often halting the group to search any hiding spots they passed.<ref name="AC2"/> In battle, they had the second highest morale to Brutes, and were skilled enough to resist most attacks and counters.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | Similarly to Brutes, they would lead patrols of guards, often halting the group to search any hiding spots they passed.<ref name="AC2"/> In battle, they had the second highest morale to Brutes, and were skilled enough to resist most attacks and counters.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
They were slightly more heavily-armored than a standard guard, though less so than Brutes | They were slightly more heavily-armored than a standard guard, though less so than Brutes, wearing a combination of chainmail and plate armor, as well as distinctive feathered helms.<ref name="AC2"/> | ||
===Horsemen=== | ===Horsemen=== | ||
{{Main|Horsemen}} | {{Main|Horsemen}} | ||
[[File:Horsemen.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A horseman dueling Ezio.]] | [[File:Horsemen.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A horseman dueling Ezio.]] | ||
Horsemen were mounted guards that possessed the ability to use a variety of weapons while on [[Horses|horseback]]. Their steeds allowed them to easily pursue targets, and strike | Horsemen were mounted guards that possessed the ability to use a variety of weapons while on [[Horses|horseback]]. Their steeds allowed them to easily pursue targets, and strike pre-emptively.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
Though they were vulnerable to long-ranged weapons such as [[throwing knives]] and crossbows, they could be | Though they were vulnerable to long-ranged weapons such as [[throwing knives]] and crossbows, they could be easily dealt with on the ground by being knocked from the saddle or by tripping their horse, as well as striking them whilst riding on horseback.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
Horsemen were equipped with both medium and long-ranged weapons, though none could wield | Horsemen were equipped with both medium and long-ranged weapons, though none could wield polearms. They were armored similarly to Borgia Captains, albeit without the cape.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
===Almogavars=== | ===Almogavars=== | ||
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Almogavars were heavily-armored Byzantine guards, who wielded two-handed axes. They were stationed in Byzantine-controlled districts of Constantinople, as well as in Derinkuyu during the Renaissance.<ref name="Revelations"/> | Almogavars were heavily-armored Byzantine guards, who wielded two-handed axes. They were stationed in Byzantine-controlled districts of Constantinople, as well as in Derinkuyu during the Renaissance.<ref name="Revelations"/> | ||
Comparable to Brutes, they fought with heavy weapons, and were slower than all other enemies. Due to their thick armor, they were very resilient, and could not be killed with a single bullet or crossbow bolt.<ref name="Revelations"/> | Comparable to Brutes, they fought with heavy weapons, and were slower than all other enemies. Due to their thick armor, they were very resilient, and could not be killed with a single bullet or crossbow bolt, though they mysteriously had a profound weakness to the effects of datura.<ref name="Revelations"/> | ||
Their armor was scaled, with fur and particularly large metal spaders. They also wielded [[Almogavar Axe|unique axes]], with a pair of crescent-shaped blades.<ref name="Revelations"/> | Their armor was scaled, with fur and particularly large metal spaders. They also wielded [[Almogavar Axe|unique axes]], with a pair of crescent-shaped blades.<ref name="Revelations"/> | ||
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Templar Knights were particularly skilled Crusaders, and were stationed throughout the [[Kingdom]] and its cities. They would often position themselves with a wall or cliff to their back, to prevent them from being attacked from behind.<ref name="AC"/> | Templar Knights were particularly skilled Crusaders, and were stationed throughout the [[Kingdom]] and its cities. They would often position themselves with a wall or cliff to their back, to prevent them from being attacked from behind.<ref name="AC"/> | ||
They were particularly vigilant, and could identify an Assassin from a crowd almost immediately, | They were particularly vigilant, and could identify an Assassin from a crowd almost immediately, subsequently attacking them. Other guards held the knights in high regard, and would always stand back should the Templar Knight engage in battle with an Assassin.<ref name="AC"/> | ||
They were similar to the Crusader Captains, but with unique armor. They wore chainmail and white surcoats with red crosses, as well as | They were similar to the Crusader Captains, but with unique armor. They wore chainmail and white surcoats with red crosses, as well as red lacquered great helms.<ref name="AC"/> | ||
===Papal Guards=== | ===Papal Guards=== | ||
{{Main|Papal Guard}} | {{Main|Papal Guard}} | ||
[[File:ACB castel papal guards.png|thumb|250px|left|Four members of the Papal Guard.]] | [[File:ACB castel papal guards.png|thumb|250px|left|Four members of the Papal Guard.]] | ||
The Papal Guard were elite soldiers commanded by the [[Papacy]], to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure. They combined the best qualities of all the other specialized guards, very powerful in battle, as well as quick on their feet.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | The Papal Guard were elite soldiers commanded by the [[Papacy]], to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure. They combined the best qualities of all the other specialized guards, being very powerful in battle, as well as quick on their feet.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
They wore intricate black and gold armor, as well as long dark capes, metal face masks | They wore intricate black and gold armor, as well as long dark capes, metal face masks and plumed helmets. They also wore crests painted on their chest guards, either displaying the crossed keys of the Papacy, or (in the 16th century) the red bull of the Borgia.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
Papal guards could use a wide variety of weapons, including long or heavy ones, though they most commonly [[Dual-wielding|dual-wielded]] a pistol alongside a medium weapon.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | Papal guards could use a wide variety of weapons, including long or heavy ones, though they most commonly [[Dual-wielding|dual-wielded]] a pistol alongside a medium weapon.<ref name="Brotherhood"/> | ||
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{{Main|Janissaries}} | {{Main|Janissaries}} | ||
[[File:ACR STORY 18.png|thumb|250px|right|Four Janissaries.]] | [[File:ACR STORY 18.png|thumb|250px|right|Four Janissaries.]] | ||
Janissaries were highly-trained soldiers, and the elite of the Ottoman Empire serving as the private guards to the Sultan. Similarly to the Papal Guard, they encompassed all the skills of the specialized guards.<ref name="Revelations"/> | Janissaries were highly-trained soldiers, and the elite of the Ottoman Empire, serving as the private guards to the Sultan. Similarly to the Papal Guard, they encompassed all the skills of the specialized guards.<ref name="Revelations"/> | ||
Their uniforms consisted of colorful robes with embroidered patterns, as well as black | Their uniforms consisted of colorful robes with embroidered patterns, as well as black headdresses and metal face masks. They all wielded [[Janissary Kijil|unique kijils]], as well as short pistols for long-ranged attacks.<ref name="Revelations"/> | ||
{{-}} | {{-}} | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
{{GalleryBox|Guards}} | {{GalleryBox|Guards}} | ||
* Several other guard | *Several other guard archetypes are present only in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'', such as Shield Guards, Duelists, and unnamed robed guards wielding maces. | ||
* In PlayStation | *In PlayStation Home, you can purchase the design of a Seeker for your avatar, which also comes with a spear. | ||
* On Xbox Live, you can purchase the outfit of an Agile. | *On Xbox Live, you can purchase the outfit of an Agile guard. | ||
;''Assassin's Creed II'' | ;''Assassin's Creed II'' | ||
* In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the taunts Ezio says to Brutes are different from those he says to the other guards, mainly insulting them about their weight. | *In ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', the taunts Ezio says to Brutes are different from those he says to the other guards, mainly insulting them about their weight, as they are bulkier. | ||
* In the memory "[[Clothes Make the Man]]", [[Ugo]] tells Ezio that the thieves are to impersonate the archers. Yet in the next mission, "[[Everything Must Go]]", after Ezio kills the archers on the rooftops, the thieves wear the armor of Leader guards instead of archer armor. | *In the memory "[[Clothes Make the Man]]", [[Ugo]] tells Ezio that the thieves are to impersonate the archers. Yet in the next mission, "[[Everything Must Go]]", after Ezio kills the archers on the rooftops, the thieves wear the armor of Leader guards instead of archer armor. | ||
* In the memory "[[Infrequent Flier]]", a Brute and a Seeker can be seen stationed on the rooftop, despite being the only guards who cannot climb or free run. | *In the memory "[[Infrequent Flier]]", a Brute and a Seeker can be seen stationed on the rooftop, despite being the only guards who cannot climb or free run. | ||
* In the memory "[[Play Along]]", Ezio assassinates an Agile so he can disguise himself as a guard, but instead of having an Agile's outfit, he wears the outfit of a Leader guard. | *In the memory "[[Play Along]]", Ezio assassinates an Agile so he can disguise himself as a guard, but instead of having an Agile's outfit, he wears the outfit of a Leader guard. | ||
;''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' | ;''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' | ||
* In the memory "[[French Kiss]]", Ezio kills twenty French guards of different archetypes. However, in "[[Trojan Horse]]" (the following memory), the mercenaries are equipped with only Leader armor, while Ezio wears one similar to a Borgia Captain (albeit in French colors, despite the fact that no such guard was ever encountered). | *In the memory "[[French Kiss]]", Ezio kills twenty French guards of different archetypes. However, in "[[Trojan Horse]]" (the following memory), the mercenaries are equipped with only Leader armor, while Ezio wears one similar to a Borgia Captain (albeit in French colors, despite the fact that no such guard was ever encountered). | ||
* In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', an extremely rare glitch occurs with a group of four guards. They will stand in place and will not pay any attention to you, even if you kill someone nearby. You are free to attack them, in which case an execution will be performed, but it will not kill them. Instead they will simply stand back up. This glitch usually ends in the game freezing, and has a danger of crashing the entire console system. | *In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'', an extremely rare glitch occurs with a group of four guards. They will stand in place and will not pay any attention to you, even if you kill someone nearby. You are free to attack them, in which case an execution will be performed, but it will not kill them. Instead they will simply stand back up. This glitch usually ends in the game freezing, and has a danger of crashing the entire console system. | ||
**This glitch returns in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'', though if an Assassin apprentice engages with them, they can end up taking damage, even though the guards remain still in one spot. This implies that while the apprentice's attacks aren't doing damage, the game's system still considers them and the guards in combat, with the guards making unseeable attacks, despite not being able to move. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 16:11, 12 May 2012
Guards were members of either a local militia, or an organized military force. They were usually assigned to defend or control access to locations of interest, or protect certain individuals.
The color and styles of their uniforms varied over time, as well as denoting their military rank, allegiance, and combat specialization.
Factions
High Middle Ages
During the Third Crusade, soldiers wore the armor and colors of either Saracens or Crusaders, with the latter subdivided into the personal guards of King Richard I of England, or the Knights Templar, Hospitalier, and Teutonic.[1]
Saracens spoke Turkish or Arabic, while Crusaders spoke mostly English, with some Captains and Sergeants speaking French or German. Templar Knights, however, spoke all of the dialects.[1]
Saracens wore lamellar armor, and either spangenhelms or turbans. All Crusaders wore surcoats and chainmail, while some also wore spangenhelms or great helms.[1]
The colors of Crusader surcoats differed with their affiliation, with King Richard's personal guard wearing red and white, Templars wearing white with red crosses, Hospitaliers wearing black with white crosses, and Teutonics wearing white with black crosses.[1]
Guards for several smaller factions or individuals possessed their own uniforms as well, such as the black, gold-striped clothes of Talal's men, or the short white robes and gray-hoods of the guards of Masyaf.[1]
Renaissance
Throughout the Renaissance, multiple factions of guards existed, as they were affiliated to either individual cities or people instead of armies. They bore unique colors, often along with the family or city crest.[2]
Guards for the House of Pazzi wore black caps, red sleeves with gold streaks, and the crest of the Pazzi. They could only be found in Florence and Tuscany, during the height of the family's influence, until the Pazzi Conspiracy was abolished.[2]
Guards serving the House of Medici wore dark yellow caps, yellow and white striped sleeves, black armor plates, and the crest of the Medici. They were notably seen during the repression of the Pazzi Conspiracy in Florence, as well as in San Gimignano.[2]
Guards of the House of Borgia wore dark red caps, black sleeves with dark red streaks, and the crest of the Borgia. They often accompanied Rodrigo Borgia, and could also be found in Romagna during the Templar meeting that resided there, in the Cannaregio District of Venice,[2] or in Florence during the Bonfire of the Vanities.[3]
Guards of Girolamo Savonarola wore black caps, sleeves, and armor plates. Instead of a coats of arms, they bore a small portrait of Savonarola himself, with three red beams shining down upon him. They were notably seen in Florence during the Bonfire of the Vanities, often repressing the Borgia guards attempting to take the Apple of Eden.[3]
Guards serving the city of Forlì wore dark green caps and sleeves, as well as the crest of Caterina Sforza's family, who ruled Romagna.[2]
For the guards who served the city of Venice, they wore blue caps and sleeves, with gold armor plates bearing the coat of arms of the Italian city. The quality of their armor was significantly better than that of their counterparts in other cities, as well as having the combat proficiency to deflect more damage.[2]
Those who served the Vatican wore white caps, red and white sleeves, and the coat of arms of the city of Rome. Similarly to Venetian guards, their armor was more resilient than most.[2]
Guards and soldiers of France wore dark blue and white. They were commonly seen in Rome after the alliance of Cesare Borgia and the French general Octavian de Valois.[4]
At that time, French soldiers were stationed in either the main camp in Castra Praetoria, or in military guard posts throughout the Campagna District of Rome. They remained in the city throughout its liberation, often fighting the mercenaries of the Assassin condottiero, Bartolomeo d'Alviano.[4]
Guards from the town of Viana in Spain wore a yellowish-green color to their armor. They notably participated in the Siege of Viana, as they defended Viana Castle from King John III's invading Navarre troops, who wore red uniforms with yellow accents.[4]
Constantinople in the Renaissance was divided into two distinct factions, the ruling Ottomans, and the remnants of the ancient Byzantine Empire.[5]
Though Constantinople was held and controlled by the former, guards of the latter constantly fought for control. The region of Cappadocia, particularly Derinkuyu, remained in Byzantine hands.[5]
Ottoman guards wore green uniforms with red accents, while Byzantines wore small gray capes, and dark red and white uniforms. The Byzantine guards also distinctly wore the black eagle crest of the Byzantine Empire's Palaiologos Dynasty.[5]
Ranking
High Middle Ages
Regular
Regular guards were the most common, but lightest equipped of the guard ranks. Regular Crusader guards did not have helmets, and only wore leather armor, while Saracen ones wore turbans, and light lamellar armor.[1]
In combat, they were not skilled enough to grab, counterattack, or perform a combo. They could only deflect attacks, with a 25% chance of dodging a light attack.[1]
Sergeant
Sergeants were middle-ranked soldiers, and were equipped with helmets and heavier armor. Crusaders wore chainmail, and the Saracens possessed medium lamellar armor.[1]
They could grab targets, and had a 50% chance of breaking a grab attack, as well as a 50% chance of countering or dodging a light attack. They also had a 25% chance of breaking defenses, but could not perform combo attacks.[1]
Captain
Captains were the most powerful guards, with the exception of Templar Knights. Saracens wore Baidah helmets and heavy lamellar armor, while Crusaders wore chainmail, and varying knight helms.[1]
Guards at this rank were also able to grab, and had a 75% chance of breaking a grab attack, as well as countering or dodging a light attack. They also had a 50% chance of breaking defenses. If a successful heavy attack was delivered, they could perform a combo attack.[1]
Renaissance
Militia
Militia were the lowest ranking guards, and wore very little armor. They also had the lowest morale, and were likely to flee a battle if they were losing.[2]
Militia could be found almost everywhere, and wielded a large variety of medium-ranged weapons. They were not especially agile, but could climb up to the rooftops, albeit slowly, in order to pursue a target Assassin.[2]
Of the guard types, Militia were the only ones who could be fooled into picking up coins, should they be thrown as a distraction.[2]
Elite
Elites were stronger than Militia, and wore a moderate amount of armor. They could withstand more damage, and were capable of dodging enemy attacks.[2]
They were also more courageous than Militia, but could still be forced to retreat, especially if their Leader (or a high-ranking specialized guard) should be killed near them.[2]
Leader
Leaders were the best fighters, and the most tenacious of all the regular guards. They wore slightly more armor than the Elites, and had distinct, full-faced helmets.[2]
They were resilient, and could withstand several attacks before they could be killed. They were also harder to disarm, as well as resistant to being grabbed.[2]
Captain
- Main article: Borgia Captains
Captains of the Renaissance were only found leading contingents of soldiers at Borgia Towers. There were only twelve of them throughout Rome, one for each tower.[4]
They fought similarly to Leaders, but were more heavily and intricately armored. They wore a white cape with the Borgia crest.[4]
Though most were courageous and skilled enough to counter most attacks, some were cowardly, and would flee into their tower should it be attacked, only leaving once the next guard patrol was posted.[4]
Ranged types
Archers
- Main article: Archers
Archers were guards armed with longbows, who patrolled rooftops and watched for possible enemies below.[2] Outside of cities, they were posted on elevated watchtowers.[1]
Crusader Archers wore the same uniforms as the standard guards of their faction, though they also had white hoods.[1] In the Renaissance, Archers were usually of the Elite rank, and wore the same uniform as their standard counterparts.[2]
Once provoked due to an enemy approaching within a meter or so, an archer would cease firing arrows, and draw his medium-ranged weapon, such as a sword or mace. Though accurate and deadly from a distance, Archers did not pose a serious threat in close combat.[2]
Crossbowmen
- Main article: Crossbowmen
Similarly to Archers, Crossbowmen defended the rooftops or areas of interest, though the Crossbows they wielded could be fired more quickly, and caused more damage.[4] However, they did not completely replace Archers, as longbows were more accurate if used by a skilled guard.[6]
Unlike Archers, Crossbowmen had no melee weapon, and if their enemy drew too close, they would only back away and keep firing. They were also more vigilant, as well as possessing some free-running ability, which permitting them to more closely investigate intruders.[4]
In Rome, Crossbowmen could be distinguished by their striped berets and light armor.[4]
Arquebusiers
- Main article: Arquebusiers
The Arquebusiers (also named Gunmen or Riflemen) were firearm-wielding soldiers who patrolled rooftops, protected high-value locations, and guarded important people.[4]
Though Arquebusiers did not have as great a range as Crossbowmen, what they lacked in distance, they made up for in power. Their shots dealt significant damage to both targets and enemy armor.[4]
In the Renaissance, they wore heavy armor and full helmets, as well as belts of gunpowder and ammunition.[4]
Bombmen
In Constantinople, Bombmen wielded Thunder Bombs and short blades, and commonly guarded the rooftops in high traffic areas, such as the docks, arsenal, and harbor. They would also participate in the protection of Templar dens, and would attack from the safety of reinforced sentry boxes.[5]
Byzantine Bombmen wore uniforms similar to Almogavars, though with longer red capes.[5]
Specialized types
Agiles
- Main article: Agile guards
Agiles were lightly-armored, quick moving guards. They were one of the types capable of outrunning Assassins, and were also skilled free-runners. They more commonly fled to alert nearby guards, rather than face an enemy directly.[2]
During pursuits alongside other guards, Agiles would usually catch up to a target first and injure them with the short blades they wielded. In battle, they were very light on their feet and could dodge nearly all attacks.[2]
Agiles wore the least armor of any guard, with only a light leather chest guard, metal helmet and spaulders. Due to their increased vulnerability, they were also the most cowardly of the specialized types.[2]
Brutes
- Main article: Brutes
Brutes were the most heavily-armored guards during the Renaissance. They moved slowly due to the two-handed weapons they wielded, but compensated through resilience and power.[2]
They were not very vigilant, and could not normally distinguish Assassins from anyone else in a crowd. In guard patrols, they often acted as the leader, as they had the highest morale of any guard type, fleeing only if they were disarmed and could not obtain another weapon.[2]
Brutes could be easily seen from their large, reinforced armor and closed helms.[2] Brutes in Rome had more intricate armor than those in other cities, with designs worked into the metal.[4]
Seekers
- Main article: Seekers
Seekers were guards who, as their name suggested, would search through hiding places, on the suspicion that an Assassin had taken refuge within one. They always wielded polearms, such as spears and halberds.[2]
Similarly to Brutes, they would lead patrols of guards, often halting the group to search any hiding spots they passed.[2] In battle, they had the second highest morale to Brutes, and were skilled enough to resist most attacks and counters.[4]
They were slightly more heavily-armored than a standard guard, though less so than Brutes, wearing a combination of chainmail and plate armor, as well as distinctive feathered helms.[2]
Horsemen
- Main article: Horsemen
Horsemen were mounted guards that possessed the ability to use a variety of weapons while on horseback. Their steeds allowed them to easily pursue targets, and strike pre-emptively.[4]
Though they were vulnerable to long-ranged weapons such as throwing knives and crossbows, they could be easily dealt with on the ground by being knocked from the saddle or by tripping their horse, as well as striking them whilst riding on horseback.[4]
Horsemen were equipped with both medium and long-ranged weapons, though none could wield polearms. They were armored similarly to Borgia Captains, albeit without the cape.[4]
Almogavars
- Main article: Almogavars
Almogavars were heavily-armored Byzantine guards, who wielded two-handed axes. They were stationed in Byzantine-controlled districts of Constantinople, as well as in Derinkuyu during the Renaissance.[5]
Comparable to Brutes, they fought with heavy weapons, and were slower than all other enemies. Due to their thick armor, they were very resilient, and could not be killed with a single bullet or crossbow bolt, though they mysteriously had a profound weakness to the effects of datura.[5]
Their armor was scaled, with fur and particularly large metal spaders. They also wielded unique axes, with a pair of crescent-shaped blades.[5]
Varangians
- Main article: Varangians
Varangians were the Byzantine equivalent of Seekers, and were stationed in both Constantinople and Derinkuyu. They were very skilled in battle, and could deflect nearly all strikes and counterattacks.[5]
They wore heavy armor with short capes, as well as intricate winged helmets. They fought with halberds or spears, as well as short pistols.[5]
Expert types
Templar Knights
Templar Knights were particularly skilled Crusaders, and were stationed throughout the Kingdom and its cities. They would often position themselves with a wall or cliff to their back, to prevent them from being attacked from behind.[1]
They were particularly vigilant, and could identify an Assassin from a crowd almost immediately, subsequently attacking them. Other guards held the knights in high regard, and would always stand back should the Templar Knight engage in battle with an Assassin.[1]
They were similar to the Crusader Captains, but with unique armor. They wore chainmail and white surcoats with red crosses, as well as red lacquered great helms.[1]
Papal Guards
- Main article: Papal Guard
The Papal Guard were elite soldiers commanded by the Papacy, to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure. They combined the best qualities of all the other specialized guards, being very powerful in battle, as well as quick on their feet.[4]
They wore intricate black and gold armor, as well as long dark capes, metal face masks and plumed helmets. They also wore crests painted on their chest guards, either displaying the crossed keys of the Papacy, or (in the 16th century) the red bull of the Borgia.[4]
Papal guards could use a wide variety of weapons, including long or heavy ones, though they most commonly dual-wielded a pistol alongside a medium weapon.[4]
Janissaries
- Main article: Janissaries
Janissaries were highly-trained soldiers, and the elite of the Ottoman Empire, serving as the private guards to the Sultan. Similarly to the Papal Guard, they encompassed all the skills of the specialized guards.[5]
Their uniforms consisted of colorful robes with embroidered patterns, as well as black headdresses and metal face masks. They all wielded unique kijils, as well as short pistols for long-ranged attacks.[5]
Trivia
- Several other guard archetypes are present only in Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines and Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles, such as Shield Guards, Duelists, and unnamed robed guards wielding maces.
- In PlayStation Home, you can purchase the design of a Seeker for your avatar, which also comes with a spear.
- On Xbox Live, you can purchase the outfit of an Agile guard.
- Assassin's Creed II
- In Assassin's Creed II, the taunts Ezio says to Brutes are different from those he says to the other guards, mainly insulting them about their weight, as they are bulkier.
- In the memory "Clothes Make the Man", Ugo tells Ezio that the thieves are to impersonate the archers. Yet in the next mission, "Everything Must Go", after Ezio kills the archers on the rooftops, the thieves wear the armor of Leader guards instead of archer armor.
- In the memory "Infrequent Flier", a Brute and a Seeker can be seen stationed on the rooftop, despite being the only guards who cannot climb or free run.
- In the memory "Play Along", Ezio assassinates an Agile so he can disguise himself as a guard, but instead of having an Agile's outfit, he wears the outfit of a Leader guard.
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- In the memory "French Kiss", Ezio kills twenty French guards of different archetypes. However, in "Trojan Horse" (the following memory), the mercenaries are equipped with only Leader armor, while Ezio wears one similar to a Borgia Captain (albeit in French colors, despite the fact that no such guard was ever encountered).
- In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, an extremely rare glitch occurs with a group of four guards. They will stand in place and will not pay any attention to you, even if you kill someone nearby. You are free to attack them, in which case an execution will be performed, but it will not kill them. Instead they will simply stand back up. This glitch usually ends in the game freezing, and has a danger of crashing the entire console system.
- This glitch returns in Assassin's Creed: Revelations, though if an Assassin apprentice engages with them, they can end up taking damage, even though the guards remain still in one spot. This implies that while the apprentice's attacks aren't doing damage, the game's system still considers them and the guards in combat, with the guards making unseeable attacks, despite not being able to move.
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Assassin's Creed
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 2.23 2.24 2.25 Assassin's Creed II
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed II - Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 Assassin's Creed: Revelations
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy
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