Assassin rank

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As an Assassin improved in skill and training, they would progress through a series of ranks, which denoted their standing within the Order. Starting from Novice until Master Assassin, apprentices would improve in both weaponry and ability, learning either from mentors, or on the field.

Though ranks were only strictly denoted in times when the Order was formally established, they were nevertheless implied at other times; roughly indicating a member's seniority in the Order.

Progression

Assassins varied in equipment choice and skill level at their different ranks, usually due to personal choice, or the time period in which they lived. As such, the following is merely an estimation of one's abilities at each rank, based upon the progression of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and of the Assassin's mentored by Ezio Auditore da Firenze.

Rank One/Novice

Altaïr in the attire of a novice.

Upon being recruited into the Order, Assassins began at the rank of Novice.

During the first rank of the Assassins during the Third Crusade, they were required to obey all other members of the Order, and were not permitted any weapons. Thus, should they engage in a fight, they needed to either flee, or use their fists. Being only novices at this point, they would usually only survey or gather information; at the most, only delivering any assassination targets to higher-ranked members to be killed.

Assassins during the Renaissance were permitted weapons and were able to be called on by their mentors in the field. Novices had almost no armor and barely any skills that would have helped them during combat.

Rank Two

An apprentice performing an assassination with the hidden blade.

Assassins who reached the second rank were permitted the use of a basic longsword and a hidden blade.

Assassins during the Third Crusade were also allowed to complete missions throughout other cities, however, assassinations needed to be confirmed and permitted by the leaders of Assassins' Bureaus beforehand. For all but those of the highest rank, Assassins needed to complete their own investigations, and stain a feather marker with their target's blood.

Rank Three

Upon obtaining the third rank, Assassins were given a basic dagger. By this time, they had also learned how to counter enemy attacks, improving their capability in direct combat.

Rank Four

Assassins received throwing knives by the fourth rank, completing their arsenal. Though they were only allowed five initially, as they improved in skill, many chose to increase the number of knives they carried.

At this rank, Assassins could also tackle and push civilians in crowds, rather than just avoiding them, allowing them quicker escapes.

Rank Five

Ezio training his apprentices in free-running.

Reaching this rank permitted Assassins gloves as an additional piece of armor, in accordance to their improved climbing and free-running skills.

By this point, Assassins could catch ledges while falling should they slip or miss a jump. They could also escape and counter an enemy's grab during a fistfight.

Rank Six

Assassins, at this point, had improved in footwork both during free-running and in battle. As such, they were granted boots with additional armor.

Here, they were able to dodge enemy attacks, as well as catch themselves in a roll upon hitting the ground after a jump. They also had improved stability in a fight, able to regain their balance quickly should they be thrown.

Rank Seven

Though not changing much in skill set, Assassins at this rank received an upgraded weapon arsenal. They received an extra knife belt, allowing them five additional throwing knives, as well as a more powerful standard sword.

Rank Eight

Assassins improved their skill in swordplay at this point, allowing them to break through the defenses of an enemy armed similarly to them.

Here, Altaïr was also granted a personalized sword with an eagle motif, which was considered an exceptionally powerful blade, even in the Renaissance.

Rank Nine

By this rank, Assassins improved in the use of daggers and short blades, on par with their skill level with longswords. They were thus granted a sleeker, more powerful short blade; often with a more ornate design.

Rank Ten

The initiation of an apprentice in the Tiber Island headquarters.

At this final rank, Assassins of the Third Crusade received an additional five throwing knives, as well as more powerful sword. This curved, golden-hilted Syrian blade was used even by the Mentor at the time.

At this rank, Italian Assassins of the 16^th century were formally initiated into the Order; receiving a more ornate set of Assassin robes.

Master Assassin

Only Assassins of exceptional skill and standing reached this rank, and were thus highly respected throughout the Order. Over the years, only very few are known to have gained this distinction.

Though varying on rare occasions, Master Assassins were often the only ones permitted to wield dual hidden blades.

Titles

The following is a breakdown (from lowest to highest) of the titles given to Assassins of each rank, both during the Third Crusades and in the Renaissance.

Rank	Renaissance (Italy)	Renaissance (Constantinople)
1	Recluta (Recruit)	Recruit
2	Servitore (Servant)	Initiate
3	Assistente (Assistant)	Apprentice
4	Milite (Soldier)	Novice
5	Discepolo (Disciple)	Footpad
6	Mercenario (Mercenary)	Disciple
7	Guerriero (Warrior)	Mercenary
8	Veterano (Veteran)	Warrior
9	Maestro (Master)	Veteran
10	Assassino (Assassin)	Assassin, First Rank
11	None Given	Assassin, Second Rank
12	None Given	Assassin, Third Rank
13	None Given	Assassin, Forth Rank
14	None Given	Assassin, Fifth Rank
15	None Given	Master Assassin

Statistics

Rank	Available equipment	Available skills	Other
1	None	None	Base Synchronization 4 Maximum throwing knives 0 Short blade level 0 Longsword level 0
2	Hidden Blade Longsword	None	Base Synchronization 5 Maximum throwing knives 0 Short blade level 0 Longsword level 1
3	Hidden Blade Longsword Short blade	Counter Kills	Base Synchronization 6 Maximum throwing knives 0 Short blade level 1 Longsword level 1
4	Hidden Blade Longsword Short blade Throwing knives	Counter Kills Tackle	Base Synchronization 7 Maximum throwing knives 5 Short blade level 1 Longsword level 1
5	Hidden Blade Longsword Short blade Throwing knives	Counter Kills Tackle Grab Break Catch Ledge	Base Synchronization 8 Maximum throwing knives 5 Short blade level 1 Longsword level 1
6	Hidden Blade Longsword Short blade Throwing knives	Counter Kills Tackle Grab Break Catch Ledge Regain Balance Dodge	Base Synchronization 9 Maximum throwing knives 5 Short blade level 1 Longsword level 1
7	Hidden Blade Longsword Short blade Throwing knives	Counter Kills Tackle Grab Break Catch Ledge Regain Balance Dodge	Base Synchronization 10 Maximum throwing knives 10 Short blade level 1 Longsword level 1
8	Hidden Blade Longsword Short blade Throwing knives	Counter Kills Tackle Grab Break Catch Ledge Regain Balance Dodge Defense Break	Base Synchronization 11 Maximum throwing knives 10 Short blade level 1 Longsword level 2
9	Hidden Blade Longsword Short blade Throwing knives	Counter Kills Tackle Grab Break Catch Ledge Regain Balance Dodge Defense Break	Base Synchronization 12 Maximum throwing knives 10 Short blade level 2 Longsword level 2
10	Hidden Blade Longsword Short blade Throwing knives	Counter Kills Tackle Grab Break Catch Ledge Regain Balance Dodge Defense Break	Base Synchronization 13 Maximum throwing knives 15 Short blade level 2 Longsword level 4

Sources

• Assassin's Creed
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood