Freerunning
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Freerunning or free running, is a form of acrobatics in which participants use the city and its urban landscape to perform movements through its structures. It is one of the core gameplay mechanics of the Assassin's Creed series, and utilized mainly by Assassins, Templars, and guards, although several citizens have been known to free run.
Third Crusade

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad is able to scale any wall if its surface is not too flat and possesses anything he can possibly grab onto (such as windows, cracks, or ledges). In addition, he can use any of the following movements:
- Swing is a movement where Altaïr swings onto a bar and lets go, in order to grab another object, or to drop to the ground.
- Drop is the act of dropping from a hanging position or bar.
- Wallpass is the climbing of a tall wall by kicking its surface once to propel upward.
- Climb-up is the movement of climbing an obstacle from a hanging position into a position where Altaïr's upper body is above the obstacle, supported by his arms.
- Pass involves quickly and smoothly passing over medium sized obstacles.
- Breakfall is a forward roll where the hands, arms, and diagonal of the back contact the ground.
- Arm jump is to land on the side of an obstacle in a hanging position, the hands gripping the top edge, holding the body, ready to perform a muscle up.
- Long jump is a jump from a high height, and is usually followed by a roll.
- Gap jump is similar to a long jump except over an open expanse.
- Precision jump is a static or moving jump from one object to a precise spot on another object of a small surface, such as low walls or pillars.
Renaissance
Italy
In addition to all the movements of the Third Crusade, several new ones were introduced during Ezio Auditore’s life throughout the Italian Renaissance.
Fast climb
By moving in High Profile, Ezio can climb up structures much faster than Altaïr. However, the scheme of the ledges he grabs must be regular, and he must start in a standing position on a ledge.
Climb leap
- "Begin in a hanging position, then jump to the ledge above you. As you reach it, grab it with your hand and pull yourself up!"
- ―Rosa[src]
The climb leap movement is first shown to Ezio by Rosa in Venice, and allows him to grab a potentially out-of-reach handhold by performing a vertical jump while climbing.
Sprint jump
The Sprint Jump is a maneuver unlocked in the Bonfire of the Vanities downloadable content, but can only be used in the Oltrarno District of Florence. The Sprint Jump allows Ezio to jump twice as far as normal by sprinting straight onto and jumping from a springboard.
Swinging
Ezio can also swing from lanterns and pots hanging off of structures in order to navigate cities quicker.
Constantinople
Ezio is able to perform all of the basic functions he could during the Italian Renaissance, but in Constantinople.
Hook Blade
Ezio is able to perform the climb leap in Constantinople, but uses the Hookblade to pull himself up.
Trivia
- Altaïr's Codex sketch indicates ancient natal charts inspired free running.
- There is a bug present in Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed II , and Assassins Creed: Brotherhood in which citizens perform freerunning movements.
- In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, while trying to tackle Lucrezia Borgia, there is occasionally a bug that makes her free-run over the gardens.
- In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Ezio is able to swing around a wooden beam while free running (if he jumps off of a galloping horse), rather than simply pulling himself up.
