Blending
Blending is the slowest and stealthiest method of movement in the Assassin's Creed universe that every Assassin has to learn.
Assassin's Creed
When blending, Altaïr moves very slowly, so as not to arouse suspicion. If he is on foot, he will lower his head, fold his hands, and imitate a scholar. Altaïr can even blend into a group of Scholars for extra security, however if he does so, he is bound to follow wherever the group walks until he exits the blend. If he is on a horse, he will bow his head and slow the horse to a walk. When guards are Informed (alert with drawn swords), blending is the best way of avoiding attention.
Usage
To blend, while in low profile, hold the Feet button (
on PS3, A on Xbox 360, or the Space Bar on the PC's default layout). Informed guards are much less likely to notice you if you blend.
When not to blend
Blending is not always effective, such as when:
- Approaching a Templar (they always recognize Altaïr very quickly).
- Approaching a stationary guard or guards, such as those in front of city gates. They will always push you back, even if you blend. If you join a group of scholars, however, they will always let you pass through.
- Being chased by guards. Blending alone does not act as a hiding spot. You can, however, use a group of scholars as you would any other hiding spot.
- Standing on a rooftop. Archers will remind you that it's socially unacceptable to be up there, even if you Blend.
- Approaching an archer in the Kingdom. Kingdom archers attentively defend the area around their post, including the ground.
Scholars
- Main article: Scholars
Altaïr can unlock scholars (as well as vigilantes) by completing Save Citizen side missions. Although for scholars to be unlocked, the potential-victim has to be male since saved females produce vigilantes instead. Scholars patrol the 3 cities in groups of four, moving in a diamond formation. If Altaïr approaches an unaware group and blends, he will lower his head, join the group, and walk with them automatically. He may leave at any time by pressing the Feet button again.
When blending in a group of scholars, Altaïr is even better concealed than when he blends normally. If Altaïr is being chased by guards and he breaks their line of sight, he may use scholars as he would any hiding spot. By approaching them, Blending, and joining the group, he is in effect entering a moving hiding spot.
In addition, guards will always step aside to allow a group of scholars through, even in situations where they would not do the same if it were just Altaïr blending. This can prove very useful for getting into restricted areas.
Assassin's Creed II
thumb|300px|right|Paola teaching Ezio how to blend. In Assassin's Creed II, Paola teaches Ezio how to blend in with the crowd. As an updated version of blending with scholars, you can now hide within any group of civilians, as long as there are at least 4 of them (with the exception of hired courtesans, who only require a minimum of 2). To blend into the crowd, simply walk into the middle of their group and follow them.
When Ezio is blending he seems to become duller and lose a lot of color, to indicate that he is hiding. A shadow of gray under the group that he is currently blending with indicates the boundary in which he must stay, so as to remain unseen.
The green circle around the map indicates that Ezio is hidden. Leaving the group will allow Ezio to be hidden for just a little longer untill he can be seen again. Please note that pressing the button for High Profile will cause the blend to be removed, even when still in the group.
Usage
In this game, there is no button meant for blend. Instead, you automatically blend when you walk into a group of people (courtesans, priests, common folk etc.) or when moving with the crowd. You can also steal money by hold the Feet button ( on PS3, A on Xbox 360 or the Space Bar on the PC's default layout) while in Low Profile.
Courtesans
- Main article: Courtesans
After Paola teaches Ezio how to blend and steal, you will be able to hire some Courtesans to help you blend for the cost of 150 florins. They act very similar to the scholars in terms of usage; however, inversely, they will follow your movements instead of you following theirs. This is the fastest way of blending, at the cost of some florins. However, they can be easily lost if there are guards nearby, as they do not fare well in combat.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Blending returns in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood with nearly the same function as in Assassin's Creed II. Available in both single and multiplayer, the only change to the mechanic is that the player is no longer required to manually follow the crowd, and may simply allow the civilians to lead their character, much as scholars did in Assassin's Creed.
Trivia
- A bug in Assassin's Creed II gives the player a never-ending blend ability. If walking onto a non-standable surface while blending, the player will stay in blend-mode until Ezio stands up. For info and a tutorial on this, visit folowing links: Superblending and Hyperblending.
- It's possible to blend with only one person. If you manage to find one of the three factions (Courtesans, Mercenaries, or Thieves) near water or on a roof, push all of them off but leave one. Move closer to the remaining one and you will blend.
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