Den Defense

Ezio overseeing the defense of a den

During their long conflict against each other, in 16th century Constantinople, whenever the Byzantine Templars attacked an Assassin Den, the Ottoman Brotherhood would engage in a Den Defense in order to maintain their control over it. Several such defenses were successfully organized and carried out by the Italian Mentor, Ezio Auditore da Firenze during his stay in the city.

The Ottoman branch also sent their members to help the guilds in other Mediterranean cities to defend against Templar attacks.

Walkthrough

During a Den Defense, Ezio had the ability to command and deploy Assassin units to defend the den from approaching Templar soldiers. Positioning themselves on rooftops and behind barricades, the Assassin forces would wait for the impending Templars. Each Assassin had a combat specialty, ranging from crossbowmen to bombers, and barricades were placed to halt Templar progression. Occasionally, deployed Assassins were killed and barricades destroyed, which would prompt Ezio to call in reinforcements.

At times, Ezio would also participate in the defense more directly, firing his Hidden Gun at approaching soldiers, which would signal his troops to attack that squadron, or, periodically, commanding a cannon to be fired at a group of soldiers or a war machine.

The Templars would attack in several waves, leaving little time between each for the Assassins to prepare. From there, they would advance up the street, pausing only if encountering a barricade. However, once the Templars reached the Den, they would not stop attacking until they forced the Assassins out or were killed.

Four types of barricades were employed during Ezio's stay: a simple wooden barricade that could upgrade to enhance defense, a Greek Fire barricade equipped with a flamethrower, a Machine Gun Barricade and a Cannon Barricade. Some of these tactics would also be employed by the Templars, who would use Machine Gun, cannon and Greek Fire war machines against the defending Assassins, as well as heavily armored battering rams.

Known Assassin units

• Assassin Leader: Wields charisma. Rather than doing direct damage, unlocks rooftops for placing other units. Vulnerable to Stalkers.
• Crossbowman: Wields a crossbow. Deals low damage, but with a high rate of fire.
• Rifleman: Wields a rifle. Deals high damage, but with a low rate of fire
• Air Assassin: Wields a Hidden Blade. Jumps from the rooftop to instantly assassinate a single enemy unit.
• Bruiser: Wields medium weapons. Deals medium damage, but can be killed if overwhelmed.
• Caltrop Bomber: Throws caltrop bombs. Deals low damage, but slows down Templar ground units caught in its effect.
• Shrapnel Bomber: Throws splinter bombs. Deals high damage, even to war machines.

Known Templar units

• Militia: Wields medium weapons. Typically comes in large groups.
• Almogavars: Well-armored brutes carrying heavy weapons. Typically comes in large groups.
• Rifleman: Wields a rifle. Can kill rooftop units if left unchecked.
• Bombman: Throws splinter bombs. Can destroy barricades if left unchecked.
• Scouts: Weak, but fast. Can climb over barricades to attack defender units behind them.
• Infiltrators: Weak, but fast. Evades barricades and defender units. Goes straight towards the den.
• Stalkers: Attacks the Assassin leader and units on the rooftops directly.

Gallery

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  Several Assassins defending a Den
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  Den Defense concept art