Freerunning

Rosa: "Climbing a bit of scaffolding is all well and good, but let's see how you do out in the open."

Ezio: "Top of that tower, then? Torno fra un attimo. (I'll be right back.)"

—Rosa challenging Ezio Auditore.

The Codex sketch on freerunning.

Freerunning is a form of acrobatics, in which participants navigate through a landscape by performing fluid movements over and across urban or natural structures.

This particular form of movement was utilized primarily by members of the Assassin Order, and was a vital asset both during and after assassinations. Over time, Assassins would also use a series of tools to supplement their climbing and freerunning abilities.

Additionally, freerunning was integrated into the Animi Training Program, in order for Abstergo recruits to mimic the skills learned predominantly by Assassins in history.

Vertical movement

In general, vertical movements involved climbing or scaling structures that provided adequate handholds, or a texture rough enough to grip. Inversely, they also allowed one to safely drop down from a height.

• Wallpass was the act of climbing a tall wall by kicking its surface once to propel upwards.
• Climb-up was the movement of pulling oneself up onto an obstacle from a hanging position.

Ezio Auditore climbing up onto a bar.

• Drop was the act of jumping downwards, after releasing one's grip from a hanging position or bar.
• Long jump was a leap from a high height, and was usually followed by a break fall.
• Climb leap was a vertical jump while holding onto a vertical surface, which allowed one to grab potentially out-of-reach handholds.
• Beam jump was performed from horseback, and allowed one to use the horse's momentum to leap from the saddle, grab a beam, and swing around to either land on it, or on an adjacent one.
• Leap of Faith was performed only by trained Assassins and Abstergo recruits, which involved leaping from a significant height onto a cushioned material.

PARKOUR LIKE A BOSS!!!1!!111

Tools

"When he tires of running, an Assassin must take to the air."

―Yusuf Tazim commenting on the zipline.

File:ACR ezio constantinople.jpg

Ezio using the Hookblade to climb.

As they used freerunning for travel and escape, Assassins (or their allies) developed tools that would improve their abilities. Among these were the Climb Leap Glove manufactured by Leonardo da Vinci, and the Hookblade, which was used by the Assassins of the Turkish branch.

Though the climb leap technique could also be performed unaided, the Climb Leap Glove improved the strength of one's grip, and allowed older or less experienced individuals to perform the technique.

The Hookblade aided in both vertical and horizontal movement. When used with ziplines posted on Constantinople's rooftops, the Hookblade allowed one to travel great diagonal distances much quicker than running or climbing normally. The device also extended one's reach upwards during a climb leap, or forwards during an arm jump.

During the Louisiana Rebellion, Aveline de Grandpré exploited the whip to navigate across different routes and rooftops, using it to swing from out of reach beams.

Trivia

• Though referred to as "freerunning" throughout the Assassin's Creed series, the Assassins' focus on speed and efficiency, rather than creativity, more closely resembled standard Parkour.
• There was a bug present in most installments of the series, where civilians in certain areas or circumstances were able to perform freerunning movements.
• Other than the Assassins, several factions were also known to be adept freerunners, including Agile guards, Thieves, Borgia Messengers, Papal guards, Followers of Romulus, and Janissaries. A few Templars have also proven to be good freerunners, such as Lucy Stillman, Francesco de' Pazzi, and Haytham Kenway.
• Freerunning puzzles have become a mainstay in the series since Assassin's Creed II, coming in the form of Assassin Tombs, Templar Lairs, Lairs of Romulus, Memory Seal locations, and locations for pieces of Captain Kidd's treasure map.

Gallery

• Ezio Auditore da Firenze climbing up a church.
  Ezio Auditore da Firenze climbing up a church.
• 
  Ezio and several thieves swinging from a bar.
• 
  Ezio performing a corner swing.
• 
  Ratonhnhaké:ton swinging on a tree branch.
• 
  Desmond Miles freerunning in the Hideout.
• 
  Desmond freerunning in the Colosseum Vault.