Heavy weapon
Heavy Weapons are edged weapons that rely more on sheer force to inflict bone-breaking damage. When swung with sufficient strength they smash through attempts to parry them with smaller weapons. Opponents caught under the full weight of the blow may collapse and even drop their weapons. Heavy weapons can only be countered by Long or Heavy weapons (with the Hidden Blade being an exception, as it can counter any weapon, the timing involved makes the manoeuvre more difficult and thus risky). However you can disarm your opponent by your fists, and if you are equipped by Hidden Gun or Poison Blade, Ezio will automatically counter with his Hidden Blade. Counters with these powerful weapons are always lethal to the target, but sometimes you will leave the weapon in the victim's body (so use it on the most dangerous enemies only to maximize the effect). The Combo length for a Heavy Weapon is 3 hits. Heavy Weapons are equipped only by Brutes.
Special Technique
The Smash skill is acquired from Training and enables the Smash attack when a Heavy weapon is equipped. A smash takes a long time to build up, during which the player is vulnerable to interruption. But when a fully charged Smash connects, it breaks through enemy defence to cause a large amount of damage and further effects. It cannot be parried, and the victim will be disarmed, or may have a long weapon broken.
The Smash is activated when the Weapon square Button is released.
Heavy Weapon attributes
| Name | Damage | Speed | Deflect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claymore | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Bearded Axe | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Labrys | 5 | 3 | 3 |
Trivia
- Heavy Weapons can be re-obtained from bodies after they have been lodged in them through combat by simply picking up the body, which will cause the weapon to drop
- Players can disarm a Brute's heavy weapon attack in the first attempt, whereas it could take several attempts to disarm Elite or Leader Guards who are considerably less powerful damage-wise as opposed to Brutes.