Hidden Gun
- "It seems to be a kind of arma da fuoco - but as small as a hummingbird!"
- ―Leonardo da Vinci, regarding the pistol's design.[src]
The Pistol, which was also referred to as the Hidden Gun, was one of the expansions of the hidden blade invented by Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad using the Apple of Eden. After discovering the design for it on one of the Codex pages, Leonardo da Vinci managed to craft one for the use of Ezio Auditore.[1]
Description
The pistol consisted of a small firearm with a very short barrel that, if aimed properly, could kill a target from a distance. Though an excellent weapon for assassination from afar, it would give away its user's position immediately after firing, due to its loud discharge.[1]
Up to 6 bullets could be held at a time, and could be purchased from any blacksmith. However, they were quite expensive, as one bullet cost 175 florins (149 florins with full discount in Monteriggioni), which was three and a half times the cost of a throwing knife. Alternatively, bullets could also be obtained by looting dead guards.[1]
Combat
The pistol took about a second and a half to completely aim, though it could be fired before it was fully aimed. Firing immediately without aiming was not advisable, as even at close range, it was highly unlikely to result in a hit.[1]
Aiming the pistol within guards' lines of sight would automatically make them suspicious. When in combat against a small number of guards, aiming it for several seconds would also cause the group to lose morale and eventually flee, though this tactic was ineffective against Brutes.[1]
Though not recommended, it was also possible to quickly switch to the pistol during a battle, and take a random shot from as close as possible to an enemy, before resuming the fight. Despite its low success rate, this method could potentially pick off immobile opponents, or quickly eliminate enemies without the need for counter-kills.[1]
Advancements
Some time before the Siege of Monteriggioni, the aiming method of the pistol had been modified, and no longer required a trigger pull to be fired (an invisible mechanism similar to the hidden blade's). Though perfect aim was achieved much more quickly, the bullet could only be fired after the shot was fully charged. In other words it has became quicker to shoot the hidden gun in ACB[2]
Ezio also gained the ability to dual-wield the pistol alongside a medium, primary weapon, like swords and warhammers. It allowed him to easily switch between short and long ranged combat seamlessly in battle, using the pistol with his left and a sword with his right. He also used the pistol for counters and point-blank kills during close combat; for example, Ezio could sword-counter an attacking enemy, then instantly fire the pistol on a another to kill two guards at once.[2]
After reuniting with Leonardo da Vinci in Rome, Ezio was able to purchase an upgrade to his pistol that allowed him to fire small poison darts from it, in addition to bullets. These darts were usable when the poison blade was equipped, and shared its effects, allowing him to quietly and cleanly kill targets at a safe distance.[2]
Though not used by Ezio, Leonardo also created an alternative to the pistol called the hidden bolt. This modification was requested by the Assassin apprentice Francesco Vecellio, and could fire small crossbow bolts instead of bullets.[3]
Codex Description
"Success! We have found a way to alter the structure of the hidden blade so that it can be used to launch small projectiles. It is capable of grievous damage – even from great distance. I confess, the means by which I came about the discovery was... risky to say the least. But I have found that in small doses, and with a focused mind, the Apple can be used without ill effect. Or so I hope.
"The knowledge of projectile combat is not new to us, having been observed amongst our Eastern neighbors. But their weapons were much larger – and insufficient for our needs. I have now found a way to miniaturize their designs, embedding their fiery weapon into a form that can be worn on the wrist.
"We have also refined the formula for combustible powder, such that common ingredients might be used. This is a dangerous bit of knowledge and it is best shared with only our closest allies..." -Altaïr in Codex Page 28.[1]
Trivia
Assassin's Creed II
- Often when the pistol is fired, a dog can be heard barking. Though not a surprise as dogs tend to bark at loud noises, no dogs are seen or mentioned in the game.
- Both the pistol and throwing knives are disabled in the Secret Locations that require the player to chase an Agile.
- Ammunition can be found as an item when looting the bodies of any deceased guards, whether or not they are arquebusiers.
- The pistol does not kill in a single shot during the battles with either Dante Moro or Rodrigo Borgia, though it is just as effective as usual when the player is required to assassinate them.
- Due to its connectivity with Assassin's Creed II, it is possible to obtain a variant of the pistol that fires throwing knives instead of bullets in Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines.
- During Carnevale, Teodora suggested using the pistol to assassinate Marco Barbarigo, since the sound matched that of the fireworks being used.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- The pistol is also a multiplayer ability for multiplayer characters; though it is unknown if they actually possessed the weapon, or if Abstergo simply added the ability in the Animus.
- Four additional bullet slots for a total of ten shots can be purchased for 30 Units on Uplay.
- For reasons unknown, counter-attacks and executions do not use up bullet ammunition. Although this may be due to the fact that the use of the pistol is automatic in the counter attacks and thus it would be harsh for it to use ammunition as the player has no control over it.
- During a kill-streak, the player can hold down the attack button while targeting an opponent, causing Ezio to perform an automatic double kill with his sword and pistol, using up ammunition in the process.
- The sound of the pistol more closely resembles that of a musket, rather than the cannon-like sound in Assassin's Creed II.
- The Assassin apprentices' pistols (obtained by rank 5) use the same firing sound as heard in Assassin's Creed II.
- Strangely, the apprentices' pistols are much weaker than Ezio's, taking up to three shots to kill a guard; though this may be attributed to Ezio being more skilled in aiming the pistol at vital body parts.
Gallery
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The Pistol's inventory icon in Assassin's Creed II. -
The pistol in the inventory screen. -
Bullet of the pistol with the Assassin insignia on the end of it. -
Ezio finishing a guard in Rome with the pistol.
References
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