Novice
- "You are a novice, a child once more. As you were on the day you first joined our order. I am offering you a chance at redemption... you'll earn your way back into the Brotherhood. For now you are to become a student once again."
- ―Al Mualim to Altaïr after the Siege of Masyaf
Novice is the lowest rank in the Assassins' Order. They have no use of their Short Blade, Longsword, Throwing Knives, or Hidden Blade. They are also unable to use the abilities Counter Attack, Counter Grab, Defense Break, Dodge, or Climb Walls. For the player, the base Synchronization is lowest when Altaïr is first demoted to Novice rank. The only things they can do is eavesdrop, pickpocket, or use violence to intimidate.
Altaïr is demoted to Novice after his spectacular failure to follow the Assassin's Creed at Solomon's Temple, and the subsequent Templar attack on Masyaf. Al Mualim originally intends to execute him for treason, but instead strips him of his Master rank, and forces him to become a Novice once again, in hopes of refining his talents. He charges him with nine - unbeknownst to him - Templar targets, the assassination of which will allow him to regain his master rank.
All Novice assassins, as well as any other rank except Master Assassin, are considered students. As a Novice, Altaïr is charged with collecting his own information on his targets, rather than being given information by local rafik. He must obtain permission from the rafik after his collection of this information, in order to perform assassinations. He is also considerably weaker, with few weapons, low health, and a small cache of fighting moves. In the beginning of Assassin's Creed II Ezio is considered a novice before he obtained his father's assassin's robe and sword, and he only fought with his fist back then.
Abilities
| Rank | Available unlockables | Unlockables not available | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nothing is available |
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