Synchronization
Synchronization (or, for short, Synch) is Assassin's Creed's series' equivalent of a health meter. Since the events of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Ezio Auditore da Firenze experienced by Desmond in the Animus have already taken place in the past, Synchronization is a measure of how synchronized, or close to, Desmond's actions in the Animus are with the actual events in the past. If all Synchronization is lost, the simulation restarts from an earlier point.
Synchonization itself can be taken as how accurate Desmond's actions are compared to the original memories. The loss of Synchronization would therefore presumably be a sign that Desmond's (or more accurately, the player's) actions are not accurate to the past. Losing Synch by killing civilians and falling from heights would mean that Altaïr or Ezio would not have performed those actions. Furthermore, additional memories, such as rescuing civilians and collecting Flags for Altaïr, and opening Chests and collecting Feathers for Ezio, would mean that Altaïr and Ezio actually did those things. That they are optional is an indication that they aren't essential to the recreation of the events in the Animus.
The Synch meter
Synchronization is measured by a bar in the top left corner of the HUD, dubbed the "Synch meter" or "Synch bar". This bar will display the current level of synchronization.
The Synch meter can be turned off in the Options menu, as well as all other HUD elements.
Synchronization in Assassin's Creed
If Synchronization reaches a critically low level, the screen will begin to flash blue and red to warn the player, as the current memory being played becomes unstable. If all Synchronization is lost, then the simulation will restart from an earlier point.
Synchronization can be lost for several reasons:
- killing of innocent civilians (breaks the First Tenet of the Assassins' Order)
- being hurt in battle
- drowning (always instant death)
- jumping or falling from a great height (an extremely long fall may prove fatal, less extreme falls may hurt Altaïr or Ezio but not kill him)
At the beginning of Assassin's Creed, Desmond's very first use of the Animus causes almost immediate loss of Synchronization, because his subconscious couldn't handle the stress and trauma of the memory he was in.
Any lost Synchronization will recover over time.
Synchronization in Assassin's Creed II
The Synchronization bar in ACI has been replaced by a health bar, while synchronization itself has become a status which is increased by completing missions, recovering objects (Codex Pages, feathers, statues, etc.), as well as unlocking Altaïr's Armor. Maximum health is increased by buying and equipping armor, and deciphering Codex Pages. Lost health can be restored by visiting a doctor and by using medicine. The greatest maximum health is achieved by recovering Altaïr's Armor and deciphering all 30 pages of the Codex.
Synch Meter Capacity
The capacity of the Synchronization meter is not static. It varies from 4 to 20. Synchronization capacity is determined by two components- base Synchronization (up to 13) and additional Synchronization (up to 7).
Base Synchronization
Altaïr's Base Synchronization is determined by his rank in the Assassins' Order. At the beginning of the game, his base Synchronization is 13. Once he is demoted to Novice, it falls to 4.
A full table:
| Rank | Base Synchronization |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 6 |
| 4 | 7 |
| 5 | 8 |
| 6 | 9 |
| 7 | 10 |
| 8 | 11 |
| 9 | 12 |
| 10 | 13 |
Additional Synchronization
Additional Synchronization is Synchronization that the player earns by completing additional memories, such as saving citizens and Synchronizing on View Points. Once the player completes fifteen of these additional memories, the words "DNA Synchronization Augmented" will be displayed on the screen, and there will be another bar available on the Synch meter.
There can be from zero to seven bars of additional Synchronization.
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