Syrian Sabre
The Syrian Sabre, or Old Syrian Sword,[1] was a scimitar used by the Levantine Assassins during the Third Crusade. The sword continued to be utilized throughout the many centuries that followed, spreading even to the shops of blacksmiths in Italy, though its prestige and efficacy significantly diminished.
Description
As a sabre, the Syrian sabre differed from other swords in the Assassin arsenal during the Crusades by being curved and single-edged. It boasted a keen blade superior to that of the typical straight swords of this period in the Levant. The hilt itself was of elegant gold and an elaborate, majestic design. Notably, the crossguard was asymmetrical, with the rear bar tapering behind in a serpentine shape while its front curved downwards to connect with the pommel to serve as a full handguard.[2]
History
As a weapon granted only to Master Assassins, it was the weapon-of-choice for Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad during his operations in 1191. He wielded it in his mission with Malik and Kadar Al-Sayf to Solomon's Temple and in the defense of Masyaf against the Templar invasion that followed, only to be deprived of it upon his demotion by Al Mualim for his transgressions in the former mission. Upon climbing the ladder back to the Master Assassin rank, he was bestowed with the sword once more by Al Mualim.[2] Immediately afterwards, he took it to his attempted assassination of Robert de Sablé in Jerusalem, dueling the Grand Master's decoy Maria Thorpe and then at the Battle of Arsuf where he finally slew de Sablé in a trial by combat. It was with this sword that he defeated the traitorous Al Mualim upon his return from Arsuf.[2]
In the year that followed, however, he returned to employing the typical eagle-pommeled, double-edged sword of intermediate Assassins, eventually favoring it as his iconic, personal weapon.
The use of the sabre also spread to Spain, where it was utilized by the Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins, who were able to forge it at their hideout in Sierra de Cazorla.[3]
Weapon statistics
12th century Syria
| Name | Damage | Speed | Deflect | Cost | Availability |
| Syrian Sabre | 4* | 4* | 4* | N/A | Block 8 |
15th century Italy
| Name | Damage | Speed | Deflect | Cost | Availability |
| Syrian Sabre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2,300ƒ | Sequence 2 |
15th century Spain
| Name | Damage | Speed | Critical Chance | Critical Bonus | Dodge | Miss Chance | Requirements |
| Syrian Sabre | 36-50 | 1.00 | +1% | +10% | +1% | 7% |
4,000 Coins 50 Iron Ore 50 Tanned Leather |
| Fine Syrian Sabre | 108-132 | 1.00 | +2% | +20% | +1% | 7% |
9,000 Coins 100 Steel Ingot 100 Hardened Leather 1 Syrian Sabre |
16th century Rome
| Name | Damage | Speed | Deflect | Cost | Availability |
| Syrian Sabre | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7,920ƒ | Sequence 6 |
16th century Constantinople
| Name | Damage | Speed | Deflect | Cost | Availability |
| Syrian Sabre | 2 | 4 | 3 | 11,960 
|
Sequence 5 |
*In the Animus 1.28, there were no specified Damage, Speed or Deflect statistics. Weapon strength was based on ranks, with the Syrian Sabre being the last out of four.
Trivia
- In Assassin's Creed II, Ezio is seen wielding this sword during the execution of his father and brothers despite the fact that he had earlier retrieved the Common sword from his father's hidden room.
- The Syrian Sabre is the best sword in Assassin's Creed. However, its capabilities are considerably weaker in subsequent games of the Assassin's Creed series.
- Olivier Garneau, the CCO of Abstergo Entertainment, possessed a silver replica of the Syrian Sabre, which was displayed in his office in Montreal.
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
- Assassin's Creed II
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Assassin's Creed: Revelations
- Assassin's Creed: Rebellion