Hidden Blade

"The hidden blade has been a constant companion of ours over the years. Some would say it defines us - and they would not be entirely wrong. Many of our successes would not have been possible without it."

―Altaïr's Codex, Page 13

The iconic weapon of the Assassin's Creed series, theHidden Blade is used both for stealth assassinations and for regular combat.

Assassin's Creed

Although Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad already has this weapon at the start of the game, he loses it when he is demoted to Novice. At his first promotion to rank 2, however, he earns it back (along with his sword) so that he may perform his first assassination on Tamir, the black marketeer, inDamascus.

Basic usage

Video tutorial on usage of the Hidden Blade.

This weapon is mostly used for stealthy, low profile assassinations upon soldiers. An unaware soldier may be assassinated without drawing too much attention, with stealth assassinations being possible from both behind and in front of the target. Altaïr rams the blade into the victim's abdomen (front) or through his spine (back). When stealth is not a priority, Altaïr may perform a high profile assassination. This involves Sprinting towards the target at hand, jumping and thrusting the blade into the victims throat, or major arteries in the neck. Also, Altaïr will perform another assassination by pushing the target onto his knees and stabbing him in the neck when approached from behind.

The Hidden Blade is the only weapon that Altaïr may wield while sprinting. When Altaïr is close enough to the victim during a foot pursuit, the button on the weapon hand button on the HUD will change to "assassinate", which can be pressed to carry out the assassination. Altaïr will perform a running leap, landing on his victim from behind and burying the blade in the neck. This feature makes it an ideal choice for running down targets who flee such asTalal, the slave trader, in Jerusalem.

Both low and high profile assassinations may fail. A guard wary of your actions may catch your arm when you attempt the kill and throw you back. Attacks from behind and attacks made upon guards who are prone on the ground will never fail, no matter the circumstances. Be aware, of course, that you will lose one third of your synchronization if you assassinate innocent civilians with the Hidden Blade, just as with any other weapon. However once you complete the game and replay a memory block, you will not lose synchronization if you kill innocent civilians.

Air Assassination

In a 2007 demo of the William V of Montferrat mission, Jade Raymond introduced a move called air to assassinate that combines some of Altaïr's acrobatic skills with his Hidden Blade. From higher ground above a target such as a nearby roof or beam, Altaïr leaps directly onto his victim and stabs him in the throat. Although the move was not covered in the manual or in-game tutorials, air to assassinate does exist within Assassin's Creedand the controls were documented by "Stabguy" on The Hidden Blade website. All forms of air to assassinate draw attention of nearby guards, even when performed in low profile. Note that in Assassin's Creed II, Air to Assassinate was renamed Air Assassination and included as a required tutorial with simplified controls.

In combat

The Hidden Blade can also be used while in combat. An enemy who has been grabbed and thrown (or counter thrown with a grab break) can easily be killed while he lies on the ground. Using the Hidden Blade in combat against large groups is challenging, as Altaïr cannot block any attack. The time frame in which Altaïr can counter-attack is extremely small compared to the sword and the short blade, but successfully countering enables one of several different – and always lethal – counter-attacks in which Altaïr stabs his opponent in the chest, head, abdomen, base of the skull, or spine. It is also possible to assassinate the enemy in combat, while he is caught in a moment of inattention or grappling with a vigilante, or if he is taunting Altaïr (this is documented on The Hidden Blade as the "taunting penalty"), but any other time it will fail because the enemy will always block the attack. It is also possible to assassinate your targets even if they are aware of you by getting behind them and assassinating them.

Mechanism

The ring mechanism.

The hidden blade is worn on the left hand. The blade is integrated into the vambrace, and when not in use, sits retracted inside of the slide mechanism. Though not fully or officially understood, as to how the blade functions, there are a number of theories. One being that when the Assassin flicks his wrist, the blade is ejected with the combined force of the arm and gravity. The user is "unhinging" or "releasing" the blade which is kept locked in place. If the Assassin keeps pulling with his arm on the mechanism, the blade stays out and can be used in open combats. Another popular theory is that a ring mechanism is used and that opening the hand ejects the blade, but this raises the question that why the blade does not activate every time he opens his hand, say when leaping for a ledge, and how he can hold the blade in his fist without it retracting. Another, more sensible theory is that it uses both mechanisms to operate the blade and that the blade wont eject or retract without both systems being used. One being the flicking of the wrist, and the ring mechanism. This explains why assaasins flick their wrist and open their hand to eject the blade and why they can close their fist without the blade retracting and why there is no fear of an unexpected stabbing.

The true mechanics behind the retraction of the blade yet remains a mystery. To retract the weapon, the Assassin loosens his wrist. At this point, the blade returns to the vambrace seemingly of its own accord. Some other theories on the blade's mechanics exist, with some maintaining that the blade works on a spring-retraction system, and with others stating that the blade is never truly locked when it is released, and therefore the blade will return if it is not hold in place.

It is probable that it works on the same system as modern full automatic switchblade knives. There are two springs of equal strength present. The inertia from the pull/push of one spring is enough to overcome the resistance of the other spring for the blade to lock into place.

In the E3 teaser trailer of the game it is seen that Altaïr is pushing a button to operate his hidden blade but in the actual game no such button exists and he does not seem to push anything with his other hand.

In Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, when Ezio woke up in Rome, he got a new hidden blade. When he tested it, it looks like he pushed a button then flicks his wrist.

Role in investigations and missions

Informant missions

The Hidden Blade is also used for some of the investigations given to you by informants. You are asked to stealthily assassinate a number of targets. If any guard even once confronts you, the mission is failed. If you attack the targets or the guards with fists, the short blade, the sword, or any other high profile weapon, you will fail the mission. Because of this, you may only use throwing knives and/or the Hidden Blade to assassinate your targets.

Interrogation missions

During Interrogation missions, after successfully interrogating the target, Altaïr is forced to kill them, so they cannot reveal his plans to the enemy. He will bury the blade in their stomach to kill them, then gently lower their body onto the ground so as not to draw further attention to himself.

Save Citizen missions

In the optional Save Citizen missions to save citizens from soldiers threatening to kill them, this weapon will come in handy. Successfully and stealthily used, you might take out three of the soldiers before they notice you, draw their weapons, and engage you in a swordfight. Also, the Save Citizen missions are commonly located in alleyways or dark corners, so it is possible to begin the mission by starting from an elevated position and performing an air-to-assassinate.

Assassinations

The hidden blade is used in every storyline assassination you perform. Even if you begin by attacking the enemy with a sword, you will always finish them off with the hidden blade before it cuts to the death cutscene.

Assassin's Creed II

Giovanni's (later Ezio's) Hidden Blade in Lineage.

"The blade is designed to ensure the commitment of whomever wields it."

―Leonardo da Vinci

In Assassin's Creed II, Ezio Auditore possesses two hidden blades, whereas Altaïr has only one. In addition, unlike Altaïr who had to sacrifice his ring finger, both of Ezio's ring fingers are intact due to a design that raised the base of the weapon itself, as outlined in the Codex.

A Double Assassination from directly in between two guards.

This revised hidden blade had been designed by Altaïr (presumably through using the Apple of Eden) so that the Assassins, who he intended to go undercover, could not be identified by the lack of a ring finger. Furthermore, the mechanism did not require a wrist "flick" to extend the blade, thus the user could retract the blade without any wrist or hand movement, and as pictured the weapon could be used with a clenched fist (Giovanni has only been depicted as using a clenched fist, while Ezio would use the "traditional" open hand as did Altaïr). W

a double assassination

hile there is a forward/downward-rotating wheel atop the rear portion of the mechanism's housing, its function has not been identified, and there are no known schematics or explanations for the mechanism. In Assassin's Creed: Lineage, there were no shots of it operating while explicitly being worn on the actor's arm without gimmicks (such as an open-ended rear housing through which the blade could be pushed or pulled), so it is probable that no actual working prop exists that operates as depicted.

The blade given to Desmond by Lucy.

Ezio's first blade would be inherited from his father, which, along with the corresponding Codex page, the Assassin's Robes and a common sword, had been in Giovanni's secret room after his arrest. The weapon had become inoperative ever since Giovanni Auditore had fought Rodrigo Borgia's men (in Assassin's Creed: Lineage), when a single sword strike against the blade had dislodged it from the bracer and mechanism, but Ezio brought it to his friend Leonardo da Vinci to repair it.

Later on, Ezio would acquire another Codex page which upon decryption by Leonardo detailed the construction of a hidden blade with a metal plate on the top side of the vambrace, allowing the wielder to safely deflect enemy attacks and thus to properly engage in armed conflict with the blades.

At the end of the game, Desmond Miles receives from Lucy Stillman a similar model of the Hidden Blade (if not the same one) used by Desmond to face Warren Vidic's henchmen, but the Poison Blade and Gun are seemingly absent and/or inoperable, possibly due to the fact that the hidden blade that is given still needs improvements from a skilled engineer such as Leonardo, or the fact that lead bullets or the certain alloy used to make the hollowed out blade isn't available anymore.

In combat

Video Guide to the Hidden Blade.

In Assassin's Creed II, the use of the hidden blade in combat is more classical. It can be used like a regular weapon, and is capable of breaking an enemy's defense. It attacks fairly fast, becoming faster after the acquirement of the second blade, allowing Ezio to unleash a constant barrage of strikes, suppressing a foe's ability to attack or killing them before they can attack. While attacking with the hidden blade, enemies cannot counter-attack, unlike when you attack with swords, maces and smaller weapons. Unlike the first game, it is also possible to block attacks while using the Hidden Blade once he has the upgraded vambrace. The hidden blade also allows you to attack very quickly and gives you more freedom in movement rather than the other weapons. For example, Ezio can easily strafe a 180 degree arch in the time it takes for the enemy to attack. This is barely possible except from very close range range with the sword or dagger. It also allows Ezio to quickly flee from a battle without having to take the time to sheath his weapon.

Veterans of Assassin's Creed combat may want to challenge themselves by using the Hidden Blade(s) in combat. While the counter-kill timing window is very short (a fraction of a second), skillful timing will be rewarded nicely; except for against the Brutes' smashes which knock Ezio's weapon away (does not work against Hidden Blades) and Seekers' (sweep Ezio's feet) special attacks, a successfully timed counter will always kill the guard against which it is performed, even if the guard has high health and/or is a high-ranking soldier. In addition, Brutes are very vulnerable and easy to combo kill with the hidden blades. Even a 3 hit combo can be used to kill a brute: see 1:44 in the video to the left.

In addition, he can repeatedly hit his opponent in a wild fashion and eventually break through their defenses and slash their throat or stab them in the chest repeatedly, while sometimes it does a short cinematic, if you are in open combat or in an odd position like on a ledge then it just does it in normal view. It also does this sometimes for no reason, and may be a possible glitch.

Upgrades

Pistol

The second Hidden Blade is acquired later and the main blade gets upgraded with the poison blade and the pistol installed. Also, both blades get vambraces allowing Ezio to block heavier attacks with the hidden blades. Ezio can buy poison for the blade from Doctors and ammunition for the pistol atBlacksmiths.

Techniques

An Air Assassination in process.

Later on, Ezio can assassinate enemies below with an Air Assassination, a Double Air Assassination if the target is adjacent to another, by leaping from a platform onto the victim. This, however, is easily noticeable by guards and they will attack once they see you doing it. It is possible to assassinate two guards at the same time (at ground level) by standing between them and piercing both their throats.

Ezio performing a 'Hiding Spot' assassination.

At the same time Ezio learns the aforementioned techniques, he also learns how to assassinate enemies that are standing on ledges above him, as well as how to assassinate targets from a hiding spot (e.g. Hay, Wells and Benches).

There are also other techniques that aren't actually part of what Ezio learns, but rather what players use to kill guards. One example would be side-stepping around a guard right after he attacks and then doing a instant kill to their backs with the hidden blade. Also, one can may grab an enemy and strike or throw him so that he falls, and then run to his body to perform a instant kill using the hidden blade before he can get back to his feet. A flashier and possibly quicker alternative is to perform an Air Assassination while running up a nearby wall or other vertical surface (i.e. a pillar). This sort of Air Assassination may also be attempted against standing enemies, though the chance of success is low if the enemy is aware of Ezio's presence during Open Conflict.

Ezio can also perform special combo kill animations and counter kill animations with the dual hidden blades.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

Ezio's new hidden blades inBrotherhood.

In the beginning of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Ezio's two hidden blades are equipped as he escapes the Vatican. After he returns to Monteriggioni, he removes his armor, hidden blades, and Assassin robes as he takes a rest. He places his father's hidden blade on a table, while he is sleeping with Caterina Sforza. As a cannon strikes his room the next morning, Ezio quickly puts on light clothing and his hidden blade and bracer and runs into the battle. After he and the villagers have escaped, Ezio journeys to Rome, where he faints due to injuries.

In 1503, Ezio has two new Hidden Blades and bracers on each forearm (yet despite the image to the right and other images, only the bracer on his left arm matches the other new parts of his robes). The bracers and the blades are completely different in appearance, but they still function the same with the same codex adjustments to them. During the beginning of the game, Ezio has only a new, single hidden blade courtesy ofMachiavelli since he lost both of his previous blades during the Siege of Monteriggioni. However, later on in the game, he meets up with Leonardo da Vinci and asks him to rebuild a new second hidden blade (though this time money is required for materials) that has a more discreet appearance of a glove. A new upgrade is the poison darts which can be shot from the pistol.

The Hidden Blade as seen in concept images of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

Ezio's apprentices are each equipped with a hidden blade. The right to use two hidden blades is only reserved for the most trusted of Assassins or those who have earned the rank of the Master Assassin. However, when an apprentice does reach the rank of Master Assassin, they still do not gain a second hidden blade.

Desmond, in turn, wields a single hidden blade without a bracer, with only three straps to attach it to his arm.

Trivia

Darius, the first to wield a Hidden Blade

• On one of the Codex Pages it states that the blade has to be connected or linked with the user, thus explaining part of why Altaïr had his ring finger removed. Altaïr opens his hand and spreads his fingers whenever the blade is extended. Similarly, he never uses the blade with his hand clenched in a fist; all stabbing moves and assassinations are performed with an open hand. The only time the blade sits in the space left by the amputated finger is when the player extends the blade and holds it out (by holding the weapon hand button while out of combat). Holding the button will keep the blade extended, but it does not act as other weapons, it will not scare away civilians.
• In all three games the trigger mechanism is not visible on Altaïr's or Ezio's hands, even when they aren't wearing gloves.
• Malik Al-Sayf, from the first game, had the hidden blade before he lost his arm but did not have an amputated finger.
• The first recorded usage of the Hidden Blade by an Assassin was Darius, when he assassinated Xerxes of Persia. Moreover, his seal's symbol is the Hidden Blade. However, his ring finger is still intact and he wields it on his right hand.
• Patrice Desilets, the creative director of the game, stated that the addition of a second blade in Assassin's Creed II also had a lucid reason: it's Assassin's Creed II, so there are 2 blades.
• In the film Smokin' Aces, one of the assassins sport a weapon similar to the hidden blade. Also, in the movieG.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Storm Shadow uses a weapon similar to the Hidden Blade, though it is limited by the fact it must be operated with both hands. In the new Mortal Kombat: Rebirth trailer Dr. Alan Zane, a.k.a. Baraka has similar forearm hidden blades. In Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny, the character Dampierre fights with two similar hidden blades, although much bigger in size.
• In AC1 and 2 the Hidden Blade is the only weapon that has a counter attack that cannot be blocked by enemies, In Brotherhood certain enemies can counter a hidden blade counter. Though the timing has to be more precise than with a counter with a sword or short blade.
• Ezio's second Hidden Blade on his right arm in Assassin's Creed II is black, compared to the original white one. The original design of the second hidden blade was displayed as a brown glove with a white hidden blade, but it is unknown why it was changed into a bracer with a blade like Ezio's primary Hidden blade and bracer.
• According to the Codex, the second Hidden Blades were made of the rare metal with which Altaïr crafted his armor. Due to the rarity of the metal few blades were made, and given only to trusted Assassins.
• Ezio's second Hidden Blade is black, making it look like its made in Altaïr's secret metal. It is uncertain however how did Leonardo find that metal, since the way to make it was gone lost, and Ezio did not bring any ancient broken blade.
• The Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood multiplayer character, the Smuggler, has a Hidden Blade which extends from the top of her forearm, rather than under her wrist.
• In Assassin's Creed II, after Giovanni tells Ezio to grab everything in his secret chest behind a secret room, Ezio goes home and finds the Assassin robes and wears them. While Ezio puts on the robes, the scene where he is fixing something on his right arm, he is really putting on the brown glove which is displayed in the inventory menu, in the E3 demo, and in some pre-release pictures. Somehow, Ezio's glove is not displayed even though it is displayed that he has it in his inventory where it says "Fists". It is ironic how he obtains the glove when he receives his second hidden blade.
• In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, when you pay for the second hidden blade by Leonardo as a gift from his marked benches, it resembles the design for the second hidden blade from E3 trailer from Assassin's Creed II until you buy armor for it.
• It is unknown why in Concept art of Ezio the secondary Hidden Blade is the same as the primary one, when ingame you can never have the secondary Hidden Blade in that design, It's always a bracer.
• In an Assassin's Creed Developer Diary video, Jade Raymond tells us about Altair's lack of his ring finger which is due to the initiation ceremony when a novice is turned into a true assassin. The ring finger of the left hand is cut off, the hidden blade is installed and the new born assassin is ready to complete the missions bestowed upon him/her. When Ezio gains his hidden blade this ceremony is no longer in use and the blade is wielded without the sacrifice of a finger.
• In the novels, unleashing the hidden blade required a activation switch, however, in the games simply flexing one's wrist triggered the spring mechanism.