Weapons

Every melee weapon is rated in three categories (Damage, Speed and Deflect) that define its effectiveness in combat. The higher the rating in each category, the better the weapon will perform.

Damage: This attribute is used to determine the strength of each successful attack.

Speed: Weapons with a high speed rating enable Ezio to attack faster and more frequently.

Deflect: Governs a weapon’s effectiveness when used to block enemy assaults.

Special attacks and the number of blows required to kill an opponent with a combo assault are also important factors to take into account when assessing the overall efficiency of each class of weapon.

Special Attacks: These “charge-up” techniques are unique to certain weapon classes. Heavy and Long weapons share the Throw move, with Long weapons also offering the Sweep attack; armed with fists alone, Ezio can perform the Throw Sand move.

Combo Efficiency: Weapon classes differ in the number of hits required for a finishing blow, while the size of a weapon will also have a bearing on its efficiency in both combos and Kill Streaks.

Every time you acquire a weapon as a purchase or as a reward, Ezio equips it immediately. You can switch to other weapons in your collection via any Blacksmith store (with the exception of those that they do not hold in stock), or by collecting them from the display racks inside the Assassin’s HQ.

Finishing Blows: Combo Requirements

Fists

Fist-fighting enables Ezio to attack at speed, but the vast majority of opponents will foil his attempts to initiate combos unless you begin with a Dodge. Even if you have an enemy off-balance, Ezio inflicts very little damage with individual blows. It also renders him highly vulnerable to enemy attacks, even if you diligently block. The principle reason to use unarmed combat is to employ the Disarm move, especially when you face the Varangian enemy archetype: their Long weapons are unparalleled in large-scale brawls. However, fist‑fighting can also be employed when you must disable opponents without killing them. If stealth and mercy are called for, sneak up behind an opponent and tap the Primary Attack button to incapacitate them with a non-lethal finishing move.

Fists Attributes

Special Attack: Throw Sand

While unarmed, hold the Primary Attack button to grab a handful of dirt, sand or dust; release the button to hurl it in the faces of your opponents (fig 1). This will temporarily stun opponents who stand within the effect radius, though it has no effect on Janissaries and Almogavar. Ezio is immobilized while powering up this attack, and it cannot be cancelled once you begin.

The Throw Sand move renders susceptible opponents vulnerable to combo attacks, even if they would usually dodge or block them.

When enemies prepare to perform this attack – it’s a particular favorite of the Varangian archetype – use the Dodge move to jump clear.

Hidden Blades

Against all but the mighty Janissaries, the Hidden Blade is viciously efficient – but only if you can master the precise timing required to perform Counter Kills. Set up a Kill Streak, and you can dance a whirlwind of death to neutralize all hostiles in range. However, its short range and poor damage on individual combo strikes makes it unsuited to pummeling aggressors in a conventional manner. It is a weapon that lends itself to artistry, not brute force.

Only Janissaries have the ability to consistently resist Hidden Blade Counter Kills or instant‑death attacks during a Kill Streak, though at the expense of a sizable hit to their health gauge.

When Ezio acquires the Hookblade in Sequence 02, he recovers the ability to perform Double Assassinations.

The Poison Blade can only be used to inject targets with Poison at close range – an act that will usually pass without notice. If you enter combat, Ezio will automatically switch to the Hidden Blade.

Small Weapons

Small weapons enable Ezio to attack with tremendous speed, but offer poor reach and relatively low damage with individual combo blows. That said, Ezio’s fighting style and a selection of grizzly finishing attacks can make them enjoyable to use.

Small Weapon Attributes

* Each hit with this weapon has a chance to poison the target.

Medium Weapons

Balance is the watchword of the Medium weapon category, offering a good blend of range, speed, damage and defense. Swords are especially effective for combo attacks and Kill Streaks. Brooms and fishing poles dropped by civilians count as Medium weapons if you collect and utilize them in combat.

Medium Weapon Attributes

* Every time you unsheathe this weapon at the start of a fight, there’s a chance that some enemies will flee.

Heavy Weapons

Heavy weapons are carried by the Byzantine Almogavar, and can be collected after you kill them. Once you acquire the Heavy Sheath from a Tailor, though, Ezio can purchase and carry one of these mighty axes or swords at all times, with it occupying the inventory slot usually reserved for his Medium weapon.

Weapons in the Heavy category may be slow and cumbersome, but their reach and high damage makes them a perfect choice when you need to brutalize Janissaries in a conventional battle. They are especially effective when these opponents draw their sidearms to fire on Ezio, with the increased range foiling their attempts to back away; two hits in these situations will severely weaken them. Indeed, you may find it worthwhile to sacrifice the use of a Medium weapon entirely for the express purpose of using a long sword or axe for encounters with Janissaries.

Heavy Weapon Attributes

Special Attack: Throw

With a Heavy weapon equipped, hold and release the Primary Attack button to throw it at a targeted opponent, killing them instantly ( 02). If you perform this attack with a Heavy weapon owned by Ezio (and not appropriated from a defeated Almogavar), don’t forget to collect it afterwards. If you leave it behind, or pick up another weapon by mistake, visit a Blacksmith or return to the Assassin’s HQ to grab a replacement.

Long Weapons

Though Ezio cannot purchase or permanently equip Long weapons, these polearms can be acquired whenever you face the Byzantine Varangian archetype, principally in Core Memories or while passing through Templar Dens. With their unrivalled range and the devastating “Sweep” special attack, we suggest that you make use of these whenever you find them.

Though their slow speed makes them broadly unsuited to combos and Kill Streaks, Long weapons can be used to perform spectacular Counter Kills on all opponents. However, the way in which Ezio employs them is a little unusual: he will often execute killing blows that leave the polearm embedded within a victim’s body. You can retrieve it by standing over the corpse, but this can be dangerous when you are surrounded by a variety of assailants.

Long weapons have a special relationship with weapons in the Heavy category. They are the only weapon of any kind that enable you to block the Almogavar’s Smash assault. Though the Long weapon will be broken as a consequence, Ezio may continue to wield one half of it; functionally, it will now operate as a Medium weapon. Performing a Counter Kill on an Almogavar will also break a polearm, though Ezio will subsequently plunge both halves into his victim’s body.

Long Weapon Attributes

Special Attacks: Sweep & Throw

Exclusive to polearms and only available in Combat mode, the power-up Sweep move (hold then release the Primary Attack button) kills all surrounding opponents within a wide radius as Ezio swings the halberd or spear in a circle at neck height ( 03). With a little practice, this technique effectively makes you invincible; the only drawback, alas, is that polearms are usually hard to come by.

When Ezio is not locked in Combat mode, Sweep is replaced by the Throw technique. With this, Ezio will hurl the polearm at a highlighted target; the results are always fatal.

Bombs

Bombs can be created by interacting with crafting tables at the Assassin’s HQ, at an Assassin's Den, and at various locations throughout Constantinople and certain external destinations.

Ezio can carry three different types of bomb at once, each contained in its own specific pouch:

Lethal Bombs: Designed to kill enemies.

Tactical Bombs: Designed to give an advantage in a fight or when escaping from enemies.

Diversion Bombs: Designed to distract or misdirect guards.

Bombs are made of three elements that, once combined, determine the nature of the bomb: an Effect, a Casing, and Gunpowder. These three types of crafting ingredients can be acquired in various ways: looted from the bodies of enemies, bought from certain shops, purloined from Bomb Stashes, as rewards for defending Dens, and as “profits” in the Mediterranean Defense metagame.

Bomb Effects

Your choice of Effect ingredient determines the precise nature of a bomb, and is the most critical component.

Bomb Casing

The type of Casing used determines how a bomb is triggered, or the delay before it detonates.

Bomb Gunpowder

Your choice of Gunpowder only affects the blast radius, represented by a small gauge display below a bomb’s icon. As a rule, use Indian Gunpowder for precision attacks on a single target – or, to employ the classic euphemism, minimize collateral damage – and British Gunpowder for maximum effect.

Bomb Pouches

Though Ezio can carry three bombs in the Lethal, Tactical and Diversion pouches by default, you can increase his overall capacity.

Ranged Weapons & Consumables

When an objective calls for subtlety, or the odds are set against you, ranged weapons provide the means to strike decisively from a distance. Indeed, many Full Synch requirements can be prohibitively difficult unless you make good use of projectiles.

While supplies for all consumables can be purchased from merchants, regularly looting defeated foes will enable you to replenish your stocks without expense (with the exception of Parachutes, which can only be bought from a Tailor). We suggest that you invest in all capacity upgrades for your ranged weapons when you can afford them.

Pistol

As with the Crossbow, the Pistol is used by holding the Primary Attack button to aim. Once Ezio’s focus has steadied, release the button to fire, or press the Empty Hand button to cancel the shot.

While a single bullet will be lethal against all but the strongest Ottomans or Byzantines, the violent noise of each discharge will attract attention in a wide radius. For this reason, it is wise to only employ this weapon when there are no patrols or sentries in range to hear it.

One ideal application is using it to slay fleeing Stalkers from a distance: the near-instantaneous impact of the bullet makes it more reliable than the slower Crossbow bolts, Poison Darts or Throwing Knives.

Crossbow

This powerful and silent weapon is perfect for stealth kills from a safe distance or elevation, but represents a substantial investment when it first becomes available for purchase on Ezio’s arrival in Constantinople.

We would advise that funds acquired during Sequences 02 and 03 are better spent on opening businesses and Banks. Once dividends from Ezio’s property acquisitions and Mediterranean Defense missions begin pouring in during Sequence 04, though, it’s a worthwhile purchase – and one that, by that stage, won’t render Ezio a pauper for a time.

The visit to the Yerebatan Cistern in Sequence 03 (with its exacting Full Synch requirement) is the only Core Memory prior to Sequence 05 where the Crossbow might be a boon. Interestingly, though, once you have purchased it, the weapon is made available whenever you use the Replay Memory feature.

To aim the Crossbow, hold the Primary Attack button until the line-of-sight indicator is fully focused ( 04). Fire too early, and the bolt may miss the target entirely, or skid harmlessly off their armor or clothes.

Though the Crossbow is most efficient when employed from range against oblivious opponents, it can be used to perform Counter Kills on certain adversaries in close combat. The timing window for these lethal rebuttals is similar to Hidden Blade Counters.

Though these are enjoyable to perform, Ezio will usually be better served by switching to an alternative weapon in open conflict.

Pistol & Upgrades

Crossbow & Upgrades

Throwing Knives

Though other projectiles are faster and inflict greater damage, Throwing Knives are a staple that you will use more frequently than any other ranged weapon. With the rooftops of Constantinople dotted with Gunmen and, later, Bombmen, Throwing Knives enable you to near-effortlessly clear a path of troublesome sentries while free running from one destination to another. They can be nigh-essential when Ezio must infiltrate an area without being seen.

Though Throwing Knives can be thrown at targets once they are highlighted, acquiring a Target Lock will significantly increase their accuracy. This is especially important against assailants who are moving or climbing. With practice, you will gain the ability to perform perfunctory kills on guards who might detect Ezio while barely breaking stride.

In open combat, Throwing Knives can be a useful addition to standard combat strategies. You can hurl them whenever opponents are content to circle Ezio, when a Gunman or Janissary prepares to fire a weapon, or to kill or weaken adversaries as they run in to engage you.

Special Attack: Flying Knives

With the Throwing Knives equipped, hold the Secondary Attack button to power up the Flying Knives ability, then release it to hurl blades at up to three targets ( 05). Though rarely effective in an established battle, this technique is most efficient when used to initiate hostilities, potentially killing a trio of targets before they can lay hands on their weapons. This is particularly useful when you fight guards who are surrounding potential recruits.

Throwing Knives & Upgrades

Poison Darts

Don’t underestimate Poison Darts: these tiny projectiles are one of Ezio’s most devastating weapons, and have unique tactical applications that can make challenging objectives far, far easier. As with the Pistol and Crossbow, Poison Darts must be aimed before they are fired to successfully penetrate armor and puncture skin; release the Secondary Attack button too soon, and they will harmlessly rebound from the target. A successful shot, however, will have an immediate effect on all Ottoman and Byzantine soldiers – including the redoubtable Janissaries and Templar Captains ( 06).

The beauty of Poison Darts is that they enable Ezio to strike a target without raising the alarm. Even inside a Templar Den, nearby soldiers will simply look on with bemusement as their ally begins to behave in a bizarre fashion; it should go without saying that the effects of the lethal payload make Poison Darts an excellent diversionary technique. A convenient solution to many difficult situations in Core and Secondary Memories, this weapon is a must for Den Attacks.

The Fast Poison upgrade dramatically reduces the delay before a victim succumbs to the deadly effect of a dart or a stab from the Poison Blade. However, this rather diminishes the effectiveness of both weapons as a method of creating diversions. If that does not deter you from a purchase, there is an Achievement/Trophy that you should definitely unlock before buying this upgrade

Medicine

Medicine can be purchased from any Medical Shop or stall operated by a Doctor, though players who diligently loot opponents will rarely have cause to spend money on these miraculous restorative tinctures. You can acquire two Medicine Pouch upgrades during the course of the story.

Medicine & Upgrades

Parachute

Parachutes are the only consumable item that cannot be replenished through looting, though the cost of individual refills is trifling once Ezio begins to accrue income from Constantinople and the Brotherhood’s activities in the Mediterranean region.

Parachute & Upgrades