After the recent release of the Assassin's Creed series have been returning to the age-old question: Which assassin is the best in the franchise?
Given the vast array of choices to choose from over 24 games, nearly a dozen books, and a feature film, it isn't as simple an argument as it might initially seem. Between legendary figures like Ezio, Altaïr, and Bayek, fans have been fighting for years. Finding an answer just isn't as easy as picking a favorite game.
Shay Cormac
The star of Assassin's Creed: Rogue, somehow the man who betrayed the Assassins still manages to be one of the best assassins in the franchise. After triggering an earthquake and killing countless civilians, Shay chose to defect from the Brotherhood to the Templar. There, he helped to kill some of the most powerful assassins in the Brotherhood.
Though Shay failed to kill every Brotherhood assassin, many fans agree that it's hard to overstate how skilled he was. "Combat and stealth-wise, he's most likely the best, since he destroyed the assassin Brotherhood with very little help," says Reddit Haydos2. After all, what better way is there to prove your skills than by pitting yourself against the very best?
Edward
As a pirate, Edward was naturally the most unique assassin. Though he started his quest seeking gold from the Templars and Brotherhood alike, Edward lost everyone he loved along the way, leading to his ing the Brotherhood out of a desire to pursue a better world.
But, despite having a great story and a fantastic premise, what most fans love most about Edward is just nature. As Reddit WhiteWolfWhispers put it, "He has a good heart, but doesn't always do the right thing. Once it's pointed out to him that he's messed things up, he goes out of his way to right his wrongs. And, when he discovers he's a father, he mans right up and takes responsibility." Skill can be trained, but a good personality and a genuine desire to do the right thing? That can't be replaced.
Ratonhnaké:ton (Connor)
The son of a Templar leader, Ratonhnaké:ton was a Native American who ed the Assassins out of a desire to protect his people from the Colonial advances. Ratonhnaké:ton helped to rebuild the American Assassins after the Templar nearly eliminated them, then reconnected with Brotherhood cells around the world.
Despite his accomplishments, it's his imperfections that drive his fans. As Reddit char5 puts it, "Not only is he the physical embodiment of the creed, he's also just written really well. He feels like an actual person with depth. I also love how incredibly flawed he is, it just makes him even more interesting." Sometimes being the most powerful character in the series doesn't make someone the best — being the most interesting does.
Haytham
Though not truly an assassin, Haytham is not without his fans. After being given the opportunity to play in his shoes for a few chapters, fans fell in love with the concept. "The first sequences with him were a blast, and he had a lot of charisma," says Reddit FROST_R6. "He deserves his own game."
As one of the best villains in the Assassin's Creed franchise, it's not hard to understand the desire. Haytham was a legendary figure who nearly destroyed the Colonial Brotherhood, before attempting to unify the Templars and the Assassins. He came closer to victory than any leader before or after him, and it's not difficult to see why so many fans clamor for the chance to see him again.
Amunet (Aya)
One of the best female characters in Assassin's Creed, Amunet managed to help assassinate famous historical figures like Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Lucius Septimius. Few assassins have quite the claim to fame of Amunet. "Instead of wallowing in the loss of her son like Bayek did, she went out and did most of the actual work starting the Hidden Ones in Alexandria and spreading their influence around the ancient world," says ianism3 on Reddit.
As one of the assassins ed even as early as Assassin's Creed II, Amunet might have the strongest resume of any assassin in the Brotherhood's history. It's no wonder fans have flocked after the character with many wishing they could have enjoyed more of her story.
Bayek
The husband of Amunet, Bayek too turned to assassinations after the death of their child. Unlike Amunet, who fans love for her skills and accomplishments, fans enjoy Bayek's personality. Though hailing him as a founder of the Hidden Ones, Niklasky discusses Bayek as having "unquestionable integrity, great fighting skills, a great leader."
While Bayek did accomplish great things, it is these skills that fans him for. The jovial personality that soured after the loss of his child, the unrelenting desire to achieve justice, and the profound need to protect the innocent and ensure that none would suffer the same way his family did. Noble goals to be sure, and all of them help make him one of the best assassins.
Kassandra
Kassandra, a Greek misthios attempting to find her family, has drawn much love from fans of the franchise. Between her self-assured and humorous personality, her skills, and her involvement in an engaging and moving plotline, there's a lot to ire. But for many fans, her ending is the most fascinating part of the character. After discovering that her true father was Pythagoras, Kassandra is given Hermes' staff, which allowed her to survive until the modern day.
Kassandra "did survive 2,500 years and opened Atlantis," Reddit TheDankSauce123 said. "I'd be interested to see what [she] did in those 2,500 years." The sentiment is echoed by many fans, who yearn for another game exploring the time between finding (and sealing) Atlantis and Kassandra's own death. It's unexplored territory, and could be genuinely interested.
Ezio
Likely the most famous character in the franchise, Ezio sought to avenge his family and managed to create a lasting legacy in the process. Many fans consider him the greatest assassin to ever live, and it's hard to argue against it.
"He had, what, 20+ years as an Assassin? And he also had the strongest Eagle Vision out of all of them," says Reddit megarock35. "He also built up two different branches of the order in his lifetime? He was the most accomplished [protagonist] thus far." Even outside of his accomplishments, Ezio was largely personable, and his anger issues helped make him an approachable and relatable character with an impact that lasted long after his trilogy.
Desmond
While not generally considered one of the scariest characters in Assassin's Creed, Desmond may actually have been one of the strongest. As Reddit BladeInTheCrowd pointed out, "He has all the experience, training, knowledge, and skills of Altiar, Ezio, Connor, and Haytham." An assassin with the skills of even one of those characters would be one of the best, but all of them combined? He was practically unbeatable.
Desmond was likely the most skilled assassin in the franchise and eventually sacrificed himself for the whole of humanity. It's hard not to love a character after living in their shoes for so long, but a determined and good-hearted figure like Desmond has certainly earned the respect of fans.
Altaïr
Altaïr was the original protagonist of the franchise, so it's understandable why he's so beloved. But it's more than just his history that fans adore. "I think he showed the most growth out of all the protagonists, even Ezio. He goes from an unlikable [jerk] who doesn't follow the tenants of the creed to its [letter]. He helped establish the modern brotherhood that exists in the present day," 200319594 says.
The legacy that Altaïr started and the personal growth that he experienced would become mainstays of the series. To make matters even more clear, the fact that he is the only assassin to have never once taken damage just shows his unmatchable skill. His abilities as an assassin and his dedication to the cause would be reflected in every playable character after him. Altaïr is ed as the best assassin for a reason, and it's not likely he'll be sured.