The Reason Assassins Are So Good At What They Do

All Clips Taken From Altair Stealth: / @altairstealth
Let's look into why assassins from Assassin's creed are so effective at what they do, and the secret formula behind their success.
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[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Assassins are lowkey scary

[@Aureus_]

Evie can do what she wants to me 💀 (joke!!)

[@Cavaliere_Teutonico]

W​@@Aureus_

[@shadow_crne1030]

The key word being "low profile"...........

[@lukethelegend9705]

Getting an AC game where you play as a Templar and are outmatched by the Assassins, and have to fight and counter them at their absolute strongest, would be legit terrifying if done right. Like if you’re just walking somewhere and you see white-hooded figures on rooftops or benches nearby, you’d have to use everything at your disposal to get out alive.

[@bradbodenski3044]

@@Aureus_real

[@Lurking96]

The pure fact that an assassin can strike at broad daylight without being noticed is one of the most terrifying aspects about them

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

exaclty

[@ArnikaandMe]

The fact that they go around wearing big ass hoods and no one notices them is the weirdest part

[@JL32506]

I think it's why Connor is my favorite. He was the Eagle incarnate; a mysterious, majestic Hunter. I still think back to his trailer (the one where he stares down an army and instills fear in their leader) as the whole Assassin mindset. Once an Assassin sets their talons on you, once you become hunted, they can make it well-known that they're hunting and that it would take divine intervention to stop them. And sure, they might take an overt stance like Connor does there, but they're also equally likely to just *appear.* Connor does this when he Assassinates William Johnson. Assassins are masters of terror when it suits them, and masters of subterfuge when it suits them.

[@nileshdale9209]

If I see an assassin I quit . I just quit

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Lmaoo

[@vini-ji8ff]

But what if you dont see them coming? Because of how good they are

[@the_eternal_darkness_8436]

Naw cuz really what are you gonna do if you’re not a tanky killing machine… RUN FOR YA LIIIIIIIIIIFEE

[@playere7866]

The beauty of an Assassin, stealth, and skill ok hide in plain sight, now that is scary

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Facts

[@playere7866]

@@TheSpaniardAssassin thanks man, respect and support from Puerto Rico

[@juanordo66]

The thought alone that I could be home and the entire brotherhood could sneak through my house without me noticing is terrifying

[@kemzal]

Honestly I prefer the pre Altair approach. I recently played Mirage in that style, only killing the target and making it public. I found it to be much more challenging, fun and it made me think more.

[@TechyWis]

The trailers of the first few games. mainly AC1-AC3, always made the assassins look terrifying. You could never really see their eyes, especially Ezio. In the AC2 trailer Ezio looked terrifying.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Those trailers are legendary

[@TheDeadMansCreed]

Quick historical context I learned. The real life group assassin’s creed is based on the Hashashin/Nizari Ismailis. Did make public assassinations for the effect and reasons you stated, however they often didn’t survive themselves. They were like suicide bombers, the chance for escape after the assassination were very low especially in that era. But of course it’s a game and parkour lol.

[@johnernest5843]

Yep! They were drugged up (sometimes?) religious fanatics that performed very public assassinations in order to both remove their mark and instill fear in their surroundings. They showed aspects of this pretty well in AC1 with Al Mualim ordering men to do a "leap of faith" from wooden beams high above an attacking force to their certain death, and the fact that most of Altair's assassinations were in very public spaces surrounded by tons of bystanders (That alarm bell still plays in my brain sometimes)

[@DarkBloodAssa]

@@johnernest5843 I have to nuance the whole drug thing. Unfounded rumours later sticking because of the supposed origin of the name Assassin (Hashashin). More credible yet less vocal sources derivate it from "Asasiyun" (plural of "asasi" and supported by some french medieval texts refering to them as "asacis"), meaning "fondamentalists" for their beliefs in the hidden truth of Islam. The maxim attributed to them and used in the games makes a lore more sense in this context. Fun fact, they were also disrespectfully called "Batinya" by other Muslims, "occultists" (al-Batin being one of Allah's name as well). Pretty close to the "Hidden Ones" if you ask me. Leap of faith is not really proven either (just one single crusader story I think) and the fanatical part has to be put into perspective. The Nizari communities were extremely persecuted and regularly massacred, more than other Ismailis and even by some of them as well. In result, they established themselves in mountain castles and not only easily gained support from the local peasants, but also allied to people from various cultures (ironically including Templars). Murders (only a few dozen credibly attributed to them through the span of centuries) were politically driven, out of necessity to survive by weaponising fear. Sure the perpetrators were religiously indoctrinated, but they also likely killed and sacrificed themselves to protect their lifestyle and loved ones like everyone does when fighting a war. People easily think they are right and the others are villains. However, AC1 was indeed great at giving this sense of both mysticism and traditionalism to the Assassins. I miss this feeling so much in the sequels (Unity was the closest to it).

[@johnernest5843]

@@DarkBloodAssa Thanks for the clarification man. I definitely didn't have enough info and context to back up that claim, and I appreciate you giving more insight

​@@DarkBloodAssaI agree, I'd also like to see this more, but I guess it's not a commercially interesting approach for Ubi. Unity had it mainly in Bellec, it was a pity he was made an antagonist. I also sort of see it in Origins.

[@dviking7654]

After A 3 week work trip , coming home to this vid just made my day

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Enough to make a grown man cry

[@liamlol1539]

i miss when we played as Assassins in a game called Assassin's Creed

[@pumpkinduck5532]

one factor for their scariness is definitely how the assassins always recruit broken people who owe their lives to the creed because it enlightened them and helped them, these people have nothing left to live for so they are not scared of death at all, and thats not human, thats very angel of death-like yk. the thing is that when someone powerful is told they are being hunted they get scared, but only a little bit because they might have defenses, now if you turn up the notch and say that the hunter isnt afraid to die and will gladly take you down with him then they get even more scared, and they shit their pants when they witness the assassin take out all of their defenses whilst realizing that he did all of that while being ready to die, and thats when they know they're done for

[@mediumsuspect]

I enjoyed Mirage for many of these reasons stated. Yeah Basim has some very public takedowns (Balcony moment) but using stealth in Mirage really captures the feeling of sneaking in, minimal damage, reach the target and sneak out. Felt like the glory days of the series for the first time in a long time.

[@Roberrrrt103]

New tenets of the creed by our master assassin: Secrecy, skill, unity

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

😍😍

[@verdun16]

The 3 assassins I DO NOT want to go up against are Connor, Bayek, and Altaïr, I would be dead within the second

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Agreed

[@ivansleepy4722]

Altaïr, Connor, and Bayek are absolutely terrifying, but I would avoid confrontation with pretty much any member of the Brotherhood

[@lukethelegend9705]

I think Basim would be up there too; look at what he does in the video. He’d be one of the scariest to face in terms of ambush and stealth ability

[@verdun16]

@@lukethelegend9705 he’s 4 or 5

[@aleksandarsavevski377]

And Ezio

[@Your_Conscience.]

I was thinking all old school ac fans moved on, but it turns out they were just the hidden ones. Top content, easy subscription.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

thank you man!

[@F.O.U.R]

You know I always wanted assassin's creed game, but through the perspective of the templar, the closest thing we can get is Haytham kenway ac rogue and the opening of unity.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Yeah

[@Michael_the_Drunkard]

*rogue

[@jamovfx]

We need some more commentary by you on the Yasuke controversy!

[@parsaamini984]

The bureau is my favorite hiding place in the AC franchise assassins are heroes but at the same time while they are protecting their countries the assassins are figuring out who they are and what defines them as heroes in my opinion.

[@jinxx44]

I only recently found your channel, maybe like 2 days ago, and I can honestly say you're already one of, if not my favorite Assassin's Creed content creator. I love how deeply interested you are in the universe, and it's very much an interest I have as well, but I rarely, if at all, see any content creators who view the games as anything more than just games. It's so refreshing to see somebody dig so deep and really spend time and give thought to the intricacies of the Creed, of each Assassin, of their psychology, their skill, what makes then scary, etc. I was introduced to the franchise when I was only around 6 when the first game released, and it's been a part of my life ever since, and I really enjoy giving deep thought to these things the same as you do. I have been binging your content since I found you, and I cant wait to see the videos you make in the future. Loving every second of it, and excited for more. Much love brother

[@d.istortionaladdict]

you have to make a part two for assassins post altair

[@santiagomontiellaverde74]

What I like is that the fear inducing factor from AC comes from the fact that, no mather what, the assasins will Kill you, maybe noboy will know until you body is rotten, maybe just at the last second Or being the fact that every body knows and is trying to stop that menace with an axe from shredding 30+ soldiers just because they are in the way

[@TheHowlingEye]

I used to think that the secrecy of the Assassins wouldn't hold up even in historical times, not to mention the modern age, but the fact that they maintained their cover through millennia actually makes a lot of sense. 1) The existence of assassins in the literal sense is a known fact, but the theory that all people who secretly kill other people are somehow united under one cause is a ludicrous stretch when you look at it actually. Other than unknown political motives, only other things that all these murders have in common form a bystanders perspective is that the perpetrator wears a hood (nothing special, lots of people wear hoods or hats) and vaguely triangular accessories. 2) Templar cover up. Kind of a get of jail card for the writers but whatever. 3) Assassins have borderline supernatural abilities. In pre-modern, more religious times people would associate things like this with the devil and wouldn't shy away from using words like 'demon', just like ACII NPCs. 4) Fear and confusion in general. Organized crime in the US and elsewhere didn't have a problem with unaliving people until massive surveillance, phones and cameras were introduced. Even if witnesses are brave enough to step up, they are usually confused and don't remember the details. People are really kinda sh1t at remembering and relaying chaotic events, historians know that. 5) Historical knowledge get diluted. Most people just don't remember or don't care about most of history.

[@anasabbassi179]

Best AC channel on youtube!

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

[@danilostanco1709]

Wow, what a great video, this is very fascinating, I have the desire now to play trying to kill only the main targets a part of the non-avoidable deaths! I really hope that you will bring the second part, about the post-Altair approach. And I think that you might create some video about all the different approaches that fit the most in every History Setting of the Saga, it's an idea, but after this video I think that is very fascinating as an argument.

[@thelgndryD]

i really want the second part!!! so this video must go well

[@joseortizreflects]

Great, *great* analysis, Spaniard and yes, make a sequel to this video because it is easy to misunderstand these games and it is good that someone is making trully indepth content explaining the nuances of this franchise.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Thanks, will do!

[@bradbodenski3044]

It'd be cool to see the methods of a post-Altair Brotherhood!

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

On it!

[@annointedbytalos5673]

Also makes the templars seem crazy. You know that the possibility of the assassins knowing your allegiance and having someone on you waiting for the moment to strike. Templars in the higher ranks probably lack certain fear triggers in their brain or they just believe so much in their plan that they are ok with sacrificing themselves for the "greater good". I just think about masterminds like Rodrigo and whether it was arrogance or faith in the plan that kept him calm. It is funny that it has to be faith that keeps them going, since that is a cornerstone of what they are potrayed as being against. They just don't have faith that humanity can be left to it's own devices, they don't believe in the human spirit.

[@zakohat365]

Something I've been wondering for a while now (and would make for a great video topic imo) is what a physical fitness test for an Assassin Recruit would look like. Most protags in the series are unaltered human beings (not counting Eagle Vision) who have been conditioned to perform at the absolute peak of human fitness. What is their training like for them to become such skilled combatants and athletes?

[@bbyboitommy]

I’ve often wondered that as well. I wish we could get a game or rather a series of games where we could see the WHOLE process of recruit to master. Normally we get like one training mission and then boom you’re out on your own. Let me run missions with my mentor, show me the rigorous combat exercises, show the protagonist winded as hell after a parkour run, show them failing even. Make it part of the story and gameplay experience. There’s always so much potential left on the table with this series. I love it anyway, but it’s infuriating.

[@zakohat365]

@@bbyboitommy This! You see Ezio making the most depth-defying leaps which would make Olympic level athletes blush. How did he and other Assassins manage to hone their parkour skills to the point where there's no margin of error?! HOW

[@bbyboitommy]

@@zakohat365 Something interesting about at least to my knowledge Ezio, Connor, Arno, and Basim is that they’re portrayed as being climbers/free-runners since childhood. Ezio with his brother exploring Florence, Connor hunting in the trees, Arno growing up in the birthplace of parkour, and Basim starting as a thief. So we do at least have that sense of who they are and why their skills would lend well to being an assassin later in life. However, it would be so cool if those aspects played into the actual mechanics of movement. It would be so cool if we received new moves AFTER joining the brotherhood and would be even better if we had training missions to learn them. Like what if, using the classic creed system for reference, you only unlocked catch ledge after you don the robes? Or maybe you bring the hook blade back and can’t use zip lines until you get it. Stuff like that would be so immersive to me.

[@zakohat365]

@@bbyboitommy Learning another moveset would be so cool, and it would really emphasize the Brotherhood training, as you've said

[@Nosoo_]

amazing video as always! i would love to see a part 2 where u discuss why its effective to do it differently :) keep up the great work

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Thank you!

[@alibiiana3919]

Great video, I wish AC went more on the fear assassination like just a example doing a blood eagle. They missed assassin doing that during the Viking times.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Same here

[@alibiiana3919]

How did you feel about the jack the ripper dlc since that dlc was nothing but fear@@TheSpaniardAssassin

[@DoctorXXIV]

Anyone gonna comment on how well you play these games?? I mean that use of the falling crate plus the chain kill 👌

[@Sebbir]

Dude you have been killing it with the uploads

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

bro

[@johnT233]

Loving those videos!! Greetings from Greece!

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@triplezeroxz5875]

Great video. Would love to see part 2.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Coming soon!

[@lukethelegend9705]

You should do a video on whether the Assassins count as a terrorist group or not

[@manfromdarklands]

I've been following your channel since your stealth videos and stuff. I really like what you've doing now, these deep videos talking about the philosophy and psychology of the assassins and their stories. As a trying writer, you inspire me to think more deeply about my own writing, why would i write this?, what's my motivations?, and how my own worldview changes the story that im writing? I do hope you keep doing these videos, and i want you to know that it helps me, and i believe it helps other viewers as well. And thank you❤.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Good luck on your writing!

[@srijanmishra4713]

amazing gameplay snipets used

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Appreciate it!

[@Adilxjumani]

You have such an amazing way to tell your narrative for every topic that you discuss in your videos, you must also play other games too apart from assassin's creed and we would love to see you sometimes include them in your videos or talk about them as well, this can target more audience because seriously more people should be watching your videos.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

thank you! slowly but surely we'll get that audience

[@arceus3519]

Yes, assassins are good at taking out their targets, but what always bothered me is that it never really changes anything. Every time you take out important Templars only to be in the same situation again in the next part. I think it would be much better if the goals that you achieve in all parts were also important, for example that it was mentioned that it was good that Connor killed his father so many years ago and so on or that Edward rendered the observatory harmless .

[@DoctorXXIV]

Dude you should teach classes at Masyaf 😂 you're a master of words and comprehending phlilosophy

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Hahahah thanks

[@SniperJoJo-fo9su]

What the creed does is mostly takes people who are down on they’re luck and have nothing to lose and that is what makes them so scary

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

pretty much

[@toaster6701]

One thing though stealth logic is funny Guy sees you, you hide behind corner *invisible* then they die from a corner assassination Guy sees another die, another guy walks to the dead body in the exact spot his friend died at , which they then die Blend in through crowds while wearing the most drippy clothes Hears whistling from a haystack "i should go check it out" Jokes aside the assassins would be scary in real life Also im making fun of the gameplay out of love True gamer fans can laugh at their own game cause thats how much we enjoy the games we play So many assassins creed memes out there

[@pumpkinduck5532]

its like batmans scariness but imo batman is scarier the assassins make up for that little amount of scariness they dont have with their numbers i love this video, i thought i was the only one absolutely creeped out by the way they take out everyone in a second and dip my gameplay might never match up with the cinematics

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

the cinematics are key

[@yjiokhi4479]

For all it's faults in not respecting the Creed, AC2 demonstrates the fear Templars have towards Assassins really well. As Francesco de Pazzi fell, the remaining Pazzi took to hiding or having huge armies to defend themselves. When Emilio and Marco Barbarigo died, Silvio Barbarigo and Dante Moro took over L'Arsenale to build an army and distract Ezio from the expedition to Cyprus.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

yeah the trilogy does that great

[@HiddenOne2007]

Part 2 please🙏🏼

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

you got it

[@UserNot_Known]

Hey Spaniard, just wanted to say your content is by far the most unique and entertaining to watch in the AC scene right now. I love these deep dives and detailed videos it really is fun to watch for us major ac nerds haha, keep it up bro i love your content alot ❤

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

haha thanks man! it means a lot when people say that

[@pumpkinduck5532]

i wouldnt say im a nerd but im in love with AC's philosophy, and i really enjoy his videos aswell theres just something about it, it makes you feel badass, thats one thing. but the ideology and the quotes and the brotherhood are so deep its almost amazing to think ubisoft made this haha

[@Realas199]

Bro they see through your future

[@AlanR8530]

I started to think of something and I would like to know your opinion although it is still too early to talk about Hexe, do you think they make part of the gameplay that the guards and citizens speak with fear of the protagonist as in the trailer spoke of Altair? Especially for the setting I think it would be a good detail and maybe in some objectives we execute them in public to reinforce that fear. And yes a second part would be great

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

I think this will happen for sure

[@worldsgreatestspy5836]

Didn't Malik berate Altair over the whole city knowing that he had killed his target? I don't think Assassins were supposed to do things that publicly in that era either

[@jithendra.k.sfirst_yr_b.sc9574]

I want a part 2 , mahn... Take your time and cook an explanation that ubisoft never did.... ☮️ Peace be upon you brother... -AC1

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

peace be upon you!

[@venom_snake1984]

Make a part two.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Your wish is my command

[@Ash-Winchester]

It's like a socio-economic butterfly effect.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Exactly

[@kozurai6069]

Gotta keep tearing down them posters baby…and bribe the right person 🤣

[@Flashbang.incoming6969]

Guys what’s the first game in the background I forgot the name

[@bran3762]

I really enjoy your videos and your perspectives on the Assassins. As a long time AC fan, I hadn't considered some of the points you made about Assassins training like the importance of persuasion, geography and politics, and having enough knowledge of the local customs to be able to blend into crowds and into different social classes. An Assassin would need to know all this to gather information, understand which targets to focus on, track down their targets, and be able to remain undetected. Another great point you brought up is how the Assassins' usual method of a highly publicized assassination on important leaders and public figures is meant to scare the rest of the people into better behavior, and this worked really well in older societies that were more violent and accustomed to violence. As society changed to the point where that sort of conspicuous violence gradually became less common and less accepted, the Assassins had to stop relying on public assassinations as much. It would no longer have the same desired effect. And finally, I like your interpretation of the Creed, how it's meant to encourage individual initiative: you can think for yourself, and you're not limited. You CAN enact change through your actions.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

thank you for those words! glad you liked those points

[@baileymoroz8891]

Is that a mod you’re using to do air assassinations in AC1, or is there a technique I never discovered? I thought the air assassinations were a mechanic from AC2

[@karthikcv8104]

Air assassinations are present in AC1, they even showcased it in one of the pre-release demonstrations. You basically have to be at an elevation to an enemy, then focus on them. Then high profile run (without sprinting) and tap armed hand (or assassinate) to pull it off.

[@baileymoroz8891]

@@karthikcv8104 I see, I’ll have to try that next time I play AC1. Cheers

[@LeoS.B.Rosevillte]

Do the modern world!

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

gotta do it

[@tomrobinson3372]

Well remember to become an assassin in the modern day all you have to do is just press x oh unity we love and we hate you

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

hahaha

[@kyle2kyletroii]

honestly if you think about it, assassins have to have so much natural ability and knack for what they do. you can’t really set a scene and practice being an asssassin and using social stealth and allat

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Yeah talent is so important

[@ivansleepy4722]

Whenever kill some guard in any AC game, I hear their last breath leave their body, hear them choke on their own blood while trying to scream out in pain... and I wonder if it was truly worth it. Was it necessary to take their lives, when they were only trying to survive? Sure, some we see harassing people on the street, and they serve the bad guys in the end, but... were they all evil, inhumane bastards? Did I have ANY right to take their life? Am I the real monster in the end? That's why I slowly started trying the "ghosting" playstyle. You did mention that it would be way more true to the code of an assasin, and if there's any game I would want to be evil, it's not this series.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

Its messed up

[@ivansleepy4722]

@@TheSpaniardAssassin beyond messed up

[@xandercogan5521]

Well I'm not ashamed to admit I do like Assassin's Creed Odyssey but I'm not ashamed because I like all the other games as well but here's the thing I would never be ashamed anyway but that's not the point of this comment the point in the comment is I'm worried about Assassin's Creed code name red now the reason why I mentioned Odyssey is because it's being made by the same studio but I'm worried about it because I'm not sure how it would work as a samurai game

[@Realas199]

Someone named altair stealth clips is taking your vids on shorts

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

thats me :)

[@Realas199]

@@TheSpaniardAssassin oh that's 2nd channek

[@punkdallas1646]

Eatzio had a lot of public executions & unskippable fights.

[@TheSpaniardAssassin]

He did

[@AshKetchum-wu1px]

Again dude, I love your videos but please stop calling guards innocent, they maybe doing their job but in doing that they are aiding something far more sinister and moreover guarding someone who is a despicable being, think of them as normal wehrmacht soldiers fighting for Nazi Germany, they maybe doing their duty but ultimately aiding a greater evil,they are the casualties of this war between us and the templars, but does that mean we would give up fighting? Never. Anyway, loved the video and the analysis of the methods of various times

[@juliangiuggioli7728]

And plus, if guards were considered innocent you would get deshyncronized by killing them. There are even proofs in the game that suggest that "ghosting" isn't the canon way to complete missions; Take Rogue for example: In a certain part of the game you are forced to kill nine snipers, and when Shay goes to kill Lawrence, one of the full synchronization objectives is to use berserk darts on five guards (and those ammo are lethal because they are poisoned). In that Cappadocia mission in Revelations where Ezio has to kill Shakulu before going for the target assassination you must take care of some musketeers . In Origins during some side quests Bayek actually took out guards to save allies. Lastly, returning to Rogue, when you have to destroy that outpost in which Assassins where brewing poison, the full synchronization objective is to use a a lethal grenade against three guards, other than putting to sleep ten of them