Assassin’s Creed Antagonist Tier List

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As a seasoned gamer and enthusiast of the Assassin’s Creed series for over a decade now, I must say that the rich tapestry of characters in this franchise is nothing short of astounding. From the grandeur of Altair to the swashbuckling charm of Edward Kenway, each character has left an indelible mark on me and contributed to the immersive experience that Assassin’s Creed offers.

Over the past 17 years, gamers have journeyed back into various periods of global history within the Assassin’s Creed series. Characters have found themselves in turbulent times like the Third Crusade in the late 12th century or the tumultuous England during the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 19th century. Throughout these adventures, players assume roles as diverse Assassins fighting for liberty. Along the way, they meet historical figures and fictional characters representing various cultures, all serving to portray the ancient civilizations accurately in the Assassin’s Creed games. Some of these encounters result in allies, while others are villainous Templars dedicated to achieving peace and order through control.

In numerous aspects, the villains of an Assassin’s Creed game can challenge, bolster, and endure the influence, captivation, and longevity of an Assassin’s Creed narrative as effectively as the protagonists do. Every compelling story requires a villain who is easy to grasp, cunning, terrifying, and enticing, much like it needs a sympathetic, provoking, and inspiring hero or main character for viewers to support. With over 30 games encompassing the entirety of the Assassin’s Creed series and the 31st one, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set to be released soon, it’s worth examining each primary antagonist featured in the Assassin’s Creed universe. The ranking will focus on their effect on the protagonists, their masterful plans, and their success in achieving their objectives.

Spoilers ahead for the Assassin’s Creed series.

S-Tier: Standout Assassin’s Creed Antagonists

  • Al Mualim
  • Cesare Borgia
  • Charles Lee
  • Haytham Kenway
  • Julius Caesar
  • Rodrigo Borgia
  • Warren Vidic
  • Zhang Yong

In “Assassin’s Creed,” some of the most memorable villains are those who share the complexity of the protagonist, or even surpass them in intricacy. Many dedicated series followers might argue that Haytham Kenway from “Assassin’s Creed 3” and “Rogue” is the franchise’s top antagonist because of his moral compass, honor, and ability to persuade both characters and players that his agenda and the Templar Order might be justified. His criticisms of the American patriots and the Colonial Assassin Brotherhood resonated with many, causing a shift in allegiance for some gamers during the sequences where they controlled him. However, Haytham’s shortcomings included his failure to recognize the abuses committed by his subordinates against colonists and Native Americans, as well as his prioritization of the Templar Order over family.

Remarkable adversaries in the Assassin’s Creed series played pivotal roles in shaping our protagonists into heroes and were instrumental in pushing them to their limits. Characters like Al Mualim, Rodrigo Borgia, and Warren Vidic manipulated people for their personal gain, often disregarding moral dilemmas that eventually led to their downfalls. For example, Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad transcended Mualim’s selfish ambitions to become a self-sacrificing hero who rebuilt the Assassin Order with the aim of safeguarding people’s liberties. Initially driven by revenge against Borgia, Ezio Auditore evolved into a wise mentor for an entire new generation of Assassins and those oppressed. Lastly, Desmond Miles learned from his ancestors to thwart Vidic’s plans of conquest, ultimately discovering the courage to lay down his life for the greater good of the world.

A-Tier: Quality Assassin’s Creed Antagonists

  • Achilles Davenport
  • Cleopatra
  • Deimos
  • Dominika Wilk
  • Madeleine de L’Isle
  • Prince Ahmet
  • Robert de Sable
  • William Sleeman

In some instances, antagonists in the “Assassin’s Creed” series, including Achilles Davenport, may not have attained the same level of impact or conviction as their predecessors, but they still left a strong mark on players’ gaming experiences. Davenport served as both a mentor in “Assassin’s Creed 3” and an antagonist in “Assassin’s Creed Rogue.” His actions, driven by his grief over the loss of his wife and son and his determination to keep Precursor artifacts away from the Templars, ultimately led him to disregard the principles that Assassins uphold. This decision resulted in the deaths of countless innocents and the betrayal of Shay Cormac. Although Davenport later came to regret his actions, it was too late to prevent further damage.

In several games, some antagonists were cunning and detestable in their objectives, yet they either emerged too late or were underdeveloped, limiting their influence. For instance, Madeleine de L’Isle from Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation, who was the stepmother of protagonist Aveline de Grandpré, had a substantial role as a Master Templar, but her presence in the game was sparse, hindering her impact on the story. Similarly, Alexios (also known as Deimos) from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, who is Kassandra’s brother, was trained at an early age to serve the Cult of Kosmos. Despite his intricate character and connection with his sister, Deimos did not play a significant role in advancing the narrative of Odyssey.

In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, if players opt for Alexios as their character, Kassandra assumes the part of Deimos throughout the storyline.

B-Tier: Fine, But Forgettable Assassin’s Creed Antagonists

  • Armand Bouchart
  • Bartholomew Roberts
  • Basilisk
  • Basim Ibn Ishaq
  • Crawford Starrick
  • François-Thomas Germain
  • Pierre, Marquis de Fayet
  • Ptolemy XIII

In many instances within the “Assassin’s Creed” series, some primary antagonists seem to play minimal roles or exert little influence in their respective game stories. For example, Bartholomew Roberts from “Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag,” though designated as Edward Kenway’s main adversary, is scarcely present and often functions more as an obstacle and a tool (a MacGuffin) for the Assassins and Templars to pursue in their quest to locate the Observatory. Conversely, Basim Ibn Ishaq, from “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla,” initially appears as Eivor Varinsdottir’s ally but is unmasked as Loki only at the end. Despite his later revelation as an antagonist, Basim remains inclined to assist the Assassins, thus reducing his role as a true adversary.

In my perspective as a dedicated Assassin’s Creed fan, I often found that certain adversaries had minimal roles within the game’s narrative, lacking depth and complexity, seemingly only evil for the sake of being so, serving merely as opponents for the player to vanquish in a final showdown. Characters like François-Thomas Germain from Assassin’s Creed Unity and Crawford Starrick from Assassin’s Creed Syndicate fell into this category. Germain, despite orchestrating the demise of Arno Dorian’s adoptive father, François de la Serre, didn’t truly make a significant impact until the game’s climax, primarily focusing on eliminating Elise de la Serre. Starrick, too, lacked complexity in his objectives, aiming to obtain the Shroud of Eden and wield its power to enhance his abilities as he sought to rebuild England’s leadership according to his own vision.

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2024-12-01 19:05