Assassin’s Creed Heroes Who Weren’t Assassins

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Summary

  • Characters in Assassin’s Creed don’t always align with the Creed, showcasing diverse perspectives.
  • The franchise thrives on varied narratives beyond assassins, exploring unique backgrounds and motivations.
  • Protagonists like Bayek, Eivor, Kassandra, Edward, and Shay offer fresh angles on the Assassin-Templar conflict.

In the world of Assassin’s Creed, not every hooded character adheres to the Assassin’s Creed. Some find themselves entangled in the conflict between Assassins and Templars by sheer chance, while others have their own unique objectives unrelated to this ongoing struggle.

The franchise has managed to stay fresh and engaging for over a decade because it doesn’t rely solely on the hidden blade as a storytelling device. Instead, it explores various characters such as a pirate captain seeking freedom, a Medjay defending his people, or a Templar grappling with doubts about his beliefs.

5. Assassin’s Creed Origins

Sometimes The Hidden Blade Isn’t So Hidden After All

In contrast to popular belief, Bayek of Siwa wasn’t an Assassin. He never received training from the Brotherhood, didn’t adhere to their principles, and never referred to himself as one. Instead, he was a Medjay – a defender of Egypt’s people who pledged to uphold justice far before the inception of the Brotherhood. What sets Assassin’s Creed Origins apart is that it not only features a protagonist devoid of Assassin ties, but also delves into the origin story of how the Assassins came to be.

The actions of Bayek and Aya ultimately give rise to the Hidden Ones, an organization that evolves into the Brotherhood featured in the series. Unlike Aya who fully embraced this ideology, Bayek remained deeply connected to his Medjay heritage. Instead of seeking to eliminate tyrants for the sake of restoring balance, Bayek’s driving forces were vengeance for his son and reforming a corrupt system from within.

Bayek’s fighting style deviates from the conventional methods of Assassins. Instead of blending in like a shadow, he fought more like a battle-hardened warrior. His combat was marked by frequent use of bows, spears, and shield parries, giving it a gritty, purposeful atmosphere – there was no stealthy finesse to be found when he would crash a kopesh against a captain’s head.

4. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

One Doesn’t Need A Creed To Kill Like One

Eivor could have gotten a concealed knife known as the Hidden Blade at an early point, but this doesn’t mean she was an Assassin. She didn’t join the Brotherhood, didn’t adhere to their principles, and in true Viking spirit, valued brutality over stealth whenever a good old axe to the head proved effective.

In the game of Valhalla, Eivor interacts with members of the Hidden Ones such as Hytham and Basim, but her loyalty remains steadfastly with her clan. Her primary goals are constructing Ravensthorpe, forging alliances across England, and establishing an enduring legacy in both blood and stone. The Assassin-Templar conflict takes a back seat in Valhalla, often simmering beneath the surface. Even when it occasionally intertwines with Eivor’s narrative, she views it as someone else’s battle to fight.

The significant aspect lies in Eivor carrying the blade on top of her bracer rather than beneath it. Though seemingly minor, this detail symbolizes her detachment from the Brotherhood’s long-held customs.

3. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

When You Fight Like A God But Work For No One

In a different phrasing, it could be said: Kassandra, not an Assassin, was instead a mercenary of Spartan lineage, brought up among warriors and armed with a spear older than the Assassins’ Brotherhood itself. Her allegiance lay only in her personal code, serving as a hired sword without any fixed loyalties.

In the timeline of Odyssey, the Hidden Ones (also known as the Brotherhood) hadn’t been established yet, which means they didn’t exist during that time. Although there were precursors to the Assassins in Darius’ DLC narrative, this doesn’t alter the fact that Kassandra was a solitary traveler exploring the myth-filled landscape of ancient Greece.

Instead of being deeply entwined with Assassin-Templar ideology, her tale is heavily influenced by ancient Isu technology. The Spear of Leonidas, the Staff of Hermes, the Cult of Kosmos – all these suggest an origin rooted in the tales of the first civilization, rather than secret blades and urban acrobatics.

2. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

A Pirate’s Creed Is His Own

Edward Kenway is famously recognized as one of the franchise’s most distinctive main characters, yet he initially showed little interest in becoming an Assassin. Instead, he was a captain of pirate ships, driven by desires for wealth, recognition, and liberty rather than ideology. He didn’t accidentally find himself caught up in the conflict between Assassins and Templars; instead, he forcefully barged into it, brandishing his sword, having stolen an Assassin’s cloak and assumed a false identity to quickly earn some money.

The trajectory of his character is particularly captivating within the series as it’s not focused on improving his skills as a killer; rather, it delves into comprehending the significance behind those killings. As the story unfolds, Edward gradually comes to terms with the Brotherhood’s ideals, but it isn’t until after the game’s events that he truly embodies one of them.

1. Assassin’s Creed Rogue

The Templar Who Made Players Question Everything

Shay Cormac’s tale significantly transformed the entire series. Unlike other installments where players gradually uncover the Templars’ corruption, in Rogue, players are immediately thrown into the Templar ranks and shown how it fits together. Initially a faithful Assassin, Shay defects after observing the disastrous results of their operations during a failed mission in Lisbon.

When he becomes a Templar, it’s not because of anger or retribution. Instead, he sincerely feels they provide a more effective means of safeguarding humanity. This change in viewpoint is what makes Rogue captivating. It compels players to scrutinize the Brotherhood from an external perspective, seeing their ideology not as heroic, but potentially misguided.

The relentless pursuit by him to track down his ex-Assassin brethren was merciless, deeply emotional, and featured some of the most thrilling naval battles the series has to offer. To make matters worse, it’s Shay who ultimately takes Arno’s father’s life – an event that significantly connects to the happenings in Assassin’s Creed Unity.

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2025-03-23 19:55