The Hidden Blade is the iconic weapon of the Assassin's Creed franchise. However, which protagonist wielded the best version?

Since 2007, Assassin's Creed has been a universal constant in the diverse world of gaming. It's a franchise that takes players on epic journeys throughout history, boasting stories that feature unique, powerful characters, and sprawling, open environments. At the heart of the series are the themes of revenge, revolution, liberation, and redemption, and many of the protagonist's goals are completed with the aid of a handy hidden blade.

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Today, the hidden blade is regarded as one of the most recognizable weapons in gaming. For each protagonist, there's a unique set of abilities, items, clothing, and of course, a hidden blade that differs - sometimes dramatically so - from the rest of the line-up. From the most mechanically advanced contraptions to the most aesthetically pleasing blades, every Assassin's Creed fan has their favorite...

In 2013's Assassin's Creed 3, we're introduced to Connor Kenway, a Native American assassin. This character's story takes place amid the American Revolution, and true to Assassin's Creed form, he plays a pivotal role in how the events unfold.

Connor Kenway's hidden blade is one of the more unique devices in the franchise for one key reason - it's detachable. While one blade is traditional and fixed, the other, the left-handed blade, pivots and can be wielded as a dagger. While Connor Kenway remains one of the most lethal hand-to-hand combatants in the history of the series, it's his hidden blade that is truly memorable.

Most assassin's in the franchise had to earn their hidden blades - Edward Kenway stole his. As a pirate, Kenway chased down and defeated an assassin before liberating him of his attractive wrist-based weaponry, securing a pair of hidden blades for himself, much to the dismay of a Caribbean-based assassin's brotherhood.

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His primary hidden blade was a fantastic contraption, boasting a pirate-themed aesthetic that came complete with a skull atop the blade itself. It was a leather-bound device that suited the character and the setting perfectly, and it assisted Kenway in ultimately becoming a master pirate assassin - a truly unique accomplishment.

Altair was the first assassin fans ever met, way back in 2007 with the birth of the franchise. His hidden blade was a remarkable introduction, serving as a nod to the loyalty and determination of the mysterious assassin's brotherhood. As a sign of dedication to the 'Assassin's Creed,' members of the brotherhood that 'qualified' for a hidden blade had to have their ring finger removed.

However, this grisly initiation served a dual purpose - it allowed the hidden blade to slip through a closed fist. While Altair's hidden blade was relatively plain on the surface, it was an incredibly enjoyable experience to run around the rooftops of Damascus or Acre assassinating enemies unseen.

When Assassin's Creed Valhalla launched in 2020, it brought with it a brand-new concept for the hidden blade. In fact, in Valhalla, the 'hidden' portion was completely stripped away, as the protagonist of the game, Eivor, opts to install the blade on the top side of their wrist, having it sit in plain sight and using it to intimidate enemies.

It was certainly one of the more ornate and beautiful blades, boasting a bejeweled gold trim and an engraved, inscribed blade. From the moment the first trailer dropped, players knew that this hidden blade would leave its mark on Assassin's Creed fans everywhere. In Valhalla, it aided Eivor in dominating England, releasing the country from a corrupt and malicious grip.

While Shao Jun was only featured in a spin-off title, Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China, she was still a remarkable and impactful character. As the only playable assassin to emerge from the Far East, Shao Jun is one of the more deeply unique characters to exist in the universe - and her hidden blade is like no other device seen in the franchise.

When Shao Jun received her hidden blade, she found it to be too cumbersome. It was a sign of her preference for rapid movement, martial arts, and a high level of agility. In response to her displeasure, Shao Jun remodeled the hidden blade, opting to attach it to the bottom of her foot - and thus the hidden foot blade was born.

For many Assassin's Creed fans, Ezio Auditore da Firenze is the greatest protagonist of them all. His legacy spans a trilogy of games, and he's often cited as being the boldest, grandest contributor to the development of the assassin's brotherhood. His story begins with heartbreak, as multiple members of his family are murdered before his very eyes, but it's that event that catapults him into action.

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Ezio's hidden blade, which he receives at the very start of his journey, is an ornate, stunning device, boasting a razor-sharp, engraved blade. As time goes on and Ezio's character follows his path, his hidden blade is upgraded numerous times to accommodate a poison device, a grappling hook, and even a gun.

In 2014, the final Assassin's Creed title exclusive to Xbox 360 and PS3 was released, launching alongside Assassin's Creed Unity. This title was named 'Rogue', and it was unique for one stark reason: it was the first Assassin's Creed title where you didn't play as an assassin. Instead, players assumed the role of a Templar by the name of Shay Patrick Cormac.

However, Cormac was once an assassin, turned from the path by an event that destroyed his faith. He became an assassin hunter, retaining his hidden blades and putting them to use in the best way he knew how - by taking lives in as unseen a manner as possible. These hidden blades might have been some of the plainest devices in the history of the franchise, but they were unique in how they were used.

When Assassin's Creed Origins launched in 2017, fans thought they were getting an Assassin's Creed game without a hidden blade. It took a few hours for players to reach the point whereupon they were given the hidden blade - technically the first hidden blade that the world had ever seen. It even predated the very origins of the assassin's brotherhood.

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This hidden blade is given to Bayek of Siwa - a Medjay - and he immediately puts it to good use, rapidly ridding Egypt of an evil and corrupt influence. As he journeys around the entire country, which at the time was the biggest AC map in history, the hidden blade becomes more recognizable as the core weapon of the assassin.

In 2014, the first 'next-gen' Assassin's Creed title was launched - Unity. It was created as an experiment of sorts, with Ubisoft using the power of the PS4 and Xbox One to push the game to its limits. While the game wasn't a huge success, it introduced an assassin that wielded one of the most impressive hidden blades in the history of the franchise.

Arno Dorian's hidden blade was otherwise known as the 'Phantom Blade,' and it had one key feature that set it apart from the other protagonists' blades. At the press of a button, the blade would flick open, revealing a miniature crossbow that could be deployed instantly. It was an elegant, inventive addition that helped make Arno Dorian one of the most lethal assassins in the entire series.

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Grant has been gaming for more than twenty years, and if he isn't writing about esports or gaming, he'll be playing games, streaming games, or creating content. He's been a passionate gaming journalist since 2019, writing regularly for publications such as esports.net, esports.gg, esportsbets.com, and justgamers.net. He's a proud PC gamer but enjoys mixing it up with Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation platforms, and he currently resides happily in the United Kingdom with his very patient wife (also a world-class gamer).