Summary
TheAssassin’s Creedfranchise has released a wide range of popular titles since its inception in 2007. While a big appeal of these games are the different eras of human history that they portray, the main characters of any installment are ultimately the most important aspect.
As theAssassin’s Creedgames have increased in scale and popularity, the main characters of the releases have only grown in presence, with some of the most iconic characters in gaming hailing from the IP. Even some of the earliest protagonists inAssassin’s Creedhold a great legacy in the hearts of many fans, with some key assassins having a more long-lasting impact than others.
This tier list will only be focusing on the protagonists of mainlineAssassin’s Creedreleases.
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S-Tier
The protagonists in this tier are rated so highly either thanks to their intense amount of screen-time or the compelling isolated stories that they were apart of. BothEzio Auditore and Desmond Mileshave grown to become the faces of theAssassin’s Creedfranchise, with Ezio being the core protagonist of three popular titles and Desmond being the center of the modern-day narratives of the first five installments to the IP.
Besides their large amount of screen-time, Ezio and Desmond wowed fans with their flair and character development over time. Edward Kenway and Bayek of Siwa achieve this same feat in their respective titles. Edward’s larger-than-life presence as a pirate-turned-assassin appealed to a huge amount ofACfans,with his role inAC:Black Flagbeing a huge part of why the game is looked back upon so fondly.
Bayek’s genuinely touching tale of vengeance and morality had a similar impact on fans, making Bayek a beacon of hope duringAssassin’s Creed’s stormy transition into open-world RPG releases with 2017’sOrigins. WithBayek also being one of the key founders of the Hidden Onesand therefore the Assassin Brotherhood itself, Bayek is arguably one of the most important figures across the entire franchise, only aiding his memorability and overall impact.
A-Tier
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Eivorhas also established herself in the top rankings of the franchise’s protagonists, with fans experiencing her story starting from childhood. While dealing with significant trauma and hardship of her own, Eivor maintained an endearing passion to help others, rising to the head of her clan and establishing a thriving community away from her homeland. Eivor’s individual achievements are intensely impressive, with her leadership skills and positive outlook making for a fantastically well-rounded main character.
AC Oddysseygave fans a choicebetween Alexios and Kassandra as main characters. Both figures essentially act in the same way throughout the story. The game’s fantastical take on Ancient Greece was reflected in the humor and wit of Alexios/Kassandra, offering a generally more lighthearted protagonist than what the franchise usually employs.
Altair was the protagonist that started it all forAssassin’s Creed, taking the helm of the IP all the way back in 2007. While Altair lacks a lot of the personality and deeper emotions of many protagonists that followed him, his ruthless efficiency and dedication to the cause showed fans exactly what the Creed stood for, setting a high standard for future main characters to strive towards.
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B-Tier
Basim recently appeared as the protagonist ofAssassin’s Creed Mirage, having first been portrayed as a side-character and shock antagonist ofValhalla. Basim’s story is arguably the most complex of anyACprotagonist, due to the fact he is a Sage of the Isu God, Loki. This leads to a conflict within Basim as he battles with the repressed memories of a past life, adding a fantastic element to his story. While his presence still pales in comparison to those ranked above him, Basim offers a truly unique tale within theACuniverse.
Jacob and Evie Frye were dual protagonists inAssassin’s Creed Syndicate, with the player switching between them to use different playstyles. Both protagonists had an unforgettable connection as twin siblings, with Evie also serving as the first steps for female main characters in the mainline franchise. The choice of two simultaneous protagonists sadly gave them both less individual presence than the main characters of other games, but the Frye twins hold an important role in the IP’s history nonetheless.
C-Tier
Connor, also known as Ratonhnhake:ton, was the half-British, half-Mohawk protagonist ofAssassin’s Creed 3. The figure’s shared heritage led to a fascinatingly poignant conflict of belonging and purpose, with Connor’s story being one of the most heartbreaking across the IP. These traits also make Connor a very jaded and silent protagonist, which sadly reduces his overall memorability.
Lastly, Arno Dorian was the core figure ofAssassin’s Creed Unity, being a French-Austrian noble who fell into the Creed following the death of his father. Arno’s story mirrored a lot of Ezio’s origins without the necessary screen-time and personality to make him an impactful protagonist, and theinitial negative reception ofUnityonly damaged Arno’s overall reputation further.Assassin’s Creedhas done extremely well to tell a broad range of stories and characters, but it is clear that some have left a much more gripping impression than others.
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as a cunning young street thief seeking answers in this majestic Middle Eastern open world. Experience the home of the original Assassins in this exciting new narrative-driven, open world adventure. 15 years since the first Assassin’s Creed redefined adventure, experience the franchises' trademark parkour and stealth like never before - in Assasin’s Creed Mirage. In this smaller scale, back to basics Assassin’s caper, you play Basim, a young street thief seeking answers. Roam the richly-detailed, reactive and vibrant streets of 9th century Baghdad, uncovering the mysteries of the past as you fight to secure your future. Stalk the shadows. Become the ultimate assassin.
