Synchronization

Synchronization is Assassin's Creed's series' equivalent of a health meter. Since the events of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and Ezio Auditore da Firenze experienced by Desmond in the Animus have already taken place in the past, Synchronization is a measure of how synchronized, or close to, Desmond's actions in the Animus are with the actual events in the past. If all Synchronization is lost, the simulation restarts from an earlier point.

Synchronization itself can be taken as how accurate Desmond's actions are compared to the original memories. The loss of Synchronization would therefore presumably be a sign that Desmond's (or more accurately, the player's) actions are not accurate to the past. Losing synch by killing civilians and falling from heights would mean that Altaïr or Ezio would not have performed those actions. Furthermore, additional memories, such as rescuing civilians and collecting Flags for Altaïr, and opening Chests and collecting Feathers for Ezio, would mean that Altaïr and Ezio actually performed these actions. That they are optional is an indication that they aren't essential to the recreation of the events in the Animus.

The Synch meter


Synchronization is measured by a bar in the top left corner of the HUD. It displays Desmond's current level of synchronization with his ancestor.

The Synch meter can be turned off in the Options menu, as well as all other HUD elements.

Synchronization in Assassin's Creed


If Synchronization is critically low, the screen will begin to flash blue and red to warn the player as the current memory begins to become unstable. If all Synchronization is lost, then the simulation will restart from an earlier point.

Synchronization can be lost for several reasons:
 * Killing a civilian, breaking the First Tenet of the Creed.
 * Taking damage in battle.
 * Drowning, resulting in immediate desynchronization.
 * Falling from a great height. The higher the height, the more synchronization will be lost.

At the beginning of Assassin's Creed, Desmond's very first use of the Animus causes almost immediate loss of Synchronization, because his subconscious couldn't handle the stress and trauma of the memory he was in.

Any Synchronization lost will recover over time.

Achievement
On the Xbox 360 version of Assassin's Creed, you can unlock the Absolute Symbiosis achievement by obtaining all twenty bars of Synchronization.

Synch Meter Capacity
The capacity of the Synchronization meter is not static. It varies from 4 to 20. Synchronization capacity is determined by two components- base Synchronization (up to 13) and additional Synchronization (up to 7).

Base Synchronization
Altaïr's Base Synchronization is determined by his rank in the Assassins' Order. At the beginning of the game when he is a Master Assassin, his base Synchronization is 13. Once he is demoted to Novice, it falls to 4.

A full table:

Additional Synchronization
Additional Synchronization is Synchronization that the player earns by completing additional memories, such as saving citizens and Synchronizing on View Points. Once the player completes fifteen of these additional memories, the words "DNA Synchronization Augmented" will be displayed on the screen, and there will be another bar available on the Synch meter.

Up to seven bars of additional Synchronization can be obtained.

Synchronization in Assassin's Creed II
The Synchronization bar in the first Assassin's Creed game has been replaced by a health bar, while synchronization itself has become a status which is increased by completing missions, recovering objects (Codex Pages, feathers, statues, etc.), as well as unlocking Altaïr's Armor. Maximum health is increased by buying and equipping armor, and deciphering Codex Pages. Lost health can be restored by visiting a doctor and by using medicine. Maximum health can be achieved whilst wearing Altaïr's Armor (or a full Missaglias set) and having all 30 Codex Pages deciphered.

Desynchronization can still happen due to death, killing 3 or more civilians, staying in an unavailable area for too long, failing mission objectives, and more. When this happens, all health is restored and the player is restored to the last checkpoint if they were in a mission at the time of desynchronization, or on the ground closest to where they died if they are not.