Heavy weapon



Heavy Weapons are edged weapons that rely more on sheer force to inflict bone-breaking damage. When swung with sufficient strength, they smash through attempts to parry them with smaller weapons. Opponents caught under the full weight of the blow may collapse and even drop their weapons. Heavy weapons can only be countered by a Long or another Heavy weapon (with the Hidden Blade being an exception, as it can counter any weapon; though the timing involved makes the maneuver more difficult and thus risky). However, you can disarm your opponent with your fists. If you are equipped with the Hidden Gun or Poison Blade, Ezio will automatically counter with his Hidden Blade. Counters with these powerful weapons are always lethal to the target, but sometimes you will leave the weapon in the victim's body (so use it on the most dangerous enemies only to maximize the effect). The Combo length for a Heavy Weapon is 3 hits. Heavy Weapons are equipped only by Brutes.

Special Technique
The Smash skill is acquired from Training and can be used when a Heavy weapon is equipped. A smash takes a long time to build up, during which the player is vulnerable to interruption. But when a fully charged Smash connects, it breaks through enemy defence to cause a large amount of damage and further effects. It cannot be parried, and the victim will be disarmed, or may have a long weapon broken.

Trivia
thumb|350px|right|Almost all disarmings and counters with the hidden blade, heavy axe/sword and the spear.
 * Heavy Weapons can be re-obtained from bodies after they have been lodged in them through combat by simply picking up the body, which will cause the weapon to drop. This also happens when a Long weapon has been lodged into bodies.
 * Players can disarm a weapon attack in the first attempt, whereas it can take several attempts to disarm Elite or Leader Guards who are considerably less powerful damage-wise, as opposed to Brutes.
 * Heavy Weapons are the most common weapons used by the Mercenaries.
 * In Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Ezio will have the ability to throw large axes and spears at his enemies, and will also be able to buy heavy weapons from a blacksmith and keep them as a permanently equipped weapon.