Papal Guard

"The Papal guards are basically the ultimate elite guards that we're gonna have in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood."

- Ubisoft developer Christopher Weiler

The Papal Guard were elite soldiers commanded by the Papacy to serve and protect the pontiff during his tenure. By 1503, the Papal Guard protected Pope Alexander VI, and were led by the Pope's son and Papal Commander, Cesare Borgia. The sole purpose of the Papal guards is to protect the Pope and his family with their lives.

The Papal guards are the most versatile and difficult enemies, as they carry the best of abilities held by all other guard archetypes and can easily deflect and counter many of Ezio Auditore's attacks. They can wield wheel-lock firearms (most likely pistols) in one hand, and a sword in the other, making them deadly opponents in both short and long range. Other than swords, they can also be equipped with a variety of long weapons, short weapons, and heavy weapons.

Skills

 * Papal guards are extremely fast and difficult to escape from, as they possess the speed of Agiles, and will always be able catch up to Ezio in a chase.


 * Papal guards can dodge Ezio's attacks, also behaving similar to an Agile.


 * When confronted with a group of Papal guards it is common for them to grab Ezio from behind or directly from the front. This can be considered as a team work strategy.


 * Papal guards often in groups, rarely when encountered alone, throw sand in Ezio's face, a skill that is common for Seekers to use in close range combat.


 * Although not considered a skill, Papal guards cause significantly more damage in close range than other guard archetypes, aside from Brutes.
 * Papal Guards have the best qualities from all of the other archetypes: They have the speed of an Agile, the Armor of a Brute, the weapon of an Arquebuse and Elite Guard, and the best fight ability with any kind of weapon.


 * Papal guards are the only guards in the whole game that hold a wheel-lock firearm in one hand, while equipped with a melee weapon in the other, being able to shoot at Ezio when attempting to escape or at close range. Another strategy can be considered involving the firearms when two or one Papal guards will attack Ezio at close range while at least one will repeatedly shoot him from a distance.

Trivia

 * The Papal guards were the precursor to the Swiss Guard, who have protected the pontiff since 1548.
 * The Papal guards may be less skilled than Ezio, however they are considerably stronger and have a larger build; with all of them being at least a head taller than Ezio.
 * Depending on the weapon that they are armed with, Papal guards are able to fight as a Brute, Agile or Seeker.
 * Although Papal guards are one of the toughest opponents in the game they aren't commonly found in Rome, and will appear more often in storyline missions. However, a group of four Papal guards are always stationed right outside the Castel Sant'Angelo in the Vaticano district, and will also attack Ezio on sight.
 * By Cesare Borgia's arrest in December 1503, the Borgia had lost all their power in Rome. However, when Cesare was arrested by Fabio Orsini and the Papal troops, they still carried the emblem of the Borgia.
 * Smoke bombs have no effect on a Papal guard while engaged in combat, however, the bombs function as normal if the guard is taken by surprise.
 * Cesare Borgia himself fights much like a Papal guard, and is able to dual-wield a pistol and sword as they do.