Rapier

A rapier is a slender, sharply-pointed sword of European origin optimized for thrusting attacks.

Description
One of the defining characteristics of rapiers is their slender blades, which are far thinner than that of other typical sword designs. The thin blades ensure a finely keen point but at the cost of a powerful edge. As a result, the rapier is ideal for thrusting but less so for slashing, and the art of wielding a rapier is typified by swift, nimble, piercing strikes. Despite this, rapiers are not wholly bereft of the ability to cut, but its specialty lies in stabbing.

Aside from their thin blades, rapiers also typically have sophisticated hilts consisting of either protective cups or elaborate twisting rings.

History
Rapiers were developed as early as the 12th century; the Templar twins Shalim and Shahar each favored a pair of Sicilian Rapiers. They passed on their art to their henchmen, duelists who exploited their expertise to terrorize the people of Cyprus during the Templar occupation in 1192.

In spite of this, rapiers did not truly become prominent until the 16th century starting with the Renaissance. A wide variety of rapiers were produced in the early 18th century at the time of the Golden Age of Piracy and were supplied throughout the West Indies. By the time of the French Revolution, rapiers were still sold in markets in Paris and used by certain officers famed for their swordsmanship, such as the general Marcourt, a member of the Parisian Rite of the Templar Order. Even so, European militaries at the end of the 18th century by and far preferred to service their soldiers with sabers instead.

Appearances

 * Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
 * Assassin's Creed II
 * Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
 * Assassin's Creed: Revelations
 * Assassin's Creed III
 * Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
 * Assassin's Creed: Unity