Gang headquarters

Background
Gang headquarters were the bases of Assassin affiliated gangs of which Shay Cormac could capture for the Templars.

History
Gang headquarters were commonly found in cities, villages, and towns, with most of them being concentrated in New York City (6 total), and 3 more scattered around the River Valley, and 1 more in the North Atlantic. It was a way to spread the Assassin's influence beyond the Homestead, providing the organization with extra eyes, ears, and weapons. However, the citizens often suffered as a result of this, as the Assassins neglected to keep the gangs in check, and thus they terrorized the populace by stealing, loansharking, and demanding protection money from the inhabitants. Shay Cormac devastated both the gangs and the Assassins by taking over the hideouts for the Templars, weakening both groups and eventually turning the gangs into nothing. With Hope Jensen dead, the gangs had dissolved as a major fighting force by the American Revolutionary War, and desperately grabbed any job they could, acting as mercenaries instead of bandits.

Mechanics
Gang headquarters often were in villages or cities with a large population to rob and steal from, notably New York, Albany, and the Northern River Valley. They were lead personally by an Assassin, who directed attacks at British positions and controlled the wealth of the district. Most of these Assassins were corrupted by the immense wealth of the position they held, as opposed to Louis-Joseph or Hope Jensen, who had noble goals but we're altogether ignorant of them. The gangs had become so influential that George Monro had made it a priority to take down every gang hideout in the colonies, a goal which was shared and finally carried out by his protege, Shay Cormac. In order to take a Gang Headquarters for the Templars, Shay needed to kill the Assassin leader and cut down the gang's flag from it's staff. Buildings could then be renovated and income for cities could be increased. However, even if Shay were to take out all Gang Headquarters, gangs would still persist in small enclaves throughout the colonies, causing minor problems for the British troops whose work they commonly interfered with.

Taking them out
As these gangs are allied with the Assassins, it is necessary from a role-playing point to take out each and every hideout in order to weaken their hold on the region. However, not only is it important from a roleplaying standpoint, but an economic one as well. As the gangs are rooted out of their hideouts, it is possible to renovate buildings and businesses in order to generate income for Shay, meaning the economic system from the Ezio trilogy has made a comeback. As more buildings are renovated, the money that can be made from the economic system increases with each one rebuilt. Shay can make up to £20,000 in 20 minute income if every building is rebuilt. Taking them out can be simple or difficult depending on the location and hideout.

Killing the base leader
This is perhaps the most difficult part, as if combat is initiated in the camp, the leader will automatically detect you. The leader is immune to most counter attacks, however you can disarm him and pick up his weapon, if there are no others around. Then you can simply use the rope dart or smoke bomb to stun him and kill him with a low key assassination. Alternatively, you can lure British guards into gang hideouts, weakening the gang leader and making him run a bit slower. He will also not die from head shots from pistols and is immune to the air rifle's darts, being staggered by the former and unhindered by the latter. However, shrapnel grenades seem to work quite nicely, as he is blown back and left open to a ground assassination.

Cut down the flag
The simplest part of any hideout, this should be the first thing you do. Watch out for lookouts, as they can demolish your health with concentrated fire.