Sword

Swords were weapons used by military units, guards, and members of the Assassin Order to engage in open combat against armed opponents, and usually acted as primary weapons alongside a short blade or pistol. Swords could be either one or two-handed, though the latter was mostly classified as a heavy weapon.

Swords had a long reach, great power, and a quick attack rate, though not as much as long weapons, heavy weapons or short blades, respectively. As such, they could be seen as the most balanced weapons available.

Aside from attack, a sword could also be used to block or counter an enemy, or break through their defense. They, along with most blunt weapons, were also the only weapons that could be used from horseback.

Third Crusade
In the High Middle Ages, guards used no other melee weapon but swords, and the guards of Masyaf regularly practiced swordplay in the courtyard, stressing how important it was to wield a blade. Maces were uncommon at the time, and the sword was a mainstay in any arsenal, even for archers.

The sword became available to an Assassin upon reaching the second rank, with more powerful, better quality swords being presented to him as he progressed. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad began with a dull-gray sword that lacked a guard and had a curved hilt. His second sword resembled the first, though it possessed a silvery sheen and a distinct pommel.

The third sword was his personal weapon, which was constructed of a hand guard that was shaped like an eagle's wings, along with an eagle's head at the pommel. Altaïr's final sword was the Syrian Sabre. It had a curved blade, a characteristic of Arabic swords, and indicated a very high status, as the hilt and sheath were covered in gold.

Renaissance
Come the Renaissance, maces had become equally as popular as the sword, and matched them in use and availability. The first sword Ezio Auditore da Firenze obtained came from his father, and was stored in a chest hidden in the Palazzo Auditore. However, he quickly lost it when he was disarmed in his attempt to save his father and brothers from execution.

Ezio was later equipped with a similar sword, courtesy of his uncle, Mario Auditore, when he arrived at Monteriggioni. Following this, he could buy a variety of swords or maces from blacksmiths. Any unequipped weapons he later purchased were stored at the Villa Auditore's armory.

Swords and maces continued to be a central part of combat in Rome. Around this time, Ezio was more aggressive in his fights, and used a variety of new attacks against his enemies. Additionally, Ezio learned to dual-wield his Hidden Gun with his primary weapon, in order to kill an enemy from a distance, or perform an instant double kill with both his sword and gun during a kill-streak.

Age of Discovery
During the Golden Age of Piracy, the Assassin Edward Kenway used a variety of swords. He typically kept a pair on his person, dual-wielding them in combat. Despite the widespread of firearms among the militaries and other factions, various individuals also typically carried a sword for close combat.

Age of Revolution
Haytham Kenway, Edward's son, utilized a shortsword in combat during his early life, though it was ultimately lost in a in a duel with the Assassin Miko in Genoa. Years late, upon his arrival in the American colonies, Haytham used a saber during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War.

The Assassin-turned-Templar, Shay Cormac, dual-wielded a sword and a parrying dagger, similar to the pair of 12th century Templar brothers, Shalim and Shahar.

Haytham's son, the Colonial Assassin Connor, was known to utilize a combined sword and Hidden Blade attacks in combat, though his prefference was to the tomahawk. Around this time, the practice of sword-wielding amongst common soldiers had declined, with greater focus being placed on flintlock muskets with attached bayonets. Only the high-ranked officers were known to carry a sword on their person.

Trivia

 * Assassin's Creed II
 * All weapons on the special weapons rack could be obtained after synchronizing with the PSP, upon completion of Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines.
 * The Sword of Altaïr could only be purchased from the blacksmith shop in Monteriggioni.
 * The Syrian sabre dealt less damage than the Sword of Altaïr, despite the Syrian sabre having been the best sword in Assassin's Creed.
 * The first sword that Ezio acquired was the common sword. However, when he was disarmed by a Brute during the execution of his family, it became the Syrian sabre.


 * Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
 * The Captain used a shortsword that resembled a shorter version of the Milanese Sword.
 * The Scimitar and Florentine Falchion were used by the guards, but were not purchasable from the blacksmiths. However, they could be acquired by disarming a guard while Ezio did not have a weapon equipped.


 * Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
 * Several of Edward's counters and executions are alterations of Connor's, many of which omit Connor's jumping or spinning.