Seeker

Seekers are fairly uncommon enemies of medium strength and speed. They are slightly more heavily armored than a standard guard, though less than Brutes, and carry long weapons such as spears and halberds. Though first introduced in Assassin's Creed II, seekers also appear in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

Normal attacks
Like the Brutes', Seekers' normal attacks can be blocked by any weapon, but can't be countered with any sheathable weapon or short blade. They can be countered lethally with the heavy weapons carried by Brutes, by long weapons carried by the Seekers themselves, or by Ezio Auditore's Hidden Blade(s). The timing for the latter is rather difficult, however, due to the fraction of a second timing window.

You can also counter a Seeker's normal attacks with fists, which will disarm the Seeker and, followed up by a quick attack to the unarmed foe, will kill him. Dodging a Seeker's attacks is another option, and should be followed up with an offensive of your own. The maximum length of a Seeker's combo is three hits. Seeker's attacks do mediocre damage, on par with a standard guard's.

Special attacks
The Seeker's only special attack, the Sweep, sweeps Ezio's feet out from under him. This special does no damage and does not open Ezio to attacks, since no enemy can strike Ezio while he is on the ground. It may slow Ezio down, however, should he attempt to escape a fight, or cost him the chance to kill a freshly disarmed enemy. In this sense, it may be considered more of a defensive move than an offensive one.

This attack may be dodged, but you have to be quick, because it takes the Seeker only a fraction of a second to prepare this special. A Seeker is about to perform a Sweep if he raises his weapon up and to his right at an approximately 45 degree angle.

Characteristics
Seekers are extremely intelligent and are not easily fooled. In fact, even once you have gotten out of sight, hiding or blending is ill-advised unless out of the last known position circle, as Seekers have the ability to search hiding spots. Keep in mind, however, that their free-running skills are very limited, and they will not be able to follow you on rooftops, making rooftops a hiding place once you have broken his line of sight. Alternatively, you can simply free-run away from him as an excellent method of escape.

Seekers are often found guarding and searching wagons, or piles of hay. They travel with other soldiers, usually standard ones, in groups of four. As they are usually leading the group, they appear to be higher ranked than the highest-ranking regular guard, though this does not matter much in combat.

Trivia

 * During the final fight with Rodrigo Borgia in the Capella Sistina, he attacks and defends much like a Seeker, though he has far more health. He may even use the sweep attack characteristic to Seekers.
 * The Farmer, a lieutenant of Girolamo Savonarola during the Bonfire of the Vanities, carries a Pitch fork and fights like a Seeker.
 * A disarmed Seeker has roughly the same mobility as an Agile guard.
 * When trying to escape a battle, Seekers will not be the only guards to search nearby hiding spots; all guards will search for you until you have become anonymous again.
 * In Assassin's Creed II, if engaged in a fight with several other guards and a disarmed Seeker, the Seeker will (very rarely) grab Ezio from behind and hold him to allow the others to attack. In Brotherhood, this can be performed by any guard.
 * Certain Papal Guards from Brotherhood fight and are armed similarly to Seekers.