Assassin rank

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As an Assassin improved in skill and training, they would progress through a series of ranks, which denoted their standing within the Order. Starting from Novice until Master Assassin, apprentices would improve in both weaponry and ability, learning either from mentors, or on the field.

Though ranks were only strictly denoted in times when the Order was formally established, they were nevertheless implied at other times; roughly indicating a member's seniority in the Order.

Progression

Assassins varied in equipment choice and skill level at their different ranks, usually due to personal choice, or the time period in which they lived. As such, the following is merely an estimation of one's abilities at each rank, based upon the progression of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad after his demotion and of the Assassins mentored by Ezio Auditore da Firenze.

Novice/ Recruit

Altaïr in the attire of a novice

Upon being recruited into the Order, Assassins began at the rank of Novice.

Recruits of Third Crusade Assassins were required to obey all other members of the Order, and were not permitted any weapons. Thus, should they engage in a fight, they needed to flee or evade their attackers until it was safe to travel again. Being only novices at this point, they would usually only survey points of interest or gather information, interrogating suspects and pickpocketing vital letters and documents; at the most providing this information to a higher ranked member for them to decide on how they would proceed in eliminating any assassination targets.

Rank One/Servant/Initiate

An apprentice performing an assassination with the Hidden Blade

Third Crusade Assassins who reached the first rank were permitted the use of a basic sword and a Hidden Blade, they are also taught the combo kill technique. An effective method of systematically chaining together a string of attacks that break through an enemies defences and striking them with a heavy blow. They were also allowed to complete missions throughout other cities using the techniques taught when they were novices to gather information for their missions. Assassinations needed to be confirmed and permitted by the leaders of an Assassin bureau beforehand. Upon completing an assassination, the ranking member is required to present proof of their kill in the form of a feather marker stained with the blood of the target. Only the highest ranked members can perform assassinations at will and do not need to present proof.

Assassins during the Renaissance were permitted to either upgrade their armor or learn a new skill that could help them when they were called by their Mentor. They were also more effective when sent on missions because they had more experience, both in combat and physical ability.

Rank Two/Assistant/Apprentice

Upon obtaining the second rank, Third Crusade Assassins were given a basic dagger. By this time, they had also learned how to counter melee attacks, improving their capability in direct combat.

Assassins during the Renaissance were given the choice to either obtain new armor, further upgrade their armor, learn another skill, or learn a skill to have both better armor and have a skill that would help in the field.

Rank Three/Soldier/Novice

Third Crusade Assassins received throwing knives by the Third rank, completing their arsenal. Though they were only allowed five initially, as they improved in skill, many chose to increase the number of knives they carried. Third Crusades Assassins could also tackle and push civilians in crowds with the sacrifice of speed, rather than just avoiding them, allowing them quicker escapes and chases.

Assassins during the Renaissance were given the choice to either upgrade their armor or learn more skills.

Rank Four/Disciple/Footpad

Ezio training his apprentices in free-running

Reaching this rank permitted Third Crusade Assassins gloves as an additional piece of armor, in accordance to their improved climbing and free-running skills. By this point, they could catch ledges while falling should they slip or miss a jump. They could also escape and counter an enemy's grab during a fistfight.

Assassins during the Renaissance were given the choice to either upgrade their armor or learn more skills. There were some assassins who chose only to improve their armor or their skills, and other Assassins who had improved their armor all the way could either finish improving their armor or begin learning new skills, or vice versa.

Rank Fifth/Mercenary/Disciple

Third Crusade Assassins, at this point, had improved in footwork both during free-running and in combat. As such, they were granted boots or greaves with additional armor. Here, they were able to dodge enemy attacks, as well as catch themselves in a roll upon hitting the ground after a jump. They also had improved stability in a fight, able to regain their balance quickly should they be thrown. They were also granted a more powerful sword.

Assassins during the Renaissance were given the choice to either upgrade their armor or learn more skills. As some Assassins had already finished improving their armor or skills, this was the time where they could begin improving their skills or armor.

Rank Six/Warrior/Mercenary

Though not changing much in skill set, Third Crusade Assassins at this rank received an upgraded weapon arsenal. They received an extra throwing knife belt, allowing them five additional throwing knives.

Assassins during the Renaissance were given the choice to either upgrade their armor or learn more skills.

Rank Seven/Veteran/Warrior

Third Crusade Assassins improved their skill in sword combat at this point, learning the defence break technique, which, allowed them to break through the defenses of an enemy armed similarly to them. Here, Altaïr was also granted a personalized sword with an eagle motif, which was considered an exceptionally powerful blade, even centuries later in the Renaissance.

Assassins during the Renaissance were given the choice to either upgrade their armor or learn more skills.

Rank Eight/Master/Veteran

By this rank, Third Crusade Assassins improved their skill in the use of daggers and short blades, on par with their skill level with longswords. They were thus granted a sleeker, more powerful short blade; often with a more ornate design.

Assassins during the Renaissance were given the choice to either finish upgrading their armor or learn more skills. This was the final rank where the apprentice had the ability to improve their armor or skill, depending on what they lacked at the time, finishing their equipment and combat repertoire given to all members. Here, they needed just one more rank before being inducted as an Assassin.

Rank Nine/Assassin/Assassin, First Rank

The initiation of an apprentice in the Tiber Island headquarters

At this final rank, Assassins of the Third Crusade received an additional five throwing knives, as well as a more powerful sword. This curved, golden-hilted Syrian blade was used even by the Mentor at the time.

At this rank, Italian Assassins of the 16th century were formally initiated into the Order; receiving a more ornate set of Assassin robes.

Rank Ten/Mentor

With no change in skills or weaponary, an Assassin only reaches this rank when they have learned the full meaning behind the Tenants of the Creed and how they apply to the life of an Assassin. Using all of their knowledge gained a Mentor is in charge of leading the entire Assassin faction within a large geographical region and it was their duty to guide and oversee all Assassins through their training. Only when it was time for a Mentor to step down, would a high ranking Assassin groomed for Mentorship step up and take the mantle. Sometimes a Mentor would be eliminated, for example as part of a tactical take down during war times, would the next highest ranking member to step up and endure the responsibility.

Later in the Renaissance, a Mentor's area of leadership would be influenced by not only the terrain held by Assassin Control but also political standing/friction.

Ranks Ten to Thirteen/Assassin, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Ranks

Turkish Assassins, during the Renaissance, had to progress through four more ranks in order to be a Master Assassin. The only Assassins during Ezio's visit to Constantinople that were able to move through these ranks were those who were chosen by Ezio and set out to guard the seven Assassin Dens found throughout Constantinople.

These ranks were only given to Assassins in Constantinople, it is unknown if other Assassins in other places were also given these Ranks.

Master Assassin

Main article: Master Assassin

Only Assassins of exceptional skill and standing reached this rank, and were thus highly respected throughout the Order. Over the years, only very few are known to have gained this distinction.

Though varying on rare occasions, Master Assassins were often the only ones permitted to wield dual Hidden Blades.

Mentor

Main article: Mentor

Assassins of great wisdom and skill were given the title of Mentor. Mentors tutored and unified large groups of Assassins, even across large distances. Very few Assassins have been given this distinction.

Titles

The following is a breakdown (from lowest to highest) of the titles given to Assassins of each rank, during the Renaissance in Italy, Constantinople, Colonial America, Revolutionary France and the Abbasid Caliphate.

Rank	Renaissance (Italy)	Renaissance (Constantinople)	American Revolution (Colonial America)	French Revolution (Revolutionary France)	Islamic Golden age (Abbasid Caliphate)
0	None given	None given	Recruit	None given	None given
1	Recluta (Recruit)	Recruit	Private	Recruit	Initiate
2	Servitore (Servant)	Initiate	Corporal	Advanced Recruit	Apprentice
3	Assistente (Assistant)	Apprentice	Sergeant	Elite Recruit	Novice
4	Milite (Soldier)	Novice	Officer Cadet	Trainee	Disciple
5	Discepolo (Disciple)	Footpad	Lieutenant	Advanced Trainee	Assassin
6	Mercenario (Mercenary)	Disciple	Captain	Elite Trainee	Master
7	Guerriero (Warrior)	Mercenary	Major	Apprentice	None given
8	Veterano (Veteran)	Warrior	Colonel	Advanced Apprentice
9	Maestro (Master)	Veteran	General	Elite Apprentice
10	Assassino (Assassin)	Assassin First Rank	Field Marshal	Soldier
11	None given	Assassin Second Rank	Assassin	Advanced Soldier
12		Assassin Third Rank	None given	Elite Soldier
13		Assassin Fourth Rank		Enforcer
14		Assassin Fifth Rank		Advanced Enforcer
15		Master Assassin		Elite Enforcer
16		None given		Veteran
17				Advanced Veteran
18				Elite Veteran
19				Officer
20				Advanced Officer
21				Elite Officer
22				Champion
23				Advanced Champion
24				Elite Champion
25				Assassin
26				Advanced Assassin
27				Elite Assassin
28				Master
29				Advanced Master
30				Elite Master
31				Legend

Statistics

These are statistics of ranks during the Third Crusade. These statistics were based upon the progress of Altaïr.

Rank	Newly available equipment	Newly available skills	Base Sync	Maximum throwing knives	Short blade level	Longsword level
1	None	None	4	0	0	0
2	Hidden Blade Longsword		5	0	0	1
3	Short blade	Counter Kills	6	0	1	1
4	Throwing knives	Tackle	7	5	1	1
5	None	Grab Break Catch Ledge	8	5	1	1
6		Regain Balance Dodge	9	5	1	2
7		None	10	10	1	2
8		Defense Break	11	10	1	3
9		None	12	10	2	3
10			13	15	2	4