Ezio Auditore dual-wielding a sword and the Hidden Gun
Dual-wielding is an advanced form of combat, wherein one uses a pair of weapons in conjunction with one another. This is often to allow an easy shift between long and short-ranged attacks.
History[]
Classical antiquity[]
During the Peloponnesian War, the misthios Kassandra often dual-wielded her Spear of Leonidas alongside a short blade or a sword.[1]
Aya, one of the founding members of the Hidden Ones, dual-wielded twin blades which she used in her quest for vengeance against the Order of the Ancients.[2]
Middle Ages[]
In the 860s, the Hidden One Basim Ibn Ishaq wielded a sword and parrying dagger.[3] A few decades later, an older Basim restricted himself to using just a sword, but he met the Viking Eivor Varinsdottir who often used two axes in combat against Anglo-Saxons and other Norsefolk.[4]
In the High Middle Ages, most Levantine Assassins like Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad would only dual-wield throwing knives alongside a short blade.[5] Unlike most of Altaïr's assigned Templar targets, the twin brothers Shahar and Shalim were adept at using rapiers and a parrying dagger in combat, though their skill could not save them from his superior swordsmanship.[6]
Ezio using a sword and the Hidden Gun
During the Renaissance, Ezio Auditore and his Assassin apprentices were able to dual-wield multiple combinations of weapons. Other than the throwing knives and short blade pair, Ezio could wield the Hidden Gun with any primary, medium-ranged weapon—such as swords and blunt weapons—and poison darts with the Poison Blade. His recruits wielded their Hidden Gun with almost any other weapon.[7] During his time in Constantinople, Ezio could also dual-wield a variety of bombs with his primary weapon.[8]
In Sengoku period Japan, Fujibayashi Naoe could wield her Pivot Blade and a tantō.[9]
Early modern period[]
In the early 18th century, the pirate Edward Kenway dual-wielded Hidden Blades, two swords, rope darts, and multiple pistols.[10] His former quartermaster Adéwalé would learn this skill and use it to great effect assisting the Maroon rebellion, wielding such weapons as swords, pistols, axes, machetes, and a blowpipe,[11] and maintained this ability until the end of his life.[12]
During his later travels in Southeast Asia, Edward's right Hidden Blade was modified by the engineer Yun Pyeong-Gyu, turning it into a Phantom Blade, which could fire silent projectiles.[13] Consequently, Edward wielded his Phantom Blade alongside other weapons, primarily his swords.[14] Edward also met and allied with the samurai and former Templar Shimazu Saito, who could wield two katanas.[15]
During the Seven Years' War, the Assassin-turned-Templar Shay Cormac dual-wielded a sword and a dagger.[16] He was not the only Colonial Templar able to do this at the time, as Grand Master Haytham Kenway was also proficient in pairing his sword with a flintlock pistol or his own Hidden Blades.[17]
Connor using a tomahawk and a Hidden Blade
In the subsequent American Revolutionary War, both Haytham and his son Ratonhnhaké:ton would always dual-wield their weapons in combat, though unlike Haytham, Ratonhnhaké:ton possessed a large collection of swords, a tomahawk, and various other weaponry to use. Accompanying this, he often used his Hidden Blade with almost any other weapon, utilizing its pivot attachment for it to function as a dagger. He also carried two flintlock pistols, some of which possessed the capacity to fire multiple shots.[17]
During the Louisiana Rebellion, Aveline de Grandpré dual-wielded her weapons in combat. The weapons she dual-wielded included a whip, firearms, swords, knives, a blowpipe, a machete, and Hidden Blades.[18]
Throughout the French Revolution and for some years after, Arno Dorian frequently dual-wielded his Phantom Blade with various swords and firearms at his disposal.[19]
Behind the scenes[]
While dual-wielding is a common practice employed by many of the playable characters in the Assassin's Creed series, only a few enemies, such as Papal Guards, Cesare Borgia,[7] and the Janissaries,[8] were able to dual-wield, typically using a pistol alongside a longsword. Officers and Jägers would also dual-wield weapons in a similar manner.[17]
Gallery[]
Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad using a short blade and throwing knife
Edward Kenway using two swords
Shimazu Saito wielding two swords
Shay Cormac using a sword and short blade
Aveline de Grandpré using a Hidden Blade and a sugar cane machete
Arno Dorian brandishing a cutlass and firing his Phantom Blade
References[]
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Mirage
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
- ↑ Assassin's Creed
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines – Assault (Shalim and Shahar)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Assassin's Creed: Revelations
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Shadows
- ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
- ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag – Freedom Cry
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue – Bravado
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 31
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 32
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 37
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rogue
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Assassin's Creed III
- ↑ Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Unity
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