The Mars semi-automatic pistol
A pistol is a firearm designed to be portable enough to be operated with one hand. Sometimes, but not always, distinguished from a revolver by having a chamber integrated into the barrel, pistols have developed over the centuries from single shot weapons to semi-automatic guns and are widely employed as side arms by soldiers, Templars, Assassins, and police alike.
Description[]
A flintlock pistol of the American Revolutionary era
Pistols, being firearms small enough to be wielded and fired with one hand, are ranged weapons that launch projectiles via the ignition of gunpowder. Advancement of pistol technology paralleled that of their longer variants, the musket and rifle, with the pistols throughout the 18th century, from the War of Spanish Succession to the French Revolution, utilizing a flintlock ignition mechanism and lead shots as ammunition.[1][2][3][4][5] Because the flintlock design did not permit the chambering of more than one round, pirates of the early 18th century resorted to carrying as many as four pistols on their body at any given time.[1] A solution offered by gunsmiths later in the century involved incorporating multiple barrels into one pistol, as seen with the Double-Barrel Pistol, the Pepperbox Pistol, and the Duckfoot Pistol, a handheld volley gun.[3][4][5]
During this time, some manufacturers instead favored the more sophisticated wheellock mechanism that was initially used by the Assassins for their Hidden Gun,[1][6] but owing to the complexity and cost of this superior mechanism, standard pistols were of the flintlock design.[1][3]
The gun of Octavian de Valois
By the latter half of the 19th century, innovations in firearm technology led to the emergence of semi-automatic pistols that fire multiple rounds without needing to be reloaded and which automatically load new rounds upon firing.[3][7] While many modern pistols carry multiple cartridges in a single chamber,[3] there are also revolvers which utilize a revolving cylinder with multiple chambers.[7]
Like all firearms, pistols emit a loud, explosive sound upon firing and are therefore not ideal for stealth operations without a suppressor that reduces the noise.[3] Because of this, the Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins developed the Phantom Blade, a wrist-mounted miniature crossbow, while the vast majority of Assassins continue to rely on traditional throwing knives as ranged weapons even to the present day.[7][8]
History[]
Jupiter using a pistol that fires plasma
Before the destruction of their civilization, the Isu used pistols that fired plasma bolts. With these, they experimented with energy shield technology in the form of Rings of Eden.[3]
For human civilization, firearms small enough to be equipped in one hand were first utilized by the Assassin Brotherhood in the form of the Hidden Gun, an invention of the Mentor Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad who himself divined it from his Apple of Eden.[9][10] Unlike true pistols, the miniature Hidden Gun was crafted as a ranged parallel to the Assassins' iconic Hidden Blade used for assassinations and thus were concealed in their wrist bracers.[6][9][10]
The wheellock mechanism of the Assassins' Hidden Gun did not become public knowledge until at least the time of the Renaissance in Italy.[6] While the Italian inventor Leonardo da Vinci rediscovered the Hidden Gun for his friend, the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze,[6] an ornate wheellock pistol served as the personal weapon of the Templar Octavian de Valois.[11] Papal Guards in service to the House of Borgia during Rodrigo Borgia's tenure as Pope wielded similar side arms,[11] as did the Janissaries of the Ottoman Empire in the same period.[10]
Daniel Cross wielding a Mark 23 pistol
By the beginning of the 18th century, single-shot flintlock pistols had become widespread throughout Europe and the European colonies in the Americas.[1] Aside from serving as common weapons for officers, they were commonly sold in shops throughout North America.[1][3] In the West Indies during the Golden Age of Piracy, they were particularly popular among pirates. Skilled pirates such as Edward Kenway could operate four pistols in rapid succession in the heat of battle.[1] By the time of the Seven Years' War, pistols were standard for Assassins and Templars alike,[2] a trend that continued into the 19th century and onward as swords and other melee weapons became increasingly obsolete.[7]
In the 21st century, pistols remain a universal side arm for combat personnel across the world ranging from the police, national militaries, mercenaries, criminals, and Assassin and Templar agents.[3][7][8][12][13]
Weapon statistics[]
Golden Age of Piracy[]
| Name | Damage | Stun | Range | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Flintlock Pistols | 1 | 1 | 3 | N/A | Sequence 1 |
| Pirate Blunderbusses | 3 | 3 | 1 | 800 R | Sequence 2 |
| Standard Wheellock Pistols | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2,500 R | Sequence 2 |
| Spanish Officer Pistols | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7,000 R | Sequence 2 |
| Cannon-Barrel Pistols | 3 | 5 | 3 | 9,000 R | Sequence 2 |
| Golden Flintlock Pistols | 5 | 5 | 3 | N/A | Complete all naval contracts |
| Captain's Wheellock Pistols | 3 | 1 | 3 | N/A | Community challenge reward |
| Captain Drake's Flintlocks | 3 | 1 | 3 | N/A | Sacrifice Island reward |
| Captain Morgan's Pistols | 3 | 1 | 3 | N/A | Black Island reward |
Seven Years' War[]
| Name | Damage | Stun | Range | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Flintlock Pistols | 1 | 1 | 3 | N/A | Sequence 1 |
| Pirate Flintlock Pistols | 3 | 3 | 1 | £800 | Sequence 1 |
| Standard Wheellock Pistols | 1 | 1 | 5 | £5,000 | Sequence 1 |
| Belgian Engraved Pistols | 1 | 3 | 5 | £7,000 | Sequence 1 |
| Queen Anne's Pistols | 3 | 3 | 3 | £8,000 | Sequence 1 |
| Admiral's Lion Pistols | 3 | 3 | 3 | N/A | Complete Barbados fleet mission |
| Indian Flintlock Pistols | 3 | 3 | 5 | N/A | Complete Yanaon fleet mission |
| Scottish Flintlock Pistols | 3 | 5 | 3 | N/A | Defeat all forts and gang HQs |
| English Percussion Flintlock Pistols | 5 | 3 | 5 | N/A | Collect all Abstergo Entertainment tablets |
| Edward's Pistols | 3 | 3 | 3 | N/A | Unlocked through Uplay |
| Morden Pistols | 3 | 3 | 3 | N/A | Purchase the Templar Legacy Pack |
| German Wheellocks | 3 | 1 | 5 | N/A | Purchase the Templar Legacy Pack |
| Russian Flintlock Pistols | 5 | 1 | 3 | N/A | Purchase the Templar Legacy Pack |
Colonial Louisiana[]
| Name | Magazine | Short range damage | Long range damage | Cost | Persona |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Anne's Pistol | 1 | 4 | 2 | N/A | Assassin |
| Dual Pistols | 2 | 4 | 2 | 10,000 écu | Assassin |
| Pocket Pistol | 1 | 3 | 1 | 10,000 écu | Lady, Slave |
| Double-Barreled Pistol | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5,000 écu | Assassin |
| Pepperbox Pistol | 4 | 4 | 2 | 50,000 écu | Assassin |
| Dueling Pistol | 1 | 5 | 4 | N/A | Assassin |
American Revolution[]
| Name | Rate of fire | Short range | Long range | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flintlock Pistol | 2 | 3 | 1 | N/A | Sequence 2 |
| Scottish Flintlock | 2 | 2 | 3 | N/A | Sequence 6 |
| Duckfoot Pistol | 1 | 3 | 1 | £5,999 | Sequence 6 |
| Double-Barrel Pistol | 3 | 3 | 1 | £8,250 | Sequence 9 |
| Pirate Flintlock | 2 | 4 | 1 | N/A | Complete Sinking a Secret |
| French Coat Pistol | 3 | 4 | 1 | N/A | Level 2 Blacksmith Flints + Iron Ore + Special Iron Ingot |
| English Flintlock Pistol | 2 | 4 | 1 | N/A | Level 2 Blacksmith - Level 2 Woodworker Flints + Oak Lumber + Special Iron Ingot |
| Royal Pistol | 3 | 3 | 3 | N/A | Level 3 Blacksmith Flints + Silver Ore + Special Iron Ingot |
| Naval Duckfoot | 1 | 4 | 2 | N/A | Level 3 Blacksmith Flints + Lead Ore + Special Iron Ingot |
| Italian Flintlock | 2 | 3 | 3 | N/A | Level 3 Blacksmith and Woodworker Flints + Maple Lumber + Special Iron Ingot |
| Royal Navy Sea Service Flintlock | 2 | 4 | 2 | N/A | Level 4 Blacksmith Flints + Gold Ore + Special Iron Ingot |
| Pitcairn-Putnam Pistols | 2 | 4 | 3 | N/A | Sequence 8 |
French Revolution[]
| Name | Level | Damage | Parry | Speed | Range | Clip Size | Cost | Modifiers | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pistol | ◆ | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | N/A | Additional Damage: +25% | N/A |
| Officer's Pistol | ◆◆ | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 2 | N/A | Additional Damage: +25% | N/A |
| Over Under Pistol | ◆◆ | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 | N/A | Additional Damage: +25% | Shooter Pack Secrets of the Revolution Pack |
| Parade Pistol | ◆◆ | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | N/A | Additional Damage: +25% | Secrets of the Revolution Pack |
| Arno's Dueling Pistol | ◆◆ | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | N/A | Additional Damage: +25% | Underground Armory Pack |
| French Cavalry Pistol | ◆◆ | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | N/A | Additional Damage: +25% | Underground Armory Pack |
| Silver-Plated Pistol | ◆◆ | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | N/A | Additional Damage: +25% | Underground Armory Pack |
| Pitcairn-Putnam's Pistol | ◆◆ | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 1 | N/A | Additional Damage: +25% | Revolutionary Armaments Pack |
| American Flintlock | ◆◆◆ | 4 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 1,000₣ | Additional Damage: +25% | N/A |
| Pepper Shot | ◆◆◆ | 3 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 1,000₣ | Additional Damage: +25% | N/A |
| Fancy Pistol | ◆◆◆◆ | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | N/A | Additional Damage: +25% | Murder Mystery – The Red Ghost of the Tuileries |
| Arno's Pistol | ◆◆◆◆ | 4 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 5,000₣ | Additional Damage: +25% | N/A |
| Three-Shot Duck Foot | ◆◆◆◆◆ | 6 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 25,000₣ | Additional Damage: +25% | N/A |
| Gold-Plated Pistol | ◆◆◆◆◆ | 8 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 125,000₣ | Additional Damage: +25% | N/A |
| Five-Shot Duck Foot | ◆◆◆◆◆ | 8 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 200,000₣ | Additional Damage: +25% | N/A |
| Solid Long Gun | ◆◆◆◆◆ | 8 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 142,600₣ | Additional Damage: +25% | N/A |
Victorian London[]
1868[]
| Name | Level | Damage | Speed | Quickshot Accuracy | Clip Size | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derringer Pistol | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4/6 | 2 | Complete Sequence 3 |
| Pocket Pistol | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5/7 | 4 | Purchase for £3000 |
| Model 1 Revolver | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6/8 | 5 | Complete Sequence 4 |
| (54 Bore) 1856 Revolver | 4 | 3 | 3 | 8/10 | 6 | Reach Loyalty Level 1 with Frederick Abberline |
| Single Action Army | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7/9 | 6 | Purchase for £4000 |
| Lancaster 4-Barrels | 4 | 7 | 2 | 3/5 | 4 | Complete Sequence 6, A Case of Identity |
| Bullseye Revolver | 4 | 4/6 | 4/6 | 8/10 | 6 | Unlock with Uplay |
| Demonic Revolver | 4 | 4/6 | 4/6 | 8/10 | 6 | Purchase the Streets of London Pack |
| Stealth Revolver | 4 | 4/6 | 4/6 | 8/10 | 6 | Purchase the Streets of London Pack |
| .38 Double Action | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7/9 | 6 | Reach Loyalty Level 3 with Frederick Abberline |
| M1877 "Lightning" | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8/9 | 6 | Complete Sequence 7, Unbreaking the Bank |
| M1877 "Thunderer" | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9/10 | 6 | Conquer the borough of City of London |
| Model 3 Revolver | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8/9 | 6 | Reach Loyalty Level 4 with Frederick Abberline |
| Self-Loading Pistol Model 1868 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8/10 | 8 | Reach Loyalty Level 5 with Frederick Abberline |
| The Mars | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 12 | Reach Loyalty Level 5 with Ned Wynert for the Crafting Plan, £1000, 150 Metal, and 100 Chemical |
| The Rend Asunder | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 6 | Purchase the Steampunk Pack. |
1888[]
| Name | Level | Damage | Speed | Quickshot Accuracy | Clip Size | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 Revolver | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 6 | Buy for £6,000 |
| Self-Loading Pistol Model 1868 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | Buy for £6,000 |
| The Mars | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | Buy for £6,000 |
| Fire Spitter | 8 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 7 | Buy for £9,000 |
| Templar Shoot-Out | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Complete Prisoners |
| Insidious Pistol | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 8 | Reach Loyalty Level 3 with Frederick Abberline |
Behind the scenes[]
- Terminology
In real-life, the terms pistol and revolver, depending on the dictionary, are not always considered interchangeable and are instead sometimes regarded as distinct sub-types of the handgun.[14] In Assassin's Creed: Syndicate, the distinction is not made.
- Gameplay
In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed: Revelations, pistols are only carried by the Papal Guards and the Janissaries respectively, both being elite units. These guards periodically take aim at the player before firing, and their shots can only be evaded by strafing continuously. The player's equivalent weapon is a Hidden Gun.
The Pistol features as a ranged ability in the multiplayers of Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It is functionally identical to that of the Hidden Gun in previous game, only that it has been thematically changed to match the setting.
Pistols feature as a class of weapons the player can equip for the first time in Assassin's Creed III. The weapon can be either free-aimed or fired using the Quick Shot function that allows the player to instantly shoot a target without manual aiming. The latter ability allows the player, as Desmond Miles, to instantly mow down all Abstergo guards in his path after acquiring the Mark 23 semi-automatic pistol from killing the Templar Daniel Cross. The free-aim and Quick Shot mechanics are carried over in all subsequent main installments until Assassin's Creed: Origins.
While Assassin's Creed III, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation, Assassin's Creed: Rogue, and Assassin's Creed Unity gives the player the option of increasing their rate-of-fire with pistols that are built with multiple barrels, these guns are not present in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, where, in the tradition of pirates, the player instead can carry up to four pistols. To do so, the player must craft a pistol holster for each additional pistol, with the second holster being made from ocelot pelts, the third from humpback whale skins, and the fourth from crocodile leather.
In Assassin's Creed III, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, and Assassin's Creed: Rogue, pistol shots are evaded by using other enemies as human shields. The player is prompted ahead of time to do this while the enemy shooter is taking aim. Since this mechanic was removed in later games, players are forced to roll to dodge bullets in Assassin's Creed: Unity. However, rolling can only be performed in combat, and so a player being fired at while fleeing can only hope to avoid being shot by breaking the shooter's line of fire. Because damage registration depends on actual contact with the projectile, civilians may be killed if the player runs through a crowd and uses them as cover.
In Assassin's Creed: Syndicate, Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India, and Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia, the player can simply dodge bullets at the click of a button upon being fired upon.
Appearances[]
- Assassin's Creed III (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Initiates
- Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
- Assassin's Creed: Forsaken
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
- Assassin's Creed: Black Flag
- Assassin's Creed: Rogue
- Assassin's Creed: Unity
- Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
- Assassin's Creed: Underworld
- Assassin's Creed Volume 1: Trial by Fire
- Assassin's Creed Volume 2: Setting Sun
- Assassin's Creed Volume 3: Homecoming
- Assassin's Creed: Gold
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed: Rogue
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Assassin's Creed III
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Assassin's Creed: Unity
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Assassin's Creed II
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Assassin's Creed Volume 3: Homecoming
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Assassin's Creed: Revelations
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Initiates
- ↑ Assassin's Creed Volume 2: Setting Sun
- ↑ Merriam-Webster – "Revolver"
↑ Merriam-Webster – "Pistol"
↑ Dictionary.com – "Revolver"
↑ Dictionary.com – "Pistol"