5 Best Assassins in Assassin’s Creed, Ranked

Assassin's Creed has introduced us to a myriad of established characters over the years, all of whom have helped contribute towards the monumentally complex timeline that has covered centuries of conflicts and revelations. From the fictional townsfolk of Nassau, to the real-life figures of yesterday, the action-adventure-turned-role-playing series has hosted some of the biggest and most innovate minds in video game history.

That all being said, if you're wanting to talk about the life and soul of the franchise, then you're going to want to open the book up on the assassins, otherwise known as the poster children of the series. Without a doubt, these main characters are what keep the brotherhood ticking over, and it's because of them, of course, that players have always had an incentive to continue the decade-long journey. But which of the many protagonists have made the biggest impression to date? Well, here's how we see it. Here are, in our opinion, the five best assassins in Assassin's Creed, ranked.

5. Bayek of Siwa (Assassin's Creed: Origins)

Coined as the first real assassin, Bayek of Siwa, also known as the Medjay of Egypt, was a jack of all trades but a master of none. Fueled by the vengeance that plagued his heart following the murder of his only son, the ancient warrior set out to dismantle those responsible, using a series of innovations to develop what would eventually become the bread and butter for anyone pledged to the creed.

Assassin's Creed: Origins, being the first fifty-plus hour game in the series, took the time to delve into the complexities that swirled around Bayek's past. As well as being in receipt of an extensive range of skills, the father-in-mourning also brought a thick layer of emotion to the table, which was something of a rarity prior to the release of Origins. For those reasons, Bayek of Siwa immediately outranked the vast majority of his subordinates, and then some.

4. Altaïr (Assassin's Creed)

Of course, Assassin's Creed had to start from humble beginnings, and if it wasn't for Altaïr, the standalone entry never would've been developed into a long-standing, award-winning series. For this, Altaïr has every right to claim a spot at the apex of best assassins of all time.

Prominence as a flagship character set aside, Altaïr was still a remarkable assassin with a rich and insightful relationship with the brotherhood and its few moral tenets. As well as being a master student under the wing of his mentor, Al Mualim, he also stood as the shepherd for future generations, many of which employed the same ethics and tools that defined the master himself. Although not quite the founding father of the creed, his vast knowledge in the field helped to further its ambition. And for that reason, we're inclined to put him up on the pedestal.

3. Edward Kenway (Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag)

Edward Kenway brought a fresh lick of paint to a relatively old fashioned coat. Unlike former assassins who devoted life and soul to the creed, the treasure-loving privateer favored only a lavish lifestyle with all the fame and fortune that went with it. But to claim such luxuries, the pirate-turned-assassin first had to undertake the monumental task of adapting to a new way of life. As a result of this, Edward Kenway spiraled into one of the greatest assassins in not only the Caribbean — but the whole of the Assassin's Creed saga.

Of course, there's plenty more to Edward than what meets the eye, and it's only after a dozen or so hours that you find yourself empathizing with his predicament. But it's the hours between, unraveling layers and making sense of his moral compass, however, that make Black Flag for what it is. The fact is, it's not about fame and fortune at all — but the development of a morally bankrupt individual. And honestly, Edward Kenway had the most impressive transformation of them all.

2. Connor Kenway (Assassin's Creed III)

Assassin's Creed III wasn't embraced with the same open-mindedness as its previous entries, mainly for the fact that its story revolved around an assassin who wasn't the beloved Ezio Auditore. Much to our suprise, though, Connor Kenway actually wound up being an all-round fantastic lead, as well as a dynamic assassin with an extensive range of skills and life experience.

Connor Kenway, formerly known by his birth name of Ratonhnhaké:ton, was not only a master assassin of the Colonial Brotherhood, but a key player during the American Revolution, in which he used his vast knowledge of the battlefield to aid the Patriots in their struggle against the British Army. By being a right-hand man to George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, Connor helped form what would eventually become the United States. Need we say more?

1. Ezio Auditore (Assassin's Creed II)

Spend enough time with a video game character, and you're going to wind up developing an irreversible bond unlike any other. This is the case with Ezio Auditore, Ubisoft‘s all-time favorite cape-wearing hero. As the centerpiece to not just the one story, but three standalone journeys plus a theatrical spin-off, the Italian kingpin boasts a treasure trove of playable memoirs, each of them filled with a substantial amount of heart and vigor.

From a teenage rebel to a greying mentor, Ezio Auditore told a story that no other video game franchise in the would could ever dare to replicate. As well as being the most prestigious assassin in the brotherhood, he was also a key player in the development of countless innovations, a lot of which found a permanent residency in the assassins' arsenal. With that, you can probably understand where the celebrity status stems from, and why anyone who's ever grazed the saga will speak highly of the legendary Ezio Auditore da Firenze and the impact he had on the world.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Which assassin gets your top vote? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.