A visual and lore-rich timeline of the franchise’s most iconic weapon.
Introduction: The Silent Symbol of the Shadows
For centuries, the Hidden Blade has been more than a weapon, it’s a creed incarnate. Concealed beneath sleeves, wielded in shadows, and baptised in the blood of tyrants, this iconic armament defines the Assassin Brotherhood. From the sun-scorched dunes of ancient Egypt to the smoke-choked streets of Victorian London, its evolution mirrors the relentless fight for freedom. Journey through time as we unravel the history, design, and legacy of gaming’s most legendary tool of vengeance.
What Is the Hidden Blade?
The Hidden Blade is the signature wrist-mounted weapon of the Assassin Brotherhood. Sleek, deadly, and steeped in symbolism, it has transcended cultures and centuries, adapting to eras while remaining a constant emblem of the Assassins’ war against tyranny.
1. Bayek of Siwa (Ancient Egypt, 49 BCE)
Game: Assassin’s Creed Origins
Blade: Prototype Hidden Blade
Design: A crude fusion of bone and bronze, this early iteration required the sacrifice of Bayek’s ring finger, a grim tradition later abandoned.
How to Unlock: Earned during main story missions targeting the Order of Ancients.
Legacy: Passed down from the Persian assassin Darius, Bayek’s blade laid the foundation for the Brotherhood’s most sacred tool.
2. Darius (Ancient Persia, 5th Century BCE)
Game: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey – Legacy of the First Blade DLC
Blade: The First Hidden Blade
Design: Worn atop the hand rather than beneath the wrist, its compact size prioritised stealth over brute force.
How to Unlock: Temporarily wielded during the DLC’s storyline.
Legacy: Darius, the proto-Assassin, used this blade to slay King Xerxes I, centuries before the Brotherhood’s formal creation.
3. Altaïr Ibn-LaʼAhad (Holy Land, 12th Century)
Game: Assassin’s Creed (2007)
Blade: Brotherhood Standard
Design: A mechanical marvel of steel and precision, its original design mandated the removal of the ring finger to operate.
How to Unlock: Automatically equipped early in the game.
Legacy: Altaïr’s later modifications spared future Assassins from mutilation, revolutionising the weapon’s functionality.
4. Ezio Auditore (Renaissance Italy, 15th–16th Century)
Games: AC II, Brotherhood, Revelations
Blades: Dual Hidden Blades (with poison dart and hidden gun attachments)
Design: Ornate Florentine craftsmanship merged with Leonardo da Vinci’s ingenuity, enabling retractable blades and multi-functional tools.
How to Unlock: Gifted by da Vinci early in AC II.
Legacy: Ezio’s dual blades became the Brotherhood’s gold standard, blending elegance with lethal versatility.
5. Edward Kenway (Golden Age of Piracy, 18th Century)
Game: AC IV: Black Flag
Blades: Dual Wrist-Mounted Blades
Design: Rugged and practical, designed to withstand the salt and storms of the Caribbean.
How to Unlock: Unlocked automatically through story progression.
Legacy: Edward initially wielded the blades for personal gain, but their role evolved as he embraced the Assassin cause.
6. Arno Dorian (French Revolution, 18th Century)
Game: Assassin’s Creed Unity
Blade: Phantom Blade
Design: A hybrid weapon with a built-in crossbow for silent ranged kills, wrapped in Revolutionary-era flair.
How to Unlock: Crafted during early missions in Paris.
Legacy: The Phantom Blade introduced stealthy ranged combat, adapting the tool to urban warfare.
7. Jacob & Evie Frye (Victorian London, 19th Century)
Game: Assassin’s Creed Syndicate
Blade: Gauntlet Hidden Blade
Design: Compact and integrated with brass knuckles and a rope launcher, tailored for London’s industrial chaos.
How to Unlock: Earned early in the game.
Legacy: A tool for the modern age, combining brutality with vertical traversal.
8. Layla Hassan (Modern Era)
Games: Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla
Blade: Upgraded Prototype
Design: A sleek, metallic iteration of Bayek’s original, refined for contemporary combat.
How to Unlock: Inherited through the Bleeding Effect in Origins.
Legacy: Layla’s blade bridges ancient traditions with modern warfare, symbolising the timeless struggle.
Hidden Blade Mechanics: A Comparative Evolution
| Feature | Origins | Odyssey DLC | AC1 | Ezio Saga | Black Flag | Unity | Syndicate | Modern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finger Amputation | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Dual Blades | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Projectile | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Rope Gun | No |
| Glove-Compatible | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Best hidden blades in Assassins Creed:
Where to Find Every Hidden Blade
- Darius’ Blade: AC Odyssey – Legacy of the First Blade DLC (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch via cloud).
- Bayek’s Prototype: AC Origins (PC, PS4, Xbox One).
- Ezio’s Masterpiece: AC II, Brotherhood, Revelations (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch).
- Edward’s Pirate Blades: AC IV: Black Flag (All platforms).
- Arno’s Phantom Blade: AC Unity (PC, PS4, Xbox One).
- Frye Twins’ Gauntlet: AC Syndicate (PC, PS4, Xbox One).
- Layla’s Modern Blade: Origins, Odyssey, Valhalla (PC, PS5/Xbox Series X|S via backwards compatibility).
More Than a Weapon
The Hidden Blade is not merely steel, it’s a promise. A whisper of justice in the dark, a reminder that even the smallest blade can topple empires. As the Brotherhood’s fight endures, so too will this timeless instrument, forever adapting, forever striking from the shadows.
