Top 10 Assassin's Creed Protagonists
David Craig updates
The Assassin's Creed franchise has given us some truly memorable heroes across over a dozen games! For this list, we'll be looking at the best heroes and heroines from Ubisoft's action-adventure series. Our countdown includes Jacob Frye “Assassin's Creed Syndicate” (2015), Connor Kenway “Assassin's Creed III” (2012), Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad “Assassin's Creed” (2007), Kassandra “Assassin's Creed Odyssey” (2018), Bayek of Siwa “Assassin's Creed Origins” (2017) and more!
Script written by Johnny Reynolds
Top 10 Assassin’s Creed Protagonists
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Assassin’s Creed Protagonists.
For this list, we’ll be looking at the best heroes and heroines from Ubisoft’s action-adventure series.
Which character did you love going on an adventure with the most? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
#10: Aveline de Grandpré
“Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation” (2012)
The series’ first female protagonist is cause for celebration and not just because of gender inclusivity. Born of a slave and a wealthy French merchant, Aveline grew up privileged in 18th Century New Orleans. However, instilled in her was a strong desire to help others. An attempt at freeing a slave led to an encounter with the assassin Agate, who trained her for the Brotherhood. Using her newfound talents as an Assassin and her skill as an actress, Aveline infiltrated and took down a slave-trading enterprise. While the overall story doesn’t do the character justice, she’s nevertheless a strong addition to the series’ lore.
advertisement
#9: Shay Cormac
“Assassin’s Creed Rogue” (2014)
“Rogue” may not have innovated on the series’ established gameplay, but it definitely brought something new to the story. Shay was a member of the Assassin Brotherhood in the 18th Century. But following a mission in Lisbon, he accidentally caused a disastrous earthquake that destroyed homes and killed many. This event formed a chasm between him and the Brotherhood as he decided he’d do anything to stop them from reaching their goals. For the first and so far only time, players hunted down Assassins as a Templar. “Rogue” provided an opportunity to see through the enemy’s eyes and it did so with a layered and guilt-ridden character.
#8: Jacob Frye
“Assassin’s Creed Syndicate” (2015)
With London under Templar control in the mid-1800s, it’s up to dual protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye to set things right. The twins are two sides of a coin with the same goal but vastly different executions. Jacob grew up resenting his father, who trained the twins to be Assassins since birth. While Evie adhered to the studies of the Brotherhood, Jacob preferred a more aggressive approach. He sought to fight the Templars through the criminal underworld by founding the Rooks. He and his allies helped regain control of the city by eliminating strongholds and assassinating Templars. He’s definitely hard-headed and impulsive. But it can’t be said he doesn’t get results.
advertisement
#7: Connor Kenway
“Assassin’s Creed III” (2012)
With Connor, the ideologies of the Assassins and Templars, whom his father was a member, were at war within. As a member of the Mohawk Native Americans, Connor wanted to lessen the influence of Templars during the Revolutionary War. And the murder of his mother and burning of his village led to him joining the Brotherhood. His serious personality means he’s far from the most entertaining protagonist, but he’s undeniably important. Through his eradication of the Templars, Connor was able to reform the Colonial sect of the Brotherhood, influencing events for years to come.
#6: Evie Frye
“Assassin’s Creed Syndicate” (2015)
Where her twin Jacob preferred to rush in for a good fight, Evie took a more tactical path. She upheld their father’s legacy of being a masterful assassin, which often led to her butting heads with Jacob. Her plans were much more carefully plotted, helping in her quest to find the Shroud of Eden, a powerful artifact hidden in London and the key to the Grand Master Templar’s rule. Her devotion to the Brotherhood’s teachings also helped to elevate her gameplay. By staying still in stealth mode, Evie could blend into her surroundings. This let players sneak around to unleash all manner of hidden weapons on unsuspecting targets. Dad would be so proud.
#5: Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
“Assassin’s Creed” (2007)
The franchise’s very first protagonist is also one of its strongest thanks to several games exploring his story. Altaïr was raised within the Brotherhood and became a Master Assassin at just 24. But his arrogance led to him failing a mission and getting a fellow Assassin killed. The first game followed his redemptive arc, assassinating several major members of the Templar Order and uncovering a conspiracy within the Brotherhood. Afterward, Altaïr would become one of the most important figures in the organization’s history. By becoming an Assassin Mentor and forming factions across the world, he established a centuries-lasting legacy. And a pretty popular video game series.
#4: Kassandra
“Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” (2018)
Although players could choose which sibling was the protagonist, we have to give the spot to Kassandra due to Melissanthi Mahut’s excellent performance. Set during the Peloponnesian War, “Odyssey” followed this mercenary and granddaughter of King Leonidas as she attempted to bring her family back together. But that was a lot easier said than done given that her younger brother, Alexios, was brainwashed by the Cult of Kosmos. This precursor to the Templar Order ruled by fear from the shadows and influenced the war to suit their own needs. While money sometimes drove her more than anything, Kassandra’s desire to steal power from and bring justice to the Cult made her an unstoppable force.
#3: Bayek of Siwa
“Assassin’s Creed Origins” (2017)
When Ubisoft literally took the series back to its roots, they also created an emotionally vulnerable and sympathetic protagonist in Bayek. As a Medjay, a protector of his people, Bayek upheld a strong sense of duty. But that duty brought tragedy when he refused to open a vault for the Order of the Ancients, the earliest incarnation of the Templar Order who killed Bayek’s son in retaliation. Vengeance may have initially been at the heart of Bayek’s journey. But after learning of the Order’s exceeding power, Bayek and his wife Aya founded the Hidden Ones. This group would spawn the Assassin Brotherhood. Through a tragedy, Bayek began something that would always strive to protect the innocent.
#2: Edward Kenway
“Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag” (2013)
Edward’s humble upbringing instilled a craving for riches and glory and led to him becoming a Privateer for the Royal Navy in the early 18th century. When his profession became defunct, he turned to a life of piracy to fulfill his desires. Those aren’t exactly the makings of a hero, but it’s part of what makes Edward so interesting. His greedy chase for fame put him in the middle of the conflict between the Templar Order and the Brotherhood. But it also left him alone after losing many closest to him. Resigned to redeem himself, Edward joined the Brotherhood to protect the Caribbean. And his elite swordsmanship combined with expertise in naval warfare made it extremely fun for the player.
#1: Ezio Auditore da Firenze
“Assassin’s Creed II” (2009)
Ezio may be the most famous protagonist of the series, though it’s not without merit. Growing up as a Florentine nobleman gave him a life of luxury. But he began a double life after a Templar Grand Master ordered the deaths of his father and two brothers. Like many after him, Ezio’s journey was born out of vengeance against the Templar Order. Rage initially propelled him, but the Brotherhood honed him as a vigorous defender of the innocent. Ezio served something bigger than himself by putting an end to the vile Order’s reign in Italy. He liberated multiple cities and without him, the Brotherhood’s influence in Europe wouldn’t have been as secure.
