The Hidden Blade Assassin's Creed in Depth

I'd do this if I could keep track without pausing after every counter to tally.

Hmm...maybe an easier plan would be, 1 point per successful counter. It's simpler to do and you can see how many guards you've counter attacked by looking at the bodies on the floor.

Hope this settles any worries you had

Actually, I found a few years ago that that's harder than it seems. In order for a lot of games to run smoothly, it has to sacrifice some element(s) of the environment. In this case, corpses. After killing over 50 in 1 sitting, I looked at the ground, expecting it to be covered in dead guards. To my surprise, it was only about 20-something.

I confirmed this by re-doing it at William's fortress (just before the entrance) and rounding up as many guards as possible from the entrance of Acre to that specific spot without blocking their line of sight and without running on rooftops, so all of them had to stay on me. I killed them all, along with other guards around the fortress gate. Still, it was only about 20.

I think the only way to do this accurately is to record it, go as long as you can, and count every kill you make while watching it. Maybe putting up a clock in the video if someone has software that does that. Just an idea.

"I think the only way to do this accurately is to record it, go as long as you can, and count every kill you make while watching it. Maybe putting up a clock in the video if someone has software that does that. Just an idea"

Good thinking Sir, from what you mentioned it seems like there is a limit to how many dead guards can be rendered on screen at any one time, in this instance 20. Maybe I'll have to setup a similar challenge in the kingdom posisibly by one of the major veiwpoints. We'll have to see how many other players (if any) attempt the original challenge outside Williams's castle. Assassins Creed Brotherhood purchased this morning... Party!

regards,

Lbtc.

I think the number of guards killed can be counted in the video itself.

Three hidden blade counters in a row:

Although I'm not sure what "you must only counter" means. Is grab and throw allowed?

Thanks very much for the video! Grab and throws are not allowed or rather not needed, why not just counter them in the first place? Obviously counter grab if Altiar is grabbed. But if you throw them away they'll only come back for more. Three is a good start we just need a way of getting more guards into a relativly small space, also bear in mind youtube has a 15minute video length limit.

I did not enjoy AC:B that much today, in fact I did not like it at all...just could not get into the story. Altiar still is the best Hashasheen for me

I couldn't record it, but I managed to get 6 counters today in Acre. I was actually using some of ian's videos to find the Acre flags and accidentally called upon myself some unwanted attention. There were maybe 5 or 6 others I hadn't dealt with.

It's difficult to go from the ACB combat to AC1. I'll need to practice.

6 counters? Wow! You should definitely make a video.

Grab and throw makes the fight more dinamic and nicer than standing in one place and waiting. Also, I often use it to escape a sitution when there's an opponent very close to me.

Why? You don"t get hurt when being thrown. Counter grab often breaks the rhythm of the fight, and being thrown out of the circle of guards often has a tactical advantage.

But of course different kinds of responses to the challenge can be judged differently, we don't have to be dogmatic about it.

I've unfortunately been hit after being thrown a few times (this being before the counter grab ability is obtained), so I agree that the counter grab should be allowed. Though, strategically, allowing yourself to be thrown out of a group could help, so do whatever you want, I guess.

Hmm..good points gentleman. I have been thinking it would be alot better to allow a greater range of tactical implementations into the fights. I'll allow dodge, and grab and throw. Because if you are grabbed I guess it does not matter as you can control the direction of Altiar with the and even turn this into an advantage by pointing it towards another enemy.

Here's an old video where I did 6 hidden blade counters in a row. It's the first fight in Memory Block 7:

The only other thing I did was counter grab. The guards in MB7 don't taunt or drop their guard. Otherwise, I would have assessed some taunting penalties.

Another player who's good at hidden blade counters is antantiques on YouTube. This video opens with a streak of 7 (including the one coming out of the pause screen at the beginning).

Well, I'm not sure I will ever have the patience to try until I make 8 in a row.

Thanks very much for the video stabguy, it was really impressive 8 in a row? wow...that would blow my mind one thing I have noticed regarding the amount of time available to counter an enemies attack with a hidden blade, is that it's way less in AC1 but there's a relativly big time gap in AC:B Flawless hidden blade on AC:B is difficult because whilst Ezio does his counter and the short action cinamatic goes on I find it increasingly difficult to target the next guard.

Ah..well I guess I need more practise

That was awesome!

Love hidden blade counters. My favorite is the one that finished Al Mualim there (the gut to bottom of chin). So brutal.

I've been trying all day and the most I can get is still 6. So close!

6 is outstanding in my opinion There are 2 guard patrols that are nearby williams castle. The first is one inside the fotress itself located North west, assuming your north facing as you enter William's castle. The other is South west of William's castle (stay north to begin with) and this group patrol around a veiwpoint and up and down a ruined walkway that has been submerged into the ground. I am unsure which of these two are informed/uninformed, but either way I am sure there are a few ways of grabbing their attention.

I'd like to thank everyone for welcoming this topic so well, and projecting your thoughts in a postive manner.

kind regards,

Lbtc.

I may not be able to record anything in a few weeks. I'm desperate for money and am thinking about selling my cash. *EPIC SIGH*

How would you go about that, selling cash? O.o

Haha, I meant selling my laptop, not cash. XD

These finals are messing with my head. O_O

I am sorry to hear of your bad news JoeyFogey, but I don't think there is a need to sell your laptop...well it's up to you in the end but I was thinking maybe you could get a part time job somewhere. You seem like a clever guy so you should be able to find some work. Also if you have any unwanted games you could sell those for cash, just don't sell something that's close to your heart you may regret it later on.

hope all goes well for you,

Lbct

Thanks for calling me clever!

I considered selling my laptop because I have other computers at my house, but it's a family computer, which is the reason why I can't put up anything for a while if I sold it. Also, I found a $170 offer from someone. I got it free as a gift from my uncle, so it's not a loss for me financially.

And I've also been thinking about selling some games as well. I only really play the Assassin's Creed games, Left 4 Dead from time to time, and my girlfriend is supposedly getting me Portal 2 in the next week (our anniversary is May 10!).

Would anyone here be willing to buy any of my games? I'll give a 50% discount to any THB member!

Also, I've been looking for any kind of job for 3 years now with no luck.

So what games do you have to sell?

I have a few more at home, but these are the ones I brought to my dorm that I'm willing to sell:

1. Prince of Persia (2008)

2. Batman: Arkham Asylum (going to get the sequel when it comes out)

3. Crackdown 2

4. Left 4 Dead 2

I think I still have Grand Theft Auto IV at home. Maybe Fable 2, but my brother may have taken that one.

Good luck JoeyFogey Can we please return to thehiddenblade challenge where the record stands at 7 counters with the hidden blade in a row Ay carumba...

Ha, yeah that really got off subject. My bad!

No problem, I think I need to change the location of this challenge. There is ALOT more guards in the kingdom than William's castle so it makes sense to move thehiddenblade challenge to the kingdom, because players will have alot more freedom in choosing enemies to engage with. Any guards can be challenged and you may use any route in the Kingdom. For example travel to Damascus to challenge the guards guarding and patrolling from and between Damascus. Although I find the guards from Acre to be the most challenging. I hope this will open the gates for many people who have been put off by the previous location of William's Castle.

Anyone watched 300? The size of the armies in that would be ideal for this challenge...maybe a bit less. I know there are some brilliant fighters out there al-Assass and Granjew, Ian and stab. So please don't hesitate to have a go. Also a tip if I may, when fighting with the hidden blade ALWAYS keep moving because then you can spot enemy attacks easier and also enemies will have to close the distance between them and Altiar giving you the upper hand.

Be swift,

Lbtc.

Yes, the Kingdom is the ideal place to do this challenge effectively. While I was looking for my last few flags, I'd constantly be chased after by guards. This is the easiest are in the game to get as many foes as possible.

Exactly, the challenge therefore has Officially been moved to the Kingdom. I myself will now get practising

What are the rules if, say, one kills all the guards around but then the rest run away? Is it just run to the next fight and keep countering, or is the game to get the most in a circle and go without stopping? Usually I can get quite a few but after a while they just run away...

The most guards I've found in a single spot is right outside the loading point to Acre. Gotten deal with those pesky archers though or else they keep hitting me.

Same

Great minds think alike

Regarding your question if the guards run, let them. It's a good sign from Altiar's point of veiw because it shows that he/you have fought feircly. Often if you take out the commander first enemy moral drops quite a bit I think. However the counter kills combo with the hidden blade will be reset once you enter a new fight, and you can't just carry the combo you had in the last fight to the next. The ultimate aim for this challenge is to see, who can get the most guards to one spot in the kingdom (so I am talking about several informed guard patrols) and take each guard out one by one. Easy to say on the computer, not so easy on my PS3. I made a training video of my hidden blade counter attacks yesterday whereby I choose the guard patrol just as you exit Masyaf and go into the kingdom, and go past the assassins guarding the "timewarp" back through to Masyaf. Continue ahead and there should be 2 guards standing by a wooden cart, continue ahead further and you should see a guard patrol pacing up and down and also a 4 guards near a tree.

If you go on, there is another guard patrol of Templar Knights, who pace around a large rock face and past a veiwpoint. There are also guards pacing around the veiwpoint. And from a combat perspective, I often mistake a light fast attack for a heavy strong on, and whilst holding press the to early. This is an IDEAL time to use the dodge ability, and that is also useful for commanders of guard patrols who on a frequent basis will counter Altiar's attack, strike him again, and then follow up with a step and uppercut.

Just a few tips for people:

Don't get too close to guards. I noticed if standing literally almost on their toes they're open to do a very quick attack and it's really hard to counter (almost impossible).

The only other time they ever do that quick attack is when they step first then quick attack (it's easy to counter here because they telegraph it). Sometimes they just step though without the attack so it's not always an automatic counter.

^Excellent advice TheFlyer, I had not thought of this which means your knowledge of Assassins Creed will be of massive help not only to me but other players aswell.

I always thought that the "quick attack" was the guards doing a Defense Break. If you're holding a sword, it's knocked aside. If you're holding a hidden blade, ouch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch

Hidden Blade Training in the Kingdom-Vol.1

Youtube link= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsbjQnwywQ

I can see your reflection at the right part of the screen above the minimap (I suggest you film in a darker place to avoid that). Oh, and there's a blooper camera shot at 2:54.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?

More Hidden Blade Training, I especially like the opening move

Hey it said the videos were removed? I'm guessing you're going to upload a better one then? I'm going try and upload something soon too.

Also, I've found the best place to get the most guards. Start outside Damascus and make your way back from there and head to those few buildings by the lake. If timed right, there should be over two dozen guards following by then.

I used to be so good at countering, i use to only use the hidden blade. now my skills dropped because i was used to brotherhood... I got pretty good at it again but my brother knocked over my xbox, making a perfect round ring around it.

Ok, thanks everyone for your comments. I am pretty sure 6-8 guards is the top score so far. Apologies for removing my videos so soon, once my channel is all setup I will concentrate on doing this challenge. I will be aiming for 10 counters at least. That will be a real challenge

First I need to get the game and then beat it though.