Money Making Strategies

Money Making Strategies

In Assassin's Creed II, florins are essential for purchasing new weapons, armor, medicine, and renovating Monteriggioni. While assassinating targets and looting bodies provides a trickle of income, true wealth comes from strategic investments and efficient resource management. This section details the most effective ways to fill Ezio's coffers.

Renovating Monteriggioni: The Ultimate Investment

Your villa in Monteriggioni isn't just a safe haven; it's your primary source of passive income. The more you renovate, the more florins you'll receive periodically. This is by far the most lucrative long-term strategy.

• How it Works: As you renovate various buildings and services within Monteriggioni (e.g., the Bank, the Doctor, the Blacksmith, the Tailor, the Art Merchant, the Mine, the Barracks, the Courtesan Guild, the Thief Guild), the town's value increases. This value directly translates into florins deposited into your chest every 20 minutes (in-game time).
• Prioritization:
  • The Bank: This should be your absolute first priority. Renovating the Bank increases the capacity of your chest, allowing you to store more florins before you need to collect them. A fully upgraded Bank is crucial for maximizing passive income.
  • Shops (Blacksmith, Tailor, Doctor, Art Merchant): These renovations not only provide you with access to better gear and services but also contribute significantly to your income. Upgrade them as soon as you can afford to.
  • Other Buildings (Mine, Barracks, Guilds): While important for overall completion and some side quests, their direct impact on income is slightly less than the Bank and shops. Renovate them steadily.
• Collection: Remember to visit the chest in the Auditore Villa's main room regularly to collect your accumulated florins. The chest has a maximum capacity, and any florins earned beyond that capacity will be lost until you collect them.

Side Activities for Quick Florins

While Monteriggioni generates passive income, several side activities offer immediate cash injections, perfect for funding those initial renovations or buying that shiny new sword.

• Assassination Contracts: Found on pigeon coops marked on your map (represented by a target icon), these missions typically involve eliminating a specific individual or group. They offer a decent payout for a relatively short time investment. Look for these in Florence, Venice, and Forlì.
• Beat Up Missions: Also found on pigeon coops, these tasks require you to physically assault a target without killing them. They are generally easier and quicker than assassination contracts and provide a good amount of florins.
• Courier Missions: These simple missions involve delivering a letter or package within a time limit. They are quick, easy, and a reliable source of early-game cash.
• Races: Competing in races, especially the rooftop races, can net you a good sum of florins, particularly if you win. Practice your parkour to master these.
• Thief Missions: These missions, often involving pickpocketing or stealing specific items, can be quite profitable. They also hone your stealth skills.

Looting and Pickpocketing

Every florin counts, especially in the early game. Don't underestimate the value of scavenging.

• Looting Bodies: Always loot the bodies of guards and enemies you've dispatched. While individual amounts are small, they add up quickly, especially after large skirmishes.
• Chests: Keep an eye out for treasure chests scattered throughout the cities and the countryside. These often contain a significant amount of florins and sometimes even valuable items. Use your Eagle Vision to spot them more easily.
• Pickpocketing: While less efficient than other methods, pickpocketing citizens can provide a small, steady income. It's best used when you're already moving through crowds or need a few extra florins for a quick purchase.

Selling Items

As you progress, you'll accumulate various items that can be sold for profit.

• Trinkets and Gems: These are purely for selling. You'll find them in chests, on bodies, and as rewards for some missions. Visit any Art Merchant to sell them.
• Artwork: While some artwork is for decorating your villa, duplicates or pieces you don't want can be sold to Art Merchants for a good price.
• Poisons and Throwing Knives (Excess): If you find yourself with an abundance of these consumable items, you can sell the excess at a Blacksmith. However, it's generally better to keep a healthy stock for combat.

Advanced Strategies: Maximizing Efficiency

• Synchronize Viewpoints: Not only do viewpoints reveal more of the map and unlock fast travel, but they also often have a treasure chest nearby. Make synchronizing a priority.
• Collect Feathers: While primarily for a trophy/achievement, collecting feathers also contributes to the overall value of Monteriggioni, indirectly boosting your income.
• Combine Activities: When traveling between mission objectives, make it a habit to pickpocket, loot any guards you encounter, and keep an eye out for chests and side mission icons. This multi-tasking approach maximizes your time and florin gain.

By consistently applying these strategies, Ezio will quickly become a wealthy Assassin, able to afford the finest gear and fully restore the glory of Monteriggioni.