Assassin's Creed III
Assassin's Creed III

Notoriety System — Assassin's Creed III Guide

Understand Assassin's Creed III's Notoriety System. Manage Connor's visibility and interactions with British forces to keep guards less aggressive.

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Notoriety System

In Assassin's Creed III, your actions have consequences, and the Notoriety System is a prime example. As Connor, your visibility and hostile interactions with the British forces will increase your Notoriety, making guards more vigilant and aggressive. Managing your Notoriety is crucial for stealth, mission success, and overall gameplay enjoyment. This detailed guide will help you understand and manipulate the system to your advantage.

Understanding Notoriety Levels

Your current Notoriety level is indicated by a meter on your HUD. It fills up as you commit various acts that draw attention. Higher Notoriety means more guards actively searching for you, more patrols, and a quicker response from reinforcements during conflicts.

  • Low Notoriety: Guards are generally passive unless provoked. You can move freely through most areas.
  • Medium Notoriety: Guards will become suspicious more easily and investigate disturbances. They might recognize you from a distance.
  • High Notoriety: Guards are actively hunting for you. They will recognize you on sight, and patrols will be more frequent and aggressive. This makes stealth extremely difficult.

Increasing Notoriety

Several actions will cause your Notoriety to rise. Be mindful of these if you wish to remain undetected:

  • Committing Crimes:
    • Killing guards or civilians in public.
    • Engaging in open combat with Redcoats.
    • Pickpocketing in plain sight.
    • Destroying public property.
  • Being Witnessed:
    • Performing assassinations or other illegal acts in front of witnesses.
    • Being seen by guards while in a restricted area.
  • Failing Stealth:
    • Being detected during a stealth mission.
    • Triggering alarms.

Decreasing Notoriety: Becoming Anonymous

Reducing your Notoriety is essential for maintaining a low profile and progressing through the game without constant harassment. There are three primary methods to lower your Notoriety:

1. Removing Wanted Posters

This is the most direct and common method. Wanted Posters are scattered throughout Boston and New York. Each poster you tear down will reduce your Notoriety by a significant amount. Look for the distinctive red poster icon on your mini-map when your Notoriety is high.

  • Location: Wanted Posters are typically found on walls of buildings, posts, and other prominent structures in populated areas.
  • Strategy: When your Notoriety is high, prioritize finding and tearing down these posters. They are often guarded, so approach stealthily or be prepared for a fight.
  • Action: Approach a poster and interact with it (usually by pressing the designated action button, e.g., 'B' on Xbox 360 or 'Circle' on PS3).

2. Bribing Heralds

Heralds are town criers who spread news and, unfortunately, your infamy. Bribing them will reduce your Notoriety. They are less common than posters but can be a quick solution if you have the coin.

  • Location: Heralds can be found in market squares, busy intersections, and other public gathering spots in both Boston and New York. They are marked with a specific icon on your mini-map (often a small speech bubble or a person with a horn).
  • Cost: Bribing a Herald typically costs a small sum of money (e.g., 200-300 livres).
  • Strategy: If you're flush with cash and need a quick Notoriety reduction, Heralds are a good option. They are usually unguarded.
  • Action: Approach a Herald and interact with them to offer a bribe.

3. Bribing Printers

Printers are another way to reduce your Notoriety, though they are less frequent than Heralds or posters. Bribing a printer will cause them to stop printing wanted notices about you.

  • Location: Printers are located in specific buildings within Boston and New York. Their locations are marked on your map with a unique icon (often a printing press or a building with a scroll).
  • Cost: Bribing a Printer is usually more expensive than a Herald, reflecting the greater impact it has on your Notoriety reduction.
  • Strategy: This method is best used when you have accumulated a substantial amount of Notoriety and want a significant reduction, or if you are near a printer's location.
  • Action: Enter the printer's shop and interact with the printer to initiate the bribe.

Tips for Notoriety Management

  • Stealth First: The best way to manage Notoriety is to avoid gaining it in the first place. Utilize cover, blend into crowds, and perform silent assassinations whenever possible.
  • Eagle Vision: Use Eagle Vision frequently to spot guards, patrol routes, and, crucially, the locations of Wanted Posters, Heralds, and Printers.
  • Escape Routes: Always have an escape plan when engaging in risky activities. Knowing the nearest hiding spots (haystacks, wells, benches) or routes to the wilderness can help you lose pursuers and prevent Notoriety from escalating.
  • Prioritize Reduction: If your Notoriety reaches a high level, make reducing it your immediate priority before attempting any other missions or activities.
  • Wilderness vs. City: Notoriety gained in the wilderness areas (e.g., the Frontier) is often separate from city Notoriety. However, actions in one can sometimes spill over, so be aware.

By understanding and actively managing your Notoriety, you'll find navigating the tumultuous world of Assassin's Creed III much smoother, allowing Connor to operate effectively as the silent blade of justice.