Sequence 4

Sequence 4: A New Mentor, A New Path

Welcome, Assassin, to Sequence 4! This pivotal sequence marks a significant turning point in Connor's journey. Having left his village, he now seeks out a new mentor, Achilles Davenport, and begins his formal training as an Assassin. Expect a blend of narrative-driven exploration, foundational combat and stealth tutorials, and the early introduction to the vast Frontier. This sequence is crucial for understanding Connor's motivations and mastering the core mechanics of Assassin's Creed III.

Mission 1: Hunting Lessons

Connor's first task under Achilles' tutelage is to prove his hunting prowess in the vast wilderness of the Frontier. This mission serves as an extended tutorial for hunting mechanics, tracking, and environmental navigation.

• Objective 1: Meet Achilles at the Hunting Grounds.
  • Travel to the designated location in the Frontier, marked on your map. This will be a short journey from the Davenport Homestead.
  • Upon arrival, Achilles will provide initial instructions and introduce you to the basics of tracking.
• Objective 2: Hunt a Deer.
  • Tracking: Activate Eagle Vision (Y/Triangle) to highlight animal tracks and scent trails. Follow these indicators carefully. Deer are typically found in forested areas and near water sources.
  • Stealth Approach: Crouch (B/Circle) and move slowly to avoid startling the deer. Pay attention to the wind direction (indicated by environmental cues like swaying grass or leaves) to stay downwind.
  • Kill: Once close enough, use your Bow and Arrow for a clean, silent kill. Aim for the head or vital organs for a one-shot kill. Alternatively, if you can get close enough undetected, a hidden blade assassination is possible.
  • Skinning: Approach the downed deer and interact (B/Circle) to skin it. This yields valuable pelts and meat.
• Objective 3: Hunt a Bear.
  • Locating: Bears are more dangerous and often found in caves or denser parts of the forest. Use Eagle Vision to locate their tracks.
  • Preparation: Ensure you have full health and any available healing items. Consider crafting improved arrows if you have the resources, though standard arrows suffice.
  • Combat Strategy:
    • Stealth Kill (Recommended for Full Synchronization): This is challenging but highly rewarding. Approach the bear from behind while it's distracted or sleeping. A successful stealth attack will often kill it instantly or leave it severely wounded.
    • Direct Combat: If detected, the bear will charge. Brace for its attacks by pressing B/Circle to counter. After a successful counter, you'll have a brief window to attack with your axe or hidden blade. Dodge (A/X) its unblockable charges. Repeatedly counter and attack until it's defeated.
  • Skinning: Skin the bear for its valuable pelt and claws.
• Objective 4: Return to Achilles. Head back to Achilles at the designated spot to complete the mission.

Full Synchronization Bonus: Kill the bear with a stealth attack. This requires patience and careful environmental awareness. Utilize tall grass and bushes for cover, and approach from its blind spots. If you fail, restart the checkpoint to try again.

Hunting Tips & Rewards:

• Animal Behavior: Different animals react differently. Deer are skittish, while bears are aggressive. Learn their patterns.
• Bait: You can use bait (crafted or purchased) to lure animals to a specific location, making hunting easier.
• Traps: Setting traps can passively catch smaller animals, providing furs and meat without direct engagement.
• Rewards: Successful hunting yields pelts, meat, and other animal parts. These are crucial for crafting and selling, providing a significant source of income early in the game.

Mission 2: The Surgeon

This mission introduces Connor to the bustling streets of Boston and the concept of blending, pickpocketing, and evading authorities. You'll need to gather supplies for Achilles' ailing leg.

• Objective 1: Travel to Boston.
  • Use the fast travel system (if unlocked) or ride your horse to Boston. The journey itself offers opportunities for exploration.
  • Upon arrival, a cutscene will introduce you to the city's atmosphere and the presence of British soldiers.
• Objective 2: Locate the Doctor.
  • Follow the objective marker on your mini-map to the doctor's residence.
  • A brief interaction will reveal the doctor's exorbitant price for the medicine.
• Objective 3: Acquire Funds (Pickpocketing Tutorial).
  • Targeting Civilians: Look for wealthy-looking civilians (often indicated by their attire or by using Eagle Vision).
  • Execution: Approach your target from behind, press and hold B/Circle to initiate the pickpocket, then release when the prompt appears to successfully steal. Be quick and discreet to avoid detection.
  • Repeat: You'll need to pickpocket several individuals to gather the required amount of money.
• Objective 4: Purchase the Medicine. Return to the doctor and pay for the medicine.
• Objective 5: Evade the British Patrol.
  • As you leave the doctor's, a British patrol will spot you, initiating a chase sequence.
  • Escape Routes: Utilize the environment – climb over obstacles, duck into crowds, or use hiding spots (haystacks, wells, benches).
  • Breaking Line of Sight: The key to escaping is to break the line of sight with your pursuers. Use sharp turns, climb buildings, and blend into crowds.
  • Hiding Spots: Once out of sight, quickly find a hiding spot and remain there until your notoriety meter fully depletes.
• Objective 6: Return to Achilles. Once you've lost the guards, make your way back to the Davenport Homestead.

Full Synchronization Bonus: Do not get detected while pickpocketing. This requires patience and careful observation of guard patrols and civilian awareness cones. Blend into crowds and wait for opportune moments.

Boston Navigation & Social Stealth Tips:

• Crowd Blending: Walk slowly within groups of civilians to become anonymous. This is vital for avoiding detection.
• Benches & Wells: These are quick and effective hiding spots when you're being pursued.
• Notoriety: Your notoriety level increases with illegal actions. Reduce it by tearing down wanted posters, bribing town criers, or simply laying low.

Mission 3: River Rescue

This mission introduces Connor to the dangers of the wilderness and the importance of helping those in need, while also showcasing early combat scenarios against hostile wildlife and human enemies.

• Objective 1: Investigate the Disturbance.
  • Achilles will send you to investigate strange noises coming from the nearby river.
  • Follow the objective marker towards the riverbank.
• Objective 2: Save the Trapper.
  • Upon reaching the river, you'll find a trapper under attack by a pack of wolves.
  • Combat Strategy: Engage the wolves. They attack in packs but are relatively weak individually. Use counter-attacks (B/Circle) and quick weapon swings. Focus on one wolf at a time to thin their numbers.
  • After defeating the wolves, interact with the trapper to ensure his safety.
• Objective 3: Escort the Trapper to Safety.
  • The trapper will ask for your help in reaching his camp. Follow him through the wilderness.
  • Encounter with Bandits: Along the way, you'll be ambushed by a group of bandits.
  • Combat Strategy: These bandits are more organized than wolves. Utilize your hidden blades for quick assassinations if you can get close enough. In open combat, focus on counter-kills (B/Circle then X/Square) and disarms (B/Circle then A/X) to quickly dispatch them. Use environmental objects like explosive barrels if available.
  • Protect the trapper during the fight; if he dies, the mission fails.
• Objective 4: Reach the Trapper's Camp. Continue escorting the trapper until you reach his small camp, triggering a cutscene and mission completion.

Full Synchronization Bonus: Complete the mission without taking any damage. This is challenging. Prioritize counter-kills against bandits and use your bow to pick off wolves from a distance before they engage. If you take damage, restart the checkpoint.

Combat & Protection Tips:

• Counter-Kill Mastery: This is the bread and butter of AC3 combat. Practice the timing.
• Weapon Variety: Experiment with different weapons. Axes are powerful, but swords are faster. The hidden blade is for stealth and quick kills.
• Protecting NPCs: When escorting, always keep an eye on your charge's health bar. Prioritize enemies that target them.

Mission 4: The Hard Way

This mission is Achilles' true test of Connor's combat and free-running abilities, pushing him to master the fundamental skills of an Assassin. It takes place entirely within the confines of the Davenport Homestead.

• Objective 1: Meet Achilles at the Training Ground.
  • Head to the designated training area within the Homestead grounds.
  • Achilles will outline the trials ahead.
• Objective 2: Complete the Combat Trial.
  • You will face several waves of unarmed opponents (Achilles' apprentices).
  • Focus on Core Mechanics:
    • Counter-Attacks: Press B/Circle when an enemy attacks.
    • Disarms: After a successful counter, press A/X to disarm an enemy, then pick up their weapon to use against others.
    • Dodge/Break Defense: Use A/X to dodge heavy attacks or break an enemy's guard.
    • Chain Kills: After a successful kill, quickly move the left stick towards another enemy and press X/Square to initiate a chain kill.
  • The difficulty will increase with each wave. Master these techniques to progress.
• Objective 3: Complete the Free-Running Trial.
  • Achilles will lead you to an obstacle course designed to test your parkour skills.
  • Follow the Path: Follow Achilles' lead and the highlighted path.
  • Key Free-Running Moves:
    • Climb/Ascend: Hold RT/R2 and A/X to climb up obstacles.
    • Jump/Leap: Hold RT/R2 and press A/X to leap across gaps.
    • Descend: Hold RT/R2 and B/Circle to descend quickly.
    • Cornering: Use the left stick to guide Connor around corners while free-running.
  • The course will involve climbing trees, scaling walls, and leaping across rooftops.
• Objective 4: Perform a Leap of Faith.
  • At the culmination of the free-running course, you will reach a high vantage point.
  • Follow the prompt to perform a Leap of Faith into a haystack below. This iconic Assassin's Creed move signifies your acceptance of the Assassin's path.
• Objective 5: Return to Achilles. After the Leap of Faith, meet Achilles to conclude the mission and receive his approval.

Full Synchronization Bonus: Complete the combat trial without taking any damage. This is a true test of your counter-timing and defensive skills. For the free-running trial, complete it within the time limit. Practice makes perfect!

Mastering the Fundamentals:

• Combat Training: Revisit the Homestead training ground anytime to practice combat against the apprentices.
• Environmental Navigation: The Frontier and cities are your playgrounds. Experiment with different routes and climbing opportunities.
• Eagle Vision: Use it frequently to spot objectives, enemies, and hidden paths.

Collectibles & Side Activities in Sequence 4

As you progress through Sequence 4, the world of Assassin's Creed III begins to open up. Take advantage of these opportunities to enrich your experience and build Connor's resources.

Homestead Development:

• Homestead Missions: New homestead missions will become available as you progress through the main story and recruit new artisans. These are crucial for developing your homestead, unlocking crafting recipes, and generating income. Look for the homestead icon on your map.
• Crafting: Utilize the resources gathered from hunting and trading to craft new weapons, tools, and items. The Ledger at the Homestead allows you to manage your economy.

Exploration & Collectibles:

• Almanac Pages: These scattered pages contain inventions and historical notes. Collecting them often leads to crafting recipes for your homestead. In Boston, look for them being carried by civilians; chase them down to retrieve the page.
• Feathers: These decorative items are often found in high places or hidden corners across the Frontier and cities. Collecting them contributes to a long-term side quest and unlocks unique outfits.
• Chests: Locked chests contain money, crafting materials, and sometimes unique items. You'll need to pick the lock, which involves a simple mini-game.
• Viewpoints: Synchronize with viewpoints (tall structures like church steeples or mountain peaks) to reveal portions of your map and unlock fast travel points.

Early Side Quests & Activities:

• Liberation Missions (Boston): In Boston, you can begin to liberate districts from British control by completing small tasks like eliminating patrols, destroying supply caches, or rescuing citizens. These contribute to recruiting new Assassin recruits who can assist you in combat.
• Delivery Requests: Occasionally, civilians will offer delivery requests, asking you to transport goods between locations. These are simple ways to earn extra money.
• Hunting Challenges: The Hunting Society will offer challenges related to hunting specific animals or performing certain types of kills. Completing these unlocks rewards and achievements.

Remember to regularly check your map for icons indicating collectibles and side activities. Taking a moment to explore and engage with these elements can yield significant rewards, enhance your overall experience, and prepare you for the challenges ahead in Assassin's Creed III.