Assassin Contracts

Assassin Contracts

The Assassin Contracts in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offer a refreshing change of pace from naval combat and treasure hunting, focusing instead on Edward Kenway's prowess as a master assassin on land. These missions are crucial for players looking to fully immerse themselves in the Assassin fantasy, offering challenging stealth scenarios and rewarding those who approach them with tactical precision.

You can identify available Assassin Contracts on your world map and mini-map by looking for a distinctive red dagger icon. These icons typically appear in major settlements and towns across the Caribbean, indicating the presence of an Assassin contact who will brief you on your next target. Interacting with these contacts initiates the contract.

Understanding Assassin Contracts

Each Assassin Contract presents a primary objective: eliminate a specific target. However, to truly master these missions and maximize your rewards, you'll want to aim for the optional objectives. These objectives often involve specific methods of assassination, avoiding detection, or eliminating additional guards.

Bonus Rewards Explained

Completing optional objectives is highly recommended as it significantly boosts your mission rewards. These bonus rewards are not just for bragging rights; they provide tangible benefits that aid Edward throughout his journey.

• Reales: The primary currency in Black Flag. Bonus objectives often award a substantial amount of Reales, crucial for upgrading the Jackdaw, purchasing weapons, and customizing Edward's appearance. The amount can vary from a few hundred to several thousand, depending on the contract's difficulty and the complexity of the optional objective.
• Experience Points (XP): While not explicitly displayed as a bonus reward, successfully completing optional objectives contributes to your overall synchronization and progression, indirectly leading to faster unlocking of abilities and achievements.
• Unique Unlockables: While individual contracts don't always offer unique items, completing all 30 Assassin Contracts across the game world is the key to unlocking a very special and iconic outfit: the Templar Armor. This armor provides enhanced defense and is a must-have for any completionist.

General Strategy and Tips

Approaching Assassin Contracts requires patience, observation, and a mastery of Edward's stealth abilities. Rushing in headfirst will often lead to failure or at least missing out on those valuable bonus objectives.

• Scout Thoroughly: Before making any moves, use your Eagle Vision (press L3/LS) from a high vantage point. This will highlight your target in gold, guards in red, and patrol routes. Identify potential hiding spots, escape routes, and environmental hazards.
• use the Environment: Blend into crowds, hide in bushes, use haystacks, and climb structures to gain an advantage. The environment is your best friend for stealth.
• Stealth Kills are Key: Many optional objectives require stealth kills. Use cover assassinations, air assassinations, and corner assassinations to eliminate guards quietly.
• Diversions: Use firecrackers or berserk darts to distract guards or turn them against each other. This can create openings for you to reach your target or bypass heavily guarded areas.
• Smoke Bombs: A smoke bomb is an invaluable tool for escaping detection or creating an opportunity for a quick assassination when things go south.
• Pistols for Tough Spots: While stealth is preferred, don't hesitate to use your pistols for quick, silent takedowns of distant guards, especially if an optional objective doesn't forbid ranged kills.
• Replay for Perfection: If you fail an optional objective, don't be afraid to restart the memory. This allows you to refine your approach and achieve full synchronization.

Assassin Contracts Walkthroughs (Examples)

Below are examples of Assassin Contracts, detailing their locations, targets, and strategies for achieving full synchronization.

Contract: The Champion's Request (Havana)

Location: Havana, near the central market.

Contact: An Assassin standing discreetly near a stall.

Target: El Tiburón, a former gladiator turned enforcer, known for his brute strength and heavily armored guards.

Primary Objective: Assassinate El Tiburón.

Optional Objective: Air Assassinate El Tiburón.

Strategy:

1. Scouting: El Tiburón patrols a small, enclosed arena area with several guards. There are multiple high vantage points surrounding this area, including rooftops and scaffolding. Use Eagle Vision to mark El Tiburón and his patrol path. Note the guards positioned on the ground and on elevated platforms.
2. Approach: The most effective way to achieve the air assassination is to climb the buildings surrounding the arena. There's a tall structure directly above El Tiburón's typical patrol route.
3. Eliminate Obstacles: There will likely be a guard or two on the rooftops or scaffolding leading to your ideal air assassination perch. Silently eliminate these guards with hidden blade assassinations or sleep darts to clear your path. Avoid alerting any guards below.
4. The Assassination: Once you are directly above El Tiburón, wait for him to pass beneath you. Ensure no other guards are looking directly at your position. Perform an air assassination. This will instantly kill him and complete the optional objective.
5. Escape: After the assassination, quickly escape the area. You can either blend into the crowd or use the rooftops to flee the red zone.

Bonus Rewards: 1500 Reales for completing the optional objective.

Contract: The Guard's Demise (Kingston)

Location: Kingston, near the docks.

Contact: An Assassin standing by a large warehouse.

Target: Captain Rourke, a corrupt naval officer overseeing illegal shipments.

Primary Objective: Assassinate Captain Rourke.

Optional Objective: Assassinate Captain Rourke from a hiding spot.

Strategy:

1. Scouting: Captain Rourke patrols a restricted area on the docks, surrounded by numerous guards, including Brutes and Snipers. There are several haystacks and bushes available for hiding. Use Eagle Vision to identify Rourke and his guards.
2. Clear the Path (Optional but Recommended): While not strictly necessary for the optional objective, silently eliminating a few key guards who might spot you approaching the hiding spot can make the mission much easier. Focus on snipers on elevated positions and any guards patrolling directly past your chosen hiding spot. Use sleep darts or hidden blade assassinations.
3. Identify Hiding Spots: Look for haystacks or dense bushes near Rourke's patrol path. There's usually one or two strategically placed that he will walk past.
4. Lure or Wait: If Rourke doesn't directly pass your chosen hiding spot, you might need to create a diversion. A well-placed firecracker can draw a nearby guard, or even Rourke himself, closer to your position. Alternatively, simply wait patiently for him to come within range.
5. The Assassination: Once Rourke is close enough to your hiding spot, perform a hidden assassination. This will fulfill the optional objective.
6. Escape: After the kill, quickly blend into the crowd or use the surrounding buildings to escape the pursuit.

Bonus Rewards: 1200 Reales for completing the optional objective.

Contract: The Smuggler's End (Nassau)

Location: Nassau, within the fortified area.

Contact: An Assassin near the main gate.

Target: Silas, a notorious smuggler operating out of a heavily guarded warehouse.

Primary Objective: Assassinate Silas.

Optional Objective: Kill Silas and all his bodyguards without being detected.

Strategy:

1. Scouting: Silas is inside a large warehouse, usually with 4-5 bodyguards patrolling around him and the immediate vicinity. The warehouse has multiple entry points (doors, open windows, rooftop access). Use Eagle Vision to mark Silas and all his bodyguards. Pay close attention to their patrol routes and line of sight.
2. Choose Your Entry: The rooftop is often the safest entry point, allowing you to get a good overview and potentially take out snipers first. Alternatively, a side door might offer a less guarded approach.
3. Systematic Elimination: This optional objective requires extreme patience. Start by eliminating isolated guards on the periphery. Use sleep darts for distant guards, hidden blade for close-quarters, and corner assassinations when possible. Always drag bodies into hiding spots to avoid detection.
4. Prioritize Snipers/Lookouts: If there are any guards on elevated positions, take them out first, as they have a wider field of view.
5. Approaching Silas: Once most of his immediate bodyguards are dealt with, or you've created a clear path, approach Silas. He usually has one or two personal bodyguards. Use a double assassination if they are close enough, or separate them using distractions.
6. The Assassination: Perform a stealth kill on Silas. Ensure that no other guards are alerted during this process.
7. Final Check: Before leaving, ensure all marked bodyguards are eliminated. If you were detected at any point, the optional objective will fail, and you'll need to restart.

Bonus Rewards: 2000 Reales for completing the optional objective.

The Templar Armor

Upon successfully completing all 30 Assassin Contracts scattered across the Caribbean, you will unlock the coveted Templar Armor. This unique outfit is not merely cosmetic; it provides a significant boost to Edward's defense, making him more resilient in combat. While it doesn't offer any stealth bonuses, its protective qualities are invaluable for direct confrontations or when you find yourself outnumbered. The armor is a testament to your dedication as an Assassin and a fitting reward for mastering these challenging contracts.

To equip the Templar Armor, navigate to the Captain's Cabin on the Jackdaw, interact with the mannequin, and select the outfit from your available wardrobe.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Rushing In: The most common mistake. Always scout, plan, and execute methodically.
• Ignoring Optional Objectives: While not mandatory, they are where the best rewards lie. Always strive for 100% synchronization.
• Alerting Guards Unnecessarily: Even if you can fight your way out, being detected often fails optional objectives. Prioritize stealth.
• Forgetting Tools: Edward's arsenal (sleep darts, berserk darts, smoke bombs, firecrackers) is there to be used. Don't hoard them; they can make difficult situations manageable.
• Not Using Eagle Vision: This ability is crucial for identifying targets, patrol paths, and potential threats. Use it constantly.

By following these guidelines and employing careful strategy, you'll not only complete all Assassin Contracts but also emerge as a true master assassin, fully synchronized with Edward Kenway's deadly skills. Good hunting!