Sequence 3, Memory 2: Circumstances
Full Synchronization: Do not get detected.
This memory, "Circumstances," takes place in the French outpost of St. Nicolas, located within the River Valley. Your objective is to infiltrate the outpost and eliminate the target, Le Chasseur. Achieving full synchronization requires a flawless stealth approach, ensuring you remain undetected throughout the entire memory. This guide will provide a detailed, step-by-step strategy to navigate the outpost, neutralize threats, and successfully assassinate your target without raising an alarm.
Mission Briefing & Target Overview
Le Chasseur, whose name translates to "The Hunter," is a formidable French officer and a key figure in the colonial forces. He is known for his tactical prowess and his presence in St. Nicolas signifies a significant threat to the burgeoning Assassin presence in the region. His elimination is crucial for Shay's ongoing objectives. Le Chasseur is typically found aboard a docked ship within the outpost, surrounded by his personal guard.
Outpost Layout: St. Nicolas
St. Nicolas is a heavily fortified French outpost, characterized by its strategic location on the river, multiple watchtowers, and a network of patrols. Understanding its layout is key to a successful infiltration:
- Main Entrance: Heavily guarded with multiple patrolling soldiers and a stationary brute. Direct entry is not recommended for stealth.
- Western Flank: Features a dense treeline and stalking zones, offering excellent cover for initial approach.
- Eastern Flank: Less dense foliage, but still offers some cover. Often has fewer initial patrols but leads to more open areas.
- Docks: Where Le Chasseur's ship is usually moored. Patrolled by various guard types, including snipers on nearby structures overlooking the water.
- Watchtowers: Strategically placed throughout the outpost, housing snipers with wide fields of view. These are critical threats to neutralize early.
- Barracks/Supply Areas: Located inland, these areas are less relevant for the primary objective but contain additional patrols.
Enemy Types & Threat Assessment
The St. Nicolas outpost is teeming with various enemy types, each requiring a specific approach:
- Standard Guards: Basic foot soldiers, easily dispatched with hidden blade assassinations or silenced pistol shots.
- Brutes: Heavily armored, requiring multiple hits or a specific counter-attack. Berserk Darts are highly effective for creating diversions.
- Snipers: Positioned in watchtowers and on rooftops. Their long-range vision and accuracy make them a primary threat. Prioritize neutralizing them with Sleep Darts or headshots from a distance.
- Alarm Bells: Located at key points within the outpost. If a guard reaches an alarm bell, reinforcements will be called, and full synchronization will be jeopardized. Disable them whenever possible.
Recommended Loadout
For this stealth-focused memory, ensure you have the following:
- Air Rifle: Essential for silent long-range takedowns.
- Sleep Darts: Crucial for temporarily incapacitating snipers and other guards without killing them, allowing you to bypass them.
- Berserk Darts: Excellent for creating diversions by causing brutes or other strong enemies to attack their allies, drawing attention away from your infiltration route.
- Pistols: For silent headshots on isolated targets if the Air Rifle is on cooldown or for emergencies.
- Smoke Bombs: A last-resort escape tool if detected, but ideally, you won't need them for full synchronization.
Step-by-Step Stealth Walkthrough
Follow these steps carefully to achieve full synchronization:
- Initial Approach (Western Flank):
- Begin by heading directly left from your starting position, using the dense treeline and tall grass for cover. Avoid the main road and any initial patrols.
- Move along the western perimeter of the outpost. You will encounter a few isolated standard guards patrolling the outer edge. Use silent assassinations (Hidden Blade or silenced Pistol headshot) to eliminate them if they pose a threat to your path.
- Neutralizing Snipers & Brutes:
- As you approach the outpost's interior from the west, you will spot the first watchtower. A sniper will be positioned here. Use a Sleep Dart from your Air Rifle to incapacitate him. This is crucial as his line of sight covers a significant portion of your intended path.
- Continue moving through the stalking zones. You will likely encounter a brute patrolling near the western entrance to the docks. Instead of engaging directly, use a Berserk Dart on him. This will cause him to attack nearby guards, creating a valuable diversion and reducing the number of active threats.
- Infiltrating the Docks:
- With the initial sniper and brute neutralized, proceed towards the docks. Stay close to cover (crates, buildings, low walls).
- Scan the dock area with Eagle Vision. Identify Le Chasseur's ship and any remaining guards on the dock or on the ship itself. Pay close attention to any snipers on structures overlooking the water. If you spot any, use Sleep Darts to neutralize them.
- There will often be a few standard guards patrolling the dock. Use silent assassinations to take them out when they are isolated and out of sight of other guards.
- Boarding Le Chasseur's Ship:
- The most secure approach to Le Chasseur's ship is often from the water. Carefully drop into the water from the dock's edge.
- Swim stealthily towards the stern (rear) of Le Chasseur's vessel. There are usually fewer guards positioned here, and the ship's structure provides good cover.
- Climb aboard the ship from the stern. Immediately use Eagle Vision to pinpoint Le Chasseur's exact location. He is usually on the main deck or in the captain's cabin.
- Eliminating Le Chasseur:
- Once aboard, navigate the ship using any available cover. Le Chasseur will be surrounded by 1-2 personal guards.
- Wait for an opportune moment when Le Chasseur is isolated or when his guards are looking away. Perform a silent assassination (Hidden Blade) on Le Chasseur.
- If his guards are too close, you can use a Sleep Dart on one, or if absolutely necessary, a quick double assassination if they are positioned correctly. However, prioritize a clean assassination on Le Chasseur himself.
- Escape (Optional, but recommended for clean finish):
- After eliminating Le Chasseur, you can either quickly exit the memory (which usually triggers immediately upon target elimination) or, for a truly undetected run, discreetly exit the ship and swim back to the shore, then leave the restricted area.
Common Pitfalls & Tips for Full Synchronization
- Detection Reset: If you are detected at any point, immediately pause the game and select "Restart Last Checkpoint." This is the only way to ensure you maintain full synchronization. Do not try to fight your way out if detected.
- Eagle Vision is Your Best Friend: Constantly use Eagle Vision to identify enemy patrol routes, lines of sight, and the location of your target.
- Patience: Do not rush. Observe enemy patterns, wait for the perfect moment to strike or bypass.
- Environmental Kills: While not strictly necessary for this memory, remember that environmental hazards (like dropping cargo) can be used to silently eliminate guards if the opportunity arises.
- Stalking Zones: use tall grass, bushes, and haystacks extensively. They provide complete concealment.
