Customization & Upgrades

In Assassin's Creed Unity, Arno Dorian's journey through revolutionary Paris is as much about his personal style and combat prowess as it is about uncovering conspiracies. The game offers a robust customization system, allowing players to tailor Arno's appearance, gear, and abilities to suit their preferred playstyle. From stealthy infiltrator to brawling duelist, every aspect of Arno can be meticulously upgraded and personalized.

Armor Customization: Form, Function, and Stats

Arno's armor is not merely cosmetic; each piece significantly impacts his core attributes, influencing everything from his ability to blend into crowds to his resilience in direct combat. Armor is divided into five distinct slots, each offering different statistical bonuses:

Head (Hoods): Primarily affects Stealth and Eagle Vision range. Higher-tier hoods reduce detection speed and increase the radius at which Arno can spot enemies and points of interest.
Chest (Coats): A crucial piece for Health and Melee Defense. Better coats provide more health and reduce damage taken from physical attacks.
Forearms (Bracers): Impacts Melee Attack and Phantom Blade capacity. Upgraded bracers increase Arno's damage output in close combat and allow him to carry more Phantom Blades.
Waist (Belts): Governs Health and Pouch capacity (e.g., Medicine, Smoke Bombs). Enhanced belts provide additional health and allow Arno to carry more consumables, essential for extended engagements or stealth missions.
Legs (Pants): Influences Stealth and Parkour Noise. Superior pants reduce the noise Arno makes while traversing the environment and decrease his visibility to enemies.

Each armor piece also contributes to Arno's overall Stealth, Health, and Combat ratings, displayed prominently in the customization menu. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect balance for your playstyle. For instance, a player favoring stealth might prioritize hoods and pants with high stealth ratings, while a combat-oriented player would focus on coats and belts for maximum health and defense.

Acquiring Armor

Armor pieces can be acquired through several methods:

Purchasing from Tailors: The most common method. Tailors are marked on your map with a needle and thread icon. They offer a rotating stock of armor, often unlocked as you progress through the main story or complete specific side missions.
Unlocking via Club Competitions: Participating in and winning certain Club Competitions (accessible through the Initiates program or in-game) can reward unique armor sets.
Initiates Rewards: Linking your game to the Assassin's Creed Initiates website (though less prominent now) historically offered exclusive gear.
Uplay Rewards: Spending Uplay points can unlock specific armor pieces or packs.
Mission Rewards: Some story missions or side quests will reward unique armor pieces upon completion.

Remember to visit Tailors regularly, especially after major story progression, as new and more powerful armor will become available.

Weapon Upgrades: Sharpening Your Blade

Arno has access to a diverse arsenal of weapons, each with unique characteristics and upgrade paths. Weapons are categorized into:

One-Handed Weapons: Swords, Sabers, Rapiers. Offer a balance of speed and damage, excellent for parrying and quick strikes.
Long Weapons: Spears, Halberds. Provide extended reach and powerful attacks, ideal for crowd control but slower.
Heavy Weapons: Axes, Maces. Deliver devastating damage but are the slowest weapon type, often breaking enemy guard with ease.
Pistols: Ranged firearms for quick, high-damage shots. Limited ammunition.
Phantom Blades: Silent, projectile weapons for stealth takedowns from a distance.

Each weapon has three primary stats that can be improved through upgrades:

Damage: Increases the raw power of your attacks. Higher damage means fewer hits to defeat enemies.
Parry: Improves your ability to deflect incoming attacks and create openings for counter-attacks. A higher parry stat makes successful parries easier and more effective.
Speed: Determines how quickly Arno can swing his weapon. Faster weapons allow for more hits in a shorter time, crucial for maintaining combos and overwhelming opponents.

Upgrades are performed at Blacksmiths, marked on your map with an anvil icon. Each upgrade typically costs Francs and often requires specific crafting materials.

Acquiring Weapons and Upgrades

Purchasing from Blacksmiths: Similar to Tailors, Blacksmiths are your primary source for new weapons and weapon upgrades. Their inventory expands as you progress.
Mission Rewards: Certain story or side missions will reward unique and powerful weapons.
Crafting Materials: To upgrade weapons, you'll need various materials. These are primarily found in:
- Chests: Scattered throughout Paris, chests often contain Francs and crafting components. Look for them on your map.
- Missions: Completing specific side missions or co-op missions can reward rare crafting materials.
- Helix Credits: While not recommended for a pure playthrough, some materials can be purchased with Helix Credits (premium currency).

Common Crafting Materials: Keep an eye out for materials like Leather, Metal Plates, Fabric, and more specialized components like Philosopher's Stone or Mercury. The rarity and type of material needed will depend on the weapon and the tier of upgrade. Always check the Blacksmith's upgrade menu to see what materials are required for your desired improvements.

Color Customization: Personalizing Your Assassin

Beyond gear, Arno's outfit color scheme can be changed to reflect your personal taste or to better blend into specific environments. This purely cosmetic option is available at Tailors. You can choose from a wide array of pre-set color palettes, some of which are unlocked through story progression, side missions, or Uplay rewards. Experiment with different colors to make your Arno truly unique.

Strategic Considerations for Customization

Early Game Focus: In the early stages, prioritize upgrades that enhance your survivability (Health, Melee Defense) and basic combat effectiveness (Damage). A good one-handed weapon and a sturdy coat can make a significant difference.
Stealth vs. Combat: Decide early on if you prefer a stealthy approach or direct confrontation. Invest in gear that supports that playstyle. Stealth players will want high Stealth and Parkour Noise reduction, while combat players will focus on Health, Melee Attack, and Defense.
Resource Management: Francs are crucial for both armor and weapon upgrades. Prioritize which upgrades will benefit you most. Don't waste money on low-tier gear if you know better items are just around the corner. Completing side activities, looting chests, and pickpocketing are great ways to earn Francs.
Co-op Loadouts: When playing co-op missions, consider coordinating your loadouts with your teammates. One player might focus on ranged Phantom Blade takedowns, while another acts as a front-line brawler.
Common Pitfall: Don't neglect your belt and bracer upgrades! While less flashy than coats or weapons, the increased consumable capacity from belts and extra Phantom Blades from bracers can be game-changers in challenging missions.

By thoughtfully customizing Arno's gear and weapons, you can adapt to any challenge revolutionary Paris throws your way, ensuring your Assassin is always prepared for the task at hand.