Memory 2: The King's Correspondence

Memory 2: The King's Correspondence

Welcome, Assassin, to the second memory sequence of Arno Dorian's journey. "The King's Correspondence" thrusts you into the heart of Parisian intrigue, demanding stealth, precision, and a keen eye for opportunity. Your objective: infiltrate the heavily guarded Hôtel de Beauvais, located in the Le Marais district, and retrieve sensitive correspondence from the King's personal secretary, Monsieur de la Touche. This memory introduces you to the core tenets of infiltration in Assassin's Creed Unity, emphasizing multiple approaches and environmental interaction.

Mission Briefing & Objectives

Your target, Monsieur de la Touche, is holed up in the Hôtel de Beauvais, a sprawling mansion teeming with guards. The correspondence you seek is vital to the Assassin Brotherhood's understanding of the unfolding political landscape. The mission features a primary objective and several optional challenges that reward you with additional synchronization points and skill points.

• Primary Objective: Steal the King's Correspondence from Monsieur de la Touche.
• Optional Challenge 1: Don't trigger any alarms.
• Optional Challenge 2: Kill Monsieur de la Touche with a Headshot.

Recommended Loadout & Skills

For this early mission, a focus on stealth and ranged takedowns is highly beneficial. Consider the following:

• Weapons:
  • Melee: Any one-handed weapon with decent stealth stats (e.g., a basic Rapier or Sabre).
  • Ranged: A reliable Pistol (e.g., the Heavy Pistol for its stopping power) and plenty of ammunition.
• Consumables:
  • Phantom Blades: Essential for silent ranged takedowns of isolated guards or snipers.
  • Smoke Bombs: Your best friend for escaping detection or creating diversions.
  • Medicine: Always carry a few doses for unexpected encounters.
• Skills (if unlocked):
  • Lockpicking (Level 1): Can open alternative entry points.
  • Disguise: While not strictly necessary, it can simplify certain approaches.
  • Double Air Assassination: Useful for clearing rooftop patrols quickly.

Infiltration Strategy: Hôtel de Beauvais

The Hôtel de Beauvais is a multi-layered fortress. There are several ways to approach your objective, each with its own advantages and risks. Monsieur de la Touche is located on the second floor, typically in a study or office overlooking the courtyard.

Approach 1: Rooftop & Upper Floors (Recommended for Stealth)

1. Initial Ascent: Begin by scaling the exterior walls of the Hôtel de Beauvais from the street level. Aim for the less guarded sides, often the back or side alleys.
2. Rooftop Clearance: Once on the roof, identify and silently eliminate any Snipers or Guards patrolling the perimeter. Use Phantom Blades for distant targets or Air Assassinations for closer ones. Be mindful of their patrol paths.
3. Identifying Entry Points: Look for open windows or skylights on the second floor. There's often a balcony or a series of interconnected rooms that lead to de la Touche's location. A common entry point is a large window overlooking the main courtyard, accessible from the roof.
4. Internal Navigation: Once inside, use your Eagle Vision to highlight de la Touche and any patrolling guards. Stick to cover, use furniture for concealment, and perform silent takedowns on isolated enemies.
5. Optional Challenge - Headshot: If attempting the Headshot challenge, position yourself carefully. De la Touche often stands near a desk or window. A well-aimed pistol shot from cover or a hidden vantage point will complete this.

Approach 2: Courtyard & Ground Floor (Higher Risk, More Direct)

1. Courtyard Entry: The main gate is heavily guarded. Consider using a side gate if available, or creating a distraction (e.g., throwing a Cherry Bomb) to draw guards away from the main entrance.
2. Ground Floor Infiltration: Once in the courtyard, you'll face numerous patrolling Brutes and Agiles. Use cover (bushes, statues) and silent takedowns. Be wary of guards on the upper floors who might spot you.
3. Internal Ascent: Locate a staircase leading to the second floor. This will likely be guarded. Use Smoke Bombs to disorient guards and slip past, or engage them if you're confident in open combat (though this risks triggering alarms).
4. Reaching de la Touche: The path from the staircase to de la Touche's office will be similar to the internal navigation in Approach 1, but potentially with more active patrols.

Key Opportunities & Distractions

Assassin's Creed Unity often provides unique opportunities to simplify missions. For "The King's Correspondence," look out for these:

• Bribe Opportunity: Near the main entrance or courtyard, you might find a Corrupt Guard. Paying him a small sum (usually 200 Livres) will cause him to open a side gate or distract other guards, creating a temporary opening.
• Distraction Opportunity: There's often a Bell in the courtyard or a nearby alley. Sabotaging it can prevent alarms from being raised, or ringing it can draw guards away from a specific area.
• Eavesdropping: Before entering the building, listen to conversations among guards outside. They often reveal patrol patterns, guard placements, or even de la Touche's exact location within the mansion.

Retrieving the Correspondence & Escape

Once you reach Monsieur de la Touche, whether you kill him or simply incapacitate him, interact with his body or the designated objective marker (usually a desk or chest in his study) to retrieve the King's Correspondence.

Upon acquiring the documents, your escape route is crucial. If you maintained stealth, simply retrace your steps or find a quicker exit (e.g., a window leading to a haystack). If alarms were triggered, expect increased guard presence and potentially more aggressive patrols. Use Smoke Bombs to break line of sight and disappear into the crowds or rooftops.

Common Pitfalls & Tips

• Eagle Vision is Your Friend: Use it constantly to identify enemies, their patrol paths, and your objective.
• Don't Rush: Patience is key in infiltration missions. Observe guard patterns before making your move.
• use Cover: The environment is full of cover points. Use them to your advantage.
• Silent Kills Over Open Combat: For the optional challenges and overall synchronization, prioritize stealth takedowns.
• Phantom Blades for Snipers: Clear rooftop snipers early to prevent them from spotting you later.
• Optional Challenge - Don't Trigger Alarms: This requires extreme caution. If you're spotted and the alarm bell is rung, you'll fail this challenge. Consider sabotaging the bells beforehand.

By following these strategies, you'll successfully retrieve the King's Correspondence and gain valuable experience in the art of stealth and infiltration, setting you up for future challenges in the French Revolution.