Every Assassin’s Creed Protagonist, Ranked From Worst to Best

Ranking every protagonist from the Assassin’s Creed franchise from worst to best based on how enjoyable they are to play as.

Image via Ubisoft

All 18 Assassin’s Creed Protagonists Ranked Worst to Best

Below, we’ve ranked every protagonist from the Assassin’s Creed franchise from worst at the top to best at the bottom. We’ve explained our reasoning with each entry, and while we’ve attempted to stick close to the fan base’s general consensus on who is best and who is worst, this list is also peppered with our own thoughts and feelings.

Note that we haven’t included Basim from Assassin’s Creed Mirage just yet because, at the time of writing, that game hasn’t been released. If we had to put him on this list based on what we see in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, though, he’d definitely be ahead of Eivor, giving Ezio a run for his money.

18. Alexios

Alexios is one of two choices of a protagonist in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the other being Kassandra. While his combat skills are exceptional, his dialogue seems lackluster and sometimes comes off as disinterested in all conversations. If playing as Kassandra, he becomes the antagonist, where he becomes a bit more interesting. But, other than that, he does not seem that interesting and doesn’t have proper chemistry with other characters too.

17. Eivor Varinsdottir

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla lacked in a lot of things, and one of them was Eivor. Characters like Basim and Sigurd were more interesting than them. Although they are mostly honest and have clear intentions when working with the Hidden Ones, it’s missing that ”something” that makes them likable. While the female version is more laid-back than the male, Eivor still doesn’t stand out among the other protagonists. Not to mention, their facial animations looked wonky.

16. Adewale

Adewale appears in the standalone expansion to Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag titled Freedom Cry. Originally Quartmermater to the great Pirate-Assassin Edward Kenway, he eventually joined the Brotherhood. His serious persona was a delight in Black Flag but lacked the finesse in his exploits in Freedom Cry.

15. Layla Hassan

Layla Hassan is the modern-day protagonist in the series, starting from Assassin’s Creed: Origins. In Odyssey, she looked to be a bit more fleshed out. But later on, her selfish and inconsistent behavior, along with arrogant traits, made her hard to like in Valhalla. These can be attributed mainly due to her long sessions in the Animus. These changes are lore-friendly, and while we still like her, it’s hard to like a character designed to be disliked after a certain point.

14. Arno Dorian

Arno Dorian was featured in Assassin’s Creed: Unity, set during the French Revolution. As the main character, his interests and ambitions are unclear throughout the whole story. His personality was a bit similar to Ezio’s during his pre-Assassin phase. But unlike Ezio, he later became bland and uninteresting. If not for the immersive open world of Paris, Unity would have become unbearable with Arno’s story.

13. Altair Ibn La’ahad

The one that started the series, Altair Ibn La’ahad. In the first game, he was dull as a rock, having no personality. Though he was cold and relaxed in his assassinations, his finesse and style were lacking. It was clear Ubisoft was testing the overall gameplay and world with the first game rather than the character. He was later more fleshed out in Revelations, most notably during his dying years. This is where the character shines, allowing him to be redeemed for fans in some ways as the first playable Assassin in the series.

12. Connor Kenway (Ratonhnhaké:ton)

As brutal and cold-blooded as he was in his kills, Connor was dull in every conversation and came across as arrogant, pompous, and cynical. Having a complex backstory that involves his Templar father and Native American mother, there was a lot of room to flesh his story out. Unfortunately, Ubisoft failed to do that. The best moments in the series with Connor come in the dreamlike DLC for Assassin’s Creed 3, The Tyranny of King Washington, where he gains magical powers and can soar like an eagle or battle multiple enemies like a bear. It’s this supernatural element that makes him far more enjoyable to play for some reason.

11. Aveline de Grandpre

Aveline was born in a wealthy French-African family in New Orleans and is the main protagonist of Assassin’s Creed: Liberation, a standalone PS Vita title released on the same day as Assassin’s Creed III, though later it was separated to give it its own identity. Seeing the injustice done to slaves in her city, she becomes dedicated to ending slave trafficking as well as defending them. Even though she came from wealth, her dedication to freeing slaves and ensuring their freedom compelled the Brotherhood to recruit her. She’s likable because she knows how to get what she wants, changing her outfit to suit her needs and using those around her for the good of others. She epitomizes what the Assasins are in so many ways, it’s a shame she didn’t make it further than one game.

10. Shay Patrick Cormac

Shay Patrick Cormac was featured in Assassin’s Creed: Rogue as an Assassin-turned-Templar who became disenchanted by the tactics of the Brotherhood. From the start of the game, he is seen as someone who is conflicted with the beliefs of the Creed and makes some very calculated decisions, most notably leaving the Assassins. His stern Templar demeanor and Assassin mentality contrast amazingly with his own core beliefs, which makes him a compelling character. Shay’s personality combines with the added seafaring mechanics in Assassin’s Creed: Rogue, which is why he’s generally looked upon more fondly than Connor.

9. Jacob Frye

Jacob is one part of the Frye twins, with his sister Evie featured in Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate. While not as calculating and intelligent as his twin sister, Jacob could be seen as the most fun protagonist in the series. His cocky and charming character makes him a delight in roaming the streets of Victorian London, causing havoc as well as taking down some Templars.

8. Evie Frye

The more reasonable-minded Frye in Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, Evie is probably one of the smartest in the series. She is more discreet and calculating in her approach compared to Jacob, who’s more upfront. There’s also a certain elegance in her fighting and conversational skills as well that captures the Victorian era perfectly.

7. Desmond Miles

Desmond Miles is the modern-day protagonist that spanned the first five Assassin’s Creed games and is thrust into the Animus by the Templars to revisit the memories of his ancestors. He seems to be wary of who he interacts with at first, but after meeting with other Assassins, his character becomes more interesting. He truly stands out in Assassin’s Creed III, where he has a more pivotal role and sacrifices himself to save the world from destruction. His character probably should have been killed off earlier than it is, but he still didn’t outstay his welcome to the point that he’s hated. Players spend so many games as him it’s hard not to get attached.

6. Haytham Kenway

Haytham is playable in the early sequences of Assassin’s Creed III. As the Templar Grandmaster, he is much more than meets the eye. Personality-wise, he differed vastly from his father, Edward, and his son, Connor. Though he isn’t as jovial as Edward, he is miles better than Connor. His James Bond-like personality has a bit of ruthlessness and goodness that makes him a compelling character. Adding to that, his relationship with Connor gave us a glimpse of his conflicted feelings towards him as well. The same thing couldn’t be said for Connor, however. Every Assassin’s Creed fan sees Haytham as a wasted opportunity. An entire game with this charismatic and complicated man would have been an engrossing adventure, much more so than what players got with his son and grandson.

5. Kassandra

Kassandra is the most likable protagonist in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, though not by much. Fans adore her because she doesn’t hide who she is from the world and has one of the best story arcs in the entire franchise. However, this character shines best in the crossover adventure with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, where a bit more of her story is explained, and the two games are linked in more ways than ever before.

4. Aya of Alexandria (Amunet)

Aya was initially supposed to be featured as a more prominent protagonist in Assassin’s Creed Origins before her role was cut short. But she stole every scene she had in Origins. Her interactions with Bayek, Cleopatra, and others show a person who is strong-willed and entirely focused on her core beliefs. That leads her to form the Hidden Ones, the precursor to the Assassins Brotherhood and also takes the name of Amunet. It’s honestly a shame we didn’t get to experience Aya’s journey more.

3. Bayek of Siwa

One of the last Medjay in Egypt, Bayek is the main protagonist in Assassin’s Creed: Origins, along with his wife, Aya. After his son is killed, he, alongside Aya, goes on to kill those who are responsible. Bayek is probably one of the few protagonists whose emotions and religious beliefs are adequately explored. His lightheartedness and friendliness towards civilians contrasted perfectly with his brutal demeanor against his enemies. Playing as him was interesting because Origins was the first open-world RPG style of Assassin’s Creed game. It meant that players spent more time with Bayek than past protagonists, and that showed in their connection to him.

2. Edward Kenway

The free-spirited and charismatic Welsh pirate-assassin loved by almost every Assassin’s Creed fan, Edward Kenway, was the main protagonist of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. His lust for gold and glory compelled him to imitate an Assassin. After learning about the Templars and their schemes, he devoted his life to the cause of the Brotherhood. His memorable interactions with his contemporaries like Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet make him a remarkable character with whom people would love to drink.

1. Ezio Auditore

There’s very little debate on who is the greatest protagonist in the series other than Ezio Auditore. Till now, there has been no protagonist we’ve witnessed from their literal birth to death other than Ezio. His rise from a charismatic, charming Italian nobleman in Assassin’s Creed II to a ruthless, honest Master Assassin in Brotherhood and Revelations is definitely one of the greatest stories. Players have witnessed Ezio’s whole life through his games as well as his final moments in the short film Assassin’s Creed: Embers.

About the author

Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp

Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp is a Staff Writer at Gamepur. He's been writing about games for ten years and has been featured in Switch Player Magazine, Lock-On, and For Gamers Magazine. He's particularly keen on working out when he isn't playing games or writing or trying to be the best dad in the world.