Storytelling in games can draw you in deeper than any film ever could, letting you steer the hero’s fate and feel every triumph and setback as your own. Since its debut in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has combined history, myth, and personal drama through a rotating cast of unforgettable heroes.
From the holy wars of Altair to the pirate-infested waters of the Caribbean, each game invites players into a vividly realized era with a guide whose hopes, flaws, and triumphs feel deeply human. As Ubisoft has expanded the series into new eras, Viking raids, ancient Greece, and even feudal Japan in Shadows, a few exceptional characters rose to define what it means to carry hidden blades and uphold the Creed.
That sense of belonging to a secret order, of uncovering conspiracies buried in history, hooks us from the opening menu. This bond between player and protagonist has given us the exceptional characters we still talk about in 2025.
You’ll find the best Assassin’s Creed characters who left their mark and the five rising stars who join their ranks.
The Heroes Who Carry the Creed
1. Ezio Auditore da Firenze
- Games: Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelations
- Era: Renaissance Italy (15th–16th century)
- Voice Actor: Roger Craig Smith
Ezio Auditore remains the heart of the series and a standout in the list of the best Assassin’s Creed characters. His journey spans from avenging his family’s betrayal in Florence to leading the Brotherhood across Italy. Ezio’s wit and compassion balanced his deadly skill, making him approachable and legendary. Witnessing his growth, from impetuous youth to guiding mentor, gives players a profoundly human experience. His bonds with Leonardo da Vinci and the revelations in Revelations showcase how his quest reshaped the Creed’s future. Nearly two decades later, Ezio’s emotional depth and lasting influence keep him at the pinnacle of the franchise.
2. Bayek of Siwa
- Games: Assassin’s Creed Origins
- Era: Ptolemaic Egypt (1st century BCE)
- Voice Actor: Abubakar Salim
Bayek founded the Brotherhood and earned his place among the best Assassin’s Creed characters. As Egypt’s last Medjay, he protected his people until his son’s murder drove him toward vengeance. Yet Bayek never lost his empathy for the innocent. His relationship with Aya and their joint mission to establish the Hidden Ones adds emotional weight. Abubakar Salim’s performance made Bayek’s grief and honor genuinely felt. His crafting of the first hidden blade from his son’s bracelet and his leap of faith at Giza gave historical authenticity to his sacrifice. Bayek’s balance of personal loss and righteous duty defines his lasting legacy.
3. Edward Kenway
- Games: Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
- Era: Golden Age of Piracy (early 18th century)
- Voice Actor: Matt Ryan
Edward Kenway brings swashbuckling flair to one of the beloved Assassin’s Creed characters. Initially a self-serving pirate, his pursuit of wealth aboard the Jackdaw evolved into a deeper understanding of the Creed’s values. Interactions with Blackbeard and Hornigold created a vivid pirate aesthetic, while naval battles underscored his transformation. Edward’s flawed humanity, abandoning his wife, and trusting the wrong allies earned his redemption. His eventual choice to protect the innocent rather than chase gold completes his arc. By journey’s end, Edward embraced the assassin’s role from genuine conviction, proving that growth can emerge from the unlikeliest heroes.
4. Altair Ibn-La’Ahad
- Games: Assassin’s Creed, Revelations
- Era: Third Crusade (12th century)
- Voice Actor: Philip Shahbaz
Altair’s tale of pride, punishment, and redemption set the template for all the best Assassin’s Creed characters. Once an arrogant assassin, his failure to follow the Creed’s tenets cost him everything. Altair became a wise leader through humility and study, codifying Assassin training and philosophy. His discovery of the Apple of Eden and battles in holy cities showcase his growth from lone warrior to Brotherhood pillar. Revelations adds depth by revealing his mentorship legacy. Altair’s transformation highlights the series’ core theme: true mastery comes not from skill alone, but from understanding and living the Creed’s principles.
5. Kassandra
- Games: Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Era: Ancient Greece (5th century BCE)
- Voice Actor: Melissanthi Mahut
Kassandra’s epic odyssey through ancient Greece secures her place as one of the great Assassin’s Creed characters. As a Spartan mercenary, she balanced mythic heroism with profound vulnerability. Her quest to reunite her family intersected with philosophical figures like Socrates, grounding her mythic feats in genuine emotion. Melissanthi Mahut’s performance captured both Kassandra’s superhuman strength and moments of doubt about her destiny. Her bloodline’s connection to the Isu links her story to the franchise’s more expansive lore. Covering Greece’s islands, cities, and underworld, Kassandra’s blend of personal stakes and grand adventure makes her one of the most memorable protagonists.
6. Basim Ibn Ishaq
- Games: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Mirage
- Era: 9th–10th century (Baghdad/England)
- Voice Actors: Carlo Rota, Lee Majdoub
Basim’s layered journey perfectly elevates the characters. Introduced as a mentor in Valhalla and later the protagonist in Mirage, his dual role blurs hero and villain lines. Born a street thief in Baghdad, Basim’s discovery of his Isu heritage drives his quest for identity. His mentorship of Eivor and manipulation of Templar conspiracies revealed his strategic brilliance. Mirage’s focus on stealth gameplay mirrors his mastery of shadows. Basim’s moral ambiguity and ancient purpose make him one of the franchise’s most compelling figures, constantly questioning loyalty, fate, and the true meaning of the Creed.
7. Connor Kenway (Ratonhnhaké:ton)
- Games: Assassin’s Creed III
- Era: American Revolution (18th century)
- Voice Actor: Noah Watts
Connor Kenway’s fierce resolve in the list of the best Assassin’s Creed characters rankings stems from his unique heritage and moral complexity. Bearing Ratonhnhaké:ton, he witnessed his village’s destruction and joined the Brotherhood to protect his people. His alliance with George Washington and confrontations with his Templar father, Haytham, added personal stakes to revolutionary battles. Connor’s struggle between Native American values and colonial politics created a nuanced hero balancing duty with compassion. His unwavering commitment to justice drove him across battlefields and forests, proving that honor can persist amid war’s chaos.
8. Eivor
- Games: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Era: Viking Age (9th century)
- Voice Actors: Magnus Bruun (Male), Cecilie Stenspil (Female)
Eivor expanded the series into Viking lore. Whether male or female, Eivor’s clan loyalty and warrior code defined their brutal campaigns across England. Guided by Odin’s Isu influence, Eivor balanced Viking honor with the Brotherhood’s subtlety. Their leadership in forging alliances showcased diplomatic acumen alongside battle prowess. Eivor’s internal struggle, resisting divine arrogance in favor of human compassion, highlighted personal choice over fate. Valhalla’s settlement-building and raid mechanics deepened player connection, making Eivor’s saga both epic in scale and intimate in its quest for belonging.
9. Naoe Fujibayashi
- Games: Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
- Era: Sengoku Japan (16th century)
- Voice Actor: Masumi Tsunoda
Naoe Fujibayashi revives classic stealth among the top Assassin’s Creed characters, with feudal Japan’s first Assassin leading the way. Daughter of a ninja lord, Naoe’s home’s destruction fuels her precision-focused path. Her mastery of kunai, rope darts, and smoke bombs provides methodical approaches that contrast with her partner’s brute strength. Naoe’s agility and planning reflect the Brotherhood’s original spirit, while her relationship with Yasuke explores cultural bridges. In Shadows, she embodies resilience and respect for tradition, proving that patience and skill remain at the Creed’s core.
10. Yasuke
- Games: Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
- Era: Sengoku Japan (16th century)
- Voice Actor: Togo Igawa
Yasuke’s story adds diversity and strength to the top Assassin’s Creed characters with his legendary African samurai presence. Serving under Oda Nobunaga, Yasuke’s journey from outsider to Hidden One ally spans identity and honor themes—his heavy armor and katana-focused combat offer action-oriented playstyles, balancing Naoe’s stealth. Yasuke’s internal conflict, honoring his samurai code while embracing the Creed’s ideals, creates a gripping narrative. His true-to-history roots and fictional arc showcase Assassin’s Creed’s dedication to inclusive, authentic storytelling.
The Evolution of Excellence
These ten characters represent nearly two decades of storytelling evolution within the Assassin’s Creed franchise. From Altair’s philosophical foundations to Yasuke’s cultural bridge-building, each protagonist has contributed something unique to the Brotherhood’s legacy. The best Assassin’s Creed characters have expanded into a comprehensive celebration of the series’ ability to create compelling, human characters within historical settings.
What unites all these characters is their fundamental humanity. Whether dealing with personal tragedy, cultural displacement, moral dilemmas, or supernatural influences, each protagonist faces challenges that resonate beyond their historical context. Their struggles with identity, purpose, loss, and redemption create emotional connections that transcend the boundaries between player and character.
As Assassin’s Creed continues to grow and explore new historical periods, these ten characters serve as the foundation for everything that makes the franchise special. They remind us that beneath the hidden blades and ancient conspiracies, the series has always been about ordinary people choosing to fight for something greater than themselves.
Conclusion
These ten heroes, once celebrated as the best Assassin’s Creed characters, now form a broader pantheon that defines the franchise’s soul. From Altair’s measured wisdom to Bayek’s fierce resolve and Edward’s hard-earned redemption, each protagonist embodies a unique facet of heroism. Their battles against tyranny, devotion to the innocent, and willingness to sacrifice shaped their eras and our experience. As the Brotherhood continues into new timelines, these legends remind us why we don the hood and wield the hidden blade. Every decision carries weight, every life holds value, and every generation must decide whether to accept the world or fight to improve it.
