Assassin’s Creed has introduced some of the most memorable heroes in modern gaming. From Ezio’s charismatic rise to Bayek’s emotional journey to modern standouts like Kassandra, Eivor, and Basim, each protagonist has shaped the identity of the franchise in a unique way. This guide ranks every major Assassin’s Creed protagonist, including Mirage and Shadows, to see who stands at the top and who falls short.
Assassin’s Creed has one of the most diverse lineups of protagonists in modern gaming. Some are iconic and unforgettable. Some are quietly brilliant. Others are carried by their games rather than driving them. With the release of Mirage and Shadows, the roster has expanded once again, adding new faces to the long history of Assassins and their enemies.
This list ranks every major Assassin’s Creed protagonist based on character depth, personality, narrative impact, performance, and long term franchise legacy.
Ezio remains the definitive Assassin’s Creed protagonist because he delivers the most complete character arc in the series. Players watch him grow from a reckless teenager into a seasoned mentor who understands both the cost and the purpose of the Assassin life. His charm, emotional depth, and personal losses shape every game he leads, and his story is told with more care and development than almost any character in the franchise. Ezio carries the golden age of Assassin’s Creed, and his legacy continues to define what a great AC hero looks like.
Bayek is powerful, compassionate, and emotionally grounded, which makes him the heart and soul of Origins. His story of loss and justice feels authentic, and his relationships with the people he helps make him one of the most human characters in the series. Bayek’s quiet strength and moral clarity shape the foundation of the Hidden Ones, and his presence elevates the game’s narrative far beyond its gameplay systems. He feels like a real person navigating a world full of political and personal conflicts, and that sincerity earns him a place among the franchise’s best.
Kassandra brings unmatched charisma and confidence to Odyssey. Her humor, physical presence, and emotional range make her feel larger than life in the best possible way. She commands the screen in almost every interaction, turning even simple dialogue into memorable moments. Kassandra carries Odyssey’s enormous world with ease, giving the story a clear identity through her personality and choices. Her performance is so strong that she became the canonical protagonist, and she stands as one of the most impactful heroes of the modern Assassin’s Creed era.
Connor is often misunderstood, but over time his character has aged into one of the more mature and grounded protagonists in the series. He is reserved but principled, shaped by a life of conflict between cultures and ideologies. His journey is tragic, full of personal cost, and his unwavering sense of justice makes him compelling even when the world around him fails him. Connor’s quiet intensity and moral strength give AC III a more serious tone that stands out today as one of the franchise’s most sincere stories.
Edward is charismatic and flawed in equal measure, which makes his growth feel real and earned. He begins as a selfish pirate chasing wealth and recognition, but over time he learns the value of loyalty, purpose, and sacrifice. His transformation from opportunistic rogue to dedicated assassin is one of the most satisfying arcs in the franchise. Edward’s energy, humor, and emotional depth make Black Flag unforgettable, and his personal story enhances the wider Assassin lore in surprising ways.
Eivor is calm, confident, and deeply tied to the Viking culture that shapes their worldview. Their story feels grounded and personal, filled with relationships, alliances, and internal conflicts that define their role as both warrior and leader. Eivor carries a very long game with remarkable consistency, staying compelling through exploration, raids, mythology, and political intrigue. The only limitation is that Valhalla’s massive scope stretches their arc more than necessary, but the strength of the character still shines through.
Altaïr is the philosophical core of Assassin’s Creed. His development from arrogant master to wise mentor establishes the moral framework that defines the entire franchise. While the first game limits his emotional range, his expanded story in Revelations gives him depth, vulnerability, and a clear sense of purpose. Altaïr’s presence echoes throughout Assassin history, and he remains one of the most influential and respected figures in the lore.
Basim is one of the most intriguing protagonists in the series because he balances human vulnerability with a mysterious and complex inner life rooted in Assassin’s Creed’s deeper lore. Mirage explores his rise from a street thief to a skilled Hidden One, while slowly revealing the forces shaping his destiny. His calm intensity and introspective nature make him compelling even in quieter scenes. Basim stands out because he connects classic AC stealth with modern narrative depth, giving him a unique place in the franchise.
Shay is a compelling antihero whose shift from Assassin to Templar is handled with more nuance than many players expected. His motivations are believable, his conflict is layered, and his disillusionment with the Brotherhood creates an emotional arc rarely explored in the franchise. Rogue’s relatively short length limits the full impact of his transformation, but Shay remains one of the most interesting deviations from the typical Assassin’s Creed protagonist path.
Arno is charming, witty, and relatable, with a personality shaped by loss, romance, and a desire to correct the mistakes of his past. His relationship with Elise gives his story emotional depth, and his self doubtful humor helps him stand apart from more stoic leads. Unity’s troubled launch overshadowed his character, but Arno himself is solid and carries a strong emotional core throughout the narrative.
Aveline is sharp, clever, and given a perspective rarely explored in Assassin’s Creed. Her background, relationships, and role in New Orleans make her compelling, and she carries the game with confidence even when the writing or pacing stumbles. Liberation’s smaller platform and experimental mechanics limit her exposure, but Aveline deserves more recognition than she gets.
Naoe brings stealth, discipline, and emotional weight to Shadows. Her shinobi background connects directly to the classic Assassin’s Creed identity, giving the story grounded intensity and cultural depth. She is perceptive, driven, and shaped by loyalty and loss, and her missions showcase a patient, skilled fighter who contrasts nicely with Yasuke’s strength focused gameplay. Naoe is compelling, but the dual protagonist structure prevents her from reaching the depth achieved by top tier characters.
Yasuke brings dignity, strength, and presence to Shadows. As a historical figure integrated into Assassin’s Creed, he offers a perspective unlike any other protagonist in the franchise. His story is shaped by his role as an outsider finding purpose in a new land, and his grounded personality contrasts well with Naoe’s intensity. Yasuke is memorable and well performed, but like Naoe, the shared spotlight limits his ability to carry the narrative fully on his own.
Jacob and Evie have great chemistry and distinct personalities. Jacob is reckless and charming, while Evie is thoughtful and disciplined. Together they bring humor and energy to Syndicate, but their dual character structure prevents either from achieving the same emotional depth as top tier protagonists. They are fun and likable, but not as defining as other heroes.
Alexios works as a classic heroic figure, but his performance lacks the nuance and presence that make Kassandra iconic. As a result, he feels flatter and less memorable. He is not a bad protagonist, but he is overshadowed by his own counterpart in almost every category.
Lydia has charisma and potential, but her role is brief and serves more as a narrative experiment than a fully fleshed out character journey. She is interesting but far too short lived to have meaningful impact on the franchise.
Shao Jun is an incredible character in novels and animation, but her Chronicles portrayal does not give her enough narrative space to show her personality or emotional depth. The gameplay focused structure limits her development, making her feel underwritten compared to her importance in Assassin lore.
Arbaaz is likable and witty, but the small scale of Chronicles prevents him from reaching his potential. His story has interesting elements, but the game’s design gives him little time to develop beyond surface level traits.
Nikolai has an intriguing background tied to late Empire Russia, but like the other Chronicles protagonists, he never receives the character exploration he deserves. His portrayal is brief and thin, limiting his impact.
These characters serve mechanical or experimental roles rather than narrative ones, and they are given so little development that they leave almost no impression. They exist within the franchise, but they play no meaningful role in its identity.
Assassin’s Creed has one of the most diverse and interesting casts of protagonists in gaming. Some characters define entire eras. Some elevate their games with strong personality and emotional depth. Others have potential that is limited by short entries or experimental formats.
