User blog comment:Leolab/Garrett (Thief 2014) v Altair & Masyaf (Assassin's Creed)/@comment-379205-20141207015239

119's "Nothing is True... Everything is Permitted.... Including Theft" Edges


 * Melee Weapons: I'm going to have to agree with Cfp that Garret's melee weapons are better for stealth, while the Assassin's melee weapons are better for open combat. Looking at the blackjack, It would be very effective for knocking out an unaware adversary, which would draw less attention and be easier to hide (no blood trail) than a dead one, and appears to be made of metal, meaning it will be able to parry a sword strike, but it's no match for a longsword, and even at best even against a dagger in an open fight. The Claw could be very nasty if used for thrusting, but, again, no match for a sword. If Garret gets cornered by multiple assassins, his best bet would be to throw a flash bomb, and then knock them out or get out of there. 119's Edge: Situational, for stealth, Garret, for open combat, Altair and Assassins.


 * Ranged Weapons: Garret's bow and arrow takes this easily, with a variety of arrows, including lethal broadheads and explosives, gas producing choke arrows, grappling hooks, and more. The explosive and fire arrows, in addition to attacking enemies, could also be used as distractions- start a fire or set of an explosion while shooting the arrow from the other end of the fortress and the guards will converge to put out the fire/investigate the explosion. This proves far superior to the shorter range, less versatile throwing knives. Edge: Garret


 * Garret's Tools vs Masyaf's Defenses: Masyaf is a typical medieval castle, in a defensible location- situated on the edge of a cliff, with high stone walls and towers, a sturdy gate, arrow slits, murder holes (for dropping stuff on attackers) and other features ideal to defeating a siege... but while it would be difficult to besiege, it would be far easier for one man to sneak in. The castle would need a water source, and may have underground tunnels or aqueducts, often as tall as a man, leading to a cistern, possibly only partially full, given that this is a desert, meaning there would be enough air in the tunnels for Garret to walk in. In addition, various scaffolding and other structures could be climbed with the aid of the claw and rope arrows. Even the murder holes, designed to attack as besieging army could be entered by Garret if he can scale the walls- outside of a siege they would not be manned. Finally, if he doesn't mind getting dirty, you could even try climbing through the shafts connecting the garderobes (medieval toilets) from the seat to the outside of the fortress. As for the interior of Masyaf, there would be fewer places to sneak, but still a fair number- in the shadows, behind open doors, behind columns, and likely secret passages if he can find them. Overall, the defenses will be of little use to a skilled infiltrator like Garret.

TO BE CONTINUED