In Assassin’s Creed, nothing is more important than the hidden blade. It’s a sacred tool used by the Assassin Brotherhood – and earlier, the Hidden Ones – to exact justice worldwide. It enables them always to be equipped with a weapon, even if nobody can see it – hence a ‘hidden’ blade. In this guide, we’re taking a closer look at the Assassin’s Creed Mirage hidden blade that Basim wields and figuring out its importance in the game.

Every Assassin has a unique blade, from Altair and Ezio to Connor and Edward, and from Evie and Jacob to Eivor and Arno. In some cases, these legendary Assassins have wielded more than one blade at a time, and sometimes, they’ve both had different functions. They’re masterful tools that can be used to accomplish the ultimate deed – assassinating a target without being seen. Basim’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage hidden blade is no different, but is it special?

Let’s find out.

Why Are Hidden Blades So Important?

Originally, the hidden blade was invented simply so the Assassins could go unnoticed. It was a weapon that nestled against their wrist that opened with a flick of the hand, and unless you knew it was there, you’d never see it coming. It allowed the Assassins to ‘hide in plain sight’, with many of them disguising their hidden blades under gauntlets, armour plates, or simply under robes and capes.

In the earlier Assassin’s Creed titles, we learn that adopting the hidden blade is a right of passage for the Assassins. They would graduate from their training and enter the ranks of the Assassin Brotherhood, but before they could do so, they were initiated. That required them to slice off the ring finger on the hand upon which they wore their blade. This would then allow the blade itself to slide perfectly through their hand, even if they closed their grip – but it was more an indication of the devotion to the Creed itself and to the Brotherhood.

Of course, some Assassins have secured hidden blades for themselves without actually being Assassins – or Hidden Ones. For instance, Edward Kenway stole his hidden blades from an Assassin, and Eivor was gifted their hidden blades by Sigurd close to the start of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. It should be stressed that having a hidden blade doesn’t make one an Assassin – Haytham Kenway had hidden blades, after all – and he was a Templar.

But it’s a tool that’s revered by the Brotherhood, and that’s why it’s so sacred and important.

Related: What Is AC Mirage About?

What About Basim’s Assassin’s Creed Mirage Hidden Blade

Eivor’s hidden blade is much more unique (Image Credit: Ubisoft)

In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Basim wields hidden blades, like every other Assassin that came before and after him. In Valhalla, Basim crosses paths with Eivor – a Viking – and due to the way the circumstances unfold, Eivor is gifted their own hidden blade. It’s ornate, featuring a golden gauntlet that has an emerald set into it, and the blade is finely crafted.

It seems however that Basim’s own hidden blade is much less ‘flashy’ and simply more practical. It’s worn in the typical style under his wrist, and while the armour designs that wrap around his arm can become quite ornate, the blade itself remains quite plain. It does look to be Damascus steel, which is reminiscent of the setting, but aside from there, there’s almost nothing to really make this hidden blade stand apart from all the others.

It boasts the generic extendable blade that we’ve come to recognise, filed into a deadly point that’s perfect for assassinating unsuspecting enemies. It has a mechanism that might be golden, but it could just as easily be brass. This Assassin’s Creed Mirage hidden blade that we’ve seen in promotional materials could be a ‘starter blade’ for Basim, considering he’s working his way up the ranks of the Hidden Ones, and there’s a good reason for that.

Put simply, it isn’t the same blade that Basim is using in Valhalla, which is set years after Assassin’s Creed Mirage. In Valhalla, Basim opts for a pair of blades, both of which are golden and much more noticeable. It’s possible he graduated from the Assassin’s Creed Mirage hidden blade – something which the game may help to explain.

Related: Learn About Basim, The AC Mirage Main Character

Assassin’s Creed Mirage releases on October 12th, 2023. For more Assassin’s Creed news, check out the rest of our coverage of the series.