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Assassination: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Assassination.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[SPARTAN-III Program|SPARTAN-III]] assassinates another SPARTAN-III.]]{{Era|RW}}
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''For the medal see [[Assassin Medal]]''
:''For the medal see [[Assassin Medal]]''


An assassination is a feature in'' [[Halo: Reach]]'' that allows player to enter a third-person view while elaborately taking an enemy player down with either a [[Combat knife|Combat Knife]], [[Energy dagger|Energy Dagger]], [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]], or their bare hands. Note that assassinations are different from beat downs and pummels. Pummels are kills from a normal melee attack; a beat down occurs when Player A melees Player B by simply tapping the melee button while behind them, resulting in the breaking of the target's spine and thus an instant kill. An assassination occurs when Player A presses and holds the melee button when directly behind Player B, resulting in an elaborate kill and will earn the player a special medal. This results in the humiliation of the assassinated player. Assassinations performed in multiplayer matchmaking also count towards the [[Rear Admiral]] commendation.
[[File:Assasin.jpg|thumb|A Red player about to stab a Blue player in the head.]]The '''Assassination''' is a new gameplay feature in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' that allows player to enter a third-person view while elaborately taking an enemy player down with either a [[Combat Knife]], [[Energy Dagger]](s), or [[Energy Sword]]. Note that assassinations are different from beat downs and pummels. Pummels are kills from a normal melee attack; a beat down occurs when Player A melees Player B by simply tapping the melee button while behind them, resulting in the breaking of the target's spine and thus an instant kill. An assassination occurs when Player A presses and holds the melee button when directly behind Player B, resulting in an elaborate kill and will earn the player a special medal. Assassinations performed in multiplayer matchmaking also count towards the [[Rear Admiral]] commendation.


==Types of Multiplayer Assassinations==
==Mechanics==
For both [[Sangheili|Elite]] and [[SPARTAN-III Program|Spartan III]] players, there are three different basic assassination types that are played show a specific animation that varies depending on which part of the back is meleed and the players postions.
There are four different basic assassination types that are played according to the species of the players and the current situation: If both players are on the ground, if the assassin is in the air and the victim is on the ground, in both players are in the air, and if the assassin and the victim are both on the ground, but the assassin is higher in elevation than the victim. <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=54675449&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=1 '''Bungie, Reach Forum''': ''The Assassination Index Thread: ALL Assassinations With VIDEOS'']</ref>
There are also different animations that run if assassinating an enemy of the other species, all depending on the situation during which they are performed.
 
The specific assassination animation that is used when both players are on the ground is dependent of where the initial melee lands on the victim's body.


There are also unique assassinations that can be performed when the player is holding an energy sword. [[Image:Sword Assassination.jpg|thumb|right|A player assassinating the other with an Energy Sword]]
There are also unique assassinations that can be performed when the player is holding an energy sword. [[Image:Sword Assassination.jpg|thumb|right|A player assassinating the other with an Energy Sword]]


==Assassinations==
===Spartan against Spartan===
===Spartan against Spartan===
When playing as a Spartan in Halo: Reach matchmaking, you can perform several different assassinations using your combat knife that is located on your left shoulder.
When playing as a Spartan in Halo: Reach matchmaking, you can perform several different assassinations using your combat knife that is located on different parts of your armor, depending on what chest piece you are wearing.
====Basic Assassination 1: Both players are on the ground====
 
;Both players are on the ground
This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.
This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.
*Player A crouches behind Player B and stabs his/her knife upward into the spine and then cuts sideways, ripping the knife from the body.
*Player A pushes Player B and brings out his/her knife and stabs Player B in the spine, then pulls out the blade and throws the body to the side.
*Player A pushes Player B and spins his/her knife and stabs B in the shoulder, then lifts the body and throws it to the ground, ripping the knife out of the body at the same time.
*Player A pulls out his/her knife while Player B turns around, and Player A then stabs B in the gut.
*Player A pushes Player B around and stabs him/her right through their head.
*Player A swings his/her arm around Player B's body, bending him/her backwards and stabbing him/her in the stomach.
*(Energy Sword) Player A slashes Player B's back then cuts the victim along the chest, knocking him/her down, then stabs Player B in the gut.


====Basic Assassination 2: Assassin is airborne but victim is not====
*The initial melee hits the right shoulder of player B: Player B is spun around to face player A. Holding the knife with the blade pointed up in his/her clenched fist, player A "punches" player B in the chest, stabbing him or her.
This assassination involves Player A jumping (or possibly falling) right behind (Close enough proximity to melee) Player B.
*Player A lands on Player B's back and breaks Player B's neck.
====Basic Assassination 3: Both players are airborne====
This assassinations involves Player A and B to be airborne with Player A right behind Player B. A will initiate the assassination.
*Player A knees Player B in the groin and slams both fists on B's head, breaking his/her back.


===Spartan against Elite (Also possible in [[campaign]])===
*The initial melee hits the right side of player B's back: Player B turns to face player A, who raises his/her combat kife and plunges it down on player B's head.
====Basic Assassination 1: Both players are on the ground====
*The Spartan jumps on the Elite's back and stabs its neck.
*The Spartan pushes the Elite, hops on the Elite and pulls it's face back, breaking it's neck.
*The Spartan tackles the Elite to the ground and then stabs it in its face.
*The Spartan slashes the inside of the Elite's knee, then stabs it in the head, and slams the body down with the knife.
*The Spartan jumps onto the elite and quickly stabs the top of its head
*The Spartan pulls Elite to the side, stabs its mouth while bringing it to the ground.
*(Energy Sword) The Spartan runs and jump on the Elite's back and stabs him/her through the heart.


====Basic Assassination 2: Assassin is airborne but victim is not====
*The initial melee hits the center of player B's back: Holding the knife with the blade pointed down in his/her fist, player A forcefully stabs player B in the back, and player B is dragged to the side when the knife is removed.  
*The Spartan knocks the Elite on the ground and jumps on the Elite's head afterwards, breaking its skull.


====Basic Assassination 3: Both players are airborne====
*The initial melee hits the left side of player B's back: Player A spins the knife, stab's player B in the backs, then tosses the body off to the side.
*The Spartan grabs the Elite and makes a swift stab in the neck.
*(Energy Sword) The Spartan grabs the Elite and swiftly stabs it through it's gut
*(Energy Sword) Player A hit's B with an upward diagonal slash, spinning them around. He then stabs them in the gut.


===Elite against Elite===
;Player A is more elevated than player B, but both are on a surface
[[File:Energy_Blade.jpg|thumb|An Elite assassinating another Elite with the Energy Dagger.]]
Player A extends their arm around player B's neck, bending their stomach outward, then stabbing him/her in the gut.  
When playing as an Elite in [[Halo: Reach]] [[Matchmaking]], there are many different assassination performed with the [[Energy dagger|Energy Dagger]].
 
;Both players are airborne
This assassination involves Player A jumping (or possibly falling) right behind (Close enough proximity to melee) Player B. Player A will initiate the assassination, which involves player A wrapping his/her hands together, and delivers a smash on player B's head.  
 
Note that if the assassin is wielding an energy sword, the animation will be bugged.
 
;The assassin is airborne, but the victim is not
Player B is knocked to the ground, face down. Player A steps on his/her back, crouches down, and snaps their neck.  
 
----


====Basic Assassination 1: Both players are on the ground====
===Spartan against Elite===
;Both players are on the ground
This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.
This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.
*Player A activates his energy gauntlet and stabs the back of Player B head, then thrashes him around before throwing him on the ground.
*Player A quickly swings his arm over Player B body, bending the other backwards, then stabs B in the chest.
*Player A pushes Player B and quickly stabs B in the back, then pulls out the blade and throws the body to the side.
*Player A pushes Player B to his knees and throws his arm over B's head, and plunges the Energy Dagger into his throat.
*(Energy Sword) Player A twists Player B around and slashes the sword across B's body.


====Basic Assassination 2: Assassin is airborne but victim is not====
*The initial melee hits the right shoulder of player B: The Spartan pounces on the Elite's chest, pushing them both to the ground. While the Elite struggles, the Spartan stabs the Elite in the eye.
This assassination involves Player A jumping (or possibly falling) right behind (Close enough proximity to melee) Player B.
 
*Player A kicks Player B down and as he tries to get up, Player A activates his energy gauntlet and stabs B in his mouth and throws the body behind him.
*The initial melee hits the right side of player B's back: The Spartan hops on the elite's back,then the Spartan stabs the elite in the neck.
*Player A quickly stabs both blades through Player B body and throat and throws the corpse off behind him/her.


====Basic Assassination 3: Both players are airborne====
*The initial melee hits the center of player B's back: The Spartan slices the elite's legs, then stanbs him in the back on the head, and pulls the elite to the ground.
This assassination involves Player A and B to be airborne with Player A right behind Player B.
 
*Player A quickly stabs his energy gauntlet into Player B's spine, killing him.
*The initial melee hits the left side of player B's back: The same as if the melee hit the right side of the back, but the Spartan snaps the elite's neck instead of stabbing him.
*(Energy Sword) Player A quickly stabs his sword into Player B's spine, killing him.
*(Energy Sword) The Spartan jumps and stands on the elite's back, and stabs the elite with the prongs of the sword in the neck. .
 
;Player A is more elevated than player B, but both are on a surface
The Spartan hops and hang's off of the elite's back, and stabs them straight down the top of the skull.
 
;Both players are airborne
The Spartan goes to the elite's back, and quickly stabs him in the neck.
 
;The assassin is airborne, but the victim is not
The elite is pushed to the ground. The Spartan jumps and lands on the elite's head, then hops off.
 
----


===Elite against Spartan===
===Elite against Spartan===
====Basic Assassination 1: Both players are on the ground====
*The Elite knocks the Spartan to the ground, stabs him/her in the back, and then pushes the Spartan off its blade with its foot
*The Elite pushes the Spartan and stabs the Spartan in the back and follows up with another stab, and to finish the Spartan off, the Elite slashes it's blade through the Spartan's neck.
*The Elite slashes the Spartan with one Energy Dagger and spins to kick the Spartan back. This is occasionally called the '300 Assassination' or 'Sparta Kick,' after the scene from the movie 300 in which Leonidas kicks a Persian messenger into a pit while saying "This is Sparta!"
*The Elite pushes the Spartan to his/her knees, then activates it's gauntlet and stabs it into the Spartan's head and pulls the blade out.
*The Elite pushes the Spartan to it's knees, then activates both of it's blades, then stabs both into the Spartan's neck one after the other before pulling them both out.
* (Energy Sword) The Elite grabs ahold of the Spartan's arm and then stabs him with the sword, bringing him up over his head and then slamming the Spartan into the ground,


====Basic Assassination 2: Assassin is airborne but victim is not====
;Both players are on the ground
*The Elite knocks the Spartan to the ground, steps on his/her back, and stabs him/her through the head with its Energy Dagger
This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.
====Basic Assassination 3: Both players are airborne====
 
*The Elite knees the Spartan and then stabs him with the Energy Dagger, then throws the Spartan over his head.
*The initial melee hits the right shoulder of player B: The elite slashes the Spartan across the chest with his energy dagger, then hits the spartan with a turning side kick.
*(Energy Sword) The Elite knees the Spartan and then stabs him with the Energy Sword, then throws the Spartan over his head.
 
*The initial melee hits the right side of player B's back: The Spartan is pushed to the ground, face down. The elite stabs the Spartan in the lower back, and the Spartan is dragged as the blade is pulled out.
 
*The initial melee hits the center of player B's back: The Elite rapidly stabs the Spartan in the lower back with his energy daggers, then does a diagonal slash to the back of the Spartan's knees.
 
*The initial melee hits the left side of player B's back: The elite activates the energy dagger, and proceeds to stab the Spartan directly down on their head.
*(Energy Sword) The Elite grabs the Spartan by the hand, drags them upwards, then stabs them down through the chest.
 
;Player A is more elevated than player B, but both are on a surface
The elite activates the dagger on their right hand, impales the right side of the back of the Spartan's neck, then does the same with his left dagger to the left side.
 
;Both players are airborne
The elite knees the Spartan in the back, impales him/her with the energy dagger, then flicks them behind and over his head.
 
;The assassin is airborne, but the victim is not
The Spartan is pushed to the ground. The elite steps on the Spartan's back, then stabs them in the back of the head.
 
----
 
===Elite against Elite===
;Both players are on the ground
This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.
 
*The initial melee hits the right shoulder of player B: Player 1 flick's their wrist, springing the energy dagger out, and stab's the victim in the lower back. As the blade is pulled out, the victim is dragged backward.
 
*The initial melee hits the right side of player B's back: The assassin stabs the victim in the back of the head, with the dagger protruding out of the victims open mouth. The assassin pulls the victim backwards, then throws them forward, de-activating the energy dagger.
 
*The initial melee hits the center of player B's back: The assassin reaches across the victims chest, bending him so their unarmored stomach protrudes. The assassin then stabs the victim there with his energy dagger, and pushes the body to the ground.  
*(Energy Sword) The assassin grabs the victim's left hand, and pulls it, causing him to trip and fall. The assassin then swipes the sword in an underhand motion, causing the victim's body to flip over.
 
;Player A is more elevated than player B, but both are on a surface
The assassin grabs the victim by the top of their "jaw", activates his energy dagger, and stabs the victim in the neck. The assassin then drops the body.
 
;Both players are airborne
The assassin quickly jabs the victim in the lower back with his energy dagger.
 
;The assassin is airborne, but the victim is not
The victim recoils forward from the initial melee. The assassin activates one of their energy daggers, stabs the victim in the lower back, quickly activates the second dagger, and plunges it into the back of the victim's neck with an overhand motion. With both prongs still inside the victim, the assassin throws the body of the victim behind him.


==Assassinations in Campaign==
==Assassinations in Campaign==
There are a few assassinations you can perform on Covenant warriors in Campaign:
There are a few assassinations you can perform on Covenant warriors in Campaign:
===Unggoy===
===Grunt===
*The player grabs the [[Unggoy |Grunt]] and breaks its neck.
*The player grabs the [[Unggoy |Grunt]] and breaks its neck.
*The player grabs the Grunt and stabs its head, piercing its brain.
*The player grabs the Grunt and stabs its head.
 
===Brute===
===Jiralhanae===
*The player pushes the [[Jiralhanae |Brute]] down, and then stabs it in the back.
*The player pushes the [[Jiralhanae |Brute]] down, and then stabs it in the back.
*The player stabs the Brute between its shoulder blades and throws it to the side in a quick motion.
===Jackal/Skirmisher===
===Kig-Yar/Skirmisher===
*The player drags the [[Kig-Yar|Jackal]]/[[Skirmisher]] by its feathers and knifes its chest/neck area.
*The player drags the [[Kig-yar|Jackal]]/[[Skirmisher]] by its feathers to the ground, and while the Jackal/Skirmisher is helpless, the player stabs it in the throat.


==Beat Downs vs. Assassinations==
==Beat Downs vs. Assassinations==
With normal beat downs, one will quickly melee the opponent's back, resulting in an instant kill, but will stay in first person view. This earns them a medal but no credit or commendation increase. With an assassination, the player goes into third person view and performs a special finishing move. During an assassination, the player runs a risk of getting their kill stolen by a teammate, which results in the teammate getting a [[Yoink (Medal)|Yoink]] medal. The player is also able to be damaged and even killed during the animation, which will cause the victim to be saved. This makes assassinations relatively unpopular for fast paced gametypes such as [[Oddball]] or [[Team SWAT]]. Also, performing assassinations will negate fall damage, unlike beat downs. This allows players to survive fatal falls if an enemy happens to be directly below. This is featured in the achievement, [[If They Came to Hear Me Beg]].
With normal beat downs, one will quickly melee the opponent's back, resulting in an instant kill, but will stay in first person view. This earns them a medal but no credit or commendation increase. With an assassination, the player goes into third person view and performs a special finishing move. During an assassination, the player runs a risk of getting their kill stolen by a teammate, which results in the teammate getting a [[Yoink (Medal)|Yoink]] medal. The player is also able to be damaged and even killed during the animation, which will cause the victim to be saved and the savior will get a [[Showstopper (Medal)|Showstopper]] medal. This makes assassinations relatively unpopular for fast paced gametypes such as [[Oddball]] or [[Team SWAT]]. Also, performing assassinations will negate fall damage, unlike beat downs. This allows players to survive fatal falls if an enemy happens to be directly below. This is featured in the achievment, [[If They Came to Hear Me Beg]].
==Tactics==
*In the campaign, there are few times that are given to you for assassinations including the first Elite in [[Nightfall]].
*You should probably try not to attempt an assassination if you are in the middle of heavy combat as you are left vulnerable for a short time.
*One easy way to make an assassination on Elites is to first lower their shields with a melee. Because the Elites in Halo: Reach will often raise their arms and roar in anger if you lower their shields this gives you a few precious seconds to run behind the Elite and assassinate it.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Occasionally, Elites will laugh at you after certain types of assassinations.
*Assassinations performed with an Energy Sword do not deplete the sword's charge, nor do they count toward the weapon spree medals [[Sword Spree Medal|Sword Spree]], [[Slice 'N Dice Medal|Slice 'N Dice]] or [[Cutting Crew Medal|Cutting Crew]].
*The Grunt head stab assassination animation is most likely an homage to [[Cal-141]] as she kills a Grunt in the same way in [[The Babysitter]].
*If the assassin is holding an energy sword which is depleted, assassinations will animate with the deactivated sword. That is, the enemy will be impaled on an empty blade.
*In order to iniate different assassinations while both players are on the ground, melee from the right, left or directly behind the victim.
*There was an assassination in the multiplayer beta where an airborne Elite stabbed another Elite on the ground through the head with an Energy Dagger, and pulled it out again with some resistance. It was removed in the final game.
*There are names for assassinations, such as 'This is Sparta!' (Elite to Spartan) and 'Whack-A-Mole' (Spartan to Spartan).


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150" orientation="landscape" captionalign="left">
<youtube width="425" height="300">xK33k_AF6QE</youtube>
Reach 695333 Medium.jpg|An assassination from the ''Halo: Reach Beta''.
 
File:BOB_Neck_Snap.jpg|A Sangheili's head does a 180° after a neck snap.
==Sources==
Reach 6970315 Medium.jpg|A Spartan about to stab an Eilte.|link=http://www.bungie.net/Stats/Reach/FileDetails.aspx?fid=6970315&player=ODSTMatt9001
<references/>
Air Assassination.jpg|Mid-air assassination
Jakal Assassination.jpg|A Jackal assassination
halo-reach-20100803092923421_640w.jpg|A Grunt is caught off guard
cyclonebeereach13.jpg|This is not Sparta
Assassination Art.jpg|Matchmaking screen where an Elite kills a Spartan
paintrain.jpg|A Spartan prepares to kill an Elite with a sword
Reach Beta - Elite Assassination.jpg|An Elite assassination from the Beta
Head Stomp.jpg|A Spartan crushes an Elite's skull
assassination-crop--article_image.jpg|An Elite is knifed
reach_16271041_Medium.jpg|A BOB is assassinated
reach_6101327_Medium.jpg|An Energy Sword assassination
reach_14193842_Medium.jpg|Et tu Brute
</gallery>
[[Category:Halo Reach]]

Revision as of 08:33, May 21, 2011

Template:Ratings

For the medal see Assassin Medal
File:Assasin.jpg
A Red player about to stab a Blue player in the head.

The Assassination is a new gameplay feature in Halo: Reach that allows player to enter a third-person view while elaborately taking an enemy player down with either a Combat Knife, Energy Dagger(s), or Energy Sword. Note that assassinations are different from beat downs and pummels. Pummels are kills from a normal melee attack; a beat down occurs when Player A melees Player B by simply tapping the melee button while behind them, resulting in the breaking of the target's spine and thus an instant kill. An assassination occurs when Player A presses and holds the melee button when directly behind Player B, resulting in an elaborate kill and will earn the player a special medal. Assassinations performed in multiplayer matchmaking also count towards the Rear Admiral commendation.

Mechanics

There are four different basic assassination types that are played according to the species of the players and the current situation: If both players are on the ground, if the assassin is in the air and the victim is on the ground, in both players are in the air, and if the assassin and the victim are both on the ground, but the assassin is higher in elevation than the victim. [1]

The specific assassination animation that is used when both players are on the ground is dependent of where the initial melee lands on the victim's body.

There are also unique assassinations that can be performed when the player is holding an energy sword.

A player assassinating the other with an Energy Sword

Assassinations

Spartan against Spartan

When playing as a Spartan in Halo: Reach matchmaking, you can perform several different assassinations using your combat knife that is located on different parts of your armor, depending on what chest piece you are wearing.

Both players are on the ground

This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.

  • The initial melee hits the right shoulder of player B: Player B is spun around to face player A. Holding the knife with the blade pointed up in his/her clenched fist, player A "punches" player B in the chest, stabbing him or her.
  • The initial melee hits the right side of player B's back: Player B turns to face player A, who raises his/her combat kife and plunges it down on player B's head.
  • The initial melee hits the center of player B's back: Holding the knife with the blade pointed down in his/her fist, player A forcefully stabs player B in the back, and player B is dragged to the side when the knife is removed.
  • The initial melee hits the left side of player B's back: Player A spins the knife, stab's player B in the backs, then tosses the body off to the side.
  • (Energy Sword) Player A hit's B with an upward diagonal slash, spinning them around. He then stabs them in the gut.
Player A is more elevated than player B, but both are on a surface

Player A extends their arm around player B's neck, bending their stomach outward, then stabbing him/her in the gut.

Both players are airborne

This assassination involves Player A jumping (or possibly falling) right behind (Close enough proximity to melee) Player B. Player A will initiate the assassination, which involves player A wrapping his/her hands together, and delivers a smash on player B's head.

Note that if the assassin is wielding an energy sword, the animation will be bugged.

The assassin is airborne, but the victim is not

Player B is knocked to the ground, face down. Player A steps on his/her back, crouches down, and snaps their neck.


Spartan against Elite

Both players are on the ground

This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.

  • The initial melee hits the right shoulder of player B: The Spartan pounces on the Elite's chest, pushing them both to the ground. While the Elite struggles, the Spartan stabs the Elite in the eye.
  • The initial melee hits the right side of player B's back: The Spartan hops on the elite's back,then the Spartan stabs the elite in the neck.
  • The initial melee hits the center of player B's back: The Spartan slices the elite's legs, then stanbs him in the back on the head, and pulls the elite to the ground.
  • The initial melee hits the left side of player B's back: The same as if the melee hit the right side of the back, but the Spartan snaps the elite's neck instead of stabbing him.
  • (Energy Sword) The Spartan jumps and stands on the elite's back, and stabs the elite with the prongs of the sword in the neck. .
Player A is more elevated than player B, but both are on a surface

The Spartan hops and hang's off of the elite's back, and stabs them straight down the top of the skull.

Both players are airborne

The Spartan goes to the elite's back, and quickly stabs him in the neck.

The assassin is airborne, but the victim is not

The elite is pushed to the ground. The Spartan jumps and lands on the elite's head, then hops off.


Elite against Spartan

Both players are on the ground

This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.

  • The initial melee hits the right shoulder of player B: The elite slashes the Spartan across the chest with his energy dagger, then hits the spartan with a turning side kick.
  • The initial melee hits the right side of player B's back: The Spartan is pushed to the ground, face down. The elite stabs the Spartan in the lower back, and the Spartan is dragged as the blade is pulled out.
  • The initial melee hits the center of player B's back: The Elite rapidly stabs the Spartan in the lower back with his energy daggers, then does a diagonal slash to the back of the Spartan's knees.
  • The initial melee hits the left side of player B's back: The elite activates the energy dagger, and proceeds to stab the Spartan directly down on their head.
  • (Energy Sword) The Elite grabs the Spartan by the hand, drags them upwards, then stabs them down through the chest.
Player A is more elevated than player B, but both are on a surface

The elite activates the dagger on their right hand, impales the right side of the back of the Spartan's neck, then does the same with his left dagger to the left side.

Both players are airborne

The elite knees the Spartan in the back, impales him/her with the energy dagger, then flicks them behind and over his head.

The assassin is airborne, but the victim is not

The Spartan is pushed to the ground. The elite steps on the Spartan's back, then stabs them in the back of the head.


Elite against Elite

Both players are on the ground

This assassination involves Player A standing on the same surface as Player B. The specific animation that is used varies depending on which part of the back is meleed.

  • The initial melee hits the right shoulder of player B: Player 1 flick's their wrist, springing the energy dagger out, and stab's the victim in the lower back. As the blade is pulled out, the victim is dragged backward.
  • The initial melee hits the right side of player B's back: The assassin stabs the victim in the back of the head, with the dagger protruding out of the victims open mouth. The assassin pulls the victim backwards, then throws them forward, de-activating the energy dagger.
  • The initial melee hits the center of player B's back: The assassin reaches across the victims chest, bending him so their unarmored stomach protrudes. The assassin then stabs the victim there with his energy dagger, and pushes the body to the ground.
  • (Energy Sword) The assassin grabs the victim's left hand, and pulls it, causing him to trip and fall. The assassin then swipes the sword in an underhand motion, causing the victim's body to flip over.
Player A is more elevated than player B, but both are on a surface

The assassin grabs the victim by the top of their "jaw", activates his energy dagger, and stabs the victim in the neck. The assassin then drops the body.

Both players are airborne

The assassin quickly jabs the victim in the lower back with his energy dagger.

The assassin is airborne, but the victim is not

The victim recoils forward from the initial melee. The assassin activates one of their energy daggers, stabs the victim in the lower back, quickly activates the second dagger, and plunges it into the back of the victim's neck with an overhand motion. With both prongs still inside the victim, the assassin throws the body of the victim behind him.

Assassinations in Campaign

There are a few assassinations you can perform on Covenant warriors in Campaign:

Grunt

  • The player grabs the Grunt and breaks its neck.
  • The player grabs the Grunt and stabs its head.

Brute

  • The player pushes the Brute down, and then stabs it in the back.

Jackal/Skirmisher

  • The player drags the Jackal/Skirmisher by its feathers and knifes its chest/neck area.

Beat Downs vs. Assassinations

With normal beat downs, one will quickly melee the opponent's back, resulting in an instant kill, but will stay in first person view. This earns them a medal but no credit or commendation increase. With an assassination, the player goes into third person view and performs a special finishing move. During an assassination, the player runs a risk of getting their kill stolen by a teammate, which results in the teammate getting a Yoink medal. The player is also able to be damaged and even killed during the animation, which will cause the victim to be saved and the savior will get a Showstopper medal. This makes assassinations relatively unpopular for fast paced gametypes such as Oddball or Team SWAT. Also, performing assassinations will negate fall damage, unlike beat downs. This allows players to survive fatal falls if an enemy happens to be directly below. This is featured in the achievment, If They Came to Hear Me Beg.

Trivia

  • Assassinations performed with an Energy Sword do not deplete the sword's charge, nor do they count toward the weapon spree medals Sword Spree, Slice 'N Dice or Cutting Crew.
  • If the assassin is holding an energy sword which is depleted, assassinations will animate with the deactivated sword. That is, the enemy will be impaled on an empty blade.
  • There was an assassination in the multiplayer beta where an airborne Elite stabbed another Elite on the ground through the head with an Energy Dagger, and pulled it out again with some resistance. It was removed in the final game.

Gallery

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Sources