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Ezio Auditore is the most likable mainline Assassin’s Creed protagonist overall, thanks to his wit, warmth, and character growth across three games. Edward Kenway and Bayek of Siwa follow, but this is a subjective ranking—not a measurement of universal fan opinion. It weighs charisma, empathy, moral growth, personal stakes, and how clearly each character’s arc pays off.
How this ranking works—and who it includes
Likability is not the same as strength, historical importance, or narrative complexity. A reserved character can be admirable without being instantly charming; a funny one can be entertaining without being easy to root for. The order below considers how engaging and sympathetic each protagonist is to spend time with, while treating popularity as a separate signal rather than proof of an objective ranking.
This list covers the major playable protagonists of the main Assassin’s Creed game line through Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It ranks Jacob and Evie Frye separately despite their shared game, and Alexios and Kassandra separately because players select between them in Odyssey. It excludes spin-off leads such as Aveline de Grandpré and Shao Jun, as well as present-day frame characters such as Desmond Miles. Ubisoft’s game-order guide provides context for the principal entries and their characters.
Every mainline Assassin’s Creed protagonist, ranked by likability
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Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Ezio is the strongest all-around choice: charming and funny, but not only a source of banter. His path from a young man seeking vengeance to a seasoned Assassin unfolds across Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, and Revelations, giving his relationships and changing perspective room to develop. That three-game arc is a major advantage over protagonists whose stories have only one main installment.
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Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced - PlayStation 5- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
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Edward Kenway
Edward begins as a self-interested rogue, and that flaw gives his eventual turn toward responsibility a clear shape. His swagger and humor make him immediately watchable; the emotional weight comes from seeing those qualities tested by loss and consequence. In a 2021 GamePro reader poll, Edward received 272 votes, the second-highest named total reported in the results.
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Bayek of Siwa
Bayek’s grief and fierce devotion to the people he loves make his story especially easy to empathize with. He is a capable protector, but his anger and vulnerability keep him from feeling like a distant ideal. Ubisoft frames his revenge story as part of the origins of the Hidden Ones, giving his personal stakes a wider role in the series’ history.
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Kassandra
Kassandra brings confidence and force to Odyssey, with room for compassion as well as ferocity. That flexibility helps make her appealing, though it also means the player’s choices affect how the Eagle Bearer is voiced and played. In GamePro’s 2021 reader poll, she received 208 votes, third among the reported results; that is evidence about that poll’s respondents, not the franchise audience as a whole.
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Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad
Altaïr is more austere than the most charismatic leads, and his early arrogance can make him a harder first impression. His appeal grows as he questions the Creed and becomes more reflective. Players who value intellectual and moral development over humor may place him considerably higher.
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Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Limited Edition (Amazon Exclusive), PlayStation 5- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
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Basim Ibn Ishaq
In Mirage, Basim is a cunning street thief seeking answers and justice. His links to Valhalla add context to his place in the wider series, while his layered motives make him fascinating to follow. He ranks below the warmer leads because intrigue and likability are not quite the same thing.
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Evie Frye
Evie is thoughtful, serious, and committed to her work as an Assassin. Her focused temperament gives her a clear identity, even when the story shares its attention with her brother Jacob. She may not be the loudest personality in the pair, but her sense of purpose is part of her appeal.
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Eivor
Eivor’s forceful presence, bonds with others, and place in the Viking setting make for a compelling lead. Individual choices and presentation can affect how distinct the character feels, however, so the personal connection varies more than it does with some more tightly defined protagonists.
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Arno Dorian
Arno is charming, agile, and visually distinctive. Those qualities make him enjoyable to watch, but his personal development has less room to build than the most memorable arcs in the series. He has a strong surface appeal, even if his story does not leave the same lasting emotional impression.
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Assassin's Creed: Syndicate - Standard Edition - PlayStation 4- Take Over The London Underworld - Establish London's fiercest gang and bring justice to the lawless streets.
- Devastate Your Enemies - Fight with an all-new combat system and weapons like the Cane Sword and the Assassin's Gauntlet featuring the Hidden Blade and Rope Launcher.
- Play As Twin Assassins - Play as rebellious Jacob Frye and his swift, deadly sister Evie.
- Upgrade To Gold Edition - Get the full Game plus Season Pass featuring a major expansion plus digital content and exclusives.
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Connor Kenway (Ratonhnhaké:ton)
Connor is principled and determined to protect his people. His restrained manner can read as integrity and seriousness, or as aloofness, depending on what a player wants from a lead. A lack of frequent jokes is not a lack of characterization: his convictions and the costs of pursuing them define his appeal.
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Alexios
Alexios is a legitimate player-selected lead in Odyssey, not merely a side character. Still, editorial rankings more often single out Kassandra as the more effective characterization. Because the player chooses who carries the story, personal attachment to the performance can matter more here than it does in a fixed-protagonist game.
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Jacob Frye
Jacob is lively, impulsive, and often funny—the opposite of his more measured sister in many scenes. That energy can be charming or grating, and his jokes do not always make him feel as layered as the strongest leads. GamePro’s 2021 reader poll reported 31 votes for Jacob, though a single poll is limited evidence of broader opinion.
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Shay Patrick Cormac
Shay’s break with the Assassins gives Rogue a distinctive ideological perspective. That premise makes him interesting to consider, but a character can be compelling as an argument without being especially warm or likable. GamePro’s 2021 poll reported 22 votes for Shay; it should be read as one audience’s result, not a definitive verdict.
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Assassin's Creed The Ezio Collection - Nintendo Switch Standard Edition- Learn the ways of the Assassins and seek vengeance for the betrayal of your family
- Journey through 15th-century Renaissance Italy and become the most legendary leader of the Brotherhood, then embark on a final quest of discovery as you learn the truth about the Creed
- Includes enhanced features for the Nintendo Switch system, such as HD Rumble and more
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Naoe
Naoe is a quick-witted shinobi motivated by revenge and a promise, and her stealth-focused play style distinguishes her from the series’ heavier combat leads. Ubisoft describes her as “an adept shinobi Assassin from Iga Province” in its official Shadows page. Her low placement is provisional: as one of the newest protagonists in this list, she has less long-term character history and audience response to assess.
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Yasuke
Yasuke is a powerful samurai whose story includes confronting his past, and his combat-oriented role gives him a distinct identity alongside Naoe. This ranking favors demonstrated interpersonal warmth and a well-established long-form arc, so his position is a subjective first-pass judgment—not a consensus finding or a claim that he is a lesser character.
What a fan poll can—and cannot—tell you
The GamePro reader poll reported Ezio in first place, Edward second, and Kassandra third. It also reported 107 votes for Bayek, 31 for Jacob, and 22 for Shay. The reported passage gives no denominator or sampling method sufficient to calculate population shares, and its counts do not establish what all Assassin’s Creed players think. Treat the poll as a snapshot of one audience’s preferences, not a scientific survey or a substitute for the character-by-character case above.
Why some placements are especially debatable
Kassandra and Alexios
Odyssey lets players choose which sibling takes the lead, so the experience is shaped by selection and by choices made during play. Ranking them separately makes that distinction visible, but it cannot account for every player’s preferred performance or decisions.
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The Frye twins share a game but offer contrasting temperaments: Jacob is impulsive and comic, while Evie is serious and focused. Separate placements reflect their different personalities, not a claim that one is the sole protagonist of Syndicate.
Naoe and Yasuke
Ubisoft presents Naoe and Yasuke as Shadows’ two protagonists, with different approaches: Naoe is a shinobi Assassin and Yasuke a samurai. Their relative positions here are early editorial judgments, not established audience consensus. Ubisoft’s official description calls their stories intertwined and identifies Naoe’s revenge and promise, and Yasuke’s confrontation with his past.
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