Arno Dorian, the Assassin’s Creed Unity protagonist, often receives mixed feelings from fans, but is actually one of the more likable characters in the franchise despite his tragic backstory. Here are four reasons why Arno is the best Assassin’s Creed assassin. Keep in mind, this is a list about Arno as a character and not a look into Assassin’s Creed Unity as a game. Also, major Assassin’s Creed Unity spoilers ahead!
His Skills Surpassed His Mentor’s
Arno became acquainted with Pierre Bellec in a prison cell after becoming falsely imprisoned for murder. Bellec realized that Arno had Eagle Vision and decided to train him in the ways of the Assassins. After their escape from prison, Bellec helped him find the Brotherhood and start the next chapter of his life. Arno later discovered Belle killed Mentor Mirabeau and fought his former mentor and friend. Bellec was bested by his former student and praised him for his skills overcoming his own. This was a huge feat, since Arno was still fairly new in the Brotherhood and had just defeated a Master Assassin.
He Had a Close Relationship With the Templars
No other Assassin had a close relationship with the Templars to the extent that Arno did. His father was an Assassin but was killed when he was just a young boy. He was then raised by Francois de la Serre, Grand Master of the Templar Order in France alongside Elise, de la Serre’s daughter. He began a romantic relationship with Elise and later found out she was a Templar herself. Through Arno, the goodness of the Templars can be seen as de la Serre raised Arno despite knowing his father’s past. His relationship with the Templars most likely influenced him seeing merit in creating peace between the Brotherhood and the Templars.
His Journey Was About Redemption Rather than Revenge
The day his adoptive father died, he was tasked to deliver a letter to his adoptive father, Francois de la Serre but failed in finding him. Instead, he leaves the letter in his office not knowing the urgency of the contents and sneaks into a party to be with Elise. That night, de la Serre was murdered outside the event and Elise blamed Arno for his death. The letter he was supposed to deliver had a warning that would have saved de la Serre’s life. Feeling overwhelmingly guilty about it, Arno decides to join the Brotherhood in order to right the wrongs of his past. Arno was not fully responsible for the death of his adoptive father, but still took it upon himself to avenge his death.
He Suffered So Much Loss, Yet Still Carried On
Death seems to follow him everywhere he goes. As a young boy, he lost his father and ended up being taken into an adoptive family he ended growing fond of… only to end up losing his adoptive father, as well. He blamed himself for his father’s death and tried to take the steps to right his wrongs through the Brotherhood, even going so far as having to kill his former teacher. His lover, Elise, was all he had left and he ended up having to watch her die. He had no family left to care for him and everyone he loved was gone. Despite all he suffered through, he still found a way to carry on and not give up. Arno’s resilience is one to be admired.
Arno Dorian can seem like a generic protagonist, but when the layers get pulled back you can see he is a fighter, a lover, and most of all, a survivor.
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