Sequence 02

Fitting In: During the Blending tutorial, stand inside the boundaries of stationary groups while you wait for suitable collections of pedestrians to pass. Try not to fall too far behind Paola, though as a general rule it’s advisable to wait for a party heading in the required direction. When Paola teaches Ezio about pickpocketing, alternate between the areas just outside the two courtyard entrances to avoid detection between attempts.

Ace Up My Sleeve: Feel free to hire a group of Courtesans to simplify the journey to Da Vinci if money is no object. When the time comes to put the newly acquired hidden blade to good use, use common sense to judge the best moment to strike, but don’t take too long or else you might be detected.

Judge, Jury, Executioner: After reaching the first waypoint take a moment to appraise the square below, particularly the route taken by the majority of the pedestrians; this is the path you need to follow. The entrance to the exhibition is at the south-east of the Santa Croce building, so drop down and blend into a group heading in that direction. There is a group of Courtesans that you can hire once you turn the corner to the left, but those seeking to conserve florins can skulk into a group close to the entrance, then wait for a party to head inside.

Laying Low: This mission introduces the Notoriety mini-game, where Ezio must perform certain tasks to reduce his current level of infamy and return to Incognito status. The objective here is to completely empty the gauge in the top left-hand corner. Removing Posters is the least risky option, though killing corrupt Officials offers an excellent training opportunity for a handful of vital skills (including guard evasion, and assassination techniques).

Arrivederci: If you have outstanding business in Florence, attend to it before you begin this mission. With Ezio’s Notoriety level reduced to zero, the journey to the city limits should be uneventful. Use the Throw Money ability to divert attention elsewhere should you encounter any problems, especially Harassers. To cross the city gate, you will need to hire Courtesans and use them to keep the guards busy while you quietly leave Florence.