A unique entry to the Assassin's Creed series, Black Flag is the high seas adventure title of the franchise. The game takes place in the 18th-century Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy and is populated with eccentric and memorable characters. Some are based on real-life historical figures such as Captain Blackbeard, while others are exclusive to the world of Assassin's Creed like Edward Kenway.
Whether they be a pirate, a Templar, or an Assassin, these characters have left a lasting impression on gamers and fans of the franchise alike. However, some of these figures deserve to be recognized more than others because of their on-screen performance and overall effect on the story of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.
Stede Bonnet
Stede Bonnet is one of the first characters introduced in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, and is Edward Kenway's first ally. He is one of the most peculiar yet charming characters in the game. He starts out as a merchant that doesn't seem like they're going to survive long. He's easy to take advantage of and unable to properly defend himself, but somehow he still ends up becoming a pirate. Stede's screen time in the game may be limited but they make every moment count with their comic relief and blundering nature. His reveal of being a member of Blackbeard's crew was one of the most surprising yet enjoyable scenes to witness as it was completely unexpected.
Ah Tabai
A mentor of the West Indies Brotherhood, Ah Tabai is one of the main assassins in Black Flag. He guides Edward Kenway down the path of being an assassin with his blunt nature, pointing out many of Edward's flaws throughout their journey. He is one of the central driving forces that help nudge Edward towards the path of being an assassin.
Ah Tabai’s presence in the game helps remind players that this installment is more than just pirates and that it’s an integral part of the overarching story of the Assassin's Creed franchise. Without Ah Tabai, the game would feel out of place and too different from earlier installments of Assassin's Creed, which focused on secret societies in ancient European cities. As Black Flag takes place in the Caribbean, there are fewer visual and narrative identifiers that clearly delineate the game in the Assassin's Creed world, which is why Ah Tabai's presence is important in this game.
Laureano de Torres y Ayala
The mastermind behind the evil plots of the Templars in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, Laureano de Torres y Ayala is one of the more subtle yet interesting Templar agents. He is the only Templar to speak respectfully towards Edward, even going as far as complimenting him after he is brought to death by his hand. He has a calm yet commanding presence when in scenes and is the glue that keeps the plot of the game together, making Black Flag's storytelling ability one of the best in the Assassin's Creed franchise.
Benjamin Hornigold
One of the real historical figures in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Benjamin Hornigold is a bit of a double-edged character. He was one of the four pirates that founded the Pirate Republic of Nassau but also betrayed his brethren the most. Benjamin joining the Templars and betraying the Pirate Republic of Nassau offered a nice plot twist to the story and is one of the most memorable parts of the game. Edward took this betrayal personally and it lead to Benjamin Hornigold's inevitable assassination, which was more emotional than usual as Edward liked and trusted Hornigold.
Charles Vane
Charles Vane is one of the most notable characters in the game and it’s largely due in part to his extremely violent nature. He gets a lot of screen time in the game and during it, he beats his own crew, yells at everyone, and has no qualms with shooting prisoners. He's much more extreme than all the other characters, even more than the Templars. His descent into evil and his fight with Edward at the end of the game is one of the most memorable moments in Black Flag.
Adéwalé
The first quartermaster for Edward Kenway on the Jackdaw. Adéwalé had Edward Kenway’s back from the beginning of the game when they help each other escape a slave trader ship. He’s one of the few pirates that survive the whole game and has some of the most screen time. He’s a simple character who is always a voice of reason for Edward, so it’s hard not to enjoy his presence when sailing the sea.
Adéwalé proved to be so popular with fans of the franchise that he starred in his own DLC, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - Freedom Cry. Adéwalé also has the honor of being the only character in Black Flag to make an appearance in another Assassin's Creed title, Rogue. With these multiple game appearances, Adéwalé should have a place among the best assassins in every Assassin's Creed game.
Edward Thatch
Edward Thatch was one of the four pirates that founded Nassau and is integral to the story of Assassins Creed: Black Flag. Otherwise known as Captain Blackbeard, he was one of the most exciting characters to have on the screen due to his unpredictable and rebellious nature.
He was a man of threatening theatrics when it came to his pirating approach as can be seen when he lights his hat and beard on fire with fireworks. Captain Blackbeard is the historical figure in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag fans look forward to the most.
Bartholomew Roberts
Bartholomew Roberts is the most exciting antagonist of Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag. Although he's not fully a Templar himself, he has more personality and charisma than every Templar character in the game. He's a wildcard, cunning and manipulative. It's hard not to be entertained by his words and actions that represent the Golden Age of Piracy. Being the "sage" that knows how to use the crystal skull and observatory, his life held immense value to both the Assassins and Templars, making him one of the most important characters in the game.
Mary Read (James Kidd)
Mary Read presents themselves as James Kidd throughout most of the game and is one of the four that founded the Pirates Republic of Nassau. Living as both a pirate and assassin, her character has a commanding amount of screen time and forms a deep bond with the main character, Edward. They’re integral to the story as they introduce Edward Kenway to the order of assassins and their battle against the Templars.
In one iconic sequence in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, James helps Edward break out of prison and reconcile with his past as a wandering rogue with no direction or purpose other than being a pirate. Without them, Edward would have never found the inspiration to redeem himself and become an assassin.
Edward Kenway
Edward Kenway is arguably one of the best main characters in the Assassins Creed franchise even though he doesn't become an assassin until the very end of the game. Despite having a long journey to becoming an assassin, Edward starts one of the most influential lineages in the franchise. Edward is the father of Haytham Kenway, and the grandfather of Connor Kenway, the two main playable characters in Assassin's Creed III. Edward Kenway is also referenced in Assassin's Creed: Syndicate and has his house featured in it.
His stance on the Templars vs. Assassins conflict was new to the series because he didn't care about joining a side at first, and only cared about his own self-indulgences. Being able to play through his character development of a selfish pirate who gradually transforms into a respectable assassin is more than fulfilling. Despite being in multiple shipwrecks and being thrown in a prison at one point, Edward is able to show his endurance throughout everything and become one of the few characters to survive the whole game.