Assassin’s Creed II, a masterpiece in the open-world action-adventure genre, invites players to explore Renaissance Italy as Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Beyond the main storyline and side missions, the game features numerous collectibles, one of the most challenging being the collection of 100 feathers. Finding all these feathers unlocks the ‘Show your colors’ achievement/trophy and provides a 2000 florin reward, which can be incredibly helpful early in the game. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed walkthrough to locate all 100 feathers, region by region, along with tips and strategies to make your search easier.
**Why Collect All 100 Feathers?**
Before diving into the guide, it’s worth emphasizing the benefits of collecting all the feathers:
* **Achievement/Trophy:** Unlocks the “Show your colors” achievement/trophy, a satisfying reward for completionists.
* **Financial Reward:** Earning 2000 florins early in the game can significantly boost your purchasing power, allowing you to upgrade your equipment and purchase vital supplies.
* **Completion:** For players who enjoy fully completing games, collecting all feathers is a significant step towards 100% completion.
* **Exploration:** The feather hunt encourages exploration of every nook and cranny of the game world, leading you to discover hidden areas and appreciate the intricate level design.
**General Tips for Feather Hunting**
Before embarking on your feather-collecting journey, keep these tips in mind:
* **Use Eagle Vision:** Eagle Vision highlights interactive objects in the environment, including feathers. Activate Eagle Vision frequently to scan your surroundings.
* **Listen for the Sound:** Feathers emit a distinct shimmering sound when you are nearby. Turn up your game’s audio to help you locate them.
* **Check High and Low:** Feathers can be found in a variety of locations, including rooftops, balconies, ledges, gardens, and even on the ground. Be thorough in your search, looking both up and down.
* **Sync Viewpoints:** Synchronizing viewpoints reveals the locations of collectibles on your map, including feathers. Sync as many viewpoints as possible in each area.
* **Use the Game’s Map:** The in-game map shows the general locations of feathers after synchronizing viewpoints. Zoom in and out to get a better view of the areas you need to search.
* **Take Your Time:** Feather hunting requires patience. Don’t rush through areas; carefully examine each location.
* **Use a Guide (Like This One!):** Having a detailed guide can save you a significant amount of time and frustration. Refer to this guide as you explore each region.
* **Follow a Systematic Approach:** Divide each area into smaller sections and systematically search each section before moving on. This will help you avoid missing any feathers.
* **Climb Everything:** Some feathers are located in hard-to-reach places. Don’t be afraid to climb buildings, towers, and other structures to find them.
* **Look Behind Objects:** Many feathers are hidden behind crates, barrels, statues, and other objects. Be sure to check these areas carefully.
* **Restart Checkpoints:** If you accidentally miss a feather, don’t worry. You can usually restart from the last checkpoint to try again.
**Feather Locations: Region by Region**
The feathers are distributed throughout the major locations in Assassin’s Creed II. This guide breaks down the locations by region, providing detailed instructions for finding each feather.
**Florence (26 Feathers)**
Florence, Ezio’s hometown, contains a significant number of feathers. It’s divided into several districts:
**San Giovanni District (6 Feathers)**
1. **Feather 1:** On top of the Baptistery. Climb to the top of the building, and the feather is on the dome.
2. **Feather 2:** On a clothesline between two buildings. Climb the building nearest the clothesline and jump across.
3. **Feather 3:** In a small courtyard near the river. Look for a well, and the feather is next to it.
4. **Feather 4:** On a balcony of a building near the center of the district. It’s a multi-story building, so climb up a bit.
5. **Feather 5:** On a rooftop near the northern wall of the district. It’s on a slanted roof.
6. **Feather 6:** In a garden area, near a small fountain. The fountain is easy to spot.
**San Marco District (7 Feathers)**
1. **Feather 7:** Atop the Campanile di Giotto (Giotto’s Campanile). This is a very tall tower, so prepare for a long climb.
2. **Feather 8:** On the roof of a building near the Ponte Vecchio (the bridge with shops). It’s on a corner of the roof.
3. **Feather 9:** In a small alleyway near the river. The feather is hidden behind some crates.
4. **Feather 10:** On a balcony of a building overlooking the Piazza della Signoria. It’s on the second story.
5. **Feather 11:** In a garden area behind the Palazzo Vecchio. It’s near a statue.
6. **Feather 12:** On a rooftop of a smaller building connected to the Palazzo Vecchio.
7. **Feather 13:** On top of the Palazzo Vecchio tower. This requires a climb to the very top.
**Oltrarno District (7 Feathers)**
1. **Feather 14:** On a rooftop near the Ponte Santa Trinita (another bridge). It’s on a slanted roof.
2. **Feather 15:** In a courtyard near the river. Look for a small garden area.
3. **Feather 16:** On a balcony of a building near the southern wall of the district. It’s on the second story.
4. **Feather 17:** On a rooftop of a building under construction. The partially built structure is easy to spot.
5. **Feather 18:** On top of a tower near the center of the district. The tower is relatively short.
6. **Feather 19:** In a small alleyway, hidden behind some barrels.
7. **Feather 20:** On a clothesline strung between two buildings. Climb one of the buildings and jump across.
**Palazzo Pitti District (6 Feathers)**
1. **Feather 21:** On a rooftop of a building across from the Palazzo Pitti. It’s a smaller building.
2. **Feather 22:** In the Boboli Gardens (behind the Palazzo Pitti). Look near a statue.
3. **Feather 23:** On a balcony of the Palazzo Pitti itself. It’s accessible from the gardens.
4. **Feather 24:** On a rooftop near the Palazzo Pitti’s walls. It’s on a corner.
5. **Feather 25:** In a small courtyard near the Palazzo Pitti. Look for a well.
6. **Feather 26:** On a rooftop connecting to the Palazzo Pitti through a small bridge-like structure.
**Monteriggioni (8 Feathers)**
Monteriggioni, the Auditore family’s stronghold, has a smaller number of feathers, but they can still be tricky to find.
1. **Feather 27:** On the rooftop of the Auditore Villa. It’s on the highest point of the main building.
2. **Feather 28:** On the wall surrounding the town, near the main gate. It’s on a lower section of the wall.
3. **Feather 29:** Inside the town, on a small balcony of a building overlooking the courtyard.
4. **Feather 30:** On a wooden beam inside the Villa’s courtyard. Look up to spot it.
5. **Feather 31:** At the top of the tower on the town’s wall, near the blacksmith.
6. **Feather 32:** On the roof of the church in Monteriggioni.
7. **Feather 33:** On a small shed-like structure near the vineyards outside the main gate.
8. **Feather 34:** On a haystack near the training grounds, within the town walls.
**Tuscany (5 Feathers)**
The Tuscan countryside is a relatively small area, but the feathers are spread out.
1. **Feather 35:** At the top of a ruined tower. Climb the crumbling structure.
2. **Feather 36:** On a wooden platform near a farmhouse.
3. **Feather 37:** On a haystack in a small village. It’s near some farm animals.
4. **Feather 38:** On a small stone bridge spanning a stream.
5. **Feather 39:** At the top of a windmill.
**Forli (8 Feathers)**
Forli, the coastal city, features a mix of urban and rural environments.
1. **Feather 40:** On top of the Rocca di Ravaldino (the fortress). This is a high climb.
2. **Feather 41:** On a small dock near the harbor. Look for a fishing boat.
3. **Feather 42:** On a rooftop near the main gate of the city.
4. **Feather 43:** In a small garden near the city walls. It’s close to the water.
5. **Feather 44:** On a wooden platform overlooking the harbor.
6. **Feather 45:** At the top of a lighthouse. Climb the spiral staircase.
7. **Feather 46:** On a clothesline between two buildings. Jump across to reach it.
8. **Feather 47:** Near a broken-down cart in a small alley.
**Venice (53 Feathers)**
Venice, the city of canals, contains the largest concentration of feathers. It’s divided into several districts.
**San Polo District (11 Feathers)**
1. **Feather 48:** On top of the Rialto Bridge. Climb to the highest point.
2. **Feather 49:** On a rooftop near the Rialto Market. It’s on a corner of the roof.
3. **Feather 50:** In a small courtyard near the Grand Canal. Look for a well.
4. **Feather 51:** On a balcony of a building overlooking the Grand Canal. It’s on the second story.
5. **Feather 52:** On a rooftop near the Frari Church. It’s on a slanted roof.
6. **Feather 53:** At the top of the Frari Church bell tower. This is a tall climb.
7. **Feather 54:** On a clothesline between two buildings. Jump across to reach it.
8. **Feather 55:** Near a gondola mooring on the Grand Canal.
9. **Feather 56:** On a small bridge spanning a narrow canal.
10. **Feather 57:** On a rooftop with multiple chimneys.
11. **Feather 58:** Inside a fenced-off area near a canal, accessible by climbing over the fence.
**San Marco District (14 Feathers)**
1. **Feather 59:** Atop St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco). This is a challenging climb.
2. **Feather 60:** On the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), near the Bridge of Sighs.
3. **Feather 61:** Atop the Campanile di San Marco (St. Mark’s Campanile). Another tall tower.
4. **Feather 62:** On a rooftop near St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco). It’s a slanted roof.
5. **Feather 63:** In a small courtyard near the Grand Canal. Look for a fountain.
6. **Feather 64:** On a balcony of a building overlooking St. Mark’s Square.
7. **Feather 65:** Near the base of one of the columns in St. Mark’s Square.
8. **Feather 66:** On a clothesline between two buildings near the Rialto Market.
9. **Feather 67:** On a gondola parked near a canal.
10. **Feather 68:** On top of a statue near the Doge’s Palace.
11. **Feather 69:** On a small bridge with ornate railings.
12. **Feather 70:** Behind a stack of wooden crates near a canal.
13. **Feather 71:** On a second-story balcony covered in vines.
14. **Feather 72:** Inside a small gazebo-like structure near the waterfront.
**Cannaregio District (9 Feathers)**
1. **Feather 73:** On a rooftop near the northern edge of the city.
2. **Feather 74:** On a small bridge with no railings.
3. **Feather 75:** Inside a small walled garden.
4. **Feather 76:** On a clothesline between two run-down buildings.
5. **Feather 77:** On a rooftop under construction.
6. **Feather 78:** Next to a well in a residential courtyard.
7. **Feather 79:** On a small dock extending into the lagoon.
8. **Feather 80:** At the top of a watchtower on the city walls.
9. **Feather 81:** Behind a pile of barrels near the docks.
**Dorsoduro District (9 Feathers)**
1. **Feather 82:** On the rooftop of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco.
2. **Feather 83:** On a small bridge near the Ca’ Foscari University.
3. **Feather 84:** In a hidden courtyard, accessible through a narrow alley.
4. **Feather 85:** On a clothesline between two buildings covered in ivy.
5. **Feather 86:** On a rooftop overlooking the Grand Canal, near the Accademia Bridge.
6. **Feather 87:** Near a gondola station with multiple boats.
7. **Feather 88:** On a statue in a small park.
8. **Feather 89:** On a small, circular platform jutting out over the water.
9. **Feather 90:** Behind a stack of crates near the docks.
**Castello District (10 Feathers)**
1. **Feather 91:** On a rooftop overlooking the Venetian Arsenal.
2. **Feather 92:** On a small bridge with decorative stone railings.
3. **Feather 93:** Inside a fenced-off garden near the waterfront.
4. **Feather 94:** On a clothesline between two brightly colored buildings.
5. **Feather 95:** On a rooftop near the naval base.
6. **Feather 96:** Next to a well in a residential courtyard.
7. **Feather 97:** On a small dock near the Riva degli Schiavoni.
8. **Feather 98:** At the top of a guard tower near the city walls.
9. **Feather 99:** Behind a pile of nets near the docks.
10. **Feather 100:** On the very top of the Venetian Arsenal’s main gate.
**Troubleshooting and Additional Tips**
* **Map Markers:** Double-check that your map markers are accurate. Sometimes they can be slightly off, so search the surrounding area if you can’t find a feather at the exact marked location.
* **Day/Night Cycle:** The lighting conditions can affect visibility. Try searching during different times of day to make it easier to spot feathers.
* **Desynchronization:** If you accidentally desynchronize (die or fail a mission), you’ll have to recollect any feathers you picked up after your last save. Make sure to save your progress regularly.
* **Online Maps and Videos:** If you’re still having trouble finding a particular feather, consider using online maps or video walkthroughs. There are many resources available that can provide visual guidance.
* **Patience is Key:** Remember that feather hunting can be a time-consuming process. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t find all the feathers right away. Take breaks and come back to it later.
**Conclusion**
Finding all 100 feathers in Assassin’s Creed II is a challenging but rewarding task. By following this comprehensive guide and utilizing the tips and strategies provided, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking the “Show your colors” achievement/trophy and experiencing everything that this iconic game has to offer. Happy hunting!