Over the course of nearly 16 years, Ubisoft has significantly developed its iconic Assassin’s Creed franchise, introducing multiple story-driven downloadable content (DLC) packs. These expansions began in 2009 with Assassin’s Creed II and continue to evolve in 2025 with Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
These DLCs often provide direct sequels to the main storylines, while others introduce side quests featuring beloved secondary characters, allowing for deeper character exploration and unique gameplay mechanics. The recent release of the Claws of Awaji expansion for Shadows by Ubisoft Bordeaux makes it an opportune moment to revisit the most notable DLCs in the Assassin’s Creed series.
This article will rank these expansions based on their narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, unique features, and their contributions to the broader Assassin’s Creed lore. Please note that this list excludes multiplayer map packs and brief single mission updates.
20 Assassin’s Creed Revelations: The Lost Archive
An Uninspiring Chapter
While Assassin’s Creed Revelations is recognized for concluding Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Altair Ibn-La’Ahad’s narratives, it also attempts to delve into Desmond Miles’ ongoing struggle against the Templar order. In Lost Archive, players navigate Animus Island through traditional gameplay. However, much of the experience is marred by dull first-person sequences in monotonous environments, where players are required to interact with floating blocks and ramps.
Though the exploration of Subject 16 Clay Kaczmarek and Lucy Stillman’s backstory offers some intriguing insights, the overall gameplay fails to deliver excitement. The narrative deserves a more immersive treatment rather than being relegated to audio over lackluster platforming.
19 Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: The Last Maharaja
An Underwhelming Addition
Despite being one of the lesser-performing entries in the Assassin’s Creed series, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate featured several DLCs, the most disappointing being The Last Maharaja. This expansion attempts to follow the life of Duleep Singh, a knight and prince in late 19th-century London, providing a glimpse into the British-Indian dynamic. However, it fails to introduce any compelling gameplay elements and suffers from some of the most pronounced glitches across Ubisoft titles.
Character development is minimal, restricted mainly to Duleep Singh, and with the central plot revolving around the Koh-i-Noor being revealed as counterfeit, the storyline feels lackluster and inconsequential.
18 Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood: Copernicus Conspiracy
Missed Opportunities
Within the Ezio Trilogy, the inclusion of historical figures like Nicolaus Copernicus proved to be a promising aspect of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood’s Copernicus Conspiracy DLC. Released initially as a PlayStation 3 exclusive, this content features Ezio attempting to protect Copernicus from Borgia Templars aiming to suppress his groundbreaking discoveries. However, the expansion consists largely of monotonous escort missions and time trials that lack depth.
Given Copernicus’s significance, it feels like a wasted opportunity to truly integrate him into the storyline, especially present his character in a more active role analogous to that of Leonardo da Vinci.
17 Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag: Aveline
An Insufficient Comeback
Renowned as one of the best titles in the Assassin’s Creed franchise and a standout pirate game, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag’s Aveline DLC unfortunately falls short of expectations. Set years after Black Flag’s events, this content sees Connor Kenway enlist the help of Aveline de Granpré in her mission to rescue an enslaved woman from Templar captivity.
Despite the strong voice performances, the DLC is disappointingly brief, with gameplay completing in under 40 minutes. The simplistic mechanics do not do justice to Aveline’s character, leaving the experience feeling inconsequential.
16 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: The Fate of Atlantis
Exploring Mythology
Though primarily grounded in historical fiction, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey takes a significant turn into mythology with its Fate of Atlantis DLC. While some fans appreciate this adaptation, others, like myself, prefer the franchise’s more historical approach over the introduction of mythological creatures like Cyclopes and Minotaurs. The beautifully crafted realms of Elysium, the Underworld, and Atlantis highlight an artistic endeavor, yet they detract from the series’ core principles that encourage engagement with real historical narratives.
Kassandra’s journey through a fantastical realm feels at odds with the groundwork laid by previous games, further aligning the series with myth-focused titles instead of its historical roots.
15 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok
Engaging with Norse Legends
Similar to my sentiments regarding The Fate of Atlantis, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s Dawn of Ragnarok DLC ventures into Norse mythology rather than concentrating on historical events. Players navigate Eivor’s past as Odin, attempting to rescue his son Baldr from the infernal Surtr and his army of fire giants. While the DLC offers visually stunning depictions of mythology, the overall execution feels inconsistent with the established Assassin’s Creed framework.
This retelling of Norse myths lacks engagement, muddied by excessive busywork that permeates Valhalla’s core gameplay, making even Eivor’s new abilities fail to elevate the experience.
14 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Legacy of the First Blade
Shedding Light on Darius
Though smaller than Fate of Atlantis, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s first DLC, Legacy of the First Blade, provides richer lore and character development for Kassandra. The narrative follows Kassandra in Macedonia as she assists Darius, the creator of the hidden blade, and his son Natakas in combatting the Persian Order of the Ancients.
Although Darius is not a playable character, his narrative serves as a fascinating insight into the origins of one of the series’ iconic tools while introducing players to the early machinations of the Templar predecessor. However, the forced romantic subplot could detract from player immersion, particularly those who have shaped Kassandra’s character differently throughout the main game.
13 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Wrath of the Druids
A Glimpse into Ireland’s History
As the first significant expansion of Valhalla, Wrath of the Druids may lack extensive new gameplay mechanics, but it compensates with a captivating exploration of Ireland’s medieval landscape and political climate of the late 9th century. Set between 879 and 881, this DLC invites Eivor to assist his cousin, King Barid mac Imair, in uniting Irish factions against a pagan rebellion.
The historical nuances, such as witnessing Sinna’s coronation and understanding the cultural interactions between Irish natives and Vikings, create an engaging atmosphere. While the expansion does dip into fantastical elements, such as werewolves, they are reframed as hallucinations, allowing the historical narrative to maintain its integrity.
12 Assassin’s Creed 2: The Battle of Forli
An Unnecessary Sidequest
The very first DLC for the Assassin’s Creed franchise, The Battle of Forli, offers a somewhat redundant addition to the main narrative of Assassin’s Creed II. This content revisits Ezio’s early years, weaving a tale where he collaborates with Caterina Sforza to safeguard the Apple of Eden from Templar mercenaries. While it provides further insight into Ezio’s character, players might find its storyline lacks substantial development or thrilling antagonists, making it one of the more skippable entries.
11 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The Siege of Paris
Embracing the Assassin Legacy
When Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was revealed with hints of a return to the franchise’s roots of social stealth, many anticipated that Eivor would embody the true essence of a Viking Assassin. While initially falling short, The Siege of Paris DLC finally delivers on that promise, allowing players to engage in classic stealth mechanics and expansive assassination missions reminiscent of Unity’s open structure.
This expansion offers an engaging depiction of 9th-century France, where the contrast to Ireland becomes palpable through its intricate city environments and tumultuous landscapes, enriching the overall gameplay experience.
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