In Assassin's Creed (2007), what rank does Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad hold at the start of the game?

In Assassin's Creed (2007), Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad holds the rank of Master Assassin at the start of the game.

Altaïr begins the story as an elite member of the Levantine Assassin Brotherhood. During a failed mission at Solomon's Temple, his behavior violates the Brotherhood's principles and costs him his rank, equipment, and status. The Brotherhood's leader, Al Mualim, sends him back to the rank of novice and assigns him a sequence of assassination missions.

The loss of rank is central to Altaïr's character arc. By completing missions and learning from his mistakes, he gradually regains his abilities and authority. The game therefore starts with a powerful assassin in disgrace rather than with an inexperienced recruit.

Master Assassin should not be confused with the later title Mentor, which is used for the head of an Assassin Brotherhood. Altaïr's opening rank describes his personal standing as a highly trained field operative.