In Assassin's Creed, which order is the Assassins' principal enemy?

The Templars are the principal enemy order of the Assassins in Assassin's Creed.

Across the series, the Assassins and Templars represent opposing philosophies. Assassins generally defend free will and resist centralized control, while Templars seek order and stability through influence, authority, and powerful artifacts.

The conflict extends through different historical periods and often uses changing names, leaders, and political institutions. The Templars may operate openly or through secret networks, depending on the setting and story.

Earlier games sometimes use related organizations. The Order of the Ancients appears in Assassin's Creed Origins, while the Cult of Kosmos is central to Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The Hidden Ones, by contrast, are an early form of the Assassin Brotherhood rather than its main enemy.