The Apple of Eden is the Assassin's Creed artifact associated with mind control and illusions.
In the series' fictional mythology, an Apple of Eden is a Piece of Eden created by the Isu, an advanced civilization that existed before recorded human history. The artifact can influence human perception and behavior, project illusions, and manipulate minds, although its exact abilities vary by story.
The Apple is central to the first Assassin's Creed game, where Altaïr encounters one after pursuing Templar targets. Different Apples appear across the franchise, so the term describes a class of artifacts rather than only one unique object.
The Apple should not be confused with other Pieces of Eden. The Staff of Hermes, the Shroud of Eden, and the Swords of Eden have different forms and functions. The game's fictional use of the artifact is not a claim about a real historical object or religious relic.