AC Mirage: Contact the Rebels Guide

In the shadowy world of Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the Contact the Rebels mission stands out as a pivotal early quest that tests your stealth skills and eagle vision prowess. As Basim Ibn Ishaq, you’ll infiltrate the bustling Upper Harbor to connect with rebel forces led by Beshi, a key ally in Ali ibn Muhammad’s network. This mission isn’t just about combat; it’s a masterclass in observation, pickpocketing, and precise assassinations, all while avoiding the watchful eyes of the Order of the Ancients’ guards.

Released as part of Ubisoft’s return to stealth-focused roots, Assassin’s Creed Mirage emphasizes parkour, blending into crowds, and using Enkidu the eagle for reconnaissance. Contact the Rebels fits perfectly into this formula, requiring you to free three imprisoned rebels scattered across the harbor area. Success here unlocks further story progression and valuable resources like Power Favor Tokens, essential for upgrading Basim’s abilities.

Quest Overview and Prerequisites

Before diving into the action, ensure you’re prepared. This mission activates after completing earlier Harbiyah Bureau quests, such as those involving Nur’s leads. You’ll start from the Bureau, heading northeast to the Upper Harbor. Stock up on throwing knives and smoke bombs at the nearest Enclave merchant—these tools are lifesavers for crowd control.

• Location: Upper Harbor, northeast of Harbiyah Bureau
• Objectives: Locate Beshi, identify and free three rebels, regroup with Beshi
• Difficulty: Moderate (stealth recommended over brute force)
• Rewards: Power Favor Token, XP, story advancement

Enkidu is your best friend here. Summon him frequently to tag enemies, rebels, and interactive objects like breakable cranes or locked doors. The harbor is dense with patrols, crates for hiding, and vantage points for leaps of faith.

Step-by-Step: Tracking Down Beshi

Your first task is to find Beshi, a rebel contact rallying supporters amid the chaos. Exit the Harbiyah Bureau and head northeast. The Upper Harbor comes alive with docked ships, merchants haggling, and guards patrolling walkways. Use the rooftops for a bird’s-eye view—parkour across wooden beams and awnings to stay undetected.

Summon Enkidu to scan the central dock area. Beshi appears as a highlighted figure in civilian clothes, often speaking to a small group. Approach cautiously; blend into scholar or merchant disguises if available. Once spotted, a brief cutscene plays, outlining the plan: three rebels are captured nearby, and freeing them proves your worth.

Rescuing the First Rebel: The Locked Hovel

The northernmost prisoner is tucked inside a rundown hovel on the ground floor, behind a barred door. Guards block direct access, so stealth is paramount. Enkidu reveals one patrolling guard with a key—your target.

1. Drop into a haystack nearby and wait for the guard to isolate.
2. Pickpocket the key (hold the interact button while undetected) or air-assassinate from a beam.
3. Unlock the door quietly; the rebel slips out, thanking you before vanishing.

If spotted, use alleyways for evasion. This rescue teaches key management—always check Enkidu for keyholders on tougher missions.

Freeing the Second Rebel: Shipboard Infiltration

Aboard a creaking merchant vessel toward the bow lies the second rebel, watched by two guards. This section introduces environmental puzzles alongside combat. Boards creak underfoot, so stick to ropes and cargo nets.

Puzzle Solution for Optional Gold Chest: Before the rescue, detour to the ship’s hold. Movable crates block a golden chest. Push the forward crate into position, leap over obstacles, pull the rear crate back, and align them to climb. Rewards include gear upgrades.

• Push front crate forward until it stops.
• Maneuver around to pull the back crate flush against the first.
• Climb the stack to reach the chest—watch for swinging cargo!

For the rebel: Assassinate one guard from behind crates, then knife the second from afar. Free the prisoner and escort if needed, but they usually despawn safely.

The Toughest Liberation: Southern Canopy Rebel

Under a red awning to the south, the final rebel faces the heaviest guard presence—up to four patrollers. This is where upgrades shine: chain assassinations or blowdart poison.

Strategy: Divide and Conquer. Lure guards with whistles or distractions. The central crane holds a game-changer—tag its pulley with a throwing knife to drop cargo, crushing two foes instantly.

1. Position on the crane arm overlooking the group.
2. Knife the pulley; chaos ensues.
3. Double-assassinate survivors from the shadows.
4. Free the rebel amid the confusion.

Pro Tip: If alarms raise, dive into the water below for a clean escape—Basim’s swimming is swift.

Regrouping and Mission Completion

With all three freed, Enkidu pings Beshi’s new location: a quieter southern dock. Sprint there via rooftops, avoiding pursuit. Speak to Beshi for a motivational exchange, handing over the Power Favor Token. This item refines Basim’s skills at the Bureau, like enhanced eagle vision range.

Mission complete! You’ve bolstered the rebellion and honed Basim’s assassin toolkit.

Advanced Stealth Techniques for Perfection

To earn full synchronization (100% completion), replay on higher difficulties. Master these:

• Blending: Join civilian groups to cross guard lines undetected.
• Sectional Clearances: Clear enemy clusters methodically—never rush.
• Tool Synergy: Combine smoke bombs with assassinations for zero detections.

Common pitfalls: Ignoring Enkidu leads to ambushes; noisy combat alerts reinforcements. Practice in free-roam to memorize patrol patterns.

Rewards and Progression Impact

Beyond the token, expect 100-200 XP, pushing you toward the next skill tree unlocks. This mission gates Al-Ghul storyline beats, like Jailbreak. Collectibles abound—scan for Lost Books or gear chests during rescues.

FAQs

What if I get caught during rescues?

Desync restarts the segment. Use viewpoints to fast-travel post-failure.

Can I kill all guards?

Yes, but stealth yields more XP. Non-lethal options via bare hands exist.

Is the gold chest missable?

No—accessible anytime in the harbor free-roam.

Best upgrades for this mission?

Throwing Knives capacity and Chain Assassination.

How long does it take?

15-30 minutes stealthily; faster with combat.

Conclusion: Building Basim’s Legacy

Contact the Rebels encapsulates Mirage’s core loop: scout, infiltrate, strike. Mastering it sets the tone for Baghdad’s underbelly. Replay for variants, like all-assassination runs. Share your no-detection clears in comments!