- Primary Subject: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced – What If Rifts Guide
- Key Update: Breakdown of four optional Animus Rift missions exploring alternate story timelines for Edward Kenway and key characters, each with unique gameplay challenges and rewards.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: July 9, 2026
- Quick Answer: The What If Rifts are optional side scenarios that reimagine key moments in Black Flag Resynced, each built around a different “what if” version of Edward Kenway’s story.
The What If Rifts are among the biggest additions in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced.
These optional Animus anomalies explore alternate versions of the story, asking how events might have unfolded if key characters had made different decisions. ƒ
Each Rift offers a unique mix of platforming, combat, stealth, and boss encounters, along with exclusive rewards that cannot be earned elsewhere.
There are four What If Rifts in total. They unlock at different points throughout the campaign, so you'll need to keep progressing through the main story before each one appears.
Once unlocked, they remain on the map permanently, allowing you to tackle them whenever you like.
How To Complete Wayward Souls – What If Edward Kept His Promise To Caroline?
- Unlock requirement: Complete Sequence 04: Overrun and Outnumbered
- Location: Great Inagua (825, 429)
Wayward Souls is the first Rift you'll encounter, and it focuses on the life Edward might have lived had he returned to Caroline instead of continuing his pursuit of fortune.
You can find the Rift on the southern shoreline of Great Inagua, with approaching by sea being much faster than crossing the island on foot.
For most of this Rift, you'll be carrying a treasure chest that symbolizes Edward's fortune.
While you're holding it, your health remains stable, but setting it down causes it to slowly drain away.
You'll occasionally need to leave the chest behind to operate mechanisms that open the path forward, so complete those interactions quickly before picking it back up.
The Rift continues with an underwater sequence as Edward is dragged through a narrow chasm.
Swim through the openings while avoiding jellyfish until you safely reach the exit.
The reward for completing Wayward Souls is the Lock of Hair, a rare trinket that heals you whenever you execute a perfect parry.
How To Complete Wayward Desires – What If Blackbeard Accepted The King's Pardon?
- Unlock requirement: Complete Sequence 08: Do Not Go Gently
- Location: Island north of Nassau (604, 784)
Wayward Desires imagines an alternate future where Blackbeard accepted the Crown's offer instead of continuing life as a pirate.
The Rift is located on a small island just north of Nassau and becomes available after Sequence 08.
This Rift focuses much more on combat as you fight across wrecked ships trapped inside a massive whirlpool while spectral enemies attack from every direction.
Several opponents use ranged attacks, so keep moving instead of standing still, and make use of the swivel guns scattered throughout the area to eliminate groups before they overwhelm you.
The Rift also features another on-rails swimming section through the center of the maelstrom.
Avoid the explosive barrels floating among the wreckage, as they can deal heavy damage if you drift too close.
Eventually, you'll confront Blackbeard himself. He regularly throws explosive canisters that leave dangerous patches of green fire across the deck while summoning spectral pirates to support him.
Focus on breaking his guard with pistol quickshots, avoid lingering inside the burning areas, and perform the finishing takedown once his guard is depleted.
After defeating him, climb the mast and replace the pirate flag with the British flag to witness the ending of this alternate timeline.
You'll also receive the Queen Anne's Revenge Wheel, a legendary wheel cosmetic for the Jackdaw.
How To Complete Wayward Minds – What If Mary Read Left The Assassins?
- Unlock requirement: Complete Sequence 11: Everything Is Permitted
- Location: Sacrifice Island (14, 559)
Wayward Minds becomes available after Sequence 11 and is found near the northeastern edge of Sacrifice Island.
It explores a version of events where Mary Read abandoned the Assassin Brotherhood to raise her child instead.
The first half blends platforming with combat, throwing waves of spectral soldiers at you while snipers on elevated positions force you to stay on the move.
Whenever possible, use nearby explosive barrels to eliminate multiple enemies at once instead of fighting every opponent individually.
During the rope-crossing sections, carefully time each jump to avoid incoming sniper fire.
The second half becomes a pure stealth section, as Edward is stripped of his weapons and can no longer assassinate guards or fight back.
Stay inside tall grass, reeds, and flower beds while watching patrol routes and moving only when the path is clear.
Spotlights instantly fail the encounter, so pay close attention to their movement before leaving cover.
Near the end, a beam of light begins chasing Edward through a narrow pathway.
Sprint forward without stopping, jump across each obstacle, and keep moving until you reach Mary Read's silhouette.
Interact with her to complete the Rift. Your reward is the Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate sea shanty.
How To Complete True Purpose – What If Edward Became A Templar?
- Unlock requirement: Complete the campaign, finish the epilogue, and clear the previous three Rifts
- Location: Island east of Misteriosa (363, 176)
True Purpose is the final chapter of the What If storyline. After meeting the unlock requirements, head to the island east of Misteriosa to begin the final Rift.
The opening sequence takes place inside a theater, where Ego presents alternate versions of Edward's journey before the simulation begins to break apart.
When the dialogue options appear, let them sit for a moment before choosing.
Wait until a third option called Fight Back becomes available, then select it to continue.
You'll first battle waves of enemies throughout the theater before moving backstage and climbing into the rafters to eliminate the remaining opponents.
Continue following the path until you eventually confront Ego in the final boss fight.
Ego uses several powerful attacks throughout both phases of the battle, including sweeping melee strikes, shockwaves, erupting spikes, projectile attacks, damaging energy blocks, and powerful laser beams.
The safest opportunities to attack usually come immediately after the boss finishes a large attack animation.
Continue using pistol quickshots to weaken Ego's guard, then perform a takedown whenever the prompt appears to deal massive damage.
Once Ego falls, follow the final path through the collapsing simulation before diving back out of the Animus to complete the Rift storyline.
After returning from the final Rift, remember to open the Synchronization tab in the Animus menu to claim the additional 300 Keys tied to the Dark Animus objective.
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