Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an open-world stealth-action RPG by Ubisoft Quebec, released April 20, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Set in feudal Japan’s Sengoku era, it follows dual protagonists—shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke—as they navigate Oda Nobunaga’s wars against Templar-like foes. With a dynamic 70km² map, seasonal shifts, and gameplay split between stealth and brute combat, it blends ninja agility with samurai strength. Launched with bugs (audio issues, cutscene freezes) and mixed reviews (81/100 OpenCritic), it’s a visually stunning yet flawed epic.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Strategy Guide
Getting Started: Character Choice and Setup
•Naoe vs. Yasuke: You’ll play both, but early missions lock you to one for stretches (Naoe dominates the first 8-10 hours post-intro). Naoe’s stealth excels in tight spaces—think rooftops, shadows, and silent takedowns. Yasuke’s brute force shines in open combat, parrying red attacks and tanking hits. Pick based on mission context: stealth-heavy? Naoe. Brawls? Yasuke. Check mission briefs for clues (e.g., “open combat” screams Yasuke).
•Difficulty: Four modes—adjustable in-game. Normal balances challenge and freedom; Guided Exploration adds icons if you hate hunting clues (but locks some trophies). Start syncing viewpoints early for XP and fast travel regardless of difficulty.
Core Mechanics and Progression
Assassin's Creed Shadows Strategy Guide - Core Mechanics and Progression
•Synchronization: Hit every viewpoint (orange icons) ASAP. They reveal the map, unlock fast travel, and grant XP—crucial for early leveling. Kawachi Heights and Nanatsu Matsu have early ones.
•Knowledge Points: Earned from activities (quests, Kuji Kiris, exploration). Spend them on skill trees—prioritize Assassination Damage I (extra health segment removal) for Naoe or Yasuke’s parry skills for combat edge.
•Hideout: Build the Forge first (800 Mon at a Kakurega) to upgrade gear—enemies scale fast, and unupgraded weapons lag by mid-game. Level it to 2 for engravings (e.g., Kunai replenishment). Scouts here clear wanted status and smuggle resources—keep 2-3 free for stashes.
•Scouts: Use Intel to narrow quest areas, but don’t spam—clues often suffice (e.g., “near a temple” = check the map). Replenish at Kakuregas (200 Mon) or wait for seasonal resets.
Combat Strategies
Naoe:
Assassin's Creed Shadows Strategy Guide - Combat Strategies: Naoe
•Weapons: Katana for quick strikes, Kusarigama for crowd control, Tanto for stealth finishers. Upgrade the Tanto early—its double-assassination perk (post-Wada Koretake quest) clears pairs silently.
•Tactics: Perfect dodge (Q + WASD) staggers enemies—follow with charged attacks. Kunai headshots (upgradable to pierce armor) thin out groups from hiding. Avoid frontal samurai fights—they block everything but Kunai.
•Escapes: Smoke bombs (unlock early) for getaways—pair with grappling hooks to rooftops.
Yasuke:
Assassin's Creed Shadows Strategy Guide - Combat Strategies: Yasuke
•Weapons: Kanabo smashes armor (yellow bars), paired with heavy swords for raw damage. Charged attacks break guards.
•Tactics: Parry (F) everything—even red attacks—with timing. Perfect dodges open finishers (e.g., environmental kills near destructibles). He can’t hide, so lean into chaos—lure enemies to choke points.
•Durability: His resilience shines in multi-enemy brawls—don’t dodge unnecessarily; block and counter.
Stealth Strategies
Assassin's Creed Shadows Strategy Guide - Stealth Strategies
•Observe Mode: Both characters use it (R3/V)—tags enemies through walls, spots hiding spots, and highlights loot. Spam it before infiltrating.
•Eagle Vision: Naoe’s version (R3/V) marks enemies red—plan your route around patrols. Pair with Pathfinder (toggle in menu) for safe paths in tricky terrain.
Dynamic Environment:
Assassin's Creed Shadows Strategy Guide - Dynamic Environment
•Seasons: Summer’s dense foliage hides you; winter’s icicles distract (drop them); rain muffles steps. Fog or night cuts AI detection—strike then.
•Lighting: Shadows are your friend—bright areas expose Naoe fast. Test LOS with grass or corners.
•Tools: Kunai for silent kills (retrieve from bodies), bells to lure guards. Upgrade Kunai for multi-segment damage—clear bases without breaking stealth.
Exploration and Resource Management
Assassin's Creed Shadows Strategy Guide - Exploration and Resource Management
•Fast Travel: Kakuregas (unlocked for 800 Mon) are your hubs—restock, upgrade, and jump around. Prioritize unlocking them near key zones (e.g., Rolling Glen).
•Gear: Sell junk to merchants—check shops for tea sets (side quest items). Equip highest-level gear; upgrade favorites at the Forge for scaling.
•Map Icons: Orange question marks = loot or quests (e.g., temple pages, shrines). Hit them en route to avoid backtracking.
•Seasonal Shifts: Winter freezes paths (slippery but shortcuts); summer opens foliage cover. Adapt routes—Pathfinder adjusts for this.
Early Quest Choices
Assassin's Creed Shadows Strategy Guide - Early Quest Choices
•Golden Teppo vs. Wada Koretake: Pick first based on reward. Tanto (Teppo) boosts Naoe’s stealth with double kills—recommended early. Kusarigama (Wada) suits combat-focused Naoe play. Both are legendary, so grab the other later.
Tips for Success
Assassin's Creed Shadows Strategy Guide - Inventory Check
•Mix Main and Side Quests: Mainline-only spikes enemy levels—do side content (e.g., bandit fights, villager aid) for XP and gear to stay ahead.
•Inventory Check: Post-mission, swap to new gear—rarity and level matter more than style early on.
•Avoid Trolls: Samurai can’t be front-stabbed—flank or Kunai them. Yasuke’s locked from some stealth zones—switch to Naoe there.
Day-One Caveats
Bugs like audio cutouts, cutscene freezes, and NPC pop-in are reported (e.g., X posts from @jpofferz_ttv). Restarting or tweaking settings (language, wired audio) might help—Ubisoft’s likely patching soon. Complaints about darkness or pacing don’t shift strategy much yet—use Eagle Vision for dark spots and grind side quests if the story drags.
This guide’s your foundation—expect it to evolve as players map more of Japan.
