Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Ultimate Tips, Tricks & Guides

Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings the iconic Ubisoft franchise to Feudal Japan, delivering a mix of stealth, open-world exploration, and brutal combat. Whether you're playing as Naoe, the agile shinobi, or Yasuke, the powerful samurai, Shadows offers a deep and diverse experience.

This guide breaks down the best tips, tricks, and strategies to help you get the most out of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, whether you’re new to the series or a longtime fan.

Choose the Right Character for Each Mission

• Naoe is stealth-focused, perfect for infiltration, silent kills, and parkour.
• Yasuke excels in open combat, heavy weapons, and crowd control.

Tip: Use Naoe for missions requiring discretion and Yasuke when brute strength is the better option. You can switch between them in some free-roam areas, so plan accordingly.

Master Stealth Mechanics Early

• Use the environment: Hide in tall grass, blend with crowds, and use rooftops for silent movement.
• Watch enemy patterns: Guard patrols follow loops—study them before moving.
• Light and shadow matter: Shadows help you stay hidden. Use night missions for easier stealth.

Trick: Throw coins or make noise to lure guards away from key entry points.

Upgrade Your Gear Wisely

• Naoe: Focus on upgrading silent weapons like kunai, smoke bombs, and hidden blades.
• Yasuke: Invest in armor, katanas, and heavy weapons for better survivability.

Guide Tip: Visit blacksmiths and tailors in towns to improve your gear. Some side quests also reward rare materials needed for top-tier upgrades.

Explore for Hidden Secrets and XP

• Sync viewpoints to reveal parts of the map and fast-travel points.
• Search villages and forests for hidden scrolls, rare artifacts, and side quests.
• Interact with NPCs who often hint at local secrets or give you small tasks that lead to larger rewards.

Use the Right Skills and Abilities

Naoe’s Best Skills to Unlock First:

• Silent Takedown Speed – quicker eliminations.
• Enhanced Climb – more efficient parkour and rooftop access.
• Shadow Step – short-range teleport between dark areas.

Yasuke’s Best Skills to Prioritize:

• Parry Mastery – increased window for counter attacks.
• Armor Breaker – break through shielded enemies.
• Berserk Mode – short bursts of power in combat.

Trick: Focus on a specific playstyle, then branch out once your core skills are solid.

Take Advantage of the Weather and Time of Day

• Rain masks footsteps and noise—great for infiltration.
• Nighttime reduces visibility, making it easier to sneak past guards.
• Wind direction can affect visibility of smoke bombs and environmental effects.

Guide Tip: Some missions allow you to choose when to start them. Pick times that favor stealth or visibility based on your plan.

Make the Most of Side Quests and Contracts

While the main story is compelling, side missions add depth and often reward you with exclusive gear or XP boosts. These include:

• Assassination contracts
• Lost heirloom hunts
• Historical events and character-driven arcs

Don’t skip these. They flesh out the world and often introduce useful tools or allies.

Parry, Dodge, and Break Enemy Defenses

• Parry incoming attacks for a chance to counter.
• Dodge heavy blows—especially from armored enemies.
• Use special abilities to break guard stances or stun foes.

Trick: Use terrain to your advantage. Fight in narrow areas to avoid getting surrounded, or use ledges and drops for instant kills.

Upgrade the Hidden Village Base

• Training grounds to unlock new combat techniques
• Crafting stations for advanced tools and gear
• Spy network to gather intel on enemy movements and new mission opportunities

Tip: Talk to your allies frequently—they sometimes offer upgrades or new quests.

Customize Your Playstyle

AC Shadows encourages customization. Choose how you want to approach missions:

• All-out stealth with Naoe’s tools and ghost-like movement
• Combat-focused using Yasuke’s brute force
• Or hybrid tactics that blend both styles

You’re never locked into one path. Experiment with tools, approaches, and gear until you find what works best for you.

Bonus: Quick Tips for Beginners

• Save often—especially before boss fights or stealth-heavy missions.
• Scan areas from rooftops before diving in.
• Use Eagle Vision (or its equivalent) to mark enemies and hidden paths.
• Don’t hoard tools—use smoke bombs, traps, and distractions often.
• Check your surroundings—there’s often more than one way in or out.

Final Thoughts

Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings together everything fans love: strategic stealth, deep combat, stunning environments, and historical depth. Whether you prefer the quiet precision of Naoe or the commanding presence of Yasuke, mastering the game means understanding when and how to use each tool at your disposal.

Use these tips, tricks, and guides to navigate the game more effectively—and turn every mission into a cinematic, tactical masterpiece.