Best Things To Do First In Assassin’s Creed Shadows

It’s become a trope at this point but big open-world RPGs can often start slowly and Assassin’s Creed Shadows is no exception. Players will begin briefly with Yasuke, a samurai in training under Lord Nobunaga before things shift to Naoe, a ninja in training. After trials and tribulations with her, things will finally open up to a large degree.

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The only thing stopping players from exploring the whole world before continuing with the story in Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be the level gating. So, for the first few sections of the game, this is what players should get themselves into first.

6

How To Unlock Yasuke

For The Samurai Lovers

A game like Ghost of Tsushima caters to both samurai and ninja fans as they can play the hero, Jin, as either a noble samurai or a stealthy ninja. In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players have to wait to get into the role of a samurai as after the prologue, Yasuke disappears. For those coming to this game to play as Yasuke, they may want to think about skipping all other activities and just rush through the plot as their first major objective.

As Naoe, players will have to kill the first two members of The Onryo before the third will open up. Once players start following Lord Mitsuhide, they will eventually go after their third target during the Temple of the Horseman mission. After this, they will unlock Yasuke. To save on spoilers, no other details will be made. Since the game has level scaling, it is possible to make it to this point in just a few hours.

5

Get Acquainted With Kuji-Kiri

Meditate To Learn About Naoe’s Past

Ignoring the advice about Yasuke, let’s shift focus on if players want to take their time as Naoe. When the world opens up, players begin at Makinoodera Temple and have to make their way to their hideout and talk to Tomiko. Before leaving, players should get the Viewpoint for fast travel purposes. Next, on the way to the hideout, players pass by some Torii Gates, which lead to another temple area. Up here, players can engage with their first Kuji-kiri, or meditation spot, in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

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Practicing Kuji-kiri will give players Knowledge Points in Assassin’s Creed Shadows which will extend the skill trees for both heroes. The first four meditations will result in side missions, reflecting on Naoe’s past, while all other meditations will just grant players Knowledge Points.

4

Pray At A Shrine

Use photos to make locations

In the recent action RPG Monster Hunter Wilds, players should eat before missions to boost their stats. Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t have a system like this, although local food vendors can increase ration capacity. Players can get a boost before a mission by praying at a shrine, and this should be a first step throughout the adventure.

If players stick to a road while traveling between cities, they should come across plenty of shrines. They don’t cost anything save for a few seconds of idle animation while the character of choice prays. This prayer will grant players a random bonus like a certain weapon doing more damage. There’s even a prayer shrine located at the entrance of the hideout as a friendly reminder to always pray before going out first in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and now there is no way to break shrines thanks to an update.

3

Get To A City ASAP

Katano Is A Good Choice

No matter the difficulty they choose in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players are probably going to struggle with using Naoe in combat. She’s not as strong as Yasuke, enemies around her will be leveled up and tougher, and she can’t take as much damage. The solution is to get to a vendor on the double which requires finding a town or city. Katano is the closest town due west of the hideout which shouldn’t be hard to see on the map.

Find the vendor and buy Naoe her starter Talisman which is an accessory that will boost stats and buy any armor that will boost her stats significantly. They should also buy Naoe her first Kusarigama and Tanto weapons which will open up their associated skill trees. Finally, there is a Kakurega in town which is a headquarters for scouts that players can also use to fast travel to, refill supplies, or take on small fetch quests called Contracts which is an easy way to make money in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

2

Two Side Quests To Tackle ASAP

Kill Bandits And Get A Blacksmith

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has an interesting quest system represented by a large skill tree that players can refer back to frequently. There are main objectives along with side quests. Of the few players who can tackle early, there are two that players should get to on the double.

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Players can begin this quest for Tomiko, Way of the Blacksmith, by going south to Sakai wherein they will meet Heji the blacksmith. Recruiting him for the hideout will unlock upgrades in Assassin’s Creed Shadows for gear along with the ability to use Transmogrification on armor. Due east of Sakai, players should see an icon for the side quest called Out to Pasture. Talk to the farmer there which will start a bounty quest, requiring players to defeat a hundred bandits in Settsu. Starting this one as early as possible will guarantee players can hit their limit through main and side objectives quickly.

1

Understanding Mastery And Knowledge Points

What To Unlock First

As was mentioned with Kuji-kiri, players can earn Knowledge Points in the game but this isn’t the only way. Visiting shrines and temples along with exploring old ruins can gain them Knowledge Points too. This will unlock further tiers in the skill trees for both characters, but let’s focus on Naoe for now. Mastery Points are also needed and these actually unlock skills from all six of her skill trees tied to her three weapons and three ninja ways. Players will gain them through leveling up and some side activities too like killing Daisho in castles.

The absolute first unlock players should strive for is Double Assassinate which allows for double stealth kills when using a Tanto. A Knowledge ranking of two is needed for this, so players are encouraged to explore the world for shrines and the like. Players should get acquainted with how they want to play Naoe after a few hours of playing with her and then decide what skill tree paths to traverse. Want to be stronger? Unlock some Katana skills. Want to be stealthy? Then continue down the Assassin path which is where Double Assassinate is located.

Released

March 20, 2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language

OpenCritic Rating

Strong