The Best Early Side Quests In Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Summary

• Utilize side quests for valuable rewards and insights into Naoe and Yasuke’s pasts.
• Complete Kuji-kiri spots for Knowledge Points and flashbacks, enhancing character development.
• Engage in Contracts at Kakuregas for supplies and money, along with fast travel points.

It takes a bit to get started, but once players take control of Naoe after a traumatic episode, there’s a lot to do in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Players can get pets to place in their homestead, recruit NPCs to scout areas, save locals from bandits, take a swim in the harbor and look for treasure, and so on. It’s a robust selection for an open-world game.

Those are all random ideas for Assassin’s Creed Shadows but there are designated side quests too and many of them are beneficial to do as quickly as possible. They can open up mechanics or give players some key loot. Without too many story spoilers, let’s detail what side quests players should look out for.

8

Diving Into Naoe’s Past

Finding Kuji-kiri Spots

Kuji-kiri is a side quest just for Naoe in the game and these little spots are meditation zones that will grant players Knowledge Points upon completion. The first three times players use them, they will also be treated to Naoe’s past via the side quests Shinobi Warfare, Mind and Body, and Traditions.

Once complete, all other Kuji-kiri spots will just grant Knowledge Points. Three early Kuji-kiri locations can be found at Eboshigata Hachiman Shrine, the Hideout, and there is one close to Kawachi Lost Pagoda.

7

Diving Into Yasuke’s Past

Reminiscing In Azuchi Castle

Yasuke has some past to unravel in Assassin’s Creed Shadows too and all three flashbacks can be started in Azuchi Castle once his character is unlocked. They include An Education, Lady of Whispers, and Lords of Azuchi. All three focus on Yasuke’s training to be a samurai for Lord Nobunaga, introducing other characters like Nobutsuna, Marume, Oichi, and Nene. Like Naoe’s past, they aren’t long or that hard but they are useful to help flesh out Yasuke.

6

Way of the Blacksmith

Upgrade Your Gear

Getting away from reminiscing, let’s get into one of the most important side quests in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Way of the Blacksmith. At the Hideout, Tomiko will ask Naoe to locate a blacksmith to start making weapons for the clan.

Players can find this blacksmith, Heiji, in Sakai and it’s a relatively quick side quest to get through. It’s important because recruiting him will unlock transmogrification for gear and players can upgrade weapons and armor via the power of Gold although they shouldn’t make the mistake and upgrade too soon in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

5

Thrown To The Dogs

A Good Boy In Dire Need

Thrown to the Dogs can be started in Assassin’s Creed Shadows once players get to Tennoji Temple in the Osaka region. Here they will find a brutally beaten dog, Tsuki-maru, crying over his master’s grave. Tsuki-maru will lead Naoe back to his owner’s farm where she will meet his sister Takako.

She’s upset because she can’t find her brother’s secret and when she is trying to look for it, Takako beats Tsuki-maru in frustration. Players can either kill Takako or let her live and the latter choice seems irresponsible given the state this good boy is in. Either way, players will get Tsuki-maru as a pet by completing the side quest.

4

The Stray Dogs

Tetsuo!

The Stray Dogs is not another dog-related side quest. This one will unlock after players complete the main mission in Assassin’s Creed Shadows getting rid of Wada Koretake. Yaya, a female monk who was part of that mission, can be recruited as an ally if players choose to spare some other characters after the raid.

This will then lead to The Stray Dogs which has Yaya asking Naoe to locate an old family member, Tetsuo. Yaya does not scream Tetsuo’s name as much in Assassin’s Creed Shadows compared to Akira in the Akira anime, but either way, Yaya will be a good ally for the cause to get early.

3

The Kabukimono

Hunting Down Deadly Ronin

One of the more unique things about Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ side quest structure is that many branch out into multiple missions. For example, players can sort of stumble into The Kabukimono if they head to Katano, the nearest town on the Hideout westward, and find Katano Oil Trading. Here, they can face a group of bandits led by Chief Cuckoo, and once defeated, it will set the side quest up in the Objectives board.

Another member, Ghost General, can be found on the docks of the Port of Saki. Every member players defeat will reward them with handsome loot and a fun fight ending with a cool splash screen visual that would fit in well with a samurai or ninja anime.

2

The Yokai

Are Monsters Real?

The Yokai is another side quest structured around multiple missions. Players can find a grumpy older man, Mamushi, hiding out in the Nyoiji Daiji Temple which is located in the Hills of Meeting. Mamushi is tired of people coming to him and asking him to investigate Yokai sightings.

So, in his stead, Naoe will do it to see if there really are Yokai sort of like a Japanese take on The X-Files. Players can find Kappa in the Haunted Tatarigami Village or a Yuki Onna in the Kawachi Kaza-ana Cave. These are two wild examples and each case has an interesting storyline attached so get hunting!

1

Getting Into Contracts

Find Kakuregas

Finally, every RPG has to have a few fetch quests and Assassin’s Creed Shadows is no different. In most major cities or towns, players can find hideouts called Kakurega which serve as fast travel points and places to refill supplies. One can be found in Katano, as one example.

Players can also take on Contracts here which can range from stealing supplies back from enemies or eliminating a set amount. They’re easy to handle in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and they are a good way to raise money. More will unlock the further players raise their levels or continue with the story.