In the game Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you will alternate between two main characters, Naoe and Yasuke, with a special focus on Naoe. As a highly skilled and stealth-oriented assassin, Naoe is quick, light, and agile, which makes her exceptional at sneaking, climbing, and avoiding detection. However, her lack of stamina and strength compared to Yasuke makes her less effective in combat scenarios, presenting unique challenges.
Whether you choose to play Naoe for her specific missions or incorporate her into the majority of your gameplay, it’s crucial to develop the right skills and equip the appropriate weapons that align with her fighting style.
Complete Katana Abilities and Passives for Naoe
Naoe’s proficiency with the Katana introduces players to her varied skill set and serves as a tutorial for the mechanics of AC Shadows, including Knowledge Points and Ranks. The three primary Katana abilities are Tidal Wave, Eviscerate, and Guard Breaker. Tidal Wave is the initial ability you’ll master, providing insight into how skills operate while also having the potential for significant damage output. Both Eviscerate and Guard Breaker are strong offensive options as well.
Below is a table of Naoe’s abilities:
| Rank | Title | Type | Description | Mastery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melee Expert | Global Passive | Increases melee weapon damage by 2% | Up to 9% |
| 1 | Dodge Attack | Passive | After dodging, quickly counter-attack | N/A |
| 1 | Tidal Wave | Ability | A rapid strike dealing 25% ability damage and making enemies vulnerable | N/A |
| 2 | Affliction Effectiveness | Global Passive | Increases damage on afflicted enemies by 2% | Up to 12% |
| 2 | Generator | Passive | Dodge attacks create 25% of an adrenaline chunk on hit | Up to 40% damage on dodge attacks |
| 2 | Counter Attack | Passive | Converts a deflect into a counterattack at the last moment | N/A |
| 3 | Second Wave | Passive | Tidal Wave can now be chained twice | Damage increase for Tidal Wave to 40% |
| 3 | Eviscerate | Ability | Strikes an enemy with 75% ability damage and pushes them back | N/A |
| 4 | Momentum Builder | Global Passive | Increases damage with consecutive hits by 1% | Up to 6% |
| 4 | No Mercy | Passive | Successful dodge attacks make the target vulnerable | Up to 60% damage increase |
| 4 | Guard Breaker | Ability | Executes 9 strikes, each dealing 10% ability damage and breaking armor | N/A |
| 5 | No Quarter | Passive | Guard Breaker now affects large enemies fully | Up to 40% damage increase |
| 5 | Smoke Screen | Passive | Drops a smoke bomb after using Eviscerate | Damage increase for Eviscerate to 60% |
| 6 | Unstoppable | Passive | Guard Breaker cannot be blocked or parried | Up to 60% damage increase |
| 6 | Third Wave | Passive | Tidal Wave can now be chained three times | Damage increase for Tidal Wave to 60% |
| 6 | Hardened | Passive | Counter Attack can be performed on unstoppable attacks | Counter Attack damage increase by 60% |
Complete Kusarigama Abilities and Passives
The Kusarigama stands out as one of the most versatile weapons, effective against groups as well as individual foes. Its notable area of effect ability, Cyclone Blast, allows Naoe to attack multiple enemies simultaneously while also pushing them back. When paired with Snake Bite, it offers a balance of ranged and close-quarters combat skills.
Here’s a summary of Kusarigama abilities:
| Rank | Title | Type | Description | Mastery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Affliction Builder | Global Passive | Increases affliction buildup by 1% | Up to 6% |
| 1 | Entanglement | Passive | Entangles an enemy with a posture attack | N/A |
| 1 | Feral Outburst | Ability | Launches Naoe towards an enemy and hits them with a flurry of strikes | N/A |
| 2 | Big Catch | Passive | Entanglement works fully against large enemies | N/A |
| 2 | Exposed Wound | Passive | Final strike deals vulnerability | 40% damage increase to Feral Outburst |
| 2 | Quick Strike | Passive | Perform 2 extra strikes after any attack | N/A |
| 3 | Multi-Target Expert | Passive | Increases damage when hitting multiple targets by 3% | Up to 15% |
| 3 | Cyclone Blast | Ability | Swings the Kusarigama in circles, causing damage and pushing back enemies | N/A |
Complete Tanto Abilities and Passives
Despite its sleek appearance, the Tanto is a fast weapon built for quickly dispatching single targets. The skills in the Tanto tree include Shadow Piercer, Shadow Barrage, and Hidden Hand. You can even enhance the Tanto through the Assassin skill tree to execute dual assassinations.
Here are the abilities associated with the Tanto:
| Rank | Title | Type | Description | Mastery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gap Seeker | Global Passive | Increases armor piercing by 3% | Up to 18% |
| 1 | Leap Strike | Passive | Leap towards a target and strike | N/A |
| 1 | Shadow Piercer | Ability | Throws the Tanto and lunges forward to stab, making it vulnerable | N/A |
| 2 | Backstabber | Global Passive | Increases damage from behind by 2% | Up to 12% |
| 2 | Escape Strike | Passive | Perform a strike followed by a backward dodge | Damage increase by 40% |
| 2 | Shadow Barrage | Ability | Automatically performs a quick evade before being hit | N/A |
Complete Shinobi Abilities and Passives
Naoe’s Shinobi abilities carry deep personal significance, linking back to her mother’s heritage. With only one Shinobi ability available at a time and a choice between two skills, players must decide based on their playing style, whether they prefer stealth over combat.
| Rank | Title | Type | Description | Mastery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prodigy | Global Passive | Increases damage with abilities by 2% | Up to 9% |
| 1 | Grab | Passive | While undetected, grab an enemy and move with them | N/A |
| 1 | Grappling Hook | Passive | Launch your grappling hook | N/A |
Complete Assassin Abilities and Passives for Naoe
The Assassin abilities in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are central to successful stealth gameplay. The Assassin skills enhance Naoe’s weaponry, introducing unique assassination capabilities.
| Rank | Title | Type | Description | Mastery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Executioner | Global Passive | Increases damage on vulnerable enemies by 2% | Up to 12% |
| 1 | Ground Assassinate | Passive | Assassinate regular enemies while they are grounded | N/A |
| 2 | Nightcrawler | Global Passive | Increases nighttime damage by 2% | Up to 12% |
| 2 | Double Assassinate | Passive | Assassinate two close enemies with one attack | N/A |
As you explore the abilities and strategize your gameplay, remember to balance Naoe’s agility with tactical planning to maximize your success in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.