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As you advance in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll acquire various skills, but there are a few standout abilities that you should focus on early in the game. These abilities will help you navigate the game world more easily and provide an advantage in combat during the initial phases. Every weapon features its unique skill tree filled with both passive and active skills, and there are several important abilities for both Yasuke and Naoe that you should prioritize.
Unlocking Abilities in AC Shadows
Abilities in AC Shadows are activated using Mastery Points and Knowledge Points, which you can earn through side quests, defeating Samurai in castles, and completing various challenges like Kofuns, Kuji Kiris, and Temples, among other activities. Before reaching Knowledge Rank 2, there are a few key abilities that Naoe and Yasuke should invest in first. Keep in mind that you can reset individual skill trees at no cost, so your early investments won’t be set in stone.
Essential Weapon Abilities for Naoe
Prioritize Combat-Focused Weapon Passives
Initially, you won’t gain access to Naoe’s more advanced abilities until you start unlocking Knowledge Points, and you’ll also need to collect each weapon type before you can use its Mastery skill tree. Your starting options for weapon abilities are somewhat limited, with the katana’s Tidal Wave being your only choice for a time. If combat is your focus, consider allocating your Mastery Points to katana passives at the outset. The Dodge Attack skill is an effective counter-move, while Melee Expert boosts your overall weapon damage.
After you find a tanto and a Kusarigama throughout the main storyline, it’s advisable to choose one weapon type to specialize in and funnel your Mastery Points into it. I strongly recommend the Kusarigama for its versatility. Its first ability, Feral Outburst, delivers 20% ability damage with each of its four strikes and grants additional enhancements at Rank 2, making foes more vulnerable. Although the tanto’s Shadow Piercer ability is also formidable, the Kusarigama excels in handling groups of enemies more effectively than either the tanto or katana.
Using Tools Efficiently
If you prefer not to rely on Guaranteed Assassination and want to maintain effective stealth right from the start, it’s wise to put the majority of your points into the Assassin and Tools skill trees. At Knowledge Rank 2, you can enhance your Kunai assassination damage within the Tools tree to take down more foes. Additionally, you can improve Naoe’s general assassination effectiveness in the Assassin tree with Assassin Damage 1. Unlocking all available tools—like shuriken, smoke bombs, kunai enhancements, and Shinobi bells—is advantageous for multiple situations.
For those who thrive on high-risk maneuvers, the Igan Roll ability reduces fall damage and allows you to leap from great heights, rolling just before landing to minimize injury. Vault is another key skill to pick up, allowing Naoe to leap over enemies, rendering them vulnerable and making it easier to inflict damage during early confrontations.
Key Melee Weapon Abilities for Yasuke
Powerful Skills to Unlock First
By the time you unlock Yasuke, your Knowledge Rank should be around tier 3. Depending on the weapons you’ve accumulated as Naoe, you might have access to the full range of Yasuke’s arsenal.
If you possess a strong Kanabo, such as the Daybreak’s Fury, prioritize unlocking the Spine Breaker ability. This attack enables Yasuke to charge at an opponent, lifting them off the ground and dealing 50% ability damage, effectively knocking out weaker enemies. Other great skills for a Kanabo build include Forward Momentum and Devastation.
Although Yasuke’s stealth capabilities are limited and he lacks an equivalent to Eagle Vision, both the Long Katana and Naginata present excellent options. The Naginata offers the passive ability Whirlwind, which is powerful but has a tricky input requirement that can be challenging for newcomers to master. However, mastering it means you can unleash the Naginata’s Far Reach ability, which enhances damage by 15% when hitting foes with the weapon’s tip. On the other hand, the Long Katana provides more straightforward Samurai-style skills, including Riposte, Sheathed Attack, and Power Dash.
Choosing Ranged Weapon Skills for Yasuke
Pick Between a Bow or a Teppo
For Yasuke’s ranged options, choosing either a bow or a teppo is wise; however, keep in mind the strengths of each. The bow serves as Yasuke’s stealth option in AC Shadows, while the teppo tends to alert nearby enemies. Given that Yasuke is not designed for stealth, the teppo may be more suitable. Whichever you select, you’ll gain access to two abilities at Knowledge Rank 2. Close Quarters allows for bashing down enemies for an automatic shot, and you’ll also immediately unlock poison arrows with the bow.
Additionally, grab Yasuke’s Samurai abilities like Link Attack, which enables you to switch weapons and execute combo attacks, and Heavy Impact, allowing you to launch large enemies with the War Kick maneuver. Brutal Assassination is Yasuke’s take on stealth attacks, living up to its name by enabling you to approach foes and deal considerable damage with unique moves based on your currently equipped weapon.
These recommendations serve as great starting points, but as you collect more Mastery and Knowledge Points, new, more powerful options will emerge. Pay close attention to the skill trees as you increase your Knowledge Rank, as better abilities will become accessible. You can only equip two skills at a time, so prioritize wisely. No matter which abilities you choose in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, your initial selections can significantly impact your gameplay experience.
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