Assassin’s Creed Shadows Game Guide: Fifteen Tips and Tricks
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a massive adventure set in feudal Japan, filled with diverse environments, engaging activities, and mysterious locations. This game offers a blend of stealth, close-quarters combat, and extensive exploration, and if not accompanied by the right tips and tricks, you might miss some of its important aspects. In this article, we will explore the best tips and strategies to help you become a professional shinobi in this vast and detailed world.
1. Stay in the Shadows

As the game’s name suggests, shadows are one of the most important stealth mechanics in this installment. Naoe and Yasuke will be much less visible to enemies when they are in the shadows. To maximize your stealth capabilities, avoid light, extinguish enemy lights and torches, and choose dark paths.
2. Consider Seasonal Changes
Seasons in Assassin’s Creed Shadows change dynamically, affecting not only visuals but also gameplay. For example:
In winter, you can break icicles from a distance to create noise or even damage enemies by having them fall on them.
But be careful of your footprints in the snow, as they can reveal your presence.
In spring and summer, green grass and trees create more opportunities for stealth.
3. Assassin’s Creed Shadows Game Guide Upgrade Stealth Skills
At the beginning of the game, you will spend most of your time with Naoe, the professional shinobi. Therefore, it is best to prioritize her skills in the Assassin Mastery tree. Some important early skills include:
Increased damage from stealth attacks
Performing dual stealth attacks
Improved escape abilities
4. Take the Knowledge Rank System Seriously

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you cannot freely upgrade your skills without planning. The skill tree has locked tiers that require you to increase your Knowledge Rank to unlock them. To do this, you must perform specific activities in the game world, including:
Conquering castles
Collecting lost pages in temples
Finding meditation spots with Naoe
5. Use Kukurega Hideouts
Kukuregas are safe locations across the map that serve as secondary bases. After unlocking a Kukurega, you can use it for:
- Fast Travel
- Restocking supplies and ammunition
- Receiving side missions
Important tip: Whenever you find a new Kukurega, be sure to unlock it to have quick access to that area.
6. Complete Contract Missions

In Kukuregas, you can accept contract missions. Completing these missions has many benefits, including:
- Earning a large amount of money and experience
- Receiving rare and valuable equipment
Therefore, it is best to dedicate some time to these missions occasionally.
7. Use Your Scouts
Naoe and Yasuke have a group of scouts that are crucial for finding important targets and locations. However, early in the game, your scouts might run out sooner than expected. In this case, you can:
Visit a Kukurega and pay money to replenish your forces.
Wait for the season to change, as all scouts automatically return with each season change.
8. Upgrade Your Hideout

Your secret base is called the Hideout, and you can customize and upgrade it. Some important upgrades include:
- Expanding combat and tactical facilities
- Increasing stealth abilities
- Improving resource and equipment reserves
9. Steal Resources
To upgrade and expand your base, you will need specific resources such as wood, agricultural products, and more. You can obtain these resources by:
- Looting enemy warehouses
- Marking reserves for scouts to transfer to the base
10. Unlock the Forge in the Base
One of the first upgrades you should make in your base is unlocking the Forge. This section is crucial for:
- Upgrading weapons and armor
- Improving your favorite equipment
So, return to the base occasionally and strengthen your equipment.
11. Unlock the Study Sooner

The Study is another important section of the base that allows you to:Increase your maximum number of scouts
Have better tactical abilities to identify enemies
12. Get help from your allies
Throughout the game, you can recruit new allies, each with their own unique skills. These allies can:
- Help you in battles
- Distract enemies during stealth
- Remove obstacles
13. Constantly change your equipment

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, each piece of equipment has unique characteristics. Some of these characteristics include:
Increased adrenaline in battles
Increased damage from stealth attacks
Improved defense against specific enemies
Even if your equipment seems numerically weaker, it might be useful in certain situations. Therefore, always change your equipment depending on the situation.
14. Don’t forget to buy from merchants
Unlike previous versions, merchants in this version offer unique items that you might need throughout the game. Merchants’ inventory also changes with the seasons, so visit them occasionally.
15. Sketch animals!

One of the engaging side activities in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is sketching wild animals. This activity, in addition to being entertaining, helps you get acquainted with Japan’s diverse wildlife. You can also find and pet adorable dogs and cats throughout the game!
Conclusion
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the most ambitious installments in the series, offering an unforgettable experience with a vast and detailed world, advanced stealth mechanics, and an engaging story. By following these tips, you can improve your skills and make the best use of all the game’s features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Assassin’s Creed Shadows be played entirely stealthily?
Yes, the game places a strong emphasis on stealth, and if you use shadows and your equipment correctly, you can complete many missions without engaging in combat.
Does the changing of seasons in Assassin’s Creed Shadows significantly impact gameplay?
Yes, seasons create many changes in stealth, combat, and interaction with the environment.
Is upgrading the Assassin’s Creed Shadows hideout essential?
Yes, many game features such as blacksmithing, the laboratory, and equipment improvements depend on upgrading the hideout.