Assassin’s Creed Shadows drops players into a rich, sprawling world filled with stealth, action, and brutal combat. Whether you’re sneaking through castles or going full samurai in a battlefield, this game has a lot going on. But let’s be honest—the game doesn’t always explain things well. If you want to get ahead, you need the right strategies. Here are seven essential tips that will help you dominate feudal Japan, whether you’re playing as Naoe, the stealthy shinobi, or Yasuke, the powerhouse warrior.
1. Raid Castles for the Best Gear Early
One of the best ways to power up in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is by raiding castles. These strongholds offer some of the most legendary gear in the game, and the best part? The loot never changes. That means once you know where to go, you can get top-tier armor and weapons right at the start.
A great example is Katano Castle, which is located just west of your starting hideout. It’s one of the easier castles to clear, and for doing so, you’ll score the Tools Master gear set, a legendary light armor with an incredible perk: every time you assassinate an enemy, you’ll automatically throw a kunai at the nearest target. That means instant double assassinations, even without unlocking the skill.
Since many enemies tend to stand in pairs, this armor makes clearing out groups a breeze. If you’re worried about it becoming outdated, don’t be—you can upgrade gear at the blacksmith in your hideout for a small cost. Equip it when needed, and swap back to other armor when stealth isn’t the priority.
2. Smoke Bombs Are Your Best Friend
Smoke bombs have been overpowered in previous Assassin’s Creed games, and guess what? That hasn’t changed. These little tools are game-changers, letting you escape fights, break enemy line of sight, and even pull off free assassinations while enemies are disoriented.
The only downside? Some enemies will walk out of the smoke, but they’ll still be dazed for a few seconds, giving you an opportunity to land easy hits. Plus, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is packed with tool refill stations, so you’re never really running out of bombs—just keep an eye out for those little containers scattered across enemy camps and castles.
Whenever things start to go sideways, drop a smoke bomb and take control of the fight. You can eliminate enemies one by one or make a clean getaway. Either way, this tool is ridiculously effective and should be in your quick-use slot at all times.
3. Don’t Skip Over Random Encounters
In a game as massive as Shadows, it’s easy to ignore side content. But here’s the thing: random encounters are actually worth doing. Throughout the world, you’ll come across beggars, merchants, and nobles who need help. It might not seem like much, but these small interactions often lead to hidden rewards.
Sometimes, helping an NPC will give you valuable intel, such as the location of a legendary weapon or a secret mission you wouldn’t have found otherwise. Other times, they’ll point you toward hidden treasures that can’t be found on the map. And, let’s be real—there’s always the chance of running into some weird, wacky NPCs that make the world feel more alive.
So next time you see someone waving you down, take a minute to hear them out. You never know what they might lead you to.
4. Play in Guided Mode to Save Time
Assassin’s Creed games have always given players two exploration modes: Explorer Mode (where objectives aren’t marked, and you have to find them yourself) and Guided Mode (where everything is marked on the map). In Odyssey, playing in Explorer Mode made the game feel immersive. In Shadows, it just makes things frustratingly tedious.
Without a pet eagle to mark objectives, finding key locations is a pain. Quest descriptions can be vague, and objectives can be hidden in dense areas that take forever to search. That’s why turning on Guided Mode can save you hours of aimless wandering.
If you prefer immersion, that’s great. But if you’re tired of running in circles looking for a lost page in a temple, flip the switch in the settings and let yourself enjoy the game without unnecessary frustration.
5. Use Scouts for Smuggling, Not Searching
Scouts are a valuable resource in Shadows, but a lot of players waste them too early. Sure, they can help locate objectives on the map, but their best use is actually for smuggling resources out of enemy camps.
Whenever you clear a castle, outpost, or abandoned camp, you’ll find large caches of supplies that can only be retrieved by using Scouts. If you spend them wisely, you’ll get huge amounts of materials when the in-game seasons change. This is way more valuable than using them to mark a single objective.
To maximize your gains, buy more Scouts at your HQ before raiding big locations. Also, don’t waste money on gear from stores—you’ll find better loot in treasure chests anyway.
6. Yasuke is an Absolute Powerhouse—Use Him Wisely
When you finally unlock Yasuke, it might feel like there’s no reason to switch from Naoe. After all, she’s the one with stealth skills and parkour moves, while he’s just a tanky samurai. But don’t sleep on Yasuke—he’s an absolute beast in combat.
Unlike Naoe, who relies on dodging and sneaky kills, Yasuke can block almost everything and soak up damage like a boss. He also gets access to long-range weapons and powerful skills that make him nearly invincible in a fight.
If you ever get tired of stealth or just want to cut through enemies like a wrecking ball, switch to Yasuke and let loose. Just remember that he can’t climb or grapple, so be prepared to switch back when exploration is needed.
7. You Can’t Skip Time—So Plan Ahead
Unlike some past Assassin’s Creed games, there’s no way to manually switch between day and night in Shadows. This might not seem like a big deal, but it matters a lot because stealth is significantly easier at night when enemies have lower visibility.
The in-game time cycle lasts 48 minutes in real-time—24 minutes of daylight and 24 minutes of night. If you want to avoid daytime detection, you’ll have to wait it out. Seasons also change every 2-3 hours, affecting visibility, terrain, and enemy behaviors.
One trick to keep a specific season longer is avoiding loading screens. Fast traveling, completing main missions, or returning to your hideout will trigger a season change, so if you want to stay in a certain season, stick to side quests and exploration instead.
Final Thoughts
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a massive, immersive experience that rewards stealth, strategy, and smart decision-making. Whether you’re sneaking through castles, setting up ambushes, or going full samurai mode with Yasuke, these tips will help you get the most out of the game.
Remember: loot castles early, abuse smoke bombs, don’t waste Scouts, and switch to Guided Mode if you’re struggling. Master these strategies, and you’ll be slicing through feudal Japan like a true assassin in no time.
Now go out there and make the shadows your weapon.
