Assassin’s Creed Shadows Early Game: 12 Key Things

Assassin’s Creed Shadows early game is about unlocking core systems and building momentum. This guide covers the 12 most important things to do in your first several hours, from unlocking the grappling hook to establishing your hideout, so you start with the right tools and knowledge.

1. Unlock the Grappling Hook and Scout Abilities First

Before you do almost anything else, prioritize the Grappling Hook for both Naoe and Yasuke. This tool is not just for traversal; it’s essential for reaching many viewpoints, loot caches, and alternative paths into castles. For Naoe, also invest early skill points into her Scout ability, which lets you tag enemies through walls and plan your infiltration. For Yasuke, focus on his Rush and Posture Break skills to make early combat more forgiving.

To get the grappling hook quickly, focus on the main story missions in the first region. The game will guide you to it, but don’t get sidetracked by every side quest. A good rule of thumb is to complete the first two main story arcs before spending significant time on open-world activities.

2. Establish Your Hideout and Build the Forge

Your hideout is your central hub for progression. You’ll unlock it after a few hours of main story play. Once you have it, your absolute first building priority is the Forge. This allows you to upgrade your weapons and armor, which is crucial for keeping your damage and defense in line with the rising enemy levels.

After the Forge, consider building the Dojo to unlock new active skills and the Study to gain passive bonuses. Don’t worry about decorating or building cosmetic structures early on; focus on the functional buildings that directly improve your combat and stealth capabilities.

3. Complete the ‘The Hidden Blade’ and ‘A Mother’s Mercy’ Quests

These two quests are not optional. ‘The Hidden Blade’ unlocks Naoe’s signature weapon and its associated skill tree, while ‘A Mother’s Mercy’ introduces a key mechanic tied to the open world’s weather and time system. Both are relatively short and offer substantial rewards, including unique gear and a deeper understanding of the narrative.

Many players make the mistake of ignoring these quests in favor of clearing the map. However, they are gateways to core mechanics that make the rest of the game more enjoyable and less frustrating.

4. Learn to Use the Observation Feature

One of the most underutilized early-game tools is the Observation mechanic. When you hold the button to observe an area, you’ll highlight enemies, loot, and important objects even if they are behind walls or in the distance. This is invaluable for planning a stealth approach or finding hidden treasure.

Make a habit of using Observation at every new camp or castle before you enter. It will save you time and prevent you from walking into an ambush. It also helps you identify which enemies are captains or have keys, which are often necessary to open locked doors.

5. Prioritize the ‘Kakushigaki’ (Wall Hiding) Skill

For Naoe, the Kakushigaki skill, which allows her to hide on walls and ceilings, is a game-changer. It opens up entirely new vertical stealth routes and lets you bypass ground-level patrols. It’s a small skill point investment that pays off enormously in any castle or compound.

In contrast, Yasuke’s early game is more about direct confrontation. For him, prioritize the skill that lets him break enemy guards and the one that increases his health. You’ll switch between the two characters frequently, so investing in their core strengths early is wise.

6. Use Your Scouts to Reveal the Map

Unlike previous games, you don’t climb towers to reveal the map. Instead, you use a limited resource of Scouts that you send out from the map screen. You’ll start with a small number, and you can increase it by completing certain missions or upgrading your hideout.

Don’t waste your scouts on small areas. Save them for large regions or to reveal the location of specific quest objectives. You can also recall a scout and send it to a different location, so you’re not permanently locked into a choice. Use this feature to find the ‘Viewpoints’ (fast travel points) which are still present, but now require you to physically find them on the map.

7. Engage with the ‘Synchronization’ Viewpoints

While scouts reveal the fog of war, Synchronization points (the tall towers) still serve as fast travel locations and give you a small XP bonus. Climbing them is often a puzzle in itself, requiring you to use your grappling hook or find a specific path. Always take the time to climb these when you are nearby, as they make later travel across the map significantly faster.

8. Don’t Ignore the ‘Kofun’ Tombs

Scattered across the map are Kofun (ancient burial mounds). These are short, optional dungeons that contain legendary gear and upgrade materials. They are often well-hidden and require a bit of puzzle-solving to enter. Early on, they are a reliable source of high-quality weapons and armor that can give you a significant edge.

If you find a Kofun, mark it on your map and come back when you have a few minutes. They are not lengthy, but they are rewarding. The gear you get from them can often carry you for several levels.

9. Upgrade Your Equipment Regularly

Don’t hoard your materials. The game expects you to upgrade your gear at the Forge. If you find a weapon you like, upgrade it to your current level. The cost is relatively low early on, and the stat increase is significant. A level 5 weapon that is upgraded to level 10 will perform much better than a new level 10 weapon with worse perks.

Pay attention to the perks on your gear. Some perks are more valuable than the raw stats. For example, a perk that increases your assassination damage is extremely powerful for Naoe. Learn to read these and build your loadout around a specific playstyle.

10. Practice the ‘Assassination’ and ‘Chain Assassination’

Assassination is not always a one-hit kill. Heavier enemies will survive a standard assassination, leading to a struggle. You can unlock skills to increase your assassination damage or to perform a Chain Assassination, which lets you take out two nearby enemies in quick succession. Practice the timing on the chain assassination, as it’s crucial for clearing out groups without raising an alarm.

11. Manage Your ‘Engagement’ and ‘Notoriety’

When you commit crimes in a region, your notoriety increases. This makes guards more alert and can lead to them recognizing you even in disguise. You can reduce notoriety by tearing down wanted posters, bribing officials, or simply waiting it out. Early on, it’s easier to avoid high notoriety by being stealthy. If you do get a high notoriety, focus on reducing it before tackling a major story mission, as it will make the mission significantly harder.

12. Set the Difficulty to ‘Custom’

Don’t feel locked into the preset difficulty options. The game offers a Custom difficulty setting that lets you adjust enemy damage, stealth detection, and other parameters independently. If you find combat too punishing but stealth too easy, you can tweak these to your liking. This is the best way to tailor the experience to your preferred playstyle, whether you want a more hardcore stealth game or a power fantasy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best early game weapon for Naoe?

For Naoe, the Katana is the most balanced and versatile choice. It has a good mix of speed and damage, and its moveset is easy to learn. The Tanto is faster but has shorter range, and the Kusarigama is excellent for crowd control but leaves you vulnerable. Stick with the Katana until you unlock more advanced skills.

How do I unlock Yasuke?

Yasuke is unlocked through the main story. You’ll first play as him during a specific mission, and after that, he becomes available to switch to at any time from the character select screen. You’ll need to progress the story to a certain point, roughly 4-6 hours in, to have him fully available.

Can I switch between Naoe and Yasuke at any time?

Yes, you can switch between the two characters at almost any time, except during certain story missions or when you are in a restricted area. Switching is done from the pause menu or a quick keybind. It’s encouraged to use both, as they have different strengths for different situations.

What is the best way to earn money (Mon) early?

The most reliable early source of Mon is looting enemy bodies and selling unused gear. You can also find small money pouches in houses and chests. A more efficient method is to complete side quests and contracts, which often reward a significant amount of Mon. Avoid buying gear early; save your Mon for upgrades and hideout construction.

Should I focus on the main story or side content first?

It’s generally recommended to alternate. Do the main story until you unlock the hideout and the grappling hook, then spend some time doing side content to level up and gather resources. The main story will also unlock new regions, so it’s good to push it forward when you feel your gear is under-leveled.

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