7 Mistakes You Should Avoid While Playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows

This guide will discuss important tips on the mistakes you should avoid making while playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is Ubisoft’s latest title that puts players on a journey across feudal Japan. The game has a few new interesting mechanics, one of which is how you will be controlling two characters. Each of these characters has their own unique set of specializations. Aside from the characters, the open world also progresses through seasons that can affect gameplay. Needless to say, there is a lot to keep in mind when playing this game.

In this guide, we’ll discuss a few things to keep in mind so you can avoid these common mistakes while playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

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7 Mistakes To Avoid in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

1. Hoarding Spending Skill Points and Not Using Them

You can’t ignore character progression in this game if you want to keep moving through the story. You need to spend your skill points to upgrade your character.

You can improve your character through Mastery Skills and Knowledge Ranks. The two share one goal: improving your playable characters. However, they have their own functionality:

• Mastery Skills unlock new abilities and upgrades for weapons.
• Knowledge Ranks is a leveling system that is tied to the Mastery Trees.

During your downtime, make sure to check your character progression and spend points to improve your skills.

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2. Not Planning Ahead of Combat

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is still a stealth-oriented game. Most of the campaign will have you sneaking your way into enemy territory and completing missions. There is an option for combat, but it’s not highly recommended, especially if you are not prepared. Never start a fight without knowing what enemies you will be dealing with.

Make sure you take advantage of the game’s mechanics. One example is the dynamic lighting that lets you hide in the shadows to avoid being detected. Furthermore, you can also go prone or hide underwater to avoid detection. If you want to kill a target, you can attempt to do a stealth assassination.

However, you will need to check your chances of success. The tougher the target, the lower the success rate. There are also various throwables in the game that can help you conceal yourself, like smoke bombs.

3. Not Maximizing the Two Characters

Assassin’s Creed Shadows allows you to complete the story campaign by only playing one of the two characters. However, that would be inefficient unless you are going for a challenge. Make sure you understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two characters and use them in missions where they can perform best.

• Yasuke is a heavy hitter, but he can be a bit slow. His main weapon is the Naginata, a spear that’s good for AoE and longer-range attacks. His secondary weapon is the Kanabo, a heavy club with a slow attack animation but high damage.
• Naoe is nimble and can move and climb around areas quickly. She specializes in stealth kills with her hidden blade. Additionally, she wields a katana that can swiftly slash enemies.

4. Ignoring World Exploration

The game offers a massive open world for you to explore. There is a lot to discover on the map, like treasures, side quests, and in-game lore. Between gameplay sessions, consider going on a stroll to see what you can find that may help you in your next missions. While you’re at it, collect materials at points of interest to upgrade your base.

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5. Ignoring Your Hideout

Most players play Assassin’s Creed Shadows for stealth and action, not base building and designing. However, it is also a crucial mechanic in the game as it unlocks unique buffs and new features. Once in a while, consider taking a quick break from combat to manage your in-game hideout.

6. Not Upgrading Your Gear

Simply focusing on your weapons and character progression won’t be enough. While you might think you won’t need better armor since you will be doing stealth missions anyway, your equipment is more than just for defense. A good example is how Naoe’s headband allows you to vault over enemies after sprinting toward them. Additionally, if you want to change the look of your gear, you can modify its appearance without affecting its stats.

7. Not Maximizing the “Observe” Feature

The Observe feature in Assassin’s Creed Shadows can mark important areas for you. This allows you to detect hidden areas or items that you might otherwise miss. You will mostly be using this at points of interest. However, don’t stop there—always use the Observe feature anywhere you go. It might mark a hidden treasure for you in random places.

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We provide the latest news and create guides for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Meanwhile, you can check out the following AC Shadows articles or catch us playing games on Twitch and YouTube:

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