In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can choose to play as Yasuke or Naoe, each offering unique approaches to tackling challenges. Here's a comprehensive guide on the tools at your disposal and how to enhance them to maximize your gameplay experience.
All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist
In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can unlock and utilize five different tools, with two becoming available through story progression. These tools are:
Grappling Hook
The Grappling Hook is a vital asset for Naoe, enhancing exploration by allowing you to latch onto structures and ascend without relying on handholds. This tool is perfect for scouting enemy positions and reaching high vantage points swiftly. Additionally, it enables you to swing across large gaps, making navigation more dynamic and efficient.
Kunai
The Kunai is a sharp throwing knife that delivers significant damage, ideal for those who prioritize stealth. It can instantly eliminate standard enemies, but upgrades are necessary to penetrate the armor of tougher adversaries.
Smoke Bomb
The Smoke Bomb creates a cloud of smoke upon impact, serving as both a defensive and offensive tool. It's perfect for breaking enemy lines of sight to escape or to create confusion during combat, setting up opportunities for surprise attacks and quick takedowns.
Shuriken
The Shuriken, a traditional throwing star, is crucial for navigating heavily guarded areas. While not as damaging as the Kunai, it can stagger enemies and trigger environmental interactions like sabotaging alarms or detonating barrels. Its silent nature and potential to ricochet between targets make it a versatile tool.
Shinobi Bell
For players who prefer distraction over direct confrontation, the Shinobi Bell is invaluable. Throwing it diverts enemy attention, clearing paths or setting up crowd control scenarios. Upgrades can enhance its range and allure, making it even more effective at misdirecting foes.
Related: How to Play the Assassin’s Creed Games in Order
How To Upgrade Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist
In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, tools can be upgraded using Mastery Points through the Tools skill tree, with the exception of the Grappling Hook. Here's how to enhance each tool:
Grappling Hook
The only upgrade for the Grappling Hook is found in the Shinobi Tree. For 2 Mastery Points at Knowledge Rank 2, you can unlock the Ascension Boost passive, which significantly accelerates Naoe's climbing speed, making it easier to evade detection while scaling buildings.
Kunai
To enhance the Kunai, focus on increasing its damage through Kunai Assassination Damage upgrades, which allow for greater health depletion per throw. Additionally, the Armor Piercing passive skill boosts its armor-piercing capabilities, and Everlast ensures that thrown Kunai can be retrieved without breaking.
Smoke Bomb
After unlocking the Smoke Bomb, prioritize extending its duration with Enduring Haze, which adds 10 seconds to its effect. For broader coverage, Widespread increases the area of effect, helping to obscure more enemies and improve your stealth options.
Shuriken
With the Shuriken, the Bank Shot passive upgrade allows them to bounce between targets, increasing damage with each hit. Triple Threat enables you to throw three Shurikens at once for the cost of one, enhancing your options in both stealth and combat scenarios.
Shinobi Bell
Upgrade the Shinobi Bell with Golden Bell to make it more attention-grabbing, enhancing its distraction capabilities. Follow up with Louder Chimes to increase its effective radius by five meters, drawing more enemies away with a single throw.
Understanding and upgrading your tools in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* can greatly enhance your gameplay. For more tips and tricks, be sure to check out resources on The Escapist.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.*
