In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, mastering Naoe's skills is crucial for players looking to excel in both stealth and direct combat scenarios. Naoe's approach is primarily focused on stealth and precision, but with the right skills, she can handle confrontations head-on as well. Here's a comprehensive guide on the best skills to prioritize for Naoe up to Knowledge Rank 3, which can be achieved swiftly by engaging in the game's open-world activities in the starting regions.
Katana
To become a formidable defensive force with the Katana, focus on these skills:
- Dodge Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point): Enhances your ability to counter aggressive enemies effectively.
- Melee Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points): Boosts your melee combat prowess, allowing for more significant damage.
- Counter Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points): Punishes enemies who attack you, giving you the upper hand.
- Eviscerate – Katana Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points): A powerful finishing move to end fights decisively.
These skills make you a defensive powerhouse, perfect for players skilled in dodging and deflecting enemy attacks.
Kusarigama
For dealing with groups or single targets effectively with the Kusarigama, consider these skills:
- Entanglement – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point): Builds affliction and throws enemies around for extra damage.
- Affliction Builder – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points): Enhances affliction buildup, making your attacks more potent.
- Big Catch – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points): Increases the effectiveness of your Kusarigama abilities.
- Multi-Target Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 1/2/3 Mastery Points): Improves your ability to handle multiple foes simultaneously.
- Cyclone Blast – Kusarigama Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 7 Mastery Points): A devastating ability for crowd control and significant damage.
These skills transform you into a formidable force, capable of managing both crowds and individual targets with ease.
Tanto
To maximize damage output with the Tanto, prioritize these skills:
- Shadow Piercer – Tanto Ability (Knowledge Rank 1, 5 Mastery Points): Delivers high damage and exploits vulnerable enemies.
- Gap Seeker – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points): Increases your ability to find and exploit weaknesses.
- Backstab – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points): Amplifies damage when attacking from behind.
- Backstabber – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1/2/3 Mastery Points): Further boosts damage from back attacks.
- Back Breaker – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points): Delivers devastating blows to armored enemies.
These skills make the Tanto a lethal weapon, particularly effective against armored foes and when targeting vulnerabilities.
Tools
To manipulate guards and clear paths effectively, consider these tool-related skills:
- Smoke Bomb – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point): Ideal for escaping or initiating a chain of assassinations.
- Larger Tool Bag I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points): Increases the number of tools you can carry.
- Shinobi Bell – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point): Lures enemies away from your path.
- Enduring Haze – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points): Extends the duration of smoke bombs.
- Kunai Assassination Damage I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points): Boosts the damage of kunai assassinations.
- Shuriken – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points): Useful for destroying alarm bells or triggering explosives.
These skills allow you to manipulate the battlefield, creating opportunities for stealthy kills and escapes.
Shinobi
To remain undetected and navigate efficiently, prioritize these Shinobi skills:
- Ascension Boost – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points): Increases climbing speed, essential for quick navigation.
- Vault – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point): Reduces fall damage, allowing for safer descents.
- Igan Roll – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point): Enhances your mobility and evasion.
- Heighten Senses – Shinobi Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points): Slows down time, providing more room for error in crowded areas.
These skills ensure you can move swiftly and silently, staying out of sight and reaching your objectives with ease.
Assassin
To become a master assassin, focus on these skills:
- Executioner – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points): Enhances your assassination capabilities.
- Improved Ground Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points): Increases the effectiveness of ground assassinations.
- Double Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points): Allows for simultaneous assassinations of two targets.
- Assassination Damage I – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points): Boosts the damage of your assassinations.
- Reinforced Blade – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 4 Mastery Points): Enhances the durability and effectiveness of your Hidden Blade.
These skills, particularly when used with the Tanto, make Naoe a deadly assassin capable of taking down multiple targets efficiently and dealing with tougher enemies.
By following this guide and prioritizing these skills for Naoe in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, you'll be well on your way to becoming the most effective and lethal shinobi in Japan. For further assistance and tips, don't hesitate to explore resources on The Escapist.
