Assassins Creed Shadows Guide

Our AC Shadows guide focuses on the most important mechanics, missions, and collectibles you will find in the game. We have included here tips and tricks, which will make your first hours in the game easier. We describe game mechanics such as combat, exploration, building your own base, equipment or character development. We answer a number of questions, such as what is Boards, how to heal, how fast travel works, how skill trees work, and how do the scouts work. Here you will also find a walkthrough for all the main missions, along with detailed descriptions of the most difficult main and side quests. We explain how to defeat the most challenging bosses and suggest how to search for the most valuable collectibles. The guide is complemented by a detailed interactive map of Japan. The whole ends with an appendix, which consists of pages discussing the technical aspects of the game, while the trophy guide will help you get all trophies.

• AC Shadows: Guide content
• AC Shadows: Tips and tricks
• AC Shadows: Map
• AC Shadows: Basics
• AC Shadows: FAQ
• AC Shadows: Walkthrough
• AC Shadows: Secrets and collectibles
• AC Shadows: Trophies, Achievements
• AC Shadows: Game editions
• AC Shadows: Language versions
• AC Shadows: System requirements

AC Shadows: Guide content

In the first chapter of the guide, you will find descriptions of all the most important mechanics in the game. We provide tips and tricks, which will definitely make the first hours of the game much easier. Besides, we explain how to fight and how to develop the characters. This page describes all types of weapons - it will help you choose the armament perfectly suited to your play style. The lists of the best equipment and the most useful perks will allow you to discover the full potential of the main characters - Naoe and Yasuke. On the page dedicated to difficulty levels, you will learn how you can adjust the gameplay to your own needs and skills. In the chapter, you will also find a list of all main missions and side objectives, along with the most important information about completing each task.

While exploring ancient Japan, also check out our interactive map. The markers with descriptions will help you in finding hard-to-reach places and items. The map will also help you during main and side missions.

The section containing answers to the most frequently asked questions explains, e.g. how to save the game, how fast travel works, or whether the eagle vision known from previous games of the series is back. We suggest how to search for knowledge points, how to heal, and how skill trees work - there are several of them in the game. We also didn't forget about questions related to quests. Here you will find out who to accuse of being the Golden Teppo, what Canon Mode is, and how to unlock the Makino Kurumazuka Kofun tomb. The page dedicated to romances will also suggest with whom and when you can romance. This segment has been divided into several smaller parts corresponding to different aspects of the game. This will make it easier for you to find the information and answers that interest you the most.

The next part of the guide is dedicated to secrets and collectibles. Here you will find the locations of all kinds of treasures, rare items, and interesting places.

The guide is concluded with an appendix, in which we present technical aspects of the game such as system requirements, language versions, controls, or the game's length. We also have a trophy guide, in which you will find a list of all achievements along with our commentary.

AC Shadows: Tips and tricks

1. Explore as Naoe - the young shinobi is definitely more agile and faster than Yasuke. Exploration as Naoe will definitely be more enjoyable and easier.
2. Expand the hideout - don't forget about expanding your base. New buildings provide a range of useful bonuses.
3. Buy kakuregi - available in many cities, these hideouts will not only serve as fast travel points, but also allow you to replenish supplies, reorganize your equipment, and accept contracts.
4. Pay attention to the recommended level - the suggested level of the location displayed on the map is a good indicator of the order in which you should explore the map. If there is a big difference between your characters' and the suggested level, take some time to level up.
5. Stick to the roads - many wild areas off the main trails are covered with dense vegetation, which makes navigation very difficult. If you want to move quickly - use the extensive road system.

You'll find more advice on a separate page of our guide, Tips and Tricks.

AC Shadows: Map

On our interactive map of Japan, we have marked all the most important secrets and collectibles in the game. We also provide the starting locations of quests and useful tips that will help you in exploring the world.

AC Shadows: Basics

1. All targets - on this list you will find all optional assassinations related to side stories.
2. Naoe and Yasuke - on this guide page you will find information about the differences between the characters and tips on when to choose the appropriate hero.
3. Hideout - in Shadows you can build your base. On this page, you will learn what buildings to build, how to keep animals there, and what resources you need.
4. All types of weapons - both heroes have several types of weapons to choose from. On this page, we describe each of them.
5. Best weapon - on this page, you will find tips on which weapons to choose for both characters.
6. Best perks - in AC Shadows you will find several skill trees. On this page we present our list of recommended skills.
7. Difficulty Levels - on this page, you will learn which difficulty level will match your preferences.
8. Allies - on this page, you will find a list of all allies that you can recruit to the League along with information on how to do it.

AC Shadows: FAQ

Exploration

1. How does fast travel work? - on this page, you will learn how to quickly navigate the vast world of Shadows.
2. How to change the season? - one of the mechanics that distinguishes Shadows from the previous games is how the seasons affect the gameplay. On this page, you will learn what they affect and how to change them.
3. How to change the time of day? - here, you will find out whether the latest installment of the series has the option to speed up the passage of time and thus change the time of day.
4. How do horses work? - just like in other Assassin's Creed games, this one also features horses. On this page, you will learn everything about them.
5. How to move red jugs? - learn how to use jugs to attack enemies and how to pick up this objects.
6. How to move large obstacles? - sometimes on your path you will encounter wardrobes or other large-sized objects. Here, you will learn how to move them.
7. Does the game have eagle vision? - one of the most recognizable mechanics in the series. On this page, you will find out if it also appears in Shadows.
8. How do scouts work? - after unlocking the hideout, you will get scouts at your disposal. On this page, you will learn how to recruit them and what they can do for you.
9. Is there fall damage? - find out whether your characters will get injured when falling from great heights.
10. What to do with valuable items? - during exploration, you will find many items. Here you can learn if you can sell them safely.
11. Is there autoloot? - from this page you will find out if there is an option for automatic item pickup in AC Shadows.
12. Can you pet animals? - we explain which animals you can pet and bring to your hideout.
13. How to get resources? - we suggest how to obtain materials needed to expanding and upgrading the base.
14. What are contracts? - learn how to use the mechanic that allows you to gain experience, money and resources.
15. What are the keys? - we explain what the mysterious collectibles scattered around the world are.
16. How to remove Wanted status? - we advise on how to make the authorities stop chasing you.
17. Where is Okishima, the cat island? - learn how to get to a location full of fluffy pets.
18. How does auto-follow work on a horse? - we explain how to activate the mode where your horse moves automatically to the mission objective.
19. Can you play an instrument? - we explain what is the significance of the flutists encountered in the game world.

Combat

1. How to heal? - On this guide page, we suggest how to restore health during a fight and whether there is automatic health regeneration.
2. Is there a hidden blade? - does the iconic weapon of the series appear in AC Shadows? And if so, can both characters use it?
3. How to get more rations? - on this page, you will learn how to increase the limit of rations needed to heal characters.
4. Is it possible to turn off brutal scenes? - Shadows is one of the bloodier installments of the series. On this page, you will find out whether it can be made more accessible for sensitive viewers.
5. How to unlock throwable items? - Naoe can use several types of throwing weapons. Find out what these weapons are and how to unlock them.
6. How to kill with a single attack? - will the hidden blade always kill the opponent with one hit?  Check out this page to learn all about that topic.

Character Development

1. How do skill trees work? - In AC Shadows, each character has a separate set of skills. On this page, you will learn how to assign perks and how to unlock new ones.
2. How to reset mastery points? - you are not satisfied with the perks you chose? Nothing is lost - here, you will learn how to get the points back.
3. How to gain knowledge points? - you have several ways to earn points needed to level up your character. On this page we describe them all.
4. How to gain XP quickly? - on this page, we suggest what activities to perform in order to quickly develop your character.
5. How to unlock Yasuke? - the game's beginning focuses on Naoe. On this page, you will learn how and when you will be able to start playing as the samurai.
6. Do you have to play as Yasuke? - find out if you can complete the game with just one character.
7. What is the maximum character level? - on this page, we explain up to what level you can develop your character and whether there is level scaling.
8. How to unlock the forge? - it's a place in your hideout where you can upgrade weapons and armor. Here, you will learn how to unlock it.
9. What do the colors of weapons mean? - each weapon is marked with a color. Read this page to find out what this means.
10. Is there a transmog? - we explain how to change the appearance of an item without giving up its statistics.

Quests

1. What is Boards? - how does the board work and what is its purpose in the game? On this page, you will learn how to use this tasks list.
2. What is Canon Mode? - on this page, you will find out what one of the options available before starting the game is responsible for.
3. Otama or Wakasa? - on this page, we suggest what decision to make during the first important choice in the game.
4. Where to find the dog? - we suggest how to find a dog in the task available for those who pre-ordered the game.
5. How to unlock Makino Kurumazuka Kofun? - on this page, we suggest how to move the boulder and get to the tomb.
6. Are there any romances? - we describe all available romances in the game.
7. Where is Imai Sokyu? - we suggest where to find gunsmiths and a merchant in Sakai city.
8. What to do with the soldier? - on this page you will learn how to recruit Yaya and what are the consequences of the choice in the mission Heads Will Roll.
9. How to go through the tea ceremony? - we advise on how to maintain proper etiquette during The Tea Ceremony mission.
10. How to kill the Executioner? - we explain how to defeat the Executioner during The Killing Field mission.
11. Where is Nunobiki waterfall? - we suggest how to find a monks' camp in the Izumi Settsu region.
12. How to complete the quest Belly of the Beast? - learn how to recover documents for Lord Ise Sadaoki.
13. Give or withhold manifest? - we explain what are the consequences of decisions in the task Of My Enemy.
14. How to win the tournament? - we suggest how to defeat five powerful enemies in duels.
15. Who to accuse? - we suggest who to accuse of sabotage during peace talks.
16. How to complete The Twisted Tree quest? - we suggest how to deal with the cruel family of warriors from Kyoto.

AC Shadows: Walkthrough

1. All missions - on this guide page you will find a list of all main missions along with brief descriptions.

AC Shadows: Secrets and collectibles

1. Kuji-kiri - on this page you will find a list of all meditation spots available only for Naoe.
2. Origami butterflies - on this page, you will learn how to complete the origami butterflies collections scattered around Osaka.
3. Legendary Animals - we suggest how to sketch all legendary creatures.
4. Tea Bowls - we explain where to find all the bowls for Rikyu.
5. Jizo Statues - on this page you will learn where to find all 69 shrines.
6. Kofuns - we explain where to find all the tombs and what is inside them.
7. Hidden trails - here you will find a list of all obstacle courses for Naoe along with the rewards you will receive for completing them.
8. Legendary Mount - we suggest how to obtain the Legendary Mount - Namazu.
9. Assassin Gear - we explain how to get the classic Assassin outfits in white and red versions.
10. Kata - here, you will find a list of all the combat masters.

AC Shadows: Trophies, Achievements

In Shadows, you can unlock 55 trophies. In the guide, you will find a list of all of them along with our commentary.

AC Shadows: Game editions

You can buy the game in several different versions. On a separate page of the guide, we describe all available editions of the game.

AC Shadows: Language versions

In our guide, you will find a complete list of all languages available in the game, both for dubbing and subtitles.

AC Shadows: System requirements

Assassin's Creed: Shadows: Minimum system requirements

1. Operating system: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
2. Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.6 GHz / Intel Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz
3. RAM: 16 GB (Dual-channel)
4. Graphics card: AMD Radeon RX 5700 (8 GB) / Intel Arc A580 (8 GB, ReBAR) / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (8 GB)
5. Hard drive: SSD (required)
6. DirectX: 12

You can find more information about the system requirements on a separate page of our guide. You will also find information there about the game's performance on Steam Deck.

Assassin's Creed: Shadows

March 20, 2025

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