Top Skills to Prioritize for Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows

In Assassin's Creed Shadows, Naoe's versatility allows players to approach missions with stealth or direct confrontation, utilizing her unique set of skills. To maximize Naoe's potential early on, focus on acquiring the following skills up to Knowledge Rank 3, achievable through diligent exploration and engagement in the game's starting regions.

Katana

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• Dodge Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Melee Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Counter Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Eviscerate – Katana Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills transform Naoe into a defensive powerhouse, adept at countering aggressive foes. If you excel in dodging and deflecting, these skills will enable you to exploit enemy attacks, enhance your damage output, and decisively end battles with Eviscerate.

Kusarigama

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• Entanglement – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Affliction Builder – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Big Catch – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Multi-Target Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Cyclone Blast – Kusarigama Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 7 Mastery Points)

These skills make Naoe exceptionally effective against both groups and individual targets. Entanglement is key for building afflictions, and when upgraded, it allows you to manipulate even larger enemies for additional damage. The other skills enhance your ability to handle multiple enemies, keeping them at bay while delivering powerful attacks.

Tanto

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• Shadow Piercer – Tanto Ability (Knowledge Rank 1, 5 Mastery Points)
• Gap Seeker – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Backstab – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Backstabber – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Back Breaker – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)

These skills enhance Naoe's damage output with the tanto, particularly against vulnerable enemies. They enable you to exploit weaknesses and deliver devastating blows, even to armored foes, by targeting their backs with the R2/RT spin attack.

Tools

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• Smoke Bomb – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Larger Tool Bag I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Shinobi Bell – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Enduring Haze – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Kunai Assassination Damage I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Shuriken – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)

These tools provide Naoe with the means to manipulate and distract guards, paving the way to her targets. Use Shuriken to disable alarms or trigger explosives, Shinobi Bell to draw enemies away, and Kunai for long-range assassinations. Smoke Bombs are perfect for evading detection or setting up multiple kills.

Shinobi

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• Ascension Boost – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Vault – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Igan Roll – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Heighten Senses – Shinobi Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills enhance Naoe's stealth capabilities, allowing her to navigate environments undetected. Faster climbing and reduced fall damage are universally useful, while the ability to slow down time provides a crucial edge in crowded areas.

Assassin

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• Executioner – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Improved Ground Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Double Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Assassination Damage I – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Reinforced Blade – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 4 Mastery Points)

These skills, when used with the Tanto, make Naoe a formidable assassin, capable of executing swift and lethal strikes. Double assassinations and enhanced damage against larger foes are invaluable, but remember to upgrade these skills to overcome enemies with higher health.

By focusing on these skills, you'll enhance Naoe's abilities in Assassin's Creed Shadows, making her the ultimate stealth assassin in Japan. For more detailed guides and tips, visit The Escapist.