Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Guide to Tools and Upgrades

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can choose between Yasuke and Naoe, each offering unique gameplay experiences. Here's a comprehensive guide to the tools at your disposal and how to upgrade them to enhance your gameplay.

All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, you'll have access to five essential tools, with two unlocked through story progression. Here’s a breakdown of each tool:

Grappling Hook

Naoe's Grappling Hook is a game-changer for exploration. It enables you to latch onto structures and ascend effortlessly without needing handholds. This tool is invaluable for securing strategic vantage points to scout enemy movements and swiftly navigate across large gaps.

Kunai

The Kunai is a lethal throwing knife perfect for stealth kills. It instantly eliminates common foes, but upgrades are necessary to penetrate the armor of more formidable enemies, ensuring you remain undetected while taking out specific targets.

Smoke Bomb

The Smoke Bomb is a versatile tool, useful for both defense and offense. It creates a cloud of smoke that breaks enemy line of sight, allowing you to escape detection or use it in combat to confuse enemies, setting up perfect opportunities for surprise attacks and swift eliminations.

Shuriken

Shuriken, the traditional throwing star, is essential for stealth missions in heavily guarded areas. While not as damaging as the Kunai, it can stagger enemies and trigger environmental interactions like sabotaging alarms or detonating barrels. Upgrades allow them to ricochet between targets, increasing their effectiveness.

Shinobi Bell

For those who prefer distraction over direct confrontation, the Shinobi Bell is ideal. When thrown, it attracts enemies to its location, clearing your path or setting up better crowd control. Upgrades enhance its range and visual appeal, making it even more effective at drawing attention away from you.

How to Upgrade Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

Upgrading your tools in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is crucial for mastering the game. Most tools are upgraded using Mastery Points within the Tools skill tree, with the exception of the Grappling Hook.

Grappling Hook

The Grappling Hook can be upgraded under the Shinobi Tree. At Knowledge Rank 2, you can unlock the Ascension Boost passive for 2 Mastery Points, which significantly speeds up Naoe's climbing, making it easier to ascend buildings without being detected.

Kunai

To enhance the Kunai's lethality, focus on Kunai Assassination Damage upgrades, which increase the damage per throw. The Armor Piercing passive skill boosts its ability to penetrate armor, while Everlast ensures that thrown Kunai can be immediately retrieved without breaking.

Smoke Bomb

After unlocking the Smoke Bomb, extend its duration with Enduring Haze, adding 10 seconds to its effect. Further upgrade with Widespread to increase the area of effect, allowing you to block more enemies from spotting you.

Shuriken

Upgrade the Shuriken with Bank Shot, enabling them to bounce between targets and increase damage with each hit. Triple Threat allows you to throw three Shurikens at once for the cost of one, enhancing your options in both stealth and combat scenarios.

Shinobi Bell

Enhance the Shinobi Bell's distraction capabilities with Golden Bell, making it more noticeable to enemies. Follow up with Louder Chimes to increase its effective radius by five meters, drawing more enemies away from your position with a single throw.

Understanding and upgrading these tools will greatly enhance your experience in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For more tips and guides, visit The Escapist.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.*