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

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Naoe embodies the essence of stealth and assassination, thriving in the shadows with her array of tools to outsmart and overcome her adversaries. While Naoe excels in covert operations, she is also equipped to handle direct confrontations with strategic planning. To maximize Naoe's potential, here are the most effective skills to prioritize up to Knowledge Rank 3, achievable through engaging with the open world activities in the game's initial regions.

Best Skills to Get First for Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

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, poised to retaliate against aggressive foes. Mastery in dodging and deflecting opens up opportunities for devastating counterattacks, enhanced damage, and finishing moves 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)

With these abilities, Naoe becomes formidable against both groups and individual targets. Entanglement facilitates affliction buildup, while upgrades allow for manipulating even large enemies. These skills ensure effective crowd control and impactful damage.

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 amplify Naoe's damage output with the Tanto, capitalizing on Vulnerable enemies and even armored foes. The ability to target enemy backs for increased damage makes the Tanto a lethal weapon in Naoe's arsenal.

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 empower Naoe to manipulate guards and clear paths to her targets effectively. Shuriken can disable alarms or trigger explosives, while the Shinobi Bell lures enemies away. Kunai are perfect for long-range kills, and the Smoke Bomb offers escape or assassination opportunities.

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 ensure Naoe remains undetected, facilitating stealthy navigation towards her objectives. Enhanced climbing speeds and reduced fall damage, combined with the ability to slow time, provide greater maneuverability and fewer errors in crowded environments.

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)

When paired with the Tanto, these skills make Naoe a master of swift, lethal strikes with her Hidden Blade. Capabilities for dual assassinations and taking down larger foes are invaluable, though caution is advised against enemies with substantial health until further skill upgrades are obtained.

By prioritizing these skills within each tree, Naoe can become the ultimate assassinating shinobi in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For further assistance, be sure to explore resources on The Escapist.