Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Tools and Upgrade Guide

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, the choice between playing as Yasuke or Naoe offers players diverse approaches to tackling challenges. Understanding the tools at your disposal and how to enhance them is crucial for mastering the game. Here’s a detailed guide on all the tools and their upgrade paths in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.

All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can utilize five different tools, with two unlocked through story progression. Let's delve into each tool:

Grappling Hook

Naoe’s Grappling Hook is a game-changer for exploration. It allows you to latch onto structures and ascend without handholds, perfect for scouting enemy positions or quickly reaching high vantage points. You can also swing across large gaps, enhancing your mobility and stealth.

Kunai

The Kunai is a deadly throwing knife that can instantly eliminate common enemies. For tougher, armored foes, upgrading this tool is essential to increase its damage and armor-piercing capabilities, ensuring you can take down any target silently and efficiently.

Smoke Bomb

The Smoke Bomb is versatile, serving both defensive and offensive purposes. Deploy it to break enemy sightlines and escape detection, or use it in combat to sow confusion and execute swift assassinations. Its utility in both stealth and battle makes it a must-have tool.

Shuriken

The Shuriken, a staple of shinobi weaponry, is perfect for navigating heavily guarded areas. While not as damaging as the Kunai, it can stagger enemies and trigger environmental interactions like sabotaging alarms or detonating barrels. Its silent nature and potential for upgrades, such as ricocheting, make it invaluable.

Shinobi Bell

For those favoring distraction over direct confrontation, the Shinobi Bell is ideal. Throwing it draws enemy attention away, clearing your path or setting up crowd control. Upgrades can enhance its range and visual appeal, making it even more effective at diverting foes.

How To Upgrade Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

Upgrading tools in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is achieved through the Tools skill tree using Mastery Points, except for the Grappling Hook. Here's how to upgrade each tool:

Grappling Hook

The Grappling Hook's upgrade, Ascension Boost, found in the Shinobi Tree, costs 2 Mastery Points at Knowledge Rank 2. It significantly speeds up Naoe’s climbing, reducing the risk of detection as you ascend.

Kunai

To maximize the Kunai’s effectiveness, focus on upgrades like Kunai Assassination Damage, which increases the health segments removed per throw. Enhance its armor-piercing capabilities with the Armor Piercing passive skill, and ensure retrieval with Everlast to avoid wasting resources.

Smoke Bomb

After unlocking the Smoke Bomb, extend its duration with Enduring Haze, giving you an additional 10 seconds to exploit the smoke. Widespread further increases the area of effect, allowing you to obscure more enemies at once.

Shuriken

Upgrade the Shuriken with Bank Shot to enable bouncing between targets, amplifying damage with each hit. Triple Threat allows you to throw three Shurikens simultaneously for the cost of one, enhancing your stealth and combat options.

Shinobi Bell

Enhance the Shinobi Bell with Golden Bell to increase its visual allure and effectiveness as a distraction. Follow up with Louder Chimes to extend its radius by five meters, attracting more enemies with a single throw.

Mastering these tools and their upgrades in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* can significantly enhance your gameplay. For further guidance, visit The Escapist.

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