In *Assassin's Creed Shadows*, Naoe excels in stealth and assassination, leveraging the shadows and her arsenal of tools to outsmart her enemies. While she's primarily suited for covert operations, she can also handle direct confrontations with the right strategy. To maximize Naoe's potential, here are the best skills to prioritize up to Knowledge Rank 3 in *Assassin's Creed Shadows*.
Best Skills to Get First for Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Focus on acquiring these skills early on, which are achievable up to Knowledge Rank 3 through consistent engagement with open-world activities in the 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 turn Naoe into a formidable defensive fighter, ready to capitalize on aggressive enemies. Master dodging and deflecting to counterattack effectively, amplify your damage with buffs, and decisively end fights 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)
Equipped with these skills, Naoe becomes a powerful adversary against groups or individual targets. Entanglement is ideal for affliction buildup, and with upgrades, you can manipulate even larger foes for additional damage. The other skills enhance your ability to manage multiple enemies, keep them at bay, and deliver impactful strikes.
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 focus on maximizing damage with the tanto, particularly against Vulnerable enemies. Even armored foes will dread your blade, and utilizing your R2/RT attack to maneuver behind them ensures you can consistently target their weak spots for increased damage.
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. Use Shuriken to disable alarm bells or trigger explosives, Shinobi Bell to divert enemies, and Kunai for long-range assassinations. If spotted, a Smoke Bomb can facilitate an escape or enable a series of assassinations, giving you multiple tactical options.
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 enable Naoe to remain undetected and navigate towards her objectives seamlessly. Faster climbing and reduced fall damage are universally beneficial, while the ability to slow time provides a crucial edge in crowded environments, minimizing mistakes.
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 are particularly effective when paired with a Tanto, enabling swift and lethal strikes with the Hidden Blade. Dual assassinations enhance your efficiency, and the ability to take down larger and tougher foes is invaluable. However, be cautious not to become overconfident, as some enemies may resist assassination until you further upgrade your skills.
By focusing on these skills within each tree, you'll transform Naoe into the ultimate shinobi assassin in *Assassin's Creed Shadows*. For additional guidance, be sure to visit The Escapist.
