In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can choose between Yasuke and Naoe, each offering unique approaches to tackling challenges. Understanding the tools at your disposal and how to upgrade them is crucial for mastering the game. Here’s a comprehensive guide to all the tools and their upgrades in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.
All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist
In the game, players have access to five distinct tools, two of which are unlocked through story progression. Here’s a detailed look at each tool:
Grappling Hook
Naoe’s Grappling Hook is a game-changer for exploration. It allows you to latch onto structures and ascend without needing handholds, making it ideal for scouting and reaching high vantage points quickly. You can also use it to swing across large gaps, enhancing your mobility throughout the game world.
Kunai
The Kunai is a powerful throwing knife that can deal significant damage, perfect for silent takedowns. It's effective for instantly eliminating common enemies, but upgrades are necessary to handle armored foes who pose a greater challenge.
Smoke Bomb
The Smoke Bomb is a versatile tool that creates a smoke cloud upon impact, useful for both defensive and offensive strategies. It can break enemy sightlines for a quick escape or create confusion in combat, allowing for surprise attacks and swift eliminations.
Shuriken
A staple for any shinobi, the Shuriken is excellent for navigating heavily guarded areas. While not as damaging as the Kunai, it can stagger enemies and interact with the environment to trigger effects like disabling alarms or detonating barrels. Its silent nature makes it ideal for stealth, and upgrades can enhance its ricochet capabilities.
Shinobi Bell
For those who prefer distraction over direct confrontation, the Shinobi Bell is invaluable. When thrown, it draws enemy attention away from you. Upgrades can increase its range and add visual effects, making it even more effective at diverting enemy focus and managing crowds.
Related: How to Play the Assassin’s Creed Games in Order
How To Upgrade Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist
All tools, except the Grappling Hook, can be upgraded using Mastery Points through the Tools skill tree. Here's how to enhance each tool:
Grappling Hook
The Grappling Hook's only upgrade is found in the Shinobi Tree. For 2 Mastery Points at Knowledge Rank 2, you can unlock the Ascension Boost passive, which accelerates Naoe’s climbing speed, making ascents quicker and less detectable.
Kunai
To maximize the Kunai's effectiveness, focus on the Kunai Assassination Damage upgrades to increase the health segments removed per throw. Enhance its armor-piercing capabilities with the Armor Piercing passive skill, and ensure retrievability with the Everlast upgrade, which prevents breakage.
Smoke Bomb
After unlocking the Smoke Bomb, extend its duration with the Enduring Haze upgrade, adding 10 seconds to its effect. Further enhance its utility with Widespread, which increases the smoke's area of effect, allowing you to obscure vision from more enemies.
Shuriken
Upgrade your Shuriken with Bank Shot to enable them to bounce between targets, increasing damage with each hit. The Triple Threat upgrade allows you to throw three Shurikens simultaneously for the cost of one, offering greater versatility in both stealth and combat scenarios.
Shinobi Bell
Enhance the Shinobi Bell with the Golden Bell upgrade, which improves its ability to attract enemy attention. Follow up with Louder Chimes to increase its effective radius by five meters, making it more effective at drawing enemies away from your position.
Mastering the tools and their upgrades in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is essential for optimizing your gameplay experience. For more tips and guides, be sure to check out The Escapist.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
