Top Skills to Master for Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Naoe excels in stealth and assassination, leveraging the shadows and her tools to navigate complex challenges. While her forte is in covert operations, she's also capable in direct confrontations with the right strategy. To maximize Naoe's potential, here are the top skills to prioritize up to Knowledge Rank 3, which you can achieve quickly by engaging in the open-world activities within the game's initial regions.

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

Katana

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

• 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)

With these skills, you'll transform Naoe into a defensive powerhouse, ready to counter aggressive enemies effectively. If you master dodging and deflecting, you'll have ample opportunities to counterattack, inflict significant damage with enhanced buffs, and decisively end battles with Eviscerate.

Kusarigama

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

• 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)

These skills make Naoe formidable against groups or single targets. Entanglement facilitates affliction buildup, and its upgrades allow you to manipulate even larger foes for added damage. The other skills enhance your ability to manage multiple enemies, keep them at bay, and deliver impactful strikes.

Tanto

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

• 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 amplifying damage with the tanto, especially against vulnerable enemies. Even armored foes will dread your blade, and using the R2/RT attack to spin behind them ensures you consistently target their weak points for maximum impact.

Tools

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

• 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 offer versatile ways to manipulate guards, clearing the path to your target. Use Shuriken to disable alarm bells or trigger explosives, Shinobi Bell to distract enemies, and Kunai for long-range assassinations. If spotted, deploy the Smoke Bomb for a swift escape or to execute a chain of assassinations.

Shinobi

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

• 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 enhance your stealth capabilities, ensuring you remain undetected while advancing toward your objective. Faster climbing and reduced fall damage are invaluable, and the ability to slow down time provides a crucial margin for error in crowded environments.

Assassin

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

• 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 best utilized with the Tanto as your primary weapon, enabling swift and effective takedowns with the Hidden Blade. Dual assassinations are particularly useful, and you'll be better equipped to handle larger and stronger enemies. However, remain cautious as you'll encounter foes with more health, requiring skill upgrades to ensure successful assassinations.

By mastering these skills across each skill tree, you'll become the ultimate assassinating shinobi in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. For additional guidance, be sure to explore resources available on The Escapist.