The long-anticipated Assassin's Creed Shadows is finally here and has changed how stealth works. The stealth mechanics of this franchise are tried and true and, honestly, in need of a fresh coat of paint. Shadows does just that by providing the players with more options to tailor the gameplay and stealth experience to their tastes.
Some stronger enemies won't die instantly from a stealth attack, but to be rewarded for clever stealth, you can flip a switch in your menu to allow for instant kills from stealth no matter what. But what exactly is clever stealth? There is no definitive answer, but there are plenty of options for players to answer it for themselves. Luckily for players who prefer a more gung-ho playstyle, many options exist for them to overpower their foes. Assassin's Creed Shadows gives you options, but some tricks are much more potent than others.
10 Chain Kills with Perfect Timing
Work Smarter, Not Harder.
Chaining kills together is not new to Assassin's Creed Shadows, but it is just as important. Mastering this mechanic is key to keeping your kills swift, quiet, and clean. After you nail your initial stealth kill, keep your head on a swivel and press the assassination prompt again to turn one kill into two, three, or more. The Chain Kill mechanic can clear out entire groups of enemies.
9 Make Use of Your Environment
Weapons Are Everywhere.
Being aware of your surroundings is essential in any action game. Assassin's Creed: Shadows is no different. You can use chandeliers, explosive barrels, or even gravity to remove your targets while minimizing your presence. Environmental kills are a fast way to remove an enemy and allow you to save resources for more challenging encounters. Make use of anything you can find at your disposal.
Best Improvised Weapons and Tools
- With Yasuke, you can use doors to damage enemies too close to them as you smash through.
- You can also use Yasuke's immense strength to send enemies into wooden crates, furniture, or other enemies.
- In combat, defeated enemies will drop their weapons, allowing you to pick them up for extended reach and damage.
- As Naoe is weaker, she has to use the environment in other ways, such as kicking loose objects or enemies off ledges.
- Other ways to use the environment is by sticking to unlit areas. Even the shade counts as darkness.
- Naoe can even create her own shadows by using shuriken that snuffs out lanterns, candles, and torches.
8 Smoke Bomb & Silent Finish are OP
Reposition, then strike again.
Out of all the overpowered combos and mechanics in Assassin's Creed: Shadows, the smoke bomb / silent finish combo is undefeated. The intended use of smoke bombs is to help you get out of a sticky situation; however, whether through oversight or an intended mechanic, you can kill enemies during the confusion caused by a smoke bomb. The stealth provided by the smoke bomb also allows for other opportunities, giving you a quick breather before figuring out whether you want to disengage, reengage from a different angle, or use the brief confusion to switch your prioritized target.
7 Use Yasuke & Naoe
Adapt to whatever the situation needs.
The two playable characters in Shadows each have their unique playstyles. Naoe shines in stealth, while Yasuke thrives in combat. Sometimes, you'll need Yasuke to take out a large group, and other times, you'll need Naoe to swiftly and quietly eliminate specific targets. Be sure to become comfortable with both playstyles, and do not be afraid to experiment with both characters if a strategy isn't working.
6 Verticality Is Your Trump Card
High Ground will always be an advantage.
Depending on your playing difficulty, the enemies will not look up. You can use this to your advantage if you play in medium and easy difficulty settings, but good vertical movement is underrated even in expert difficulty. Climbing feels pretty good in the newest Assassin's Creed title, so why wouldn't you use it to your advantage? With Naoe, scurry across the rooftops, taking out lookouts along the way and securing vantage points for you to gather intel.
5 Time of Day is key
Even the weather can be a weapon.
Astute players may have already figured out the potential of Shadows' dynamic weather system. It's just another aspect of the game's incredible stealth mechanics. Darkness limits enemy sightlines, so taking out the most challenging bases and castles at night is best. You can even take this a step further with rain storms. Rain not only limits visibility but also masks the noise of your movements. It is essential to be aware of whether your prey can see you and whether they can hear you.
4 Study Enemy Patrols
Eliminate any awkward threats.
An awkwardly placed patrol enemy is one of the biggest threats to the perfect assassination. Before committing to clearing out a castle or any other enemy hideout, you should take the time to learn the enemy's patrol. Many enemies are stationary, but stay vigilant since some can be standing in a blind spot or be currently in a blind spot due to their patrol path. Taking out the captains in a patrol can disorient the rest of the enemies, which you can use to pick them off or make your grand escape.
3 Become a Master of Disguise
Hide in Plain Sight.
A tried and true mechanic in the Assassin's Creed franchise is the ability to blend in with crowds. Shadows offer many more mechanics for you to use to create your diversions. With the proper use of manipulating lights and lanterns, the whistle mechanic, and clever pathing, you can get close to your targets without much resistance. This entry's stealth mechanics are on par with the Stealth greats, Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid. You have many options to approach each stealth encounter.
Best Hiding Spots
- Shadows and Darkness
- Tall grass and bushes.
- Storage crates.
- Folding Screens
- Straw Piles
2 Choose Upgrades Wisely
Less is More.
As tempting as it can be to buy every upgrade in Assassin's Creed: Shadows. You should be prioritizing upgrades that suit your playstyle. There's no need to waste experience on better ranged combat abilities or distraction tools if you prefer to tear down walls with Yasuke instead. If you choose to handle things quietly, you will be rewarded by prioritizing better stealth gear and more options to handle a target or escape a hunt if things go south.
Best Upgrades to Prioritize for Yasuke
- Health/Adrenaline
- Vigor
- Regeneration
- Enhance his Long Katana
- Riposte
Best Upgrades to Prioritize for Naoe
- Assassination Damage (If you have guaranteed assassination enabled, then disregard)
- Double Assassinate
- Larger Tool Bag
- Shinobi Bell
- Melee Expert
1 Leave No Witnesses
Assassin rule number 1.
The difference between a master assassin and a novice assassin is how they deal with the aftermath of their kills. Hide every corpse, be sure to take out any witnesses who might've spotted you skulking around, and be sure to be aware of any evidence you leave behind. The best thing you can do as an assassin is to ensure no one knows you were there. It isn't just about the kill but about the escape as well.
- Genre(s)
- Action, Stealth, RPG
