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

In *Assassin's Creed Mirage*, Naoe's playstyle revolves around stealth and precise assassinations, utilizing her tools to overcome challenging odds. While she excels in the shadows, with careful planning, she's also effective in direct confrontations. To maximize Naoe's potential, prioritize these skills early on:

This guide focuses on skills up to Knowledge Rank 3, attainable through consistent open-world activities in the initial regions.

Katana

• 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 transform Naoe into a defensive powerhouse, ready to punish aggressive enemies. Mastering dodges and deflections creates numerous counter-attack opportunities, significantly boosting damage output and culminating in devastating Eviscerate finishes.

Kusarigama

• 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)

This skill set makes Naoe a formidable opponent against both single targets and groups. Entanglement, enhanced by weapon abilities, builds affliction, allowing for powerful throws that inflict extra damage. The other skills excel in crowd control, keeping enemies at bay while delivering punishing blows.

Tanto

• 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 Tanto skills amplify damage, maximizing the effectiveness of attacks against vulnerable enemies. Even armored foes will fall before Naoe's blade, with the R2/RT spin attack consistently targeting vulnerable back areas for increased damage.

Tools

• 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 manipulation of guards, clearing paths to targets. Use Shuriken to disable alarms or trigger explosives, the Shinobi Bell for distraction, and Kunai for ranged assassinations. Smoke Bombs provide escapes or create opportunities for chained assassinations.

Shinobi

• 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 stealth and traversal. Faster climbing, reduced fall damage, and time-slowing abilities increase efficiency and reduce errors when navigating complex environments.

Assassin

• 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)

Pairing well with the Tanto, these skills improve assassination efficiency. Swift Hidden Blade strikes, dual assassinations, and enhanced damage against stronger foes are key advantages. Remember to upgrade skills as enemy health increases.

Master these skills to become the ultimate assassin shinobi in *Assassin's Creed Mirage*. For more assistance, visit The Escapist.