Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Tools and Upgrade Guide

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can choose between Yasuke and Naoe, each offering unique gameplay styles. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the tools available and how to upgrade them to enhance your experience in the game.

All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can access five different tools, with two unlocked through story progression. These tools are essential for both stealth and combat scenarios:

Grappling Hook

Naoe's Grappling Hook is a game-changer for exploration. It allows you to latch onto structures and ascend without handholds, perfect for reaching high vantage points swiftly. Use it to swing across large gaps, enhancing your mobility and strategic positioning.

Kunai

The Kunai is a lethal throwing knife ideal for silent takedowns. It can instantly kill common enemies, but upgrades are necessary to penetrate the armor of stronger foes, ensuring you can eliminate targets without detection.

Smoke Bomb

The Smoke Bomb is a versatile tool that creates a smoke cloud upon impact, breaking enemy lines of sight. Use it to escape detection or to sow confusion in battle, setting up perfect opportunities for assassinations and quick strikes.

Shuriken

The Shuriken, a traditional ninja throwing star, is crucial for navigating heavily guarded areas. While it doesn't deal as much damage as the Kunai, it can stagger enemies and trigger environmental interactions, such as disabling alarms or igniting explosives. Its silent nature makes it ideal for stealth missions.

Shinobi Bell

For those who prefer distraction over direct confrontation, the Shinobi Bell is invaluable. When thrown, it attracts enemies within its range, allowing you to clear paths or set up crowd control. Upgrades can increase its range and visual appeal, making it even more effective.

How To Upgrade Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Upgrading tools in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is crucial for enhancing their effectiveness. Most tools can be upgraded using Mastery Points through the Tools skill tree, except for the Grappling Hook:

Grappling Hook

The Grappling Hook's only upgrade, Ascension Boost, is found in the Shinobi Tree. For 2 Mastery Points at Knowledge Rank 2, this upgrade significantly speeds up Naoe’s climbing, making it easier to ascend without being detected.

Kunai

To maximize the Kunai's potential, focus on upgrades like Kunai Assassination Damage, which increases the health segments removed per throw. Enhance its armor-piercing capabilities with the Armor Piercing passive skill, and ensure retrievability with Everlast, allowing you to reuse thrown Kunai without breakage.

Smoke Bomb

After unlocking the Smoke Bomb, upgrade its duration with Enduring Haze, adding 10 seconds to its effect. Further enhance its utility with Widespread, which increases the area of effect, making it harder for enemies to spot you.

Shuriken

Upgrade the Shuriken with Bank Shot, enabling it to bounce between targets with increasing damage. Triple Threat allows you to throw three Shurikens at once for the cost of one, offering more options in both stealth and combat scenarios.

Shinobi Bell

Enhance the Shinobi Bell's distraction capabilities with Golden Bell, making it more noticeable to enemies. Follow up with Louder Chimes to increase its effective radius by five meters, drawing more enemies away with a single throw.

Understanding and upgrading these tools in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* will significantly enhance your gameplay, whether you're focusing on stealth or direct combat. For more tips and guides, visit The Escapist.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.*