In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can choose between Yasuke and Naoe, each offering unique approaches to tackling challenges. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the tools available and how to upgrade them to enhance your gameplay experience.
All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist
In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can access five distinct tools, with two unlocked through story progression. These tools are essential for both exploration and combat:
Grappling Hook
Naoe's Grappling Hook is a game-changer for exploration, allowing you to latch onto structures and ascend without handholds. This tool is perfect for reaching high vantage points swiftly and silently, ideal for scouting enemy positions. It also enables you to swing across large gaps, enhancing your mobility.
Kunai
The Kunai is a lethal throwing knife that delivers significant damage. It's crucial for players aiming to eliminate targets stealthily. While it can instantly kill common enemies, upgrades are necessary to penetrate the armor of more formidable foes.
Smoke Bomb
The Smoke Bomb is a versatile tool that creates a smoke cloud upon impact, serving both defensive and offensive purposes. It can break enemy line of sight, facilitating escapes, or be used in combat to disorient foes, setting up perfect opportunities for assassinations and quick strikes.
Shuriken
The Shuriken, a traditional ninja throwing star, is vital for navigating heavily guarded areas. Though less damaging than the Kunai, it can stagger enemies and trigger environmental interactions like sabotaging alarms or detonating barrels. Its silent nature and potential to ricochet between targets make it a powerful asset.
Shinobi Bell
For those who prefer distraction over direct confrontation, the Shinobi Bell is ideal. When thrown, it attracts enemies within its range, allowing you to manipulate their movements. Upgrades can increase its range and add a gold shimmer, enhancing its effectiveness in crowd control and path clearing.
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
Upgrading tools in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness. Most tools can be enhanced 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 buildings undetected.
Kunai
To enhance the Kunai, focus on increasing its damage output. The Kunai Assassination Damage upgrade removes more health segments per throw. Additionally, the Armor Piercing passive skill boosts its armor-piercing capabilities, while Everlast ensures the Kunai can be retrieved without breaking.
Smoke Bomb
After unlocking the Smoke Bomb, extend its duration with the Enduring Haze upgrade, adding 10 seconds to its effect. The Widespread upgrade further increases the area of effect, allowing you to obscure more enemies at once.
Shuriken
Upgrade the Shuriken with Bank Shot, enabling it to bounce between targets with increasing damage. The Triple Threat upgrade allows you to throw three Shurikens simultaneously for the cost of one, enhancing your stealth and combat options.
Shinobi Bell
Enhance the Shinobi Bell with the Golden Bell upgrade, which increases its visibility to enemies, making it a more effective distraction. Follow up with Louder Chimes to extend its effective radius by five meters, drawing more enemies into its range.
Understanding and upgrading these tools in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* can significantly enhance your gameplay. For more tips and guides, be sure to check out The Escapist.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.*
