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Main Story
40 Hrs

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes the series to feudal Japan with stealth, shinobi combat, and dual protagonists across a massive open world.
Walkthrough Completion
0 / 88 Completed
0%
Parts
88
Main Story
40 Hrs
Video Library
4 videos
Assassin's Creed Shadows: Official World Premiere Trailer
Tour Pages
15 guides
Hidden vaults in Assassin’s Creed Shadows mainly appear as Kofun tomb dungeons and the massive Glyph Door mystery tied to the A Puzzlement quest.
Most vaults require either Yasuke’s strength to destroy debris and move objects or Naoe’s agility to crawl through tight passages. Several puzzles involve explosive jars, movable blocks, underwater paths, and hidden climbable ledges.
Completing these vaults rewards legendary gear, rare loot, and one of the game’s biggest secret discoveries.
To unlock secret castle rooms in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you need to use environmental tools like explosive jars, hidden crawlspaces, grappling points, keys, and mechanical puzzle systems.
Most hidden rooms are tied to either Naoe’s stealth traversal abilities or Yasuke’s brute strength. Look for suspicious wall layouts, ceiling hatches, drainage systems, and locked upper keeps inside major castles.
Many legendary treasure rooms also remain locked until every Samurai Daisho in the castle has been eliminated.
The best beginner tips for Assassin’s Creed Shadows are to use Naoe for stealth, use Yasuke for open combat once he unlocks, upgrade your Hideout early, and avoid spending too many resources upgrading low-level gear before around level 20.
Turn on helpful settings like Auto-Loot and adjust stealth or combat difficulty if needed. Focus early on synchronization points, scouts, knowledge points, and Naoe’s Ascension Boost skill to make exploration much smoother.
Most of all, play to each character’s strengths. Naoe is built for rooftops, tools, and silent kills. Yasuke is built for walking through problems like the door was never there.
There are 22 Kuji-Kiri meditation locations in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and they can only be completed while playing as Naoe. Each meditation spot appears as an orange meditation icon after discovering nearby white question marks on the map.
To complete a Kuji-Kiri, sit on the meditation mat and finish the rhythm-based QTE sequence. If the button prompts become too difficult to memorize, you can enable Auto Quick Time Events in the gameplay settings to automatically complete every meditation challenge.
Finishing all 22 Kuji-Kiri locations unlocks the Zen Master trophy and rewards knowledge points used for upgrading your skill tree.
Most Legendary Armor pieces in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are found inside Legendary Treasure Chests hidden within heavily guarded castles, forts, caves, and vaults across Japan.
Each armor set includes a head piece and body piece with unique gameplay perks designed specifically for either Naoe or Yasuke. To unlock castle treasure rooms, you usually need to eliminate every Samurai Daisho inside the area first.
Legendary armor automatically scales to your current level when found, making these some of the strongest gear rewards in the game.
Legendary Weapons in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are found in treasure chests, forts, caves, shrines, Kofuns, and as rewards for defeating specific targets or completing quests.
Naoe can use Legendary Katana, Kusarigama, and Tanto weapons, while Yasuke can use Legendary Long Katana, Naginata, Kanabo, Bow, and Teppo weapons.
Most Legendary Weapons scale to your current level when collected, but you will need to upgrade them later at the forge if you want them to stay useful deep into the game.
The fastest way to get rare crafting materials in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is by tagging stockpiles in enemy castles with scouts, dismantling unused gear at the Forge, completing contracts, and purchasing materials from Port Traders.
Rare materials like Silk, Gold, Ironsand, Oakwood, and Tamahagane are mainly used for upgrading legendary gear, ranged weapons, melee weapons, trinkets, and armor.
Upgrading your Stables and Study inside the Hideout dramatically improves material farming efficiency.
To unlock the Zashiki in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you must progress far enough into the story to unlock Yasuke, then start the Iron Hand Guild assassination questline in Sakai.
After speaking to Imai Sokun, eliminate the first target, Merchant Tamao, in Kyoto. Once he is defeated, the Zashiki becomes available to build in your Hideout.
The room increases ration efficiency by 20%, making healing significantly more effective.
Shinobi Tool upgrades in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are unlocked through Naoe’s Tool Mastery Path using Mastery Points. This includes upgrades for Kunai, Smoke Bombs, Shuriken, and the Shinobi Bell.
The Grappling Hook is different because its main upgrade, Ascension Boost, is found in the Shinobi Tree at Knowledge Rank 2.
To improve tool capacity and overall gear strength, upgrade the Forge at your Hideout after completing Way of the Blacksmith.
The fastest way to level up in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is by building the Terra in your Hideout for a permanent 10% XP boost, then farming Contracts, clearing Castles, eliminating targets, and completing fast side activities like Sumi-e, Shrines, and Lost Pages.
Castle raids and target eliminations provide the largest XP payouts, while contracts and exploration activities are the best consistent farming methods early and mid-game.
Upgrading the Study and Stables also improves your overall progression speed by increasing scout efficiency and resource farming.
To get pets in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, interact with animals throughout the world after unlocking the Hideout during the From Sparks to Flame quest.
Petting cats and dogs, completing Sumi-e animal activities, buying animals from traders, and finishing certain quests will add creatures to your Codex. Once added, you can place them inside your Hideout using the Build menu.
Yes, you can absolutely fill your shinobi base with dogs, cats, boars, and other animals. Ubisoft finally understood the assignment.
To change seasons in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, open the Map screen and hold right on the D-pad when the option becomes available.
Seasons also change automatically after enough fast travel, exploration, or story progression.
Changing seasons resets scouts, enemy camps, contracts, resources, and wanted levels while also altering the world visually with seasonal weather effects like snow, foliage, and environmental stealth changes.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows includes multiple romance options for both Naoe and Yasuke. Relationships are built through companion quests, target questlines, and special dialogue choices marked with heart icons.
Naoe can romance Gennojo, Katsuhime, Koshiro, and Mayu, while Yasuke can romance Lady Oichi, Hori Hidemasa, Ibuki, and Rin.
You can romance multiple characters in the same playthrough without penalties or relationship conflicts.
The main story in Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes around 40–45 hours if you focus mostly on story missions and only complete enough side content to stay properly leveled.
Players aiming for full completion, collectibles, optional objectives, contracts, castles, and exploration should expect the game to take closer to 80–100+ hours. The world is massive, and it is very easy to get distracted once the map fully opens up.
You unlock Yasuke as a fully playable character near the end of the Temple of the Horseman mission in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Most players reach this point around 10–20 hours into the main story depending on how much side content they complete.
To unlock him faster, focus mainly on the early story targets, especially The Wounded and The Golden Teppo. Once Yasuke joins permanently, you can freely swap between him and Naoe outside of combat and restricted areas.
88 Sections | Main Story 40 Hrs
55 Trophies | 1 Platinum
Trophy: Assassin's Creed Shadows
Unlock every trophy.
Type: Platinum
Tags: Misc
Unlock Details
Unlock every trophy.
Trophy: A Rare Occurrence
Complete all legendary sumi-e.
Type: Silver
Category: Collectible
Unlock Details
Complete all legendary sumi-e. These are special animal sightings that only appear at specific locations, seasons, and times of day, unlike regular sumi-e which can show up almost anywhere. Legendary sumi-e unlock naturally during the story, but finding them all requires patience. Each animal only appears during the correct season and time, and seasons last several in-game hours. Approach the area at the right moment and stay within range so the event can trigger. If the animal notices you and runs, reload a recent save or fast travel away and return to try again. Sometimes they simply do not spawn, so a few attempts are normal. Take these one at a time and do not leave them all for the end of a season. Stay calm, respect the timing, and eventually each animal will cooperate. When the final legendary sumi-e is completed, the trophy unlocks.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/vT3Ii_kYyqs
Trophy: Collector
Complete a collection.
Type: Silver
Category: Collectible
Unlock Details
Complete all legendary sumi-e. These are rare animal encounters that only appear at a specific location, during a specific season, and at a specific time of day. Unlike regular sumi-e, these require patience and correct timing. The Legendary Macaque appears at Little Leaf Glade near Sarumaru Shrine in Yamashiro during the night and can appear in any season. The Legendary Silver Fox appears along the Nakahechi Route near Kamimisu Inari Shrine in Kii during autumn nights. The Legendary Grey Heron appears at Lake Suigetsu in Wakasa during the day in winter. The Legendary Deer appears in Yoshino, Yamato during spring nights. The Legendary Tanuki appears in the Shimmering Fields near Shigaraki Hamlet in Omi during summer days. If an animal does not appear or runs away, fast travel away and return, or reload a recent save to try again. Stay within range as the correct time approaches so the event can trigger. Take these one at a time and do not rush the season cycle. Once you complete the final legendary sumi-e, the trophy unlocks.
Trophy: Limitless
Find a legendary piece of gear of each type.
Type: Silver
Category: Collectible
Unlock Details
Find a legendary piece of gear of every type. This includes legendary weapons, armor, and an amulet across both characters. Naoe uses light armor and weapons like the katana, tanto, and kusarigama, while Yasuke uses heavy armor and weapons such as the long katana, naginata, kanabo, bow, and teppo. Both characters also equip amulets. You do not need to equip everything at once, only obtain at least one legendary version of each type. You will earn most of these naturally through story progression and by clearing castles. Defeating the daimyo Samurai and opening the castle chest guarantees legendary loot, making this the most reliable method. Keep playing normally, clear castles as you find them, and this trophy will unlock without forcing it.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/uyJch5jwOVE
Trophy: Zen Master
Complete all Kuji-kiri.
Type: Silver
Category: Collectible
Unlock Details
Complete all Kuji-kiri activities. These are meditation challenges tied to Naoe and are introduced during her story as moments of reflection. Each Kuji-kiri is a timing-based sequence where button prompts appear and fade, asking you to repeat them accurately. The first few include story moments, while the rest are short and straightforward. There are twenty-two in total, all found through exploration at question marks on the map. Take them one at a time, stay relaxed with the rhythm, and once you finish the last meditation, the trophy unlocks.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/032PL9AjNGk
Trophy: Against Wood and Stone
Fully upgrade a Hideout building.
Type: Bronze
Category: Grind
Unlock Details
Fully upgrade a building in the Hideout by taking any structure to level three. This happens naturally as part of progression. The Dojo is the most common choice, since upgrading it to level three is required to train allies to Veteran for Front of the Pack. The Forge is another strong option, as its final upgrade unlocks legendary engravings later in the game. Gather the required resources through exploration and contracts, upgrade one building all the way, and the trophy unlocks as soon as it reaches its final level.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/UnqNkeKeVO4
Trophy: Front of the Pack
Fully train an ally.
Type: Bronze
Category: Grind
Unlock Details
Fully train an ally to the Veteran rank. Allies can be trained twice, first to Initiate and then to Veteran, but this requires both coins and Hideout progression. After recruiting your first ally, build the Dojo in the Hideout. At base level, the Dojo lets you train allies to Initiate. Upgrade the Dojo to level three to unlock Veteran training. Once the building is fully upgraded, pay the required coins and train any ally to Veteran. As soon as one ally reaches that final rank, the trophy unlocks. Pick the ally you like most and invest in them.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/OKBJKmyeUro
Trophy: In Case of Trouble
Fully upgrade your tools and ammunition.
Type: Silver
Category: Grind
Unlock Details
Fully upgrade all tools and ammunition by completing the mastery paths tied to Naoe’s tools and Yasuke’s ranged weapons. This trophy is about finishing three mastery lines, not just unlocking a few upgrades. For Naoe, you must complete the Way of the Tools by reaching all knowledge ranks and spending the required Mastery Points. For Yasuke, you must do the same for both the Way of the Bow and the Way of the Teppo. Knowledge Ranks come from side activities like katas, Kuji-kiri, and shrine objectives, while Mastery Points are earned through leveling up and defeating high-value targets such as organization members and Samurai Daishos. Most skills unlock by spending points, but a few are gated behind specific objectives. You must complete the tournament side quest for Triple Threat, eliminate the Pirate Alliance and Kurai Eikyou organizations for certain tool upgrades, defeat the Templar organization for Teppo mastery, and take down the Yokai organization for Bow mastery. This is a long-term progression trophy, so focus on side content, clear castles, and finish organizations as you go. Stick with it and this one will eventually fall into place.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZLNFyGjkQSs
Trophy: Pathfinder
Visit every province on the map.
Type: Bronze
Category: Grind
Unlock Details
Visit every province on the map. You only need to enter each region once, not fully explore it or clear the fog. There are nine provinces in total: Izumi Settsu, Yamashiro, Omi, Iga, Harima, Yamato, Wakasa, Kii, and Tamba. Simply stepping into each one is enough for it to count. You will naturally visit all of them while progressing the story and side content, especially since multiple quests push you across provinces. Do not stress about this one. It unlocks through normal play long before the end.
Trophy: Suture Self
Fully upgrade your rations.
Type: Bronze
Category: Grind
Unlock Details
Fully upgrade your rations by increasing both their healing effect and the number you can carry. At the start, rations restore 40 percent health, and the first step is boosting this to 80 percent by constructing two Hideout buildings. Build the Zashiki by helping Imai Sokun in Settsu with the Iron Hand Guild, and build the Tea Room by helping Sen no Rikyu in Kyoto and finding the nine tea bowls. This improves the effectiveness of each ration, but that alone is not enough. To finish the trophy, you must also increase your ration capacity to eleven. This is done by eating all sixteen dishes during the Hong side quest, which becomes available after defeating Wakasa’s Shinbakufu. Once both the healing boost and the capacity increase are complete, the trophy unlocks. Take your time with this one. It ties into progression and pays off long term.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/VeTMrQpases
Trophy: Would You Kindly?
Complete a contract in each province.
Type: Bronze
Category: Grind
Unlock Details
Complete at least one contract in each province. Contracts are accepted from Kakuregas, which act as safehouses and are found in every region once you get close to them. Each season lets you take a limited number of contracts, so accept them as you move between provinces rather than trying to do everything at once. Inside a Kakurega, interact with the wooden box to pick up contracts, then track and complete at least one in that region. The objectives are short and simple, usually involving assassinating, eliminating, destroying, or looting a target. Spread them out across provinces as you play and this trophy will unlock naturally without any grinding.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/xbRlEuPe0Po
Trophy: Adept Samurai
Perform your first Finisher as Yasuke.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
This unlocks during the prologue when the game introduces Yasuke’s combat style and forces you to perform a finisher. You cannot miss this since finishers are a core part of his gameplay. Just weaken an enemy in combat and trigger the finisher when prompted. This is basically your introduction to Yasuke’s raw power, so get used to using finishers often because they make fights much faster and way more satisfying.
Trophy: Adept Shinobi
Perform your first assassination.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
This unlocks very early in the game during the prologue when you are introduced to stealth mechanics. The game practically forces you to do this, so you cannot miss it. Just approach an enemy undetected and perform an assassination to get your first taste of the shinobi playstyle.
Trophy: Adventurer
Shoot an enemy in the knee with an arrow.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Shoot an enemy in the knee with an arrow. This can only be done as Yasuke, since he is the only character who can use a bow. Find a stationary enemy, like a guard on patrol, and aim carefully at the knee rather than going for a headshot. Take your time lining it up and fire once. You do not need to kill the enemy for this to count. One clean shot to the knee and the trophy unlocks.
Trophy: Art of Kenjutsu
Master the way of the samurai.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Master the way of the samurai by fully completing Yasuke’s Samurai mastery path. This means unlocking every skill in the Way of the Samurai. Progress is split between Knowledge Ranks and Mastery Points. Knowledge Ranks increase by completing side activities like katas, Kuji-kiri, and shrine activities. Mastery Points are earned by leveling up and defeating high-value enemies such as organization members and Samurai Daishos in castles. You will need to spend a total of one hundred and two Mastery Points to finish this path, so expect this to be a long-term goal. Most Samurai skills unlock by spending points, but a few are gated behind specific objectives. You must complete Nobutsuna’s Students to unlock Samurai Stand, and defeat the Shinbakufu organization to unlock Vigor III. Focus on side content and castle clears as you play, and this will come together naturally. Yasuke becomes an absolute force once this path is complete.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/95rzggNmIOQ
Trophy: Art of Ninjutsu
Master the way of the shinobi.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Master the way of the shinobi by fully completing Naoe’s Shinobi mastery path. This requires unlocking every skill in the Way of the Shinobi. Progress is split between Knowledge Ranks and Mastery Points. Knowledge Ranks are increased by completing side activities like Kuji-kiri, katas, and shrine activities. Mastery Points come from leveling up and defeating key enemies such as organization members and castle targets. You will need to spend a total of sixty-three Mastery Points to finish this path. Most Shinobi skills unlock normally, but two require additional objectives. You must eliminate Genzaburo’s Soldiers to unlock Sweep the Leg and defeat the Yokai organization to unlock Critical Insight. Focus on exploration and side content as you play and this trophy will come together naturally. Stick with it. Naoe shines once the full kit is unlocked.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/G1PPudKIPjc
Trophy: Death Blossom
Defeat all Shinbakufu.
Type: Silver
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
This unlocks after dealing with all 12 Shinbakufu members across the main story. Most of these are tied directly to story progression, so you will naturally eliminate or spare them as you move through each act. The game does a good job guiding you to each target, so just stay on top of your main quests and none of them will be missed. Ido Yoshihiro, defeated during the Prologue Wakasa, eliminated in Izumi Settsu during Act 1 Wada Koretake, defeated during Act 1 Akechi Kagemitsu, eliminated in Omi during Act 2 Ise Sadaoki, defeated in Yamashiro during Act 2 Lady Oichi, spared or killed during Act 2 Takeda Motoaki, defeated during Act 2 Joken Hokkyo, eliminated during Act 2 Bessho Harumasa, defeated during Act 2 Ukita Naoie, eliminated during Act 2 Akechi Mitsuhide, defeated during Act 3 Ashikaga Yoshiaki, confronted at the end of Act 3 Nothing here is missable, so just enjoy the story and take your time with each target. By the time the credits roll, this should already be done or very close to it.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/n6-_BiU2WHQ
Trophy: Final Hearing
Sheath your weapon after an enemy dies from Bleed.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Sheath your weapon immediately after an enemy dies from Bleed. This needs the Bleed status to deliver the killing blow, not your direct attack. Use a weapon with bleed buildup and whittle the enemy down carefully so the bleed tick finishes them off. Watch the moment their health drops to zero from the effect, then immediately hold Right to sheath your weapon. Timing matters more than damage here, so using a weaker weapon or slowing your attacks helps control the moment. Once you nail the timing, it clicks fast.
Trophy: Giant Slayer
Assassinate a powerful guardian in one strike.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Assassinate a powerful guardian in a single hit. Guardians appear when alarms are raised in castles and will actively hunt the character who was detected, making them some of the toughest enemies you will face. To make this possible, you need to heavily invest in assassination damage. Fully upgrade the assassination damage path in the Way of the Assassin and unlock skills that boost stealth lethality. Rush Assassinate is especially useful, since it lets you kill from a distance and avoids fighting through groups that usually surround guardians. Attempt this earlier rather than later, before enemy health scales too high. Set it up cleanly, strike once, and get out. When it works, it feels earned.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/jkb_vpkiits
Trophy: Just Your Shadow
Distract the same enemy 3 times with shinobi bells.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Distract the same enemy three times in a row using shinobi bells. You must first unlock the Shinobi Bell from the Way of the Tools by spending three Mastery Points. Find a lone enemy so nothing interrupts the setup. Throw a shinobi bell near them and let them walk over to investigate. As soon as they reach the sound, throw the next bell before they fully return to their post. If they reset to their original position, the chain breaks and you must start over. Keep the rhythm tight, stay hidden, and once the third distraction lands, the trophy unlocks.
Trophy: Master Samurai
Parry an incoming projectile.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Parry an incoming projectile. This can only be done with arrows, not bullets, so you need an enemy archer. Find a bow-wielding enemy and let them spot you. Create some distance so they switch to firing arrows. When the bow flashes just before the shot, press L1 to parry. The timing window is generous, so stay calm and watch for the glow. One clean parry is all it takes.
Trophy: Master Shinobi
Assassinate an enemy through a shoji door.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Assassinate an enemy through a shoji door. To do this, you must first unlock the Shoji Door Assassination skill in the Way of the Assassin by spending two Mastery Points. You also need to use a katana, since only katanas can deal enough damage to kill an enemy through the door in a single strike. Once both conditions are met, head to an area with shoji doors, such as castles or guarded interiors, and wait for an enemy to stand directly on the other side. Perform the assassination through the door and the trophy unlocks. It is a quiet kill, but a very satisfying one.
Trophy: Overdesign III
Perform a Finisher on a poisoned and dazed enemy.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Perform a Finisher on an enemy that is both Poisoned and Dazed. The key is setting this up without killing the target too early. Use weapons that build Poison and Daze, ideally with at least moderate buildup so the statuses apply before the enemy goes down. Save one enemy in a fight and apply both effects to them, then break their posture and trigger the Finisher. Finishers usually trigger on the last enemy in an encounter, so do not try to force this on every target. Set it up cleanly, let the effects stick, and end it properly. Patience beats brute force here.
Trophy: Test Your Might
Defeat the final enemy in the tournament.
Type: Silver
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Defeat the final enemy in the tournament. This trophy is tied to a side quest that becomes available during the middle of Act Two. Look for the side quest near the Hideout, which introduces Gyoji and leads you to a dueling tournament in Yamato. You will face several fighters one after another. Focus on timing, parries, and patience rather than aggression. Defeat the final opponent to complete the tournament, and the trophy unlocks. Stay sharp. The last fight is meant to test what you have learned.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/QeM-qnJ6MBg
Trophy: This is Japan, Actually
Kick an enemy from a high place.
Type: Bronze
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Kick an enemy off a high place using War Kick. This ability is available from the start as part of the Way of the Samurai and does not need to be unlocked. Find an enemy standing near a ledge, rooftop edge, or elevated platform and use War Kick to send them flying. The fall needs to be significant enough to count, so rooftops, cliffs, and castle walkways work best. Line it up, time the kick, and enjoy the view on the way down.
Trophy: Unseen
Perform 5 assassinations in a row without being detected.
Type: Silver
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Perform five assassinations in a row without being detected or entering combat. This simply means chaining stealth kills without alerting enemies. Stealth is introduced very early and used constantly, so this will almost certainly unlock naturally. Stick to shadows, isolate targets, and avoid raising alarms. As long as no enemy spots you and no combat starts, the chain counts. Stay patient and quiet and this one takes care of itself.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/v2lkDM67oz0
Trophy: Unstoppable
Use Samurai Stand before performing a Finisher.
Type: Silver
Category: Combat
Unlock Details
Use Samurai Stand before performing a Finisher on an enemy. Samurai Stand is unlocked after completing Nobutsuna’s Students and purchasing the skill from the Way of the Samurai using Mastery Points. Once activated, Samurai Stand puts you into a short frenzy where your attacks quickly break enemy posture. The window is limited, so timing matters. The easiest way is to save Samurai Stand for the last enemy in a fight, activate it, then finish them off and trigger the Finisher animation. Do it cleanly and the trophy unlocks right away.
Trophy: Acrobatics
Perform a leap of faith from a grappling hook swing.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Perform a leap of faith directly from a grappling hook swing. This is all about positioning and a clean release. Find a grappling hook point above deep water. Swing out, then release at the right moment so Naoe dives straight down instead of grabbing a ledge or wall. Make sure the drop is clear and not so high that she clips an edge on the way down. If she commits to the dive and hits the water cleanly, the trophy unlocks. Smooth, stylish, and very on brand.
Trophy: Better than a Bucket
Equip legendary gear in all slots.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Equip legendary gear in all required slots. Each character has multiple equipment slots, but the horse does not need to be legendary for this trophy. You need legendary items equipped across your weapons and gear, which you will naturally collect by clearing castles and opening their reward chests. Low level castles are the easiest way to do this, since defeating the daimyo Samurai and looting the chest guarantees legendary gear. Mix and match what you find, equip legendary items in every required slot, and the trophy unlocks. It is more about coverage than optimization, so use whatever you have.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/PyCGOVD_mQc
Trophy: Build Your League
Recruit your first ally.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Recruit your first ally. This happens through side quests tied to allies in the League Ring. If you enable the Conan mode option at the start of the game, this trophy is guaranteed by completing one of the ally-related side quests. One ally becomes unavailable in that mode, but you still have more than enough opportunities to recruit someone and earn the trophy. Without Conan mode, this trophy can technically be missed if your choices lead to an ally’s death or permanent disappointment. That said, the game clearly signals the consequences of major decisions, and there are multiple allies available. Play normally, pay attention to dialogue choices, and you are very unlikely to miss this unless you deliberately push things in the wrong direction.
Trophy: Chase the Morning
Add a sumi-e to the Hideout.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Add a sumi-e to the Hideout by displaying one on a wall station. You first need a Hideout building that supports wall decorations. Build any eligible structure, select it, and choose a Station Set that includes a wall station. Then assign one of your collected sumi-e to that wall. As soon as it is displayed in the Hideout, the trophy unlocks. It is a quiet little moment, but a nice way to show off your work.
Trophy: Everybody Benefits!
Adopt a pet.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Adopt a pet by placing an animal in your Hideout. Animals become available after you interact with them, either by drawing them during a sumi-e or by petting them in towns or temples. Once an animal is unlocked, return to the Hideout and open the Build menu. Go to the Miscellaneous tab and place one of the available animals. As soon as it appears in the Hideout, the trophy unlocks. It is quick, simple, and honestly a nice little win.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/LOfOfznVpXE
Trophy: Good Form
Complete your first kata.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Complete your first kata. Katas are side activities tied to Yasuke and are introduced naturally during his storyline when he relives past memories. Each kata is a simple button sequence where you press and hold the correct inputs as they appear. They are forgiving and meant to be calm, not stressful. Finish one successfully and the trophy unlocks. Think of it as a rhythm break rather than a challenge.
Trophy: Happy Place
Reach the highest point on the map.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Reach the highest point on the map by climbing Mount Hakkyo in the southeast of Yamato. This peak is also a viewpoint and sits in the Yoshino subregion near the border with Kii. Approach it as Naoe to make the climb easier, since her parkour speed and climbing control help a lot on steep terrain. Make your way to the summit, sync the viewpoint, and the trophy unlocks. Take a second up there. You earned the view.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/kkJU8BxefRA
Trophy: Hook, Line, and Swinger
Stay airborne by swinging between grappling points.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Stay airborne by swinging from one grappling hook point directly to another without touching the ground. The grappling hook is available from the start, and no skills are required. Look for areas with closely spaced hook points, which are most commonly found inside kofuns and along Hidden Trails. Swing from the first point and immediately latch onto the next before landing. The timing is forgiving, so focus on lining up the second hook while you are still moving. Once you chain the swing cleanly, the trophy unlocks.
Trophy: Kofun Raider
Complete your first kofun.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Complete your first kofun by reaching the end of the tomb and taking its treasure. Kofuns are optional tombs found while exploring and are marked as question marks when you zoom in on the map. Some kofuns are designed for Naoe and others for Yasuke, since certain obstacles require specific abilities like moving heavy objects or using the grappling hook. Enter with the correct character and work your way through the puzzles until you reach the treasure chamber. Finish one kofun from start to end and the trophy unlocks. Take your time inside. These are meant to be explored, not rushed.
Trophy: Leap of Fail
Perform a leap of faith as Yasuke.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Perform a leap of faith as Yasuke. Unlike Naoe, Yasuke cannot perform a true Leap of Faith animation, but the game still counts his version. Fast travel to any unlocked viewpoint while playing as Yasuke and jump straight down into the haystack below. He will land heavily but safely, and that is all the game is looking for. It is less graceful and more brute force, which fits him perfectly.
Trophy: Made You Look!
Find treasure behind the Hideout waterfall.
Type: Silver
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Look for the hidden treasure behind the waterfall in the Hideout. This is a small secret tucked just outside the main area. From the Hideout, head east and follow the stream until you reach a pond with a Kuji-kiri in the center. Walk toward the waterfalls at the far end and pass straight through one of them. As soon as you enter the hidden cave behind it, the trophy unlocks. Simple, classic, and very worth checking at least once.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/aWM80dQqsMw
Trophy: Make it Personal
Engrave your first weapon.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Engrave your first weapon by adding a perk to an Epic or Legendary item. These items come with one perk already applied and a second empty slot that you can customize. Go to the blacksmith in your Hideout and engrave any available perk into that empty slot. Normal perks are cheap and available early, so do not overthink the choice. You can always replace perks later as better versions unlock. As soon as the engraving is applied, the trophy unlocks. This is a small step, but it is the start of real build customization.
Trophy: Mortal Reminder
Complete an Objective Board.
Type: Silver
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
This unlocks naturally as you progress through the game since Objective Boards are tied to both story and side content. You will clear several of them without even trying, especially the ones connected to main missions. Just keep completing objectives as they appear and this will pop on its own. There is nothing to track or grind here, so just play normally and enjoy the flow of the game. It is basically a free trophy that rewards you for doing what you are already doing.
Trophy: Reeding is Fundamental
Escape conflict using a breathing reed in shallow water.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Escape combat by hiding in shallow water using a breathing reed. This requires unlocking the Shallow Water Breathing skill in the Way of the Shinobi. Once unlocked, enter a castle with a pond during spring or fall, since ponds are dry in summer and frozen in winter. Let enemies spot you so combat starts, then move into the pond and go prone. Stay still until Naoe uses the reed to breathe and the enemies lose you. Hold your nerve, let the water do the work, and the trophy unlocks.
Trophy: Scouting Mission
Gather information using a scout.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Gather information using a scout. Scouts become available after you build your first structure in the Hideout and are mainly used when Exploration Mode is turned off. Track any quest and read its clue list on the map screen to narrow down the search area. Once you are in the correct region, press Square to send a scout to investigate. When the blue quest marker appears, the trophy unlocks. Scouts are limited per season, but this only takes one use, so do not overthink it.
Video Guide: https://www.youtube.com/embed/4gS8JrlgtCA
Trophy: Sometimes
Perform a landing roll.
Type: Bronze
Category: Misc
Unlock Details
Perform a landing roll by unlocking the Igan Roll skill in the Way of the Shinobi. This costs one Mastery Point and is required before the roll is possible. Once unlocked, jump from a height that would normally cause fall damage and press Circle just before hitting the ground. If timed correctly, Naoe will roll on impact and avoid damage. Do not jump from extreme heights, since the roll will not save you from lethal falls. Find a safe drop, time the input, and the trophy unlocks immediately.
Trophy: A New League Rises
Complete Act 1 of the main story.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
This unlocks after completing Act 1 which focuses heavily on Naoe’s story and building your early network. You will go through Kuji-kiri meditations, recruit the blacksmith through Tomiko, and eliminate key targets like Wakasa and Wada Koretake. The act wraps up with a major moment involving Oda Nobunaga, so just follow the main objectives and enjoy the ride.
Trophy: An Oath Fulfilled
Complete Act 2 of the main story.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
This unlocks after finishing Act 2 where both Naoe and Yasuke’s stories expand and the target list grows a lot. You will eliminate several major figures including Duarte de Melo while uncovering more about Naoe’s past. It is a longer stretch of the game, so take your time and keep your gear upgraded to avoid hitting any walls.
Trophy: Epilogue
Complete the Epilogue.
Type: Gold
Category: Story
Unlock Details
This unlocks after finishing the final stretch of the game where all remaining story threads are wrapped up. You will dive deeper into Naoe’s past, finish off the last Templar targets, and close out several character arcs including Junjiro. This is more of a narrative payoff, so enjoy it because you are basically at the finish line.
Trophy: Fall of the Shinbakufu
Complete Act 3 of the main story.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
This unlocks after finishing Act 3 which wraps up several major storylines and pushes you toward the endgame. You will uncover more about the Kakushiba ikki, eliminate another Templar target, and deal with key figures like Akechi Mitsuhide and Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Just stay focused on main objectives and keep your gear upgraded since fights start getting tougher here.
Trophy: Prologue
Complete the Prologue.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
This unlocks after finishing the opening sequence where you learn the core mechanics and get introduced to Naoe and Yasuke. You will also take down Ido Yoshihiro here, which kicks off the Shinbakufu storyline. Just follow the story and use this time to get comfortable with stealth and combat because the game builds directly from what you learn here.
Trophy: Sole Sanctum
Unlock the Hideout.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
This unlocks during Act 1 as part of the main quest From Spark to Flame when you build your first structure in the Hideout. It is required for story progression, so you cannot miss it. Just follow the main objectives and you will be guided through the process. You can gather building resources through contracts and general exploration, but for this trophy the game gives you everything you need. It is basically your introduction to the Hideout system, so expect to spend more time here later.
Trophy: The Eager Assassin
Meet Yagoro.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
You will meet Yagoro during the A Blade in the Dark side quest in Harima at Engyoji, specifically around Mitsunodo Hall and Maniden Hall. When you first arrive, investigate the dead body near the stairs that was clearly killed with a Hidden Blade, which starts the chain leading to him. Follow the clues and you will eventually track him down and trigger the meeting. This is a nice throwback moment for Assassin fans, so enjoy it. Yagoro plays into future side quests as well, and his background ties closely to classic assassin themes.
Trophy: The Ronin
Meet Ibuki.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
You will meet Ibuki during the Ambush Interrupted side quest in Iga at Kashiwara Village. When you arrive, you will see villagers gathered in distress while a ronin defends them from a daimyo soldier, which naturally pulls you into the situation. Help resolve the encounter and you will meet Ibuki, unlocking the trophy. He has a strong samurai vibe and becomes part of later side content, so this is just your first interaction. The encounter itself is straightforward, so jump in and help out without overthinking it.
Trophy: The Sharpshooter
Meet Katsuhime.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
You will meet Katsuhime during Akechi Kagemitsu’s quest path after completing Against the Koga-ryu. To progress, speak with Shotei in The Shimmering Fields and help him locate his daughter, which leads directly to your encounter with her. Once the quest wraps up, the trophy will unlock. She does not immediately agree to help you, which makes this interaction a bit more interesting than most. Keep following her related quests afterward since she becomes more relevant later on.
Trophy: The Thief
Meet Gennojo.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
You will meet Gennojo during Ise Sadaoki’s quest path when you are tasked with finding a missing letter. Head to the Bamboo Grove where he is holding it, and you will be forced into a duel before he escapes. After that, return the letter to the messenger and have it read to complete the objective and unlock the trophy. Gennojo shows up again later in side content, so this is just your introduction to him. The duel is straightforward, so do not overthink it and just play it safe if you are still getting used to combat timing.
Trophy: The Toxin Master
Meet Oni-yuri.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
You will meet Oni-yuri during the Sweet Lies side quest in Wakasa at Tsuruga Sea Port near the Tsuruga Kakurega. When you arrive, look for a scene under a large tree where a young girl is arguing with poisoned pirates, which triggers the encounter. Approach the situation and follow the quest to officially meet her and unlock the trophy. She becomes more important later through her own side quests, so this is just the introduction. Pay attention to her abilities since she brings a unique poison-focused playstyle that can actually make certain combat trophies easier.
Trophy: The Warrior Monk
Meet Yaya.
Type: Bronze
Category: Story
Unlock Details
You will meet Yaya during Wada Koretake’s quest path starting with The Fatherless Monk in Izumi Settsu. Head to the Izumi Coast and speak with Kyonyo, who is dealing with Koretake’s influence, then follow the quest until Yaya appears near the end to assist you. Just stick to the main objectives here and the meeting happens naturally. She shows up again later, so this is only your introduction. She has a strong presence in this storyline, so enjoy the moment because it is one of the cooler character entrances.
The opening hours are all about learning how Naoe and Yasuke play, and they feel completely different in the best way. Take your time during the Prologue and early Act 1 to understand stealth, parrying, and movement instead of rushing ahead. The game eases you in, so use that to your advantage and get comfortable with both playstyles.
Once you unlock the Hideout, things start to click. This becomes your home base for upgrades, allies, and progression, so visit it often. A good early tip is to focus on upgrading one weapon set instead of spreading resources too thin, since stronger gear makes everything smoother.
Explore a bit, but do not get overwhelmed trying to clear everything right away. Follow the main story while grabbing nearby activities, and you will naturally stay on track without burning yourself out.
This is where the game really opens up and gives you freedom in how you play. You will be juggling multiple targets, regions, and side content, so it helps to stay organized and focus on one objective chain at a time. If you try to do everything at once, it can get messy fast.
Your build starts to matter more here, especially for Yasuke in combat and Naoe in stealth. Pick abilities that match your playstyle and lean into them instead of trying to be good at everything. If a fight feels tough, it is usually a sign you need better gear or a different approach, not that you are doing something wrong.
This is also a great time to start knocking out collectibles and side activities as you travel. Doing them alongside the story saves a ton of cleanup later and keeps things feeling natural instead of grindy.
As you approach the final acts, enemies get tougher and missions become more demanding. Make sure your gear, tools, and abilities are upgraded before pushing forward. Going in underprepared can turn simple fights into frustrating ones.
You will be closing out major storylines and hunting down the final targets, so stay focused and take your time with each mission. If something feels tricky, slow down and play smarter instead of faster, because patience usually wins here.
There are very few true missables, but it is still a good idea to finish important side content and character quests before the end just to be safe. Plus, some of the best moments in the game come from those optional stories.
After finishing the story, you can freely explore and clean up anything you missed. This is the perfect time to finish collectibles, upgrades, and remaining trophies without pressure. Nothing here is overly difficult, so it is more about consistency than skill.
If you skipped side content earlier, now is the time to circle back and complete it. Focus on one type of objective at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and you will see progress quickly.
If you ever feel stuck or cannot find something, Ask Gami can help you instantly with locations, strategies, or missing objectives. Use it like a quick hint system so you can stay in the game instead of searching endlessly.
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Assassin's Creed Shadows: Official World Premiere Trailer
Tour Pages
15 guides
Hidden vaults in Assassin’s Creed Shadows mainly appear as Kofun tomb dungeons and the massive Glyph Door mystery tied to the A Puzzlement quest.
Most vaults require either Yasuke’s strength to destroy debris and move objects or Naoe’s agility to crawl through tight passages. Several puzzles involve explosive jars, movable blocks, underwater paths, and hidden climbable ledges.
Completing these vaults rewards legendary gear, rare loot, and one of the game’s biggest secret discoveries.
To unlock secret castle rooms in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you need to use environmental tools like explosive jars, hidden crawlspaces, grappling points, keys, and mechanical puzzle systems.
Most hidden rooms are tied to either Naoe’s stealth traversal abilities or Yasuke’s brute strength. Look for suspicious wall layouts, ceiling hatches, drainage systems, and locked upper keeps inside major castles.
Many legendary treasure rooms also remain locked until every Samurai Daisho in the castle has been eliminated.
The best beginner tips for Assassin’s Creed Shadows are to use Naoe for stealth, use Yasuke for open combat once he unlocks, upgrade your Hideout early, and avoid spending too many resources upgrading low-level gear before around level 20.
Turn on helpful settings like Auto-Loot and adjust stealth or combat difficulty if needed. Focus early on synchronization points, scouts, knowledge points, and Naoe’s Ascension Boost skill to make exploration much smoother.
Most of all, play to each character’s strengths. Naoe is built for rooftops, tools, and silent kills. Yasuke is built for walking through problems like the door was never there.
There are 22 Kuji-Kiri meditation locations in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and they can only be completed while playing as Naoe. Each meditation spot appears as an orange meditation icon after discovering nearby white question marks on the map.
To complete a Kuji-Kiri, sit on the meditation mat and finish the rhythm-based QTE sequence. If the button prompts become too difficult to memorize, you can enable Auto Quick Time Events in the gameplay settings to automatically complete every meditation challenge.
Finishing all 22 Kuji-Kiri locations unlocks the Zen Master trophy and rewards knowledge points used for upgrading your skill tree.
Most Legendary Armor pieces in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are found inside Legendary Treasure Chests hidden within heavily guarded castles, forts, caves, and vaults across Japan.
Each armor set includes a head piece and body piece with unique gameplay perks designed specifically for either Naoe or Yasuke. To unlock castle treasure rooms, you usually need to eliminate every Samurai Daisho inside the area first.
Legendary armor automatically scales to your current level when found, making these some of the strongest gear rewards in the game.
Legendary Weapons in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are found in treasure chests, forts, caves, shrines, Kofuns, and as rewards for defeating specific targets or completing quests.
Naoe can use Legendary Katana, Kusarigama, and Tanto weapons, while Yasuke can use Legendary Long Katana, Naginata, Kanabo, Bow, and Teppo weapons.
Most Legendary Weapons scale to your current level when collected, but you will need to upgrade them later at the forge if you want them to stay useful deep into the game.
The fastest way to get rare crafting materials in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is by tagging stockpiles in enemy castles with scouts, dismantling unused gear at the Forge, completing contracts, and purchasing materials from Port Traders.
Rare materials like Silk, Gold, Ironsand, Oakwood, and Tamahagane are mainly used for upgrading legendary gear, ranged weapons, melee weapons, trinkets, and armor.
Upgrading your Stables and Study inside the Hideout dramatically improves material farming efficiency.
To unlock the Zashiki in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you must progress far enough into the story to unlock Yasuke, then start the Iron Hand Guild assassination questline in Sakai.
After speaking to Imai Sokun, eliminate the first target, Merchant Tamao, in Kyoto. Once he is defeated, the Zashiki becomes available to build in your Hideout.
The room increases ration efficiency by 20%, making healing significantly more effective.
Shinobi Tool upgrades in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are unlocked through Naoe’s Tool Mastery Path using Mastery Points. This includes upgrades for Kunai, Smoke Bombs, Shuriken, and the Shinobi Bell.
The Grappling Hook is different because its main upgrade, Ascension Boost, is found in the Shinobi Tree at Knowledge Rank 2.
To improve tool capacity and overall gear strength, upgrade the Forge at your Hideout after completing Way of the Blacksmith.
The fastest way to level up in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is by building the Terra in your Hideout for a permanent 10% XP boost, then farming Contracts, clearing Castles, eliminating targets, and completing fast side activities like Sumi-e, Shrines, and Lost Pages.
Castle raids and target eliminations provide the largest XP payouts, while contracts and exploration activities are the best consistent farming methods early and mid-game.
Upgrading the Study and Stables also improves your overall progression speed by increasing scout efficiency and resource farming.
To get pets in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, interact with animals throughout the world after unlocking the Hideout during the From Sparks to Flame quest.
Petting cats and dogs, completing Sumi-e animal activities, buying animals from traders, and finishing certain quests will add creatures to your Codex. Once added, you can place them inside your Hideout using the Build menu.
Yes, you can absolutely fill your shinobi base with dogs, cats, boars, and other animals. Ubisoft finally understood the assignment.
To change seasons in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, open the Map screen and hold right on the D-pad when the option becomes available.
Seasons also change automatically after enough fast travel, exploration, or story progression.
Changing seasons resets scouts, enemy camps, contracts, resources, and wanted levels while also altering the world visually with seasonal weather effects like snow, foliage, and environmental stealth changes.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows includes multiple romance options for both Naoe and Yasuke. Relationships are built through companion quests, target questlines, and special dialogue choices marked with heart icons.
Naoe can romance Gennojo, Katsuhime, Koshiro, and Mayu, while Yasuke can romance Lady Oichi, Hori Hidemasa, Ibuki, and Rin.
You can romance multiple characters in the same playthrough without penalties or relationship conflicts.
The main story in Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes around 40–45 hours if you focus mostly on story missions and only complete enough side content to stay properly leveled.
Players aiming for full completion, collectibles, optional objectives, contracts, castles, and exploration should expect the game to take closer to 80–100+ hours. The world is massive, and it is very easy to get distracted once the map fully opens up.
You unlock Yasuke as a fully playable character near the end of the Temple of the Horseman mission in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Most players reach this point around 10–20 hours into the main story depending on how much side content they complete.
To unlock him faster, focus mainly on the early story targets, especially The Wounded and The Golden Teppo. Once Yasuke joins permanently, you can freely swap between him and Naoe outside of combat and restricted areas.