Assassin's Creed Shadows Allows for Transmogging, Keeping a Weapon's Looks While Changing Its Stats

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Deep Dive into Progression and Customization

Transmogging and Weapon Customization

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) offers players extensive customization options, highlighted by its robust transmogging system. In a March 1, 2025, blog post, Associate Game Director Julien detailed the game's progression and customization features. The transmog feature allows players to visually alter their weapons, separating aesthetics from stats. If you love a weapon's stats but hate its look, you can change its appearance while retaining its power. This feature unlocks by building a Forge in your Hideout, accessible thereafter from the inventory menu.

Julien explained the Forge's importance in inventory management: "Overall, the Forge plays a key part in managing your inventory. There you can upgrade or dismantle weapons & gear, but we will share more in an upcoming article on the Hideout." Furthermore, players can mix and match weapon components, creating unique combinations: "The final result could be the blade of one weapon, with the guard of another, and the handle of your newly acquired one."

A New Progression Loop

Following up on IGN Fan Fest 2025, where Creative Director Charles Benoit discussed combat mechanics, Ubisoft provided a deeper look at player progression. Julien addressed the design challenges presented by the game's two protagonists: "Having two separate characters with unique archetypes in our feudal Japan world pushed us to rethink how we wanted to approach player progression." The team aimed to maintain a philosophy of mastery and martial arts.

Mastery, Abilities, and Knowledge Ranks

AC Shadows features unique mastery trees for Naoe and Yasuke, reflecting their shinobi/assassin and samurai archetypes respectively. Julien explained the design choice: "With the unique Mastery trees, we want to give players the freedom to dedicate themselves into a specific weapon, playstyle, or archetype, and ensure they can deepen their mastery of it." Mastery tree investments unlock additional bonuses, reinforcing player progress.

Abilities within the mastery trees provide gameplay enhancements and increased damage. However, access to certain abilities and mastery points is tied to Knowledge Rank, increased through non-violent activities such as finding Lost Pages, praying at Shrines, meditation (Naoe), or learning Kata (Yasuke).

Customizing Your Playstyle

AC Shadows provides extensive playstyle customization. Perks allow modification and enhancement of equipment, impacting stats, afflictions, and gameplay conditions. While Naoe and Yasuke have distinct starting archetypes, players can deviate significantly. Example builds are provided, showcasing Naoe's potential for aggressive, high-damage ground combat and Yasuke's adaptability to stealth and ranged playstyles.

With its revealed features, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has generated considerable anticipation. The game launches March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for further updates!