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Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Tools and Upgrade Guide

By AlexisApr 18,2025

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can immerse themselves in the rich world of feudal Japan through the unique perspectives of Yasuke and Naoe. Each character brings their own set of skills and tools to the table, offering varied approaches to problem-solving. Here's a detailed look at the tools available and how to enhance them to maximize your gameplay experience.

All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

All Tools in Assassin's Creed Shadows

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

In the game, you'll have access to five essential tools, two of which you'll unlock as you progress through the story. Let's dive into each of these tools:

Grappling Hook

Naoe's Grappling Hook is a game-changer for exploration. It allows you to latch onto structures and ascend without needing handholds, perfect for scouting enemy positions or reaching high vantage points swiftly. Additionally, it's useful for swinging across large gaps, adding a dynamic element to your movement.

Kunai

The Kunai is a lethal throwing knife that can instantly eliminate common enemies. For armored foes, upgrades are crucial to penetrate their defenses effectively. This tool is essential for those aiming to remain undetected while taking out specific targets.

Smoke Bomb

The Smoke Bomb is versatile, serving both defensive and offensive purposes. It creates a smoke cloud upon impact, breaking enemy lines of sight for quick escapes or setting up surprise attacks during combat. It's an invaluable asset for both evasion and strategic engagements.

Shuriken

The Shuriken, a classic ninja throwing star, is perfect for navigating heavily guarded areas. While it doesn't deal as much damage as the Kunai, it can stagger enemies and trigger environmental hazards like alarm bells or explosive barrels. Its silent nature makes it ideal for stealth operations.

Shinobi Bell

For those who prefer misdirection over direct confrontation, the Shinobi Bell is your tool of choice. When thrown, it attracts nearby enemies, creating a distraction. Upgrades can enhance its range and allure, making it even more effective for crowd control and clearing paths.

How To Upgrade Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

How to Upgrade Tools in Assassin's Creed Shadows

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

Upgrading your tools is key to enhancing your effectiveness in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. Most tools can be improved using Mastery Points through the Tools skill tree, except for the Grappling Hook, which has a unique upgrade path:

Grappling Hook

The Grappling Hook's sole upgrade, Ascension Boost, is found in the Shinobi Tree. For 2 Mastery Points at Knowledge Rank 2, you can significantly speed up Naoe's climbing, reducing the chance of detection during ascents.

Kunai

To maximize the Kunai's impact, focus on the Kunai Assassination Damage upgrades. These allow you to remove more health segments per throw. Additionally, the Armor Piercing passive skill increases its penetration capabilities, while Everlast ensures your Kunai can be retrieved without breaking.

Smoke Bomb

After unlocking the Smoke Bomb, extend its duration with Enduring Haze for an additional 10 seconds of cover. Widespread further enhances its utility by increasing the area of effect, enabling you to obscure vision from more enemies at once.

Shuriken

Upgrade your Shuriken with Bank Shot, allowing them to ricochet between targets with increasing damage. Triple Threat lets you launch three Shurikens for the cost of one, amplifying your stealth and combat options.

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, attracting more foes with each throw.

Understanding and upgrading your tools in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is crucial for mastering the game's challenges. For further guidance, be sure to visit The Escapist.

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

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