Top Initial Skills for Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, the dual protagonists offer diverse approaches to gameplay, and Yasuke's early skill choices are crucial for maximizing his combat effectiveness. Here's a detailed look at the best skills to prioritize for Yasuke in the initial stages of the game, ensuring you leverage his strengths as a formidable warrior.

Best Skills to Get First for Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Long Katana

• Sheathed Attack – Long Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Riposte – Long Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Energizing Defense – Long Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Payback – Long Katana Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills will enable Yasuke to not only defend and counter effectively but also deliver powerful strikes while regaining health, ensuring he remains robust during combat encounters throughout the game.

Naginata

• Far Reach – Naginata Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• One Man Army – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Lethal Reach – Naginata Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 2 Mastery Points)
• Impale – Naginata Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

By keeping enemies at a distance, these skills allow Yasuke to deal significant damage and increase critical hit chances, particularly effective against groups. When enemies close in, Impale helps clear space or group them for concentrated attacks.

Kanabo

• Forward Momentum – Kanabo Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Spine Breaker – Kanabo Ability (Knowledge Rank 1, 3 Mastery Points)
• Power Surge – Kanabo Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Crushing Shockwave – Kanabo Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills enhance Yasuke's power and speed, making him capable of quickly dispatching enemies. Crushing Shockwave is especially useful against crowds, while Spine Breaker provides a tactical advantage by allowing time for healing and regrouping.

Teppo

• Steady Hand – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Armor Damage – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Concentration – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Teppo Tempo – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Explosive Surprise – Teppo Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)
• Reload Speed – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)

Leveraging the Teppo's high damage output, these skills allow Yasuke to control the battlefield by slowing time, enhancing reload speed, and creating space with Explosive Surprise or Teppo Tempo, setting the stage for effective melee follow-ups.

Samurai

• Brutal Assassination – Samurai Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Regeneration – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Improved Brutal Assassination – Samurai Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Assassination Damage I – Samurai Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)
• Impenetrable Defense – Samurai Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 4 Mastery Points)

Yasuke's assassination skills are not just limited to Naoe; he can take down elites effectively with his unique moves. Coupled with the universal benefit of Regeneration, which restores health with each kill, and the defensive prowess of Impenetrable Defense, Yasuke becomes a versatile and resilient force on the battlefield.

Bow

• Swift Hand – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Marksman’s Shot – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Larger Quiver I – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Silent Arrows – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Kyudo Master – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 2 Mastery Points)
• Silent Arrows II – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)

These skills enhance Yasuke's ability to eliminate threats from a distance, even those heavily armored, by improving reload and draw speeds, and ensuring silent, efficient takedowns.

That’s everything you need to know about the best skills to prioritize for Yasuke in the early stages of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For more tips and guides, be sure to explore additional resources at The Escapist.