Top Skills to Prioritize for Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows

In Assassin's Creed Shadows, Naoe thrives in stealth and assassination, using her toolkit to navigate challenges. Yet, she's also capable in direct combat if you strategize effectively. Here are the top skills to prioritize for Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows to maximize her potential, focusing on skills up to Knowledge Rank 3.

Katana

• Dodge Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Melee Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Counter Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Eviscerate – Katana Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills transform Naoe into a defensive powerhouse, ready to counter aggressive foes. If you excel at dodging and deflecting, you'll find ample opportunities to retaliate, deal enhanced damage, and conclude battles with Eviscerate.

Kusarigama

• Entanglement – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Affliction Builder – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Big Catch – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Multi-Target Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Cyclone Blast – Kusarigama Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 7 Mastery Points)

These abilities make Naoe formidable against groups or single targets. Entanglement enhances affliction buildup, and upgrading it lets you manipulate even larger foes for extra damage. The other skills ease handling multiple enemies, keeping them at bay while delivering impactful strikes.

Tanto

• Shadow Piercer – Tanto Ability (Knowledge Rank 1, 5 Mastery Points)
• Gap Seeker – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Backstab – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Backstabber – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Back Breaker – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)

These skills amplify the Tanto's damage potential, particularly against vulnerable foes. Even armored enemies will dread your blade, and using your R2/RT attack to maneuver behind them ensures you can consistently target their weak spots for increased damage.

Tools

• Smoke Bomb – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Larger Tool Bag I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Shinobi Bell – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Enduring Haze – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Kunai Assassination Damage I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Shuriken – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)

These tools enable you to manipulate guards, clearing a path to your target. Use Shurikens to disable alarms or trigger explosives, the Shinobi Bell to divert enemies, and Kunai for long-range kills. If spotted, deploy a Smoke Bomb to either escape or initiate a chain of assassinations.

Shinobi

• Ascension Boost – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Vault – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Igan Roll – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Heighten Senses – Shinobi Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills keep Naoe hidden and on track to her objectives without alerting enemies. Faster climbing and reduced fall damage are universally useful, while the ability to slow time offers more room for error in crowded settings.

Assassin

• Executioner – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Improved Ground Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Double Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Assassination Damage I – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Reinforced Blade – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 4 Mastery Points)

These skills are ideal when paired with a Tanto, enabling swift and effective takedowns with the Hidden Blade. Dual assassinations are invaluable, as is the ability to handle larger foes. However, be cautious not to become overconfident, as some enemies may resist assassination until you've upgraded your skills further.

Mastering these skills will make Naoe the ultimate assassin in Assassin's Creed Shadows. For more guidance, explore resources at The Escapist.