If you're diving into Assassin's Creed Shadows, having the right weapons early on can make all the difference. Since you are locked out from playing Yasuke early on, this guide covers the best early-game weapons for Naoe, where to find them and how to optimize them.
Table Of Content:
Bloodshade
Igan Sunset
Featherstorm
Weapon Optimization
Best Early Game Weapons
1. Bloodshade (Katana)
Why it's great: This katana applies Bleed damage, and its unique perk ensures Affliction Buildup doesn’t fade over time, making it a deadly choice for sustained damage.
Where to find it:
- Location: Legendary Chest on a large ship off the coast of Osaka in Izumi Settsu.
- Difficulty: Moderate (enemy guards present).
We have prepared a fully detailed guide for you aswell.
2. Igan Sunset (Tanto)
Why it's great: This tanto slows down time during Escape Strikes, allowing for precise counterattacks and getaways.
Where to find it:
- Location: Tozuku's Lair, Katano Foothills, Region of Izumi Settsu.
- Difficulty: Moderate (hidden in a guarded chest).
3. Featherstorm (Kusarigama)
Why it's great: A top-tier crowd control weapon that lets you instantly charge Posture attacks after hitting multiple enemies.
Where to find it:
- Location: Kashiwabara Fortress, Ibu Highlands of Omi.
- Difficulty: High (heavily fortified stronghold).
How to optimize your weapons
1. Unlock and Upgrade Your Forge
Once you have finished building the Kakurega at your Hideout, you will automatically unlock the Side Quest "Way of the Blacksmith" in which you are tasked to find the Blacksmith Heiji in Sakai. You have to help Heiji out of a dangerous encounter with multiple enemies, which you will easily be able to assassinate as they're all facing him. Once he is saved, he will task you to gather 40 Crops, 30 Wood, 10 Minerals.
You will be able to pick up some materials right next to Heiji, and will find many more all around castles and camps. Once you have your ressources gathered, you can head back to your Hideout and start building a Forge for Heiji.
- Your Hideout Forge is essential for improving weapons.
- Level 2 Forge: Unlocks standard engravings, allowing you to customize weapon perks.
- Level 3 Forge: Grants access to legendary engravings, providing powerful stat boosts.
- Investing in the Forge early can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness.
2. Enhance Your Gear with Engravings
- Engravings add passive bonuses to weapons, such as increased attack speed, higher crit chances, or elemental effects.
- Certain engravings pair well with specific weapons (for example the Bleed Damage boost for Bloodshade Katana).
- Experiment with different engravings to match your preferred playstyle.
- Engravings can be found along your journey, unlocked by quest rewards and purchased by vendors.
3. Explore and Conquer
- Many legendary weapons are hidden in enemy fortresses or tied to side quests.
- Don’t skip strongholds, as they often contain legendary chests.
- Defeating powerful enemies can reward you with rare weapons and upgrades.
4. Experiment with Playstyles
- Naoe’s weapons favor stealth, speed, and agility
- Switch weapons based on enemy types: faster weapons for quick duels and heavy weapons for tougher enemies.
5. Master Weapon Combos
- Learn weapon-specific combos to maximize damage.
- Kusarigama & Tanto combo: Allows rapid follow-up strikes with agility.
- Katana & Teppo combo: Mixes melee combat with ranged gunfire for strategic takedowns.
- Using combos effectively can turn the tide of battle in your favor.
If you are unsure, which Skills go best with Naoe, then don't be scared! We made sure you get into the game prepared. You can find a full guide on the best early game builds for Naoe.
Choosing the right weapons early on in Assassin’s Creed Shadows can set you up for success. Whether you prefer silent assassinations or brutal battles, these weapons will give you an edge in in the AC Shadows. Happy hunting, shinobi!
