In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, the dual protagonists offer unique gameplay experiences, and choosing the right skills for Yasuke early on can significantly enhance your gameplay. Here's a detailed guide on the best skills to prioritize for Yasuke to maximize his combat prowess and survival in the early stages of the game.
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)
Equipping these skills allows Yasuke to not only defend and counterattack effectively but also to deal significant damage while recovering lost health. This combination is essential for maintaining Yasuke's health during prolonged combat encounters.
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)
With the Naginata, Yasuke can keep enemies at a distance while inflicting substantial damage and increasing his critical hit chance. These skills are particularly effective in crowd control situations, and the Impale ability can be used to clear space or gather enemies 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 a formidable force against enemies. The Crushing Shockwave is invaluable for dealing with groups, while Spine Breaker provides a crucial window for healing and regrouping before delivering a devastating ground strike.
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)
The Teppo skills allow Yasuke to initiate and conclude fights with high damage output. Slowing down time and increasing reload speed are key to maintaining a tactical advantage, and abilities like Explosive Surprise and Teppo Tempo provide the means to create space before switching to melee for the finishing blow.
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)
Assassinations are a staple in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, and these skills enable Yasuke to take down even elite enemies swiftly. The Regeneration skill is invaluable for continuous health recovery, while Impenetrable Defense offers a crucial defensive boost when needed.
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 before they become aware of his presence. With faster reload and draw speeds, along with increased arrow capacity and silent shots, Yasuke can effectively take down armored enemies from a distance.
By focusing on these skills early in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, you'll equip Yasuke with the tools needed to thrive in combat and navigate the game's challenges effectively. For more tips and strategies, be sure to visit The Escapist.