"Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Tools and Upgrade Guide"

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can choose between Yasuke and Naoe, each offering unique approaches to tackling challenges. Here's a comprehensive guide on the tools available and how to upgrade them to enhance your gameplay experience.

All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players can utilize five distinct tools, with two unlocked through story progression. These tools are essential for both exploration and combat:

Grappling Hook

Naoe's Grappling Hook is a game-changer for exploration, allowing you to latch onto structures and ascend without traditional handholds. It's perfect for reaching high vantage points swiftly and can be used to swing across large gaps, enhancing your mobility and strategic positioning.

Kunai

These sharp throwing knives are crucial for stealthy eliminations. A single throw can instantly kill common enemies, though upgrades are necessary to penetrate the armor of more formidable foes. Kunai are vital for those who prefer silent takedowns.

Smoke Bomb

The Smoke Bomb serves as both a defensive and offensive tool. Upon impact, it creates a smoke cloud that breaks enemy line of sight, enabling escapes or setting up surprise attacks during combat. It's invaluable for both evasion and tactical advantage.

Shuriken

The classic ninja throwing star, Shuriken, is essential for navigating guarded areas. While not as damaging as Kunai, they can stagger enemies and trigger environmental traps like alarm bells or explosive barrels. Upgrades allow them to ricochet, increasing their utility in combat.

Shinobi Bell

Ideal for those who favor distraction over direct confrontation, the Shinobi Bell can divert enemy attention. When thrown, its sound draws enemies away, and upgrades enhance its range and allure, making it an excellent tool for crowd control and path clearing.

How To Upgrade Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Upgrading tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is done through the Tools skill tree using Mastery Points, except for the Grappling Hook:

Grappling Hook

The only upgrade for the Grappling Hook is the Ascension Boost under the Shinobi Tree. For 2 Mastery Points at Knowledge Rank 2, this passive skill significantly speeds up Naoe’s climbing, reducing the chance of detection.

Kunai

To maximize the Kunai's effectiveness, upgrade its Assassination Damage to remove more health segments per throw. Enhance its armor-piercing capabilities with the Armor Piercing passive skill, and use Everlast to ensure retrieval without breakage.

Smoke Bomb

After unlocking the Smoke Bomb, extend its duration with Enduring Haze, adding 10 crucial seconds. Further enhance its utility with Widespread, which increases the area of effect, allowing you to obscure more enemies.

Shuriken

Upgrade Shuriken with Bank Shot to enable ricocheting between targets, with damage increasing per bounce. Triple Threat allows you to throw three Shurikens at once for the cost of one, enhancing your stealth and combat options.

Shinobi Bell

Upgrade the Shinobi Bell with Golden Bell to increase its visual allure, making it more effective at drawing enemy attention. Follow up with Louder Chimes to extend its effective radius by five meters, enhancing its distraction capabilities.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the tools and their upgrades in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For more tips and tricks, be sure to check out The Escapist.

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