In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, the dual protagonists offer diverse gameplay experiences, and Yasuke's early skill choices can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness. Here’s a guide to the best skills to prioritize for Yasuke in the initial stages of the game, tailored to optimize his prowess with various weapons.
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)
By mastering these skills, you can not only defend and counter effectively but also deliver powerful attacks while recovering health, ensuring you remain robust during 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)
These skills allow you to keep enemies at a distance while dealing substantial damage and increasing your critical hit chances, making them especially effective in crowded scenarios. When enemies close in, use Impale to clear space or group them for focused 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 abilities enhance Yasuke's striking power and speed, making him a formidable opponent against most enemies. Crushing Shockwave is particularly useful for crowd control, while Spine Breaker can provide breathing room 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)
Utilizing the Teppo's high damage output can quickly shift the tide of battle in your favor. Enhancing your reload speed and time manipulation skills will synergize effectively, allowing you to create space with Explosive Surprise or Teppo Tempo before switching to melee for the final 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)
Yasuke's assassination skills aren't limited to Naoe; he can take down elites with his own flair. With Regeneration boosting health recovery after each kill, and Impenetrable Defense providing additional protection, you'll be well-equipped for stealth and direct combat scenarios.
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 take out threats before they become aware of his presence. Even armored enemies can be swiftly dispatched with increased arrow capacity, faster reload and draw speeds, and silent shots.
That’s all you need to know about the best early skills to equip Yasuke with in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For further assistance with the game, explore additional resources at The Escapist.
