I have a confession to make as a longtime Assassin's Creed Shadows player in 2026: I am addicted to dismantling gear. Not because I hate loot, but because I have learned that a cluttered inventory is a slow poison. When I first started playing, I treated every weapon, armor piece, and trinket like a precious collectible. Then I realized something obvious: if I am never going to equip it, why am I keeping it? That question changed the way I play.
Assassin's Creed Shadows does not have an inventory weight management system. That means I can carry a ridiculous amount of gear without being slowed down. At first, that sounds like freedom. In practice, it means my storage stash and inventory become a graveyard of forgotten swords and dusty helmets. I kept telling myself I might need that lower-level legendary someday. But someday never comes when I am already chasing higher-level enemies and better builds.
So I started visiting Heiji the Blacksmith. If you are new or returning in 2026, here is the short version: you unlock Heiji through the 'Ways of the Blacksmith' quest. After that, he joins your Hideout as an ally. You also need to build a Forge at your base. Once the Forge is ready, you can interact with Heiji to access gear upgrades and dismantling services. For me, that blacksmith became the most important ally in the game.
The dismantling menu works a lot like the upgrade tab. I choose a gear category, select the equipment I want to destroy, and then I can preview the materials I will receive. That preview is crucial. It lets me decide whether a piece is worth breaking down or whether I should keep it for a niche build. Once I confirm, the weapon, armor, or trinket is gone, and I get materials in return. No fuss, no hoarding, no guilt.
Why does this matter so much? Because upgrading gear in Assassin's Creed Shadows requires materials and Mon. If I want my current weapon to stay viable as I level up, I need a steady supply of both. Dismantling unwanted loot is one of the most reliable ways to get those materials. Instead of constantly swapping to whatever random sword has the highest number, I can invest in the gear I actually like. That is a huge quality-of-life feature, especially in 2026 when many players are revisiting the game or pushing into harder content.
Here is how I decide what to dismantle:
| Gear Type | What I Usually Do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Common weapons ⚔️ | Dismantle almost always | Easy materials for early and mid-game upgrades |
| Common armor 🛡️ | Dismantle unless it has a unique perk | Keeps my stash clean and funds leveling |
| Trinkets 💎 | Dismantle duplicates first | Trinket materials add up fast |
| Legendary gear 🌟 | Keep if the perk fits my build | Dismantling a rare perk can be a regret |
| Higher-level gear 📈 | Compare with current build | Sometimes it is worth upgrading instead |
I also follow a simple rule: if I have not equipped a piece in several play sessions, it is probably not part of my future. That rule has saved me from endless menu scrolling. Does that mean I never keep anything? No. I still hold onto legendary weapons and armor with unique perks, especially if I am experimenting with a stealth, warrior, or assassin-style build. But I no longer keep every purple or blue item just because it looks nice.
The materials I get depend on the type of gear I dismantle. Weapons tend to feed weapon upgrades, armor feeds armor upgrades, and trinkets feed their own category. Rarity and level also affect the amount and quality of materials. I always check the preview before confirming, because dismantling is permanent. There is no undo button, and I have definitely learned that the hard way.
What is the alternative? I could let my stash fill up with gear I will never use. I could ignore the blacksmith and hope random drops solve my problems. But that approach leaves my favorite equipment under-leveled, and under-leveled gear feels terrible against higher-level enemies. I would rather break down ten useless swords and make my main katana stronger than carry those ten swords forever.
In 2026, I think Assassin's Creed Shadows still rewards players who engage with its crafting and upgrade systems. The dismantling loop is simple, but it is powerful. Find Heiji, build the Forge, preview your materials, and break down what you do not need. Then take those materials, add some Mon, and upgrade the gear you actually love. It is not glamorous, but it works. And as a player, that is exactly the kind of practical system I want in a massive open-world game.
So, if you are staring at a stash full of forgotten loot, ask yourself: what is actually worth keeping? For me, the answer is simple. Keep the gear that defines my build. Dismantle the rest. Then go back to Heiji and make my real equipment stronger. That is how I play Assassin's Creed Shadows in 2026, and I do not see that changing anytime soon.