By 2026, Assassin's Creed Shadows has had plenty of time to settle into players’ libraries, but one truth remains stubbornly unchanged: the game isn’t keen on letting anyone waltz through its story without putting in the work. Enemies hit harder, regions demand higher levels, and suddenly that next main quest marker feels like a locked door you just can’t kick down. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a mission requirement a couple of levels above your current character, you know that sinking feeling. Fear not—the world of feudal Japan is overflowing with ways to stack XP, and once you know where to look, leveling up becomes less of a grind and more of a clever dance.
Shadows has this quiet way of nudging players to explore every corner of its map. The devs clearly want you to soak in the beauty of the countryside, but they also sprinkle experience points like breadcrumbs, making sure your journey upward feels organic. Let’s be real though: sometimes you just need a fast track. Here’s the thing, you can’t just button-mash your way through tougher foes—the game likes to remind you that levels matter, almost like a stern teacher wagging a finger. So, what are the best methods to get that delicious XP flowing in 2026? They haven’t changed much since launch, but players keep uncovering little efficiencies that make the process even smoother.
Hit the Contracts Hard and Early
One of the most overlooked goldmines sits right inside your own hideout. As you progress, you’ll unlock the ability to purchase kakuregas—those safehouse-like spots scattered across villages and towns. Inside each kakurega, there’s a small, unassuming box just waiting to be interacted with. Opening it reveals contracts: bite-sized assassination gigs that send you after specific targets or task you with clearing out enemy camps. Each completed contract nets you a minimum of 1000 XP, which adds up faster than you’d think. Better yet, these missions often toss in bonus materials like wood, silk, and iron sand—resources that come in clutch for upgrading your gear. The beauty here is that contracts can be grabbed, completed, and turned in without ever touching the main story. If you’ve got half an hour to spare, chaining three or four of these mini quests can bump you up a level with zero stress. And honestly, there’s something satisfying about having the game quietly pay you for doing a bit of freelance shinobi work.
Chat Up the Locals (They’re More Useful Than They Look)
Naoe and Yasuke aren’t the silent types, and neither are the NPCs populating the settlements. When you roll into a new town, keep your eyes peeled for characters with an exclamation mark hovering over their heads—specifically one with a black background. These aren’t just flavor chatter; talking to them unlocks side quests that offer substantial experience rewards. Some of these storylines are surprisingly meaty, dragging you into personal dramas, revenge plots, or historical mysteries. Completing them doesn’t just pump up your level, it also deepens your connection to the world. And here’s a little tidbit from the community: many players ignore these in the early game and regret it later. By 2026, the wisdom is clear—chatting up every marked NPC you see is one of the most reliable ways to stay ahead of the level curve without repetitive farming.
The Orange Hexagon Buffet
If you’ve ever glanced at your map and wondered what those orange hexagons mean, wonder no more. They’re the game’s way of saying, “Hey, take a break from the killing, look at this mountain temple… and oh, have some XP.” These side activities are scattered all over Japan and come in a variety of flavors:
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Kofun – ancient tombs with light puzzle elements and a nice loot payoff.
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Kata – combat training sessions that sharpen your skills and reward you handsomely.
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Horse Archery – galloping and shooting? Yes please, with experience included.
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Shrines and Temples – quiet moments of reflection, often tucked into stunning locations, each granting XP just for visiting.
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Hidden Trails – parkour routes that test your agility, usually ending with a chest or a stunning viewpoint.
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Kuji-Kiri – meditation spots that unlock new abilities and toss in a chunk of experience.
Each activity may seem small on its own, but when you string them together during a single play session, the XP ocean starts to ripple. The best part? None of these require combat if you don’t want it. You can literally level up by parkouring through a forest or meditating on a clifftop. It’s almost poetic.
Storm the Castles, But Be Smart About It
Full-on castles and forts can be intimidating—patrols everywhere, alarm bells, samurai who do not mess around. Still, you don’t need to clear every last enemy to walk away with a fat XP check. The real prize lies in taking down the Samurai Daisho and looting the legendary chests. These two objectives alone give a massive experience boost. If you’re feeling extra cheeky, sneaking up to the top of the pagoda to activate the synchronization point layers on even more XP. Casual players sometimes avoid these locations because they look like a time sink, but a quick, targeted infiltration can be incredibly efficient. Plus, each castle you “mostly” clear leaves a little mark of accomplishment—like the game smirking and giving you a nod.
Walk, Don’t Run—Exploration XP Is No Joke
Here’s a secret that the flashy combat trailers never mentioned: simply stepping into a new province grants you experience. Assassin’s Creed Shadows recreates Japan so gloriously that exploration feels like its own reward, and yet the game still hands you XP just for being a tourist. Whether you’re riding through a bamboo forest, scaling a fog-shrouded mountain, or discovering a hidden hot spring, the experience points trickle in steadily. It might not seem like much at first, but over the course of the game, all that sightseeing adds up to multiple levels. In 2026, veterans often recommend new players to resist the urge to fast travel everywhere and instead meander along the coastline at sunset. You’ll see something beautiful, stumble into a side activity, and leave the session stronger than when you started—no grinding required. There’s something wonderfully gentle about leveling up just because a view took your breath away.
Put It All Together
Nobody wants to feel stuck, especially when the story is calling. The trick with AC Shadows is to treat XP gain not as a single activity but as a layered lifestyle. Grab a few contracts, chat up an NPC, clear a hexagon or two, and maybe raid a castle on the way. Before you know it, you’ll outlevel the next quest requirement and then some. The game rewards curiosity, so let your inner explorer run wild. By 2026, the community has cemented these methods as the gold standard, and honestly, they make the journey feel less like a grind and more like living in a beautiful, dangerous world where every small action pushes you a little closer to legend status.