Mastering Tool Upgrades in Assassin's Creed Shadows: A Player's Guide

As a dedicated player of Assassin's Creed Shadows, I've spent countless hours exploring its stunning Japanese setting, and I can confidently say that upgrading your tools and ammunition is absolutely essential for survival. This game marks the franchise's first venture into Japan, introducing unique items like kunai and teppo that add a fresh layer to stealth and combat. From my experience, neglecting these upgrades can lead to frustrating encounters with enemies, especially in high-stakes areas like castles and palaces. Whether I'm controlling Naoe for her agility or Yasuke for his brute strength, having fully upgraded tools ensures I can adapt to any situation, whether it's a silent assassination or a chaotic battle. The game's progression system rewards careful planning, and I've learned that mastering these elements not only enhances gameplay but also unlocks rewarding achievements. Let me share my insights to help you navigate this journey efficiently.

Understanding the Difference Between Tools and Weapons

In Assassin's Creed Shadows, it's easy to mix up tools and weapons, but they serve distinct roles that I've had to master. Weapons are permanent items like katanas and tantos that I've collected from chests or earned through quests—they never run out and are always ready for action with both characters. Tools, however, are consumable items such as kunai, shuriken, smoke bombs, and arrows, which deplete with use and need replenishing. This distinction became clear to me early on; for instance, while Yasuke's long katana deals massive damage in close combat, Naoe's kunai allow for precise long-range kills without alerting guards. Upgrading them involves different paths: weapons are enhanced at the forge in your Hideout, whereas tools are upgraded exclusively through the Mastery tab in the pause menu. Focusing on the right sections—Tools for Naoe and Teppo and Bow for Yasuke—is key to maximizing efficiency. I found that ignoring this could leave me vulnerable during missions, so I always prioritize understanding these mechanics first.

How to Upgrade Your Tools Effectively

Upgrading tools in AC Shadows revolves around Mastery Points, a resource I've had to manage wisely. You earn these points by leveling up, completing story missions, and defeating tough enemies like Samurai Daisho in castles. To upgrade, I head to the Mastery tab and spend points on specific sections—Naoe's Tools or Yasuke's Teppo and Bow. The process is straightforward but requires strategy; for example, each upgrade tier boosts aspects like damage, capacity, or cooldown. Here's a quick reference table I created based on my playthrough to outline the key steps:

I've noticed that points become scarcer as you advance, so I recommend hoarding them early on. For instance, after reaching Knowledge Level 3, I focused on incremental upgrades to avoid wasting points. A common pitfall I faced was overspending on less critical skills, so planning a roadmap—like prioritizing capacity increases for Naoe's toolbag—saved me from grinding later. This system adds depth, making every point feel valuable and rewarding when executed right.

Best Tool Upgrades for Naoe and Yasuke

Choosing the right upgrades depends heavily on your playstyle, but from my extensive gameplay, I've identified optimal paths for each character. For Naoe, focusing on her tools like kunai and smoke bombs is usually best because they complement her stealth-oriented abilities. Kunai, for instance, are excellent for silent long-range eliminations, while shuriken stun enemies before assassinations—I've cleared entire outposts undetected thanks to these. Smoke bombs are ideal for escaping when overwhelmed, and increasing your toolbag size ensures you're never caught empty-handed. On the other hand, Yasuke doesn't rely as much on tools; instead, investing in his Teppo and Bow sections is more effective, but I found that boosting his long katana in the forge often yields better results for direct combat. Here's a prioritized list of upgrades I swear by:

• Naoe's Must-Haves 🥷:

• Kunai Damage Boost: Essential for one-hit kills from afar.

• Smoke Bomb Duration: Extends escape windows in tight spots.

• Toolbag Capacity: Prevents frequent restocking during missions.

• Yasuke's Top Picks ⚔️:

• Teppo Reload Speed: Reduces downtime in firefights.

• Bow Accuracy: Improves precision for ranged support.

• Ammo Reserve Increase: Keeps you stocked for prolonged battles.

I learned the hard way that spreading points too thin can hinder progress; for example, early on, I wasted points on Yasuke's less useful tools and regretted it when facing bosses. By mid-game, I had a balanced approach that made encounters smoother and more enjoyable.

Achieving the 'In Case Of Trouble' Trophy

One of the most rewarding challenges I've tackled in AC Shadows is earning the 'In Case Of Trouble' trophy, which requires fully upgrading Naoe's Tools and Yasuke's Teppo and Bow sections. This silver trophy sounds simple but demands significant effort—I spent weeks grinding to unlock it. To start, your Knowledge Level must be at the maximum level of six, which I achieved by completing main quests and side activities. Once there, you'll need a whopping 234 Mastery Points in total: 70 for Tools, 86 for Bow, and 78 for Teppo. If you're like me and didn't save enough points, this becomes a serious grind, so I advise stockpiling early. Beyond points, specific tasks are mandatory:

• For Tools (Naoe): Complete two of three tasks—Tournament side quest, destroy the Pirate Alliance, or destroy the Kurai Eikyou. I opted for the Tournament and Pirate Alliance for efficiency.

• For Teppo (Yasuke): Defeat both the Pirate Alliance and the Templars—this overlapped nicely with my Tools tasks.

• For Bow (Yasuke): Take down the Kurai Eikyou and Yokai organisations, which required dedicated side questing.

Organising these tasks was crucial; I used a checklist to track progress and saved before tough battles. The reward? A satisfying trophy that showcases your mastery, plus enhanced gameplay that makes end-game content a breeze.

In conclusion, upgrading tools in Assassin's Creed Shadows has been a game-changer for me, transforming chaotic skirmishes into calculated victories. By focusing on the right upgrades and planning ahead, I've maximized both characters' potential. Remember, Mastery Points are precious—spend them wisely, and you'll conquer Japan with ease. 😊