Best Skills to Get First for Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In *Assassin's Creed Mirage*, Naoe's playstyle emphasizes stealth and assassination, utilizing tools and shadows to overcome challenges. While not ideally suited for direct combat, careful planning can make her effective in confrontations. To maximize her potential, prioritize these skills early on:

Note: These recommendations focus on skills available up to Knowledge Rank 3, achievable with consistent open-world activity in starting areas.

Katana

• Dodge Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Melee Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Counter Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Eviscerate – Katana Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

This skill set transforms Naoe into a defensive powerhouse, capitalizing on dodges and deflects to counterattack and unleash devastating damage with Eviscerate.

Kusarigama

• Entanglement – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Affliction Builder – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Big Catch – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Multi-Target Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Cyclone Blast – Kusarigama Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 7 Mastery Points)

Ideal for crowd control, these skills enhance affliction buildup, allowing for powerful attacks against single or multiple enemies. Entanglement is particularly effective for manipulating larger foes.

Tanto

• Shadow Piercer – Tanto Ability (Knowledge Rank 1, 5 Mastery Points)
• Gap Seeker – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Backstab – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Backstabber – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Back Breaker – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)

Focuses on maximizing damage output, particularly against vulnerable enemies. The ability to quickly circle behind targets for backstabs is crucial.

Tools

• Smoke Bomb – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Larger Tool Bag I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Shinobi Bell – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Enduring Haze – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Kunai Assassination Damage I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Shuriken – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)

These tools provide versatile options for manipulating guards, setting traps, and creating openings for assassinations. The Smoke Bomb offers a crucial escape mechanism.

Shinobi

• Ascension Boost – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Vault – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Igan Roll – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Heighten Senses – Shinobi Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills enhance mobility and stealth, improving traversal and providing a tactical advantage in navigating complex environments.

Assassin

• Executioner – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Improved Ground Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Double Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Assassination Damage I – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Reinforced Blade – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 4 Mastery Points)

These skills significantly improve assassination efficiency, particularly when combined with the Tanto. The ability to perform double assassinations is a game-changer.

By prioritizing these skills, you'll transform Naoe into a formidable assassin, mastering both stealth and strategic combat in *Assassin's Creed Mirage*. For further assistance, explore resources available on The Escapist.