Top Skills to Prioritize for Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Naoe thrives in the art of stealth and assassination, utilizing the shadows and her specialized tools to outmaneuver her targets. While her forte lies in silent takedowns, Naoe is also capable of handling direct confrontations with the right strategy. To help players maximize her potential, here are the top skills to prioritize for Naoe up to Knowledge Rank 3, achievable through consistent engagement in the game's early open-world activities.

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

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)

These skills transform Naoe into a defensive powerhouse, ready to counter aggressive enemies effectively. If you excel at dodging and deflecting, these skills offer ample opportunities to counterattack, amplify damage, and conclude battles with the powerful Eviscerate ability.

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)

Equipped with these skills, Naoe becomes a formidable opponent against both groups and individual targets. Entanglement facilitates affliction buildup, while upgrades allow you to manipulate even larger enemies for increased damage. The other skills enhance your ability to manage multiple foes, keeping them at bay while delivering devastating attacks.

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)

These skills are tailored to enhance Naoe's damage output with the tanto, particularly against vulnerable enemies. Even armored foes will dread your blade, and using the R2/RT attack to spin behind them ensures you can consistently target their weak spots for increased damage.

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 enable Naoe to manipulate guards strategically, paving the way to her primary target. Utilize Shuriken to disable alarm bells or trigger explosives, Shinobi Bell to divert enemies, and Kunai for long-range assassinations. If spotted, deploy the Smoke Bomb to either escape or execute a series of silent kills.

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)

Leveraging these skills, Naoe can remain undetected while efficiently navigating towards her objectives. Faster climbing and reduced fall damage are invaluable in various scenarios, while the ability to slow time provides crucial margins for error in densely populated areas.

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 are particularly effective when paired with the Tanto as one of your primary weapons, facilitating swift, lethal strikes with the Hidden Blade. Dual assassinations add versatility, and enhanced damage capabilities make it easier to take down tougher foes. However, caution is advised as you progress to enemies with higher health who may resist assassination attempts until further skill upgrades are obtained.

With these skills prioritized, Naoe can emerge as the ultimate stealth assassin in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For further guidance and tips, be sure to visit The Escapist.