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

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Naoe's approach to eliminating targets is steeped in the art of stealth and assassination, yet she's also equipped for direct confrontations if planned carefully. For players eager to maximize Naoe's potential, here are the best skills to prioritize early on, up to Knowledge Rank 3, which can be achieved swiftly by engaging in the game's initial open-world activities.

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

Katana

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• 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)

With these skills, Naoe transforms into a formidable defensive force, ready to capitalize on aggressive enemies. If you excel at dodging and deflecting, you'll find ample opportunities to counterattack, deal enhanced damage, and decisively end fights with Eviscerate.

Kusarigama

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• 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)

These skills empower Naoe to handle both groups and individual targets with ease. Entanglement aids in building afflictions, and when upgraded, allows you to manipulate even large enemies for additional damage. The other skills facilitate managing multiple foes, keeping them at bay while delivering impactful attacks.

Tanto

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• 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 amplify Naoe's damage output with the tanto, particularly against vulnerable enemies. Even armored foes will dread her blade, and using the R2/RT attack to spin behind them ensures consistent back-targeting for increased damage.

Tools

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• 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 effectively, clearing paths to her targets. Use Shuriken to disable alarm bells or trigger explosives, the Shinobi Bell to lure enemies away, and Kunai for long-range kills. If spotted, the Smoke Bomb offers a chance to escape or execute a chain of assassinations.

Shinobi

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• 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 keep Naoe out of sight and on track towards her objectives without alerting enemies. Faster climbing, reduced fall damage, and the ability to slow down time provide crucial advantages in navigating crowded areas.

Assassin

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• 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)

Best utilized with a Tanto as one of your main weapons, these skills facilitate swift and effective target elimination using the Hidden Blade. Double assassinations are particularly useful, as is taking down larger, stronger foes. However, caution is advised, as some enemies may resist assassination attempts until your skills are further upgraded.

And there you have it, the optimal skills to prioritize for Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows across each skill tree, transforming her into Japan's premier assassinating shinobi. For further guidance, be sure to explore resources at The Escapist.