Play as Yasuke if you are about to engage in combat, and switch to Naoe if you are planning to dispatch a whole group undetected. Read on to learn the pros and cons of playing as either Yasuke or Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows).

Should You Play as Yasuke or Naoe?

Engage Enemies Directly as Yasuke

Pros and Cons of Playing Yasuke
Deals a lot of damage Faster evade Can clear enemies and hostile POI's easily	Slow parkour Cannot assassinate instantly Easily detected No Eagle Vision

As a Samurai, combat is Yasuke's best strength. He has access to several weapons that allow him to engage in ranged and melee combat, and a mix of light and heavy weapons.

Playing Yasuke allows players to explore combat. Whether players wish to deal fast strikes or delete health bars with one swing, Yasuke's kit allows for freedom of choice in combat.

Best Yasuke Build

Stealth is Not Recommended

While Yasuke has the option to sneak, he does not possess the capabilities of Naoe when it comes to infiltration. Movement is limited as Yasuke, with slow parkour reducing his retreat options. While Yasuke can assassinate targets with the Brutal Assassination Perk, his heavy armor and slow movement make him easier to detect.

Silently Dispatch Enemies as Naoe

Pros and Cons of Playing Naoe
Can assassinate instantly Hard to detect Smooth parkour Can use Eagle Vision	Combos deal mediocre damage Clunky dodge roll Easily overwhelmed by groups

Naoe will be your best option in clearing out large structures, only requiring patience and timing. Her high mobility and various assassination options allow her to dispatch enemies one by one without being detected. She also has access to Eagle Vision, allowing her to mark enemies from behind cover, and detect interactables along the way.

Best Naoe Build

Combat Should be Avoided

While Naoe can hold her own in combat, she is easily overwhelmed by large groups of enemies. Her movement is best used to create distance, and isolate targets to quickly dispatch them with her fast combos, before retreating into the shadows.

Are There Character-Specific Activities?

Yasuke will Have Horse Archery and Katas

Yasuke's journey as a Samurai requires rigorous training. Players can discover new activities after unlocking Yasuke such as Kata and Horse Archery, which are exclusive to him.

Yasuke Activity Map

Naoe will Have Kuji-kiris, Hidden Trails, and Temples

Explore Naoe's past through her character-exclusive activities. Meditate through Kuji-kiri, and explore Hidden Trails scattered throughout the map.

It is also highly recommended to play as Naoe when looking for Lost Pages in Temples. The Lost Pages can be hidden in hard to reach places, with some locations being inaccessible to Yasuke because of his limited parkour.

Naoe Activity Map

Naoe and Yasuke Can Finish Kofuns and Shrines

Shrines are a simple activity which can be done by both characters. Players only need to look for and pray at the shrines.

Kofuns, on the other hand, may require players to switch characters. Some Kofuns such as the Makino Kurumazuka Kofun require Yasuke to carry a red barrel and detonate it by the obstacles blocking the entrance, while others such as the Old Kofun are only available to Naoe as only she can fit through the small entrance.

Interactive Map

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Tips and Tricks

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