The Assassin’s Creed series was originally built around the concept of stealth and silent assassinations. And while Assassin’s Creed Shadows allows the player to solve many situations through open combat, there are still many situations where a stealthy approach is effective. Naoe is a talented shinobi with a variety of skills and tools that help her stay out of sight of enemies and act unnoticed by others, blend into crowds, and become invisible at night.
While stealth in Assassin’s Creed Shadows can be unsettling and lead to some tense moments, especially when guards are just a meter away, if you master the art, you’ll find it a lot of fun. Whether you enjoy playing the role of a true assassin or want to avoid full-scale battles in castles and strongholds, this guide will detail how to master all the nuances of stealth.
Key aspects of stealth
The perfect stealth playthrough in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is based on knowing the tools, abilities, and tactical advantages that will help you stay undetected. And above all, it is important to understand that only Naoe can operate stealthily in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, as Yasuke is a fighter who prefers open combat.
First of all, you should know that your hero can be in three states depending on the detection level:
- The guard is attentive (white stripe)
- The guard suspects something (yellow stripe)
- You have been detected (yellow bar fills and turns red)
You can briefly attract the enemy’s attention. Until the scale turns red, the enemy will not chase the main character. With a white scale, he seems to not pay attention to you at all, but with a yellow one, he can already go and check what he expected there (or not).
As for the main factors influencing stealth passage, you need to pay attention to:
- Abilities ( Eagle vision, combat stances, etc. )
- Timing and Tactical Planning
- Tools ( shinobis ringing bells, grappling hook , etc. )
- Environment
We’ll cover the last three points in detail, but first it’s important to understand the basic abilities.
Basic stealth abilities
- Eagle Vision ( hold right stick or V key ) – Allows you to see all enemies within a certain radius of Naoe. This is the first ability that should be used before any action.
- Eavesdropping and Surveillance ( hold LT/L2 or RMB ) – helps enhance eagle vision, marking enemies and points of interest, and allowing you to eavesdrop on conversations. By the way, you can use it without vision.
- Combat stances ( hold X/Square or C to change ) – determines the position of Naoe’s body: standing, crouching, or lying down. The correct stance will allow you to hide in tall grass and move more quietly.
With the three basic abilities sorted out, Naoe has many other skills that affect her stealth, but these are the basics.
What tools will help you stay invisible?
In addition to her natural skills, Naoe can use various tools to distract enemies and avoid detection. To select a tool, hold LT/L2 or RMB, then select it on the D-Pad. To use the selected tool, hold LT/L2 or RMB to aim, then click RT/R2 or LMB to throw.
Naoe’s Tools:
- Kunai – Deals damage. Increases when hitting the head.
- Smoke Bomb – Interrupts all lines of sight.
- Shinobi Bell – Distracts or attracts the attention of enemies.
- Shuriken – deals damage, interacts with the environment (ricochets).
While kunai are only useful for killing weak enemies from a distance, the other three tools make stealth much easier. Smoke bombs are especially effective if you’ve already been spotted. They allow you to escape from a fight or change your position, but it’s best not to let the situation get to the point where you need to use them. Shinobi bells are a versatile tool: you can distract guards or lure them closer to the ambush site. Shurikens are good for improvisation – for example, you can throw them at an object to create noise and distract an enemy, or knock an enemy off a ledge.
Environment
Knowing your surroundings is as important as choosing the right moment to attack. The first step is to use Eagle Vision and take a high position with the grappling hook. This will help you learn the enemy positions and their routes. One of the key aspects of stealth is using shadows and dimly lit areas. It is easier to move at night, as you are harder to spot. Some tactical options depend on the time of year. For example, in winter , you can drop icicles on your enemies.
In the environment, attention should be paid to the following shelters:
- Water is the best place for stealth, as it allows you to not only hide, but also move around unnoticed.
- Haystacks and wells are stationary cover that are ideal for stealth kills, as Naoe hides corpses immediately.
- Hatches – allow you to move around the area without risk of detection. They can be on the roof (usually lead into the building) or in the floor (a great escape route).
How to act covertly – the correct sequence
- Find a high point from which you can survey the area.
- Use Eagle Vision to mark enemies.
- Plan a route along which there is cover (such as a haystack).
- Study the routes the patrols take and choose the right moment to move.
- Keep your tools ready to quickly adapt to the unexpected.
Additionally, it is worth paying attention to equipment that reduces the noise of footsteps and makes you less noticeable. With the right combination of skills, equipment, preparation and competent use of the environment, you can become a real shadow and stealthily eliminate enemies as Naoe.
