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

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe's gameplay revolves around stealth and strategic assassinations, though she's also adept at handling direct confrontations with the right approach. To maximize her potential, here are the best initial skills to acquire for Naoe across various categories, focusing on skills up to Knowledge Rank 3.

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 formidable defensive player, perfect for countering aggressive enemies. If you're skilled at dodging and deflecting, you'll find ample opportunities to counterattack, deal enhanced damage, and finish fights decisively 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)

These abilities make Naoe a powerhouse against both groups and single targets. Entanglement enhances affliction buildup, and with upgrades, you can manipulate larger enemies for increased damage. The other skills facilitate handling multiple foes, keeping them at bay while delivering powerful strikes.

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 amplify Naoe's damage output with the tanto, especially against vulnerable enemies. Even armored foes will dread her sharp blade, and using the R2/RT attack to spin behind ensures consistent back-targeting for maximum 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 enhance Naoe's ability to manipulate guards, paving the way to her targets. Use Shuriken to disable alarms or trigger explosives, Shinobi Bell to distract enemies, and Kunai for long-range assassinations. If spotted, deploy the Smoke Bomb for a quick escape or a series of assassinations.

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 ensure Naoe remains unseen and efficient in reaching her objectives. Faster climbing, reduced fall damage, and the ability to slow time are invaluable for navigating crowded or dangerous 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)

Best paired with a Tanto, these skills enhance Naoe's assassination prowess, enabling swift, silent takedowns. Dual assassinations and the ability to handle larger foes are crucial, but remember to upgrade these skills to overcome tougher enemies.

By focusing on these early skills for Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you'll become a formidable shinobi, mastering the art of stealth and assassination across Japan. For further assistance, explore resources on The Escapist.