The contemporary landscape of gaming often sees major developers hesitating to trust players with complex game mechanics. This apprehension has led to an overwhelming presence of tutorials and hand-holding features, which detract from player immersion. A notable series influencing this trend is Assassin’s Creed, with its tendency to simplify gameplay mechanics and lean towards a formulaic approach. Even so, within its extensive tutorials, there are still numerous lesser-known aspects that can enhance a player’s experience significantly.
In this article, we will delve into some of these subtle gems found in Assassin’s Creed Shadows that might not be immediately obvious but can offer substantial benefits when discovered. By exploring these hidden mechanics and systems, players can elevate their gameplay and maximize their rewards.
1 Keep An Eye Out For Random Encounters
Help An NPC In Need
While such encounters are not abundant, players will occasionally encounter NPCs in distress. How you respond to these situations can yield valuable rewards. These intriguing random events often involve rescuing an NPC from bandits or navigating dialogue to win their favor, and they typically require minimal effort to accomplish.
Successful interactions may lead NPCs to provide you with either World Knowledge or Scout Intel. World Knowledge highlights potential side quests on your map, whereas Scout Intel refills one of your scout slots. Generally, opting for World Knowledge can facilitate smoother gameplay by preventing tedious scouring for quests. So, remember to lend a helping hand whenever you spot an NPC in peril!
2 Contracts Are Great For Getting Hideout Materials
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Although players may rush to dive back into the action, overlooking essential features of their Hideout can result in missed opportunities. Understanding contracts is crucial for enhancing your Hideout’s functionality and aesthetics. These optional quests allow you to gather valuable materials necessary for crafting and upgrading weapons, as well as constructing various buildings in your Hideout.
Contracts are straightforward and can be selected based on your material needs. Given that these quests are not prominently highlighted, players should not underestimate their significance, as they can save time and effort when searching for resources.
3 You Can Change Your Gear’s Aesthetic
A New Look
Gamers familiar with titles like Hogwarts Legacy will appreciate this feature in AC Shadows. Players collect gear with varying statistics and aesthetics through chests and defeated enemies. However, if a particularly impactful weapon lacks visual appeal, fret not! You can change the gear’s visual attributes without sacrificing their perks and stats.
Simply navigate to the gear menu and access the visual customization screen to switch the appearance of your gear based on any previously collected item. While opinions on the loot system may vary, this customization option adds a personalized touch to the gameplay experience.
4 Praying Gives You An Adrenaline Buff
A Little Help From The Gods
Those who prefer an aggressive playstyle will find a gem in the praying system. In AC Shadows, building up adrenaline is essential for utilizing special weapon abilities, usually achieved through successful blocks and light attacks—an often sluggish process on tougher difficulties.
Fortunately, you can stumble upon shrines that bolster your adrenaline gain temporarily when you pray at them. While such shrines aren’t everywhere, taking advantage of these boosts can significantly ease your efforts during combat scenarios, particularly in castle confrontations.
5 Daisho Samurais Give One Mastery Point Per Kill
Unlock The Lot
For players striving to accumulate Mastery Points rapidly, hunting Daisho Samurai is your best bet. These formidable foes reside within castles and strongholds, and they yield one Mastery Point per defeat.
Not only do you unlock access to legendary chests upon vanquishing all Daisho Samurai in an area, but you also efficiently farm Mastery Points needed to enhance your skill trees. Prioritizing their elimination is essential for unlocking everything on both Naoe and Yasuke’s trees.
6 Kakuregas Offer Another Means Of Fast Travel
A Home Away From Home
At the outset of the game, players tend to rely heavily on Ubisoft’s signature fast travel system tied to vantage points. However, Kakuregas, which are contacts discovered in various settlements, unlock an additional fast travel option for a modest cost of 800 Mon.
These Kakuregas serve as mini-hideouts, offering access to storage and scout replenishment. Establishing a network of these fast travel points is invaluable for quicker access to different map regions while keeping your resources in check. Investing in Kakuregas will pay off significantly in the long run.
7 There Is A Wanted System
You’ve Been Bad, Real Bad!
Depending on how adventurous you are while infiltrating camps, you may inadvertently attract the attention of enemies, leading to an alarm being raised. This action triggers a wanted status in the region, turning previously indifferent guards into aggressive foes.
To reduce your wanted level, players must either wait for a seasonal change, which can be sped up from the map menu, or simply bide their time. Notably, each character maintains a separate wanted status, making it possible to switch between characters if one gets caught. Awareness of this system can enhance tactical planning during missions.
8 You Can Find Keys In The Wild
A Lucrative Glitch
While the monetization aspects of AC Shadows can be frustrating, players seeking to avoid additional expenses will be pleased to learn about the presence of keys throughout the game world. Unlike Helix Credits, these keys can be earned through regular gameplay.
Players will encounter keys, akin to Animus glitches, that yield 30 keys upon collection. Though they may not drastically alter gameplay, accumulating enough keys can facilitate significant upgrades and unlockables without the need for spending real currency.
9 You Can Respec Masteries
Give Yourself A Re-Do
This feature allows players to rethink their character skill choices, which can be crucial if an option doesn’t pan out as intended. Within the Mastery tab, players can effortlessly switch between categories like Shinobi or Katana, and if a reset is needed, you can reclaim all your mastery points simply by pressing Square/X on consoles.
This flexibility empowers players to experiment with different build strategies, enhancing the overall gameplay experience by allowing for trial and error without severe penalties.
10 Kusarigama Is The Best Weapon Class
The Old Ball & Chain
Among various weapon classes in AC Shadows, the Kusarigama stands out as exceptionally overpowered. This weapon allows players to engage multiple enemies simultaneously while maintaining a safe distance from melee attackers.
Its versatility makes it effective in most scenarios, particularly against tougher enemies who struggle to close the gap. If you seek a weapon that simplifies combat and enhances your overall effectiveness in battle, consider investing in the Kusarigama.
11 You Can Pet The Dog, And You Should!
Who’s A Good Boy?
In a charming touch that reflects the games’ growing trend, AC Shadows allows you to interact with domesticated animals, enabling players to pet various critters they encounter.
Although this is often regarded as a trivial feature, it can actually yield rewards. Each new type of animal you pet unlocks that animal as a pet back in your Hideout, adding an inviting atmosphere to your base. These small interactions, while not directly impactful on combat effectiveness, certainly enhance player enjoyment.
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