In the early stages of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players have the opportunity to locate Kuji-Kiri meditation spots. These areas allow Naoe to engage in meditation and embark on unique flashback quests. Each quest serves as a specialized stealth mission, designed to enhance your shinobi skills, although some may present a notable challenge.
Locating Kuji-Kiri Meditation Spots
Completing four Kuji-Kiri meditations is essential to fully experience Naoe’s flashbacks. The specific locations you choose to meditate at do not affect the sequence of the flashbacks, which will always play in a consistent order as long as you visit the first four spots.
Upon gaining access to the game’s map, your initial objective is to seek out Tomiko at her homestead. However, players may encounter several meditation quests prior to reaching her. Additionally, there is a fourth nearby meditation spot to explore. While these are not the only meditation locations available, they are the easiest to access early on.
The first Kuji-Kiri meditation spot is located just north of Makinoodera Temple. Follow the main path leading from the temple until you reach a fork. Turn left at the junction, and proceed towards the torii gate directing you up some stairs. At the top of these stairs, you will find the Eboshigata Shrine, with the initial Kuji-Kiri spot directly ahead on the cliff edge.
The second meditation location can be found at Rolling Glen, which is en route to Tomiko’s homestead. From the first Kuji-Kiri spot, follow the path west until you reach another road leading north past the Tennoji Temple. Once you have passed the temple, take the right path at the junction, and the Kuji-Kiri location will be on your left.
The third meditation spot is quite accessible. After arriving at Tomiko’s Homestead, travel eastward until you spot the meditation area beside a waterfall.
Finally, the fourth spot is situated in Kawachi Heights, southeast of your hideout. Exiting the hideout, head south (taking a left turn) until you see a bridge. Take the path left of the bridge, and when you reach a fork, turn left again. At the subsequent split in the path, follow the right path through a torii gate and up the hill to discover this last meditation spot.
Completing the First Kuji-Kiri Meditation Quest
To commence, you must follow Mitsu to retrieve a katana. After a brief cutscene, your task is to scale the hills while evading enemies. As you cross a bridge, duck into the bushes to your left and make your way up the hill, steering clear of oncoming foes. At the top, you’ll encounter a dead body, triggering another cutscene.
After this scene, proceed along the path. Once you pass a stream, go prone in the grass to your left and cautiously navigate until you reach a rock that blocks your path. This area is heavily guarded, so remain vigilant and keep moving to avoid detection.
Wait for the guards to turn their backs before crawling across to the grass on the right. Continue moving up the hill and avoid wandering soldiers. Eventually, you’ll reach a bridge; check for any visible guards before swiftly dashing across. Once past, continue along the path which will lead to more cutscenes and an easier encounter.
Completing the Second Kuji-Kiri Meditation Quest
Although the first quest was relatively straightforward, the subsequent Kuji-Kiri meditation quests in Assassin’s Creed Shadows will challenge your stealth capabilities more significantly.
After another cutscene, speak with Mitsu to receive a marker for the shrine. Upon following it, you’ll encounter people fleeing, revealing that bandits have taken control of the shrine. Your objective will be to navigate around these threats to retrieve Mitsu’s scroll. Focus on two main areas: the entrance and the shrine itself.
Start in the entry area where a bandit patrols. Stick to the left, utilizing bushes for cover while avoiding detection until you reach the river. The other guards in this area will be too distracted to notice you.
At the river, you can safely progress upwards without being spotted. As you approach the area with three shrines, be mindful to stay on the right side. The scroll is located in the furthest shrine on the right; to grab it efficiently, hug the wall and quickly retrieve it.
To exit, retrace your steps quickly as you now have a shortcut across the river accessible by nearby stairs. Navigate through the bushes again to return home swiftly.
Completing the Third Kuji-Kiri Meditation Quest
In this quest, you will infiltrate an outpost set against a snowy mountain backdrop under the guidance of Momochi Sandayu. First, chat with him at the top of the stairs before descending the hill and climbing the ladder on your left.
The quest begins with a tutorial on using the grappling hook. Swing from the initial rock to the next and then execute two successive swings. This serves as a useful chance to master the grappling mechanic without any penalties for missing. Once you land safely in the haystack on the opposite side, navigate through a gap in the bushes, cross the bridge, and proceed leftward up the hill. Eventually, you’ll find a ladder leading to a rock with a fallen log; use this to reach a grappling point and swing into the outpost.
The pathway through the outpost is primarily linear; however, avoiding guards can be tricky. From the watchtower, jump onto the next wall and carefully slip past the stationed guards (who do not turn around) and jump through the opening. Then, ascend to the roof via a grappling hook.
Once on the rooftop, avoid descending into lower areas. Swing across to the opposite building’s roof, leap onto a nearby tree, and glide to the building on the right. You can eavesdrop on enemy soldiers from up high and after their dialogue, swing to the larger watchtower and ascend further to remain undetected.
Following your examination of a body, you can jump from the watchtower, navigate through the forest, and follow a path back to Sandayu, concluding the flashback.
Completing the Final Kuji-Kiri Meditation Quest
The concluding Kuji-Kiri meditation quest of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is heavy with plot. While your choices don’t drastically alter the outcome, defending Iga’s honor depicts Naoe as a compelling character. Following this interaction, you’ll engage in a duel with another Iga member. Emphasizing parrying and dodging is paramount during this fight over aggressive offense.
You will later find yourself at the base of a fort alongside Naoe’s father. Ascend the scaffolding and venture up the hill, where a tree provides access to the fort. After another cutscene with your father, prepare for a stealth mission.
Utilize your grappling hook to climb the towering structure, leap to the next one, and hop down to a lower ledge. This next segment requires both quickness and stealth; distract a guard to pass by undetected. Avoid the opening in the fence as it leads towards a guard, and instead, approach the locked gate at the far end. Whistle to the guard, climb the gate, and swiftly duck into the shadows to move quietly to the next location, climbing another gate. If you hesitate, you risk being caught by the returning guard. The pairs of guards on the second ledge remain unaware if you keep your distance.
Once you finish eavesdropping, adhere to the rooftops as your primary mode of navigation. Move right, traverse the ledge to the roof, jump to the building on the left, leap over the wall, climb the gate, and continue along the rooftops toward the far building in the adjacent courtyard. Finally, drop down on the opposite side and slip through the window to complete the quest.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now available for PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.
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