The Claws of Awaji DLC for Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a multitude of formidable adversaries that Naoe and Yasuke must eliminate to liberate the island from the Templar’s iron grip. Among these foes, Nowaki, the stealthy sharpshooter serving Kimura Yukari, stands out as one of the most menacing and lethal encounters players will face.
Players must grapple with the aftermath of surrendering the Imperial Regalia Kusanagi no Tsurugi to Yukari. They then have the option to confront the three subordinate leaders of the Sanzoku Ippa. However, Nowaki presents a uniquely challenging boss fight that is arguably one of the most intricate in Shadows.
This guide is designed to equip players with essential strategies to overcome Nowaki during the Turning the Tables questline, detailing where to engage her for the climactic showdown.
Turning the Tables on Nowaki
After completing the side quests Origin of a Killer, Hunting the Hunter, and Home of a Killer, Naoe will be directed to the Sannomiya Shrine to face Nowaki on her own terms while the skilled sharpshooter pays homage to her deceased Templar sister, Suma.
To locate the Sannomiya Shrine, head slightly south of the Sannomiya Lookout viewpoint. To trigger the boss fight with Nowaki, Naoe must wait near a rock adjacent to one of the shrine’s structures.
Using Suma’s Templar pendant as bait, Naoe and Nowaki will confront each other, though initial combat won’t ensue right away. Instead, Nowaki leads Naoe into a shadowy path that culminates in a forest arena situated slightly northeast of the Sannomiya Lookout viewpoint.
During this trek, Nowaki will deliver taunts from the shadows. Players can track her movements by listening for her voice, indicated by a blue outline that appears on-screen when they are gazing in her direction.
Nowaki’s Abilities, Decoys, and Traps
Prior to entering the arena, players should take advantage of the opportunity to replenish their tools and rations. This preparation is crucial, as Nowaki’s powerful Teppo attack can deplete a significant portion—up to three-quarters—of Naoe’s health if struck.
Additionally, the Teppo inflicts a temporary poison status effect on Naoe, which can lead to abrupt defeats if not managed wisely. Once the battle commences in the arena, Nowaki will typically take aim at Naoe before teleporting to random locations, frequently positioning herself higher up against the arena walls.
The arena is rife with challenges, including decoys that mimic Nowaki, as well as bell and explosive wire traps that alert her to Naoe’s presence when triggered. If these traps go off, Nowaki will fire at Naoe and relocate, adding an extra layer of difficulty.
How to Locate and Defeat Nowaki
Throughout the encounter, Nowaki’s taunts can betray her location, although players might find the boss fight sporadically glitchy; in my initial encounter, she was silent the entire time. Regardless, players can still locate her by monitoring for blue outlines, waiting for her to reveal herself, or cautiously crawling near her decoys using Eagle Vision until one turns red.
Once identified, Nowaki can be assassinated up to five times before her ultimate defeat. However, players should be cautioned that attacking a decoy will result in a toxic explosion and cause Nowaki to shift her position.
Naoe can only strike Nowaki from a distance with kunai after successfully landing two assassination hits. If players try to attack any other way, Nowaki will evade and teleport elsewhere. After reaching four successful hits, she will teleport to the top of a central tower, presenting an opportunity for Naoe to ascend and engage her in a final face-to-face duel.
Upon her defeat, players will earn Nowaki’s Legendary Teppo, called Little Helper, which confers a 35% poison affliction to enemies, enhancing Yasuke’s arsenal significantly.
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