Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Level and Rank Caps Unveiled

Assassin’s Creed Shadows stands as one of the most expansive entries in the franchise, featuring a robust progression system. Discover the maximum levels and how the level cap functions in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

What Is the Maximum XP Level in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows redefines progression for the series. While skill unlocks hinge on Knowledge Ranks (detailed below), traditional XP-based leveling remains. Advancing your XP in Assassin’s Creed Shadows grants access to superior weapons, armor, and gear, while enhancing Naoe and Yasuke’s core attributes.

Although Level 35 allows exploration of all Japanese provinces in the game’s map, the XP grind extends further. Ubisoft’s pre-launch progression insights suggested a Level 40 cap, but players can push to Level 60. The Claws of Awaji expansion, set for release, is expected to raise this cap even higher.

What Is the Highest Knowledge Rank in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Knowledge Rank introduces a fresh progression mechanic, distinct from XP leveling. Players earn Knowledge Points through diverse open-world activities focused on mindfulness and training. Advancing through Knowledge Ranks unlocks new skills for Naoe and Yasuke, though Mastery Points must be spent to activate these abilities.

To access all available skills, players must reach Knowledge Rank 6. Beyond this, Naoe and Yasuke gain a new Knowledge tree, offering passive skills to tailor builds to individual playstyles.

Related: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Trophy List (All 55 Trophies)

Is There a Mastery Cap in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Mastery is a key progression element in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, functioning as the game’s skill point system. Players spend Mastery Points to unlock skills across various Mastery trees, with some skills requiring more points to activate.

With six Mastery trees per protagonist, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a wide array of skills. Mastery Points are earned through diverse activities, ensuring ample opportunities to unlock desired abilities. While a theoretical Mastery Point limit exists, it requires extensive gameplay, and the Claws of Awaji expansion, launching in 2025, will likely introduce new ways to earn points.

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Feature Level Scaling?

Each Japanese province in Assassin’s Creed Shadows has an associated level. The highest initial requirement is Level 35 for Kii. As players progress and boost their XP, certain regions adjust their difficulty to align with the player’s level.

From Level 40 onward, enemy and province difficulty scales with a late-game cap. Beyond Level 42, regions typically remain two levels below the player’s XP level, balancing endgame challenge with rewards for dedicated players.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.