"Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Tools and Upgrade Guide"

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can choose between Yasuke and Naoe, each offering unique ways to tackle challenges. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the tools available and how to upgrade them to enhance your gameplay experience.

All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

In the game, players can access five different tools, with two unlocked through story progression. Here's an overview of each tool:

Grappling Hook

Naoe’s Grappling Hook is a pivotal tool for exploration, allowing you to latch onto structures and ascend without handholds. It's perfect for reaching strategic vantage points swiftly and for crossing large gaps by swinging.

Kunai

The Kunai is a lethal throwing knife essential for silent eliminations. It can instantly kill common enemies, but upgrades are necessary to penetrate the armor of more formidable foes.

Smoke Bomb

The Smoke Bomb serves as both a defensive and offensive tool. It creates a smoke cloud that breaks enemy line of sight, enabling escapes or surprise attacks during combat.

Shuriken

The Shuriken, a traditional throwing star, is crucial for navigating guarded areas. While less damaging than the Kunai, it can stagger enemies and trigger environmental interactions like sabotaging alarms or detonating barrels.

Shinobi Bell

The Shinobi Bell is ideal for those who prefer distraction over direct confrontation. When thrown, it diverts enemy attention, and upgrades can increase its range and effectiveness.

Related: How to Play the Assassin’s Creed Games in Order

How To Upgrade Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

All tools, except the Grappling Hook, can be upgraded using Mastery Points through the Tools skill tree. Here’s how to enhance each tool:

Grappling Hook

The Grappling Hook's only upgrade, Ascension Boost, is found in the Shinobi Tree. For 2 Mastery Points at Knowledge Rank 2, this upgrade significantly speeds up Naoe’s climbing, making ascents stealthier and quicker.

Kunai

To maximize the Kunai's effectiveness, upgrade its damage with Kunai Assassination Damage. Enhance its armor-piercing capabilities with the Armor Piercing passive skill, and ensure retrievability with Everlast.

Smoke Bomb

After unlocking the Smoke Bomb, extend its duration with Enduring Haze for an additional 10 seconds. Further enhance its area of effect with Widespread to obscure more enemies.

Shuriken

Upgrade the Shuriken with Bank Shot to enable ricocheting between targets, increasing damage with each hit. Triple Threat allows you to throw three Shurikens at once, enhancing your stealth and combat options.

Shinobi Bell

Improve the Shinobi Bell's distraction capabilities with Golden Bell, making it more noticeable to enemies. Louder Chimes increases its effective radius by five meters, allowing you to lure more enemies with a single throw.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the tools and their upgrades in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For more tips and tricks, visit The Escapist.

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