Yasuke or Naoe: Who to Choose in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces a groundbreaking shift in the franchise with its dual protagonists, Yasuke the Samurai and Naoe the Shinobi, each bringing unique strengths and weaknesses to the gameplay. Here's a guide to help you decide which character to choose based on your playstyle and the game's demands.

Yasuke the Samurai: Pros and Cons

Yasuke stands out as one of the most intriguing protagonists in *Assassin’s Creed* history, particularly from a gameplay perspective. His prowess as a Samurai, combined with his formidable stature, sets him apart. Yasuke's gameplay feels like controlling a boss in *Dark Souls*, thanks to *Assassin’s Creed Shadows'* From Software-inspired melee combat system.

Yasuke's unique background and physical attributes distinguish him among warriors in Feudal Japan. He excels in crowd control and boasts powerful melee attacks, capable of handling base enemies with ease and making short work of higher-tier foes like the Daimyo who patrol castles. Additionally, Yasuke can wield a Bow and Arrow, making him effective at range.

However, Yasuke's strengths in open combat are offset by his weaknesses in traditional Assassin tasks. His assassinations are slower and expose him to discovery, and his parkour abilities are limited compared to past protagonists. Climbing and shimmying are slower for Yasuke, and reaching many synchronization points can be challenging or even impossible, leading to frustration when exploring new provinces.

Naoe the Shinobi: Pros and Cons

Naoe, the Iga Shinobi, embodies the classic *Assassin’s Creed* experience with her focus on stealth and parkour. Her agility allows her to navigate the game world with ease, making her a master of stealth when players invest in her Mastery points.

While Naoe excels at staying unseen, her combat abilities are less potent. She has lower health and less powerful melee skills than Yasuke, making encounters with multiple enemies challenging. When detected, the best strategy often involves retreating to regain anonymity before returning to execute stealth takedowns and aerial assassinations typical of the series.

When to Play as Each Protagonist in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Choosing between Yasuke and Naoe often depends on personal preference and the demands of the game's story, particularly in canon mode. However, certain scenarios highlight the strengths of each protagonist.

Naoe is ideal for exploration due to her superior mobility and speed. She efficiently clears the fog of war, synchronizes, and discovers new areas in feudal Japan. For missions requiring stealth assassinations, Naoe becomes highly effective once you reach Knowledge Level 2 and invest in Assassin and Shinobi skills.

Yasuke, on the other hand, is your go-to character for combat-heavy situations. Once you've mapped out a region and identified its toughest enemies, Yasuke's ability to take down Daimyo Samurai lords in castles makes him invaluable. His strength in open combat and brutal assassinations makes him the better choice for missions requiring direct confrontation.

Ultimately, the choice between Yasuke and Naoe often boils down to whether you prefer the classic *Assassin’s Creed* stealth gameplay or the more action-oriented RPG style. Both characters are capable in various scenarios, but their unique abilities cater to different playstyles and mission requirements.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S starting March 20th.