Best Skills to Get First for Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In Assassin's Creed Mirage, Naoe's gameplay revolves around stealth and assassination, utilizing tools and cunning to overcome challenges. While she excels in covert operations, with proper planning, she's also effective in direct combat. To maximize her potential, prioritize these skills early on, focusing on those available up to Knowledge Rank 3 (easily attainable with consistent open-world activities in starting regions).

Katana

• Dodge Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Melee Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Counter Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Eviscerate – Katana Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills transform Naoe into a defensive powerhouse, ready to punish aggressive opponents. Mastering dodges and deflections creates ample opportunities for devastating counters, amplified damage, and finishing blows with Eviscerate.

Kusarigama

• Entanglement – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Affliction Builder – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Big Catch – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Multi-Target Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Cyclone Blast – Kusarigama Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 7 Mastery Points)

This skill set makes Naoe a formidable opponent against both single targets and groups. Entanglement excels at building affliction, especially with specific weapon abilities, allowing for powerful throws and additional damage. Other skills enhance her crowd control and damage output.

Tanto

• Shadow Piercer – Tanto Ability (Knowledge Rank 1, 5 Mastery Points)
• Gap Seeker – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Backstab – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Backstabber – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Back Breaker – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)

These Tanto skills significantly boost damage output, particularly against vulnerable enemies. Even armored foes will fall before Naoe's blade, with the R2/RT spin attack consistently targeting vulnerable backs for maximum damage.

Tools

• Smoke Bomb – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Larger Tool Bag I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Shinobi Bell – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Enduring Haze – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Kunai Assassination Damage I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Shuriken – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)

These tools provide versatile control over guards, clearing paths and setting up assassinations. Use Shuriken to disable alarms or trigger explosives, the Shinobi Bell for distraction, and Kunai for ranged kills. The Smoke Bomb offers escape or creates opportunities for chain assassinations.

Shinobi

• Ascension Boost – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Vault – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Igan Roll – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Heighten Senses – Shinobi Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills enhance stealth and traversal. Faster climbing, reduced fall damage, and the ability to slow time improve navigation and reduce risk in crowded areas.

Assassin

• Executioner – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Improved Ground Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Double Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Assassination Damage I – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Reinforced Blade – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 4 Mastery Points)

These skills synergize well with the Tanto, enhancing assassination efficiency. Improved assassinations, dual assassinations, increased damage, and a reinforced blade make quick work of targets, though remember to consider enemy health and upgrade accordingly.

Mastering these early skills across each tree will transform Naoe into a deadly and versatile assassin in Assassin's Creed Mirage. For further assistance, consult The Escapist.