In an article on Ubisoft’s official site recently, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will have an overhauled progression system in which players will be able to influence the capabilities of both protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, via a combination of Mastery trees, Knowledge ranks, and tweaking of gear. Assassin’s Creed Shadows releases on March 20, 2025.
In Shadows, the two characters will play really differently. Yasuke is skilled at samurai combat, yet Naoe is a stealth and assassination specialist. Both of them will possess base XP, Mastery points, and Knowledge ranks so that no one will fall behind in growth.
The Mastery system lets players spend points in weapon or general archetype trees of skills, which reveal new combos, weapon upgrade, and abilities. Mastery points are rewarded through missions, killing special enemies, and exploration. Points may also be refunded anytime, offering the flexibility of experimentation with multiple builds.
In contrast, Knowledge ranks symbolize the intellectual development of the characters, acquired through peaceful methods of meditation, praying in shrines, and puzzle-solving. Increased Knowledge ranks enhance more sophisticated skills in the Mastery trees, enhancing the unity of body and mind.
Gear will be a central aspect of Shadows, with gear broken down into five quality levels, ranging from Common to Legendary. Players can also personalize their gear with perks, which apply to stats or provide unique gameplay effects. A transmog system enables players to alter the look of weapons and armor without impacting performance.
Ubisoft also hinted at a special Knowledge tree that only exists in the game’s endgame, which rewards more passively to those who master their characters.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is going for one of the richest and most detailed progression systems in the series, combining RPG systems with the series’ signature stealth-action gameplay. With the developer at a tight spot from the decline of previous titles, Ubisoft is clearly putting everything on the line to make Assassin’s Creed Shadows a massive hit.
