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

In *Assassin's Creed Shadows*, Naoe's gameplay revolves around stealth and strategic assassinations, though she's capable in direct confrontations with proper planning. To maximize her potential, it's crucial to prioritize the right skills early on. Here's a guide on the best initial skills for Naoe, focusing on those achievable up to Knowledge Rank 3, which you can reach quickly by engaging with the game's open-world activities in the starting regions.

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

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)

With these skills, Naoe transforms into a defensive powerhouse, poised to capitalize on aggressive foes. Mastery of dodging and deflecting allows her to counter effectively, amplify damage, and conclude battles with the devastating 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)

These skills make Naoe formidable against both groups and solo targets. Entanglement excels at building affliction, and its upgrades allow for manipulating even larger enemies for increased damage. The other skills enhance her ability to handle multiple adversaries, keeping them at bay while delivering impactful strikes.

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 skills amplify Naoe's damage output with the tanto, especially against vulnerable enemies. Even armored foes will dread her sharp blade, and using the R2/RT attack to spin behind ensures consistent back-targeting for maximum impact.

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 empower Naoe to manipulate guards, clearing paths to her targets. Use shuriken to disable alarm bells or trigger explosives, the Shinobi Bell to lure enemies away, and kunai for long-range kills. The Smoke Bomb offers escape or the chance to 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 Naoe's stealth and mobility, allowing her to reach her targets discreetly. Faster climbing, reduced fall damage, and the ability to slow time provide a greater margin for error 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, best used with the tanto, enable Naoe to take down targets swiftly with her Hidden Blade. Dual assassinations and increased damage against stronger foes enhance her effectiveness, though caution is advised against enemies with high health until further skill upgrades are acquired.

There you have it, the best skills to prioritize for Naoe in *Assassin's Creed Shadows* across various skill trees, setting you on the path to becoming Japan's premier assassinating shinobi. For further assistance, be sure to explore resources on The Escapist.