Top Skills to Prioritize for Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, the dual protagonists offer varied approaches to tackling challenges, and this extends to the array of skills available to enhance your gameplay. For players eager to harness the full potential of Yasuke in the early stages, selecting the right skills is crucial. Below, we explore the best skills to prioritize for Yasuke across different weapon types and combat styles.

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

Long Katana

• Sheathed Attack – Long Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Riposte – Long Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Energizing Defense – Long Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Payback – Long Katana Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills allow Yasuke to not only defend and counterattack effectively but also to strike with powerful blows and recover lost health simultaneously. This combination will keep you resilient and formidable in combat encounters throughout the early game.

Naginata

• Far Reach – Naginata Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• One Man Army – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Lethal Reach – Naginata Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 2 Mastery Points)
• Impale – Naginata Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

With the Naginata, maintaining distance from enemies doesn't compromise your ability to deal significant damage. These skills enhance your reach, increase damage output, and boost critical hit chances, making them ideal for managing crowds and executing devastating attacks when enemies close in.

Kanabo

• Forward Momentum – Kanabo Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Spine Breaker – Kanabo Ability (Knowledge Rank 1, 3 Mastery Points)
• Power Surge – Kanabo Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Crushing Shockwave – Kanabo Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills boost Yasuke's power and speed, making him a formidable force on the battlefield. Crushing Shockwave is particularly effective against groups of enemies, while Spine Breaker offers a strategic moment to heal and regroup before delivering a devastating ground strike.

Teppo

• Steady Hand – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Armor Damage – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Concentration – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Teppo Tempo – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Explosive Surprise – Teppo Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)
• Reload Speed – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)

The Teppo skills enable Yasuke to leverage its significant damage potential effectively. Enhancing reload speed and slowing down time during combat provides a tactical advantage, while Explosive Surprise and Teppo Tempo help control the battlefield before transitioning to melee for the finishing blow.

Samurai

• Brutal Assassination – Samurai Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Regeneration – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Improved Brutal Assassination – Samurai Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Assassination Damage I – Samurai Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)
• Impenetrable Defense – Samurai Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 4 Mastery Points)

Yasuke's assassination skills are not limited to stealth; they can be used to take down even elite enemies. Coupled with the universal Regeneration skill, which restores health with each kill, and the defensive prowess of Impenetrable Defense, these skills make Yasuke a resilient and deadly assassin.

Bow

• Swift Hand – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Marksman’s Shot – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Larger Quiver I – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Silent Arrows – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Kyudo Master – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 2 Mastery Points)
• Silent Arrows II – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)

These skills enhance Yasuke's ability to eliminate threats from a distance before they detect him. With increased arrow capacity, faster reloads, and the ability to deal silent and concentrated damage, Yasuke can effectively manage encounters with armored foes.

This comprehensive guide covers all the essential skills you should prioritize for Yasuke early in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. By focusing on these abilities, you'll maximize Yasuke's effectiveness in combat and stealth scenarios, ensuring a strong start to your journey through feudal Japan. For more tips and strategies, don't forget to explore additional resources available at The Escapist.