Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Deep Dive into Progression and Customization
Transmogging and Weapon Customization
Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) offers players extensive customization options, including a robust transmogging system. In a March 1, 2025, website post, Associate Game Director Julien detailed the game's progression and customization features. The transmog system lets players separate weapon aesthetics from stats. If you love a weapon's stats but hate its look, you can change its appearance while retaining its powerful attributes. This feature unlocks by building a Forge in your Hideout, accessible afterward from the inventory menu.
Julien explained the Forge's importance: "Overall, the Forge plays a key part in managing your inventory. There you can upgrade or dismantle weapons & gear, but we will share more in an upcoming article on the Hideout." Furthermore, players can mix and match weapon components: "The final result could be the blade of one weapon, with the guard of another, and the handle of your newly acquired one."
A New Progression Loop
Following up on Creative Director Charles Benoit's IGN Fan Fest 2025 discussion of combat and progression, Ubisoft provided a deeper look into AC Shadows' mechanics. Julien addressed the challenge of designing progression for two protagonists: "Having two separate characters with unique archetypes in our feudal Japan world pushed us to rethink how we wanted to approach player progression. Our goal was to stay as close as possible to the philosophy of mastery and martial art."
Mastery, Abilities, and Knowledge Ranks
AC Shadows features unique mastery trees for Naoe and Yasuke, reflecting their shinobi/assassin and samurai archetypes respectively. Julien stated, "With the unique Mastery trees, we want to give players the freedom to dedicate themselves into a specific weapon, playstyle, or archetype, and ensure they can deepen their mastery of it. The points you invest in a Mastery tree also unlock additional bonuses for that weapon or archetype, further reinforcing your progress."
Mastery trees unlock abilities that add exciting gameplay twists and increased damage. However, access to certain abilities and mastery points requires reaching specific Knowledge Ranks, increased through non-violent activities like finding Lost Pages, praying at Shrines, meditating (Naoe), or learning Kata (Yasuke).
Customizing Your Playstyle
AC Shadows provides extensive customization options. Perks allow players to "modify, enhance, or specialize a piece of equipment," offering stat improvements, affliction influences, and gameplay-altering conditions. Despite their initial archetypes, Naoe and Yasuke offer diverse playstyles. Examples include a damage-focused, mobile Naoe build and a stealthy, ranged Yasuke build, showcasing the depth of customization.
With recent reveals, anticipation for AC Shadows' March 20, 2025 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC is high. For the latest updates, check out our related article!
