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

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, the dual protagonists offer a dynamic gameplay experience, and Yasuke, one of the protagonists, brings a unique set of skills to the table. For players eager to maximize Yasuke's potential from the outset, here's a comprehensive guide to the best early-game skills to prioritize for each of his weapon types.

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 not only allow you to defend and retaliate effectively but also enable you to strike with force while recovering lost health, ensuring you remain in fighting shape throughout combat encounters.

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)

These skills are perfect for maintaining distance while inflicting significant damage and critical hits, especially effective against groups. When enemies close in, utilize Impale to clear space or gather them for focused attacks.

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)

With these skills, you can enhance your attack power and speed, allowing you to decimate foes. Crushing Shockwave is particularly useful in crowd control scenarios, while Spine Breaker can buy you time for healing and regrouping before executing 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)

These skills make the Teppo an excellent tool for initiating and concluding battles, leveraging its high damage output. Enhancements in reload speed and time manipulation provide a strategic advantage, while Explosive Surprise and Teppo Tempo can be used to create space before switching to melee for the final 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 can execute lethal assassinations, even on elite enemies, with these skills. Regeneration ensures steady health recovery after each kill, while Impenetrable Defense offers crucial protection when you're in a tight spot.

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, even those with armor, through increased firing rate, reload speed, and stealth capabilities.

That’s everything you need to know about the best skills to prioritize for Yasuke in the early stages of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For more tips and strategies, be sure to explore additional resources at The Escapist.