You’ll find six categories for each of the protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, some will be unlocked from the start, while others will require you to obtain a weapon for the first time to unlock its corresponding category. Naoe’s focus as a Shinobi is more on assassinating your foes, although she does have weapons available to her if you’re looking to be more aggressive. Keep reading to learn all of the available Mastery abilities for Naoe in the game.
There are six mastery categories for Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Table of Contents¶
If you want to jump to a specific section, click on the links below.
| Quickjump |
|---|
| Katana Masteries |
| Kusarigama Masteries |
| Tanto Masteries |
| Tools Masteries |
| Shinobi Masteries |
| Assassin Masteries |
Katana Masteries¶
The Katana is the default weapon that Naoe has access to at the start of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and allows her to deliver quick strikes that can deal heavy posture damage.
| Ability | Upgrade 1 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 2 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 3 (Knowledge Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Attack | Dodge Attack: (KR 1) Press Light Attack after a Dodge to launch a fast counter-attack and quickly get back to the enemy. | Generator: (KR 2) Dodge Attacks generate 25% of an Adrenaline Chunk on hit. | No Mercy: (KR 4) Successful Dodge Attacks make the target Vulnerable. |
| Guard Breaker | Guard Breaker: (KR 4) Unleash 9 strikes, each dealing 10% ability damage and breaking armor. Half as effective on large enemies. | No Quarter: (KR 5) Guard Breaker now has its full effect on large enemies. | Unstoppable: (KR 6) Guard Breaker can no longer be blocked or parried. |
| Tidal Wave | Tidal Wave: (KR 1) An extremely fast strike dealing 25% ability damage and making the enemy Vulnerable. | Second Wave: (KR 3) Tidal Wave can now be chained 2 times in a row. | Third Wave: (KR 6) Tidal Wave can now be chained 3 times in a row. Must complete The Kabukimono to unlock it. |
| Eviscerate | Eviscerate: (KR 3) Strike an enemy, dealing 75% ability damage and pushing them away. | Outclass: (KR 4) Eviscerate now has its full effect on large enemies. | Smokescreen: (KR 5) Can now drop a smoke bomb after the push. |
| Counter Attack | Counter Attack: (KR 2) Press Block at the last moment to turn your Deflect into a counter-attack. Must complete The Twisted Tree to unlock it. | Swift Step: (KR 4) Counter Attack can now be performed on flurry attacks. | Hardened: (KR 6) Counter Attack can now be performed on unstoppable attacks. |
| Melee Expert (Passive) | (KR 1) Increase damage with Melee Weapons by 2% | Increase damage with Melee Weapons by 5%. | Increase damage with Melee Weapons by 9%. |
| Affliction Effectiveness (Passive) | (KR 2) Increase damage on Afflicted Enemies by 2%. An enemy is Afflicted when suffering from Bleed, Poison, or Daze. | Increase damage on Afflicted Enemies by 6%. | Increase damage on Afflicted Enemies by 12%. |
| Momentum Builder (Passive) | (KR 4) Increase damage with consecutive hits by 1% | Increase damage with consecutive hits by X%. | Increase damage with consecutive hits by X%. |
The Katana Mastery category focuses on hard-hitting abilities.
Kusarigama Masteries¶
The Kusarigama is a weapon that allows Naoe to hit multiple enemies at a time. Although this goes against the nature of Naoe’s unseen playstyle, it’s still useful when you find yourself surrounded.
| Ability | Upgrade 1 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 2 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 3 (Knowledge Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entanglement | Entanglement: (KR 1) Before hitting an enemy with a Posture attack, hold down either attack button to entangle them. Throw regular enemies in any direction using a movement input. | Big Catch: (KR 2) Entanglement now has its full effect on large enemies. | Tug of War: (KR 4) When pulling an enemy towards Naoe, perform a powerful attack that deals 50% ability damage and knocks them down. |
| Cyclone Blast | Cyclone Blast: (KR 3) Swing the Kusarigama in large circles around Naoe, dealing 8% ability damage per hit and pushing back struck enemies. | Lasting Storm: (KR 4) Cyclone Blast now performs 4 additional swings. | Enhanced Impact: (KR 6) Cyclone Blast’s last hit pushes back the enemies significantly further. Must complete ??? to unlock it. |
| Feral Outburst | Feral Outburst: (KR 1) Launch Naoe towards a single enemy and unleash a flurry of 4 strikes dealing 20% ability damage each. | Exposed Wound: (KR 2) Feral Outburst’s final strike makes the target Vulnerable. | Feral Frenzy: (KR 4) Feral Outburst now unleashes 2 extra strikes. Must complete The Kabukimono to unlock it. |
| Snake Bite | Snake Bite: (KR 4) Wrap the chain of the Kusarigama around a single enemy’s foot to knock them out and deal 40% ability damage. | Hard Fall: (KR 5) After getting up, the enemy is afflicted by Daze. | Knock Out: (KR 6) Increase knockdown duration by 10 seconds. |
| Quick Strike | Quick Strike: (KR 2) After any attack, momentarily pause and then press either attack button to launch 2 extra strikes. | Catalyst: (KR 3) After a combo ender, press either attack button to extend the combo with a Quick Strike. | Dazed: (KR 5) Quick Strike now inflicts 15% Daze buildup with each strike. |
| Affliction Builder (Passive) | (KR 1) Increase Affliction buildup by 1%. | Increase Affliction buildup by 3%. | Increase Affliction buildup by 6%. |
| Multi-Target Expert (Passive) | (KR 3) Increase damage when hitting multiple enemies by 3%. | Increase damage when hitting multiple enemies by 8%. | Increase damage when hitting multiple enemies by 15%. |
| Critical Proficiency (Passive) | (KR 5) Increase Critical Damage by 2%. | Increase Critical Damage by X%. | Increase Critical Damage by X%. |
The Kusarigama Mastery category offers many AoE related abilities.
Tanto Masteries¶
The Tanto is the quickest weapon that Naoe has access to in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and allows her to deliver deadly strikes from behind an enemy, building upon Vulnerable and Weak Point damage.
| Ability | Upgrade 1 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 2 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 3 (Knowledge Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leap Strike | Leap Strike: (KR 1) While holding either attack button, press dodge and a direction with a movement input to leap toward the target and strike. | Escape Strike: (KR 2) While holding either attack button, press dodge to perform a strike and backward dodge. | Blood Rush: (KR 3) Leap Strike and Escape Strike generate 25% of an Adrenaline Chunk on hit. |
| Hidden Hand | Hidden Hand: (KR 4) Sheath your Tanto and extend the Hidden Blade in its classic form to perform an Assassination while in combat. | Hidden Onslaught: (KR 5) +1 Health Segment removed when used against unaware enemies. | Broken Spirit: (KR 6) Hidden Hand cannot be blocked or parried. Must complete Naoe’s Journey to unlock it. |
| Shadow Piercer | Shadow Piercer: (KR 1) Throw the Tanto, then dash forward to stab the target and make them Vulnerable, dealing 40% ability damage with each strike. | Invigorating Kill: (KR 3) Shadow Piercer generates 80% of an Adrenaline Chunk on kill | Shadow Reach: (KR 4) Increase Shadow Piercer throw distance by 10 meters. |
| Shadow Barrage | Shadow Barrage: (KR 2) Naoe will automatically perform a quick evade before getting hit, lasting 20 seconds and up to 7 hits. Does not work on Grab attacks. | Endless Barrage: (KR 4) Each kill while Shadow Barrage is active increases all damage by 5%. | Contemplation: (KR 5) Increase Shadow Barrage duration by 10 seconds or up to 3 additional hits. Must complete ??? to unlock it. |
| Backstab | Backstab: (KR 2) Light Posture attacks that hit an enemy’s back trigger Weak Point attacks. | Back Breaker: (KR 3) Posture attacks performed behind an enemy now have 100% Armor Piercing. | Healthy Sting: (KR 6) Weak Point Attacks triggered from behind an enemy restore 5% Health. |
| Gap Seeker (Passive) | (KR 1) Increase Armor Piercing by 3%. | Increase Armor Piercing by 9%. | Increase Armor Piercing by 18%. |
| Backstabber (Passive) | (KR 2) Increase damage from behind by 2%. | Increase damage from behind by 6%. | Increase damage from behind by 12%. |
| Critical Thinker (Passive) | (KR 5) Increase Critical Chance by 1%. | Increase Critical Chance by X%. | Increase Critical Chance by X%. |
The Tanto Mastery category offers many abilities that offer quick flurries.
Tools Masteries¶
The Tools category are all about making use of Naoe’s Shinobi Tools. Beyond the initial Kunai she has available, there are three more tools you can unlock to give her more flexibility over the battlefield.
| Ability | Upgrade 1 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 2 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 3 (Knowledge Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinobi Bell | Shinobi Bell: (KR 2) Hold the aim button and press the throw button to throw a Shinobi Bell that distracts nearby enemies. | Golden Bell: (KR 3) Shinobi Bell is now golden, and its shine can attract enemies from afar. | Louder Chimes: (KR 5) Shinobi Bell has its radius increased to 5 meters. |
| Smoke Bomb | Smoke Bomb: (KR 1) Hold the aim button and press the throw button to throw a smoke bomb and break all lines of sight. | Enduring Haze: (KR 2) Smoke Bomb has its duration increased to 10 seconds. | Widespread: (KR 4) Smoke Bomb has its radius increased to 10 meters. Must complete ??? to unlock it. |
| Kunai | Kunai: (KR 1) Hold the aim button and press the throw button to throw a Kunai that deals 400% damage. Headshots on unsuspecting enemies will remove 1 Health Segment. | Armor Piercing: (KR 3) Kunai now have 50% Armor Piercing. | Everlast: (KR 6) Kunai can no longer break on hard impact and can be retrieved indefinitely. |
| Kunai Assassination Damage | Kunai Assassination Damage I: (KR 2) Naoe removes 1 additional Health Segment with Kunai | Kunai Assassination Damage II: (KR 4) Naoe removes 1 additional Health Segment with Kunai | Kunai Assassination Damage III: (KR 6) Naoe removes 1 additional Health Segment with Kunai Must complete ??? to unlock it. |
| Shuriken | Shuriken: (KR 2) Hold the aim button and press the throw button to throw a Shuriken that deals 100% damage. Staggers enemies and can be used on the environment. | Bank Shot: (KR 4) Shuriken can now bounce between targets. | Triple Threat: (KR 5) Naoe can now throw 3 Shurikens at the same time for the cost of 1. Must complete The Tournament to unlock it. |
| Quick Throw | (KR 1) Hold the aim button and press Light Attack to automatically throw the equipped tool at the closed enemy or object. | – | – |
| Tool Professional (Passive) | (KR 1) Increase damage with Tools by 3%. | Increase damage with Tools by 9%. | Increase damage with Tools by 18%. |
| Larger Tool Bag (Passive) | Larger Tool Bag I(KR 2) Increase maximum capacity for all tools. +1 Kunai, Shuriken, Smoke Bomb, and Shinobi Bell. | Larger Tool Bag II(KR 4) Increase maximum capacity for all tools. +1 Kunai, +2 Shuriken, +1 Smoke Bomb, and +2 Shinobi Bell. | Larger Tool Bag III(KR 6) Increase maximum capacity for all tools. +1 Kunai, +2 Shuriken, +1 Smoke Bomb, and +2 Shinobi Bell. |
| Adrenaline Generator (Passive) | (KR 3) Increase Adrenaline Gain by 3%. | Increase Adrenaline Gain by 8%. | Increase Adrenaline Gain by 15%. |
| Tool Affliction Proficiency (Passive) | (KR 5) Increase Affliction buildup with Tools by 2%. | Increase Affliction buildup with Tools by X%. | Increase Affliction buildup with Tools by X%. |
The Tools Mastery category are focused on Naoe’s Shinobi tools.
Shinobi Masteries¶
The Shinobi category is all about making use of Naoe’s athleticism to move about the battlefield unseen and deliver blows to her foes.
| Ability | Upgrade 1 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 2 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 3 (Knowledge Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grab | Grab: (KR 1) Press the interact button while undetected to grab an enemy. Once grabbed, you can move with them and hold the interact button to knock them out. | Grab Assassinate: (KR 2) After grabbing an enemy, press the Light Attack button to Assassinate them. | Quick Knock Out: (KR 5) Knock out after Grab can now be performed faster. |
| Lightning Kicks | Lightning Kicks: (KR 3) Knock down the 2 closest enemies and deal 15% ability damage to each. | Immobilized: (KR 4) Increase the knockdown duration by 4 seconds. | Sweep the Leg: (KR 6) Lightning Kicks can now perform 1 additional leg sweep on a nearby target that is not already knocked down. Must complete ??? to unlock it. |
| Grappling Hook | Grappling Hook: (KR 1) Press the block button to launch your Grappling Hook. | Ascension Boost: (KR 2) While using the Grappling Hook, Naoe can climb much faster. | – |
| Heighten Senses | Heighten Senses: (KR 3) While undetected, time slows down around Naoe for 8 seconds. Aborts on enemy contact. | Extended Perception: (KR 4) Increase Heightened Senses duration by 4 seconds. | Critical Insight: (KR 6) Duration of Heightened Senses is reset on a successful assassination. Can only be reset once per activation. Must complete ??? to unlock it. |
| Shallow Water Breathing | Allows Naoe to breathe through a reed while remaining still in shallow water. | – | – |
| Vault | Vault: (KR 2) Press the dodge button quickly after deflecting an attack with the block button to jump over an enemy and make the target Vulnerable. | Destabilizing Vault: (KR 3) Increase Critical Chance by 25% over 10 seconds after using Vault. | High Vault: (KR 5) Throw a Shuriken mid-air on a successful Vault. |
| Igan Roll | Igan Roll: (KR 2) Press the dodge button before hitting the ground to reduce fall damage. | Ninja Fall: (KR 4) Igan Roll now negates all fall damage. | – |
| Prodigy (Passive) | (KR 1) Increase damage with Abilities by 2%. | Increase damage with Abilities by 5%. | Increase damage with Abilities by 9%. |
| Evasive (Passive) | (KR 3) Increase damage after a Vault by 2%. | Increase damage after a Vault by 6%. | Increase damage after a Vault by 12%. |
| Efficient (Passive) | (KR 5) +3% less Cooldown with Abilities. | +X% less Cooldown with Abilities. | +X% less Cooldown with Abilities. |
The Shinobi Mastery category focused on Naoe’s athleticism.
Assassin Masteries¶
The Assassin category is perhaps the most vital one for Naoe, as it contains many abilities that increase the damage you deal from assassinations, making it easier to kill tougher enemies without being seen.
| Ability | Upgrade 1 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 2 (Knowledge Rank) | Upgrade 3 (Knowledge Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Assassinate | Ground Assassinate: (KR 1) Press the Light Attack button to Assassinate regular enemies while they are on the ground and remove Health Segments. | Improved Ground Assassinate: (KR 2) Naoe removes 1 additional Health Segment with Ground Assassinations. | – |
| Vigor | Vigor I: (KR 3) Increase Naoe’s Adrenaline Chunks by 1. | Vigor II: (KR 4) Increase Naoe’s Adrenaline Chunks by 1. | Vigor III: (KR 6) Increase Naoe’s Adrenaline Chunks by 1. Must complete The Shinbakufu to unlock it. |
| Shoji Door Assassination | While using a Katana, Naoe can Assassinate a target through a shoji panel. | – | – |
| Double Assassinate | (KR 2) While using a Tanto, Naoe can Assassinate two targets standing close together with a single attack. | – | – |
| Rush Assassinate | (KR 5) While using a Kusarigama, Naoe can close the distance and deal Assassination Damage to a single target. | – | – |
| Hidden Blade | Hidden Blade: (KR 1) Press the Light Attack button to Assassinate regular enemies and remove Health Segments. | Reinforced Blade: (KR 3) Hidden Blade can now be used against large enemies. | Hand of the Creed: (KR 5) Hidden Blade can no longer be denied when enemies see Naoe coming. |
| Assassination Damage | Assassination Damage I: (KR 2) Naoe removes 1 additional Health Segment with Assassinations. | Assassination Damage II: (KR 4) Naoe removes 1 additional Health Segment with Assassinations. | Assassination Damage III: (KR 6) Naoe removes 1 additional Health Segment with Assassinations. Must complete ??? to unlock it. |
| Eagle Vision | Eagle Vision: (KR 1) Highlight enemies around you. | Improved Sense: (KR 3) Increase the longevity of Eagle Vision’s effect after deactivation. Assassinations. | – |
| Executioner (Passive) | (KR 1) Increase damage on vulnerable enemies by 2%. | Increase damage on vulnerable enemies by 6%. | Increase damage on vulnerable enemies by 12%. |
| Nightcrawler (Passive) | (KR 2) Increase damage during the night by 2%. | Increase damage during the night by 6%. | Increase damage during the night by 12%. |
| Frontrunner (Passive) | (KR 4) Increase damage while Health is full by 2%. | Increase damage while Health is full by X%. | Increase damage while Health is full by X%. |
The Assassin Mastery category focuses on Naoe’s Hidden Blade.
There you have it; you now know what all of the Mastery Abilities and Skills Naoe can learn in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. If you’re looking for information on Yasuke’s, then check out our Yasuke’s Mastery Abilities guide.
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