For a stealth-focused start as Naoe, prioritize Smoke Bombs and Quick Throw for escapes, then add Tanto skills that help control fights and finish enemies efficiently. The ten picks below mix discretionary Mastery nodes with one core story unlock; they are recommendations, not a universal best build. Yasuke uses different weapon and samurai trees, so his options are covered separately.
How skill unlocking works
Skills are gated by Knowledge Rank, while Mastery points buy nodes in the available tiers. Ubisoft’s starter guide describes six Knowledge levels and says orange-hexagon activities on the map award Knowledge. Examples include collecting scrolls, visiting shrines, Naoe’s formative-life meditation, and Yasuke’s horse archery. Mastery points come from leveling, quests and activities, defeating unique enemies such as Samurai Daisho, and eliminating targets, according to Ubisoft’s progression overview.
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Ubisoft says the two characters share level, XP, Mastery points, and Knowledge. You can reset Mastery allocations at any time, so you can try a different setup rather than treating the first picks as permanent. Knowledge Rank determines which tiers are available; it does not itself spend the Mastery points needed to purchase a skill.
10 early-game skill picks for Naoe
These picks favor stealth, escape options, and Tanto combat. Rank requirements below are the ones listed in the skill guides; check the live skill tree if a later game update changes them. PCGamesN’s skill guide and GamesRadar+’s recommendations inform the listed effects.
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- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
- Smoke Bombs (Tools; Knowledge Rank 1). A basic way to break line of sight and recover stealth when a situation goes wrong. Ubisoft’s starter advice emphasizes building Knowledge through marked activities, and GamesRadar+ highlights smoke bombs as a useful early non-lethal tool.
- Quick Throw (Tools; Knowledge Rank 1). A practical quick-use tool option. GamesRadar+ describes using smoke at Naoe’s feet to mask an assassination or create an escape opening.
- Shadow Piercer (Tanto; Knowledge Rank 1). A ranged ability that makes a target vulnerable, setting up a posture-attack follow-up. It is useful when you want to create an opening before closing in.
- Backstab (Tanto; Knowledge Rank 1). Light posture attacks from behind trigger weak-point attacks. It rewards getting behind an opponent rather than trading blows head-on.
- Shadow Barrage (Tanto; Knowledge Rank 2). This defensive ability automatically evades eligible incoming hits for a limited duration. It does not protect against grab attacks, so do not rely on it as a universal counter.
- Double Assassinate (Assassin; Knowledge Rank 2). With a Tanto equipped, Naoe can assassinate two nearby targets with one attack. It is most valuable when you can position patiently and keep both targets within reach; it is not a general combat attack.
- Assassination Damage I (Assassin; Knowledge Rank 2). Adds one health segment removed by assassinations. How much this helps depends on enemy health and your assassination settings.
- Shuriken (Tools; Knowledge Rank 2). A ranged throw that damages and staggers enemies and can interact with the environment. It gives Naoe another way to interrupt an opponent without committing to close combat.
- Vigor I (Assassin; Knowledge Rank 3). Adds an adrenaline chunk for abilities. GamesRadar+ notes that Naoe starts with fewer chunks than Yasuke, making the extra capacity useful if your approach relies on active abilities.
- Hidden Blade / Ground Assassinate (Assassin; story progression). Count this as a foundational pick rather than a discretionary Mastery-node purchase: it is a core progression unlock. If you need exactly ten optional nodes to spend points on, take Executioner instead. PCGamesN lists Executioner as an early passive that costs one point and increases damage against vulnerable enemies.
When to choose Executioner instead
The ten-item list includes a story-based foundation, so it does not represent ten optional nodes. If you want a strict list of ten Mastery purchases, replace Hidden Blade / Ground Assassinate with Executioner. It is a one-point early passive for increased damage against vulnerable enemies, as listed by PCGamesN. Ubisoft also says Guaranteed Assassination can be enabled in settings; if you choose that option, Assassination Damage I may be less important to your build.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to prioritize if you prefer Yasuke
Naoe’s trees include Katana, Tools, Shinobi, Assassin, Kusarigama, and Tanto; Yasuke’s trees serve his weapons and samurai play style. Ubisoft frames Naoe’s archetype trees around stealth and assassinations, while Yasuke’s samurai path develops combat versatility. For Yasuke, GamesRadar+ recommends considering Sheathed Attack and Brutal Assassination at Knowledge Rank 1, then Vigor I at Rank 2; it also points to Impenetrable Defense and the Bow abilities Clear Mind and Silent Arrows at Rank 2 or 3 where available. Choose according to your weapon preference and whether you want direct combat, defense, or ranged utility rather than copying Naoe’s stealth list.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
Rank #2
- Experience an epic, historical action adventure in feudal Japan and become a deadly Shinobi assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open game world in chaotic times
- Sneak as a Naoe to not be discovered, use your agility to confuse your opponents and stretch down your opponents with deadly precision and power as a Yasuke
- Use information as weapons and build your own spy network to have eyes and ears everywhere and find your targets easier and recruit new allies on the go with unique skills to help you with your missions
- Create a fully customizable hideaway for your growing Shinobi league, where you train recruits, craft new equipment and interact with important characters; set the room layout, decoration and accessories yourself
How to reach the higher tiers sooner
- Collect Knowledge from marked activities. Look for orange-hexagon activities on the map, including scrolls and shrines, to raise Knowledge Rank and open higher tiers.
- Earn Mastery points through play. Leveling, quests, activities, unique enemies such as Samurai Daisho, and target eliminations all contribute, according to Ubisoft’s progression overview.
- Follow the Shinbakufu objectives if you want both characters sooner. The opening story keeps Yasuke unavailable while Naoe is playable. Ubisoft’s starter guide recommends prioritizing the Shinbakufu circle on the objective board to reach the point where both characters can be switched freely sooner.
- Reset and reallocate if your approach changes. Because Mastery allocations can be reset, you can shift away from stealth tools or toward another weapon path without treating early choices as irreversible.
Which build should you choose?
- For safer stealth recovery: start with Smoke Bombs and Quick Throw.
- For Tanto combat control: add Shadow Piercer, Backstab, and Shadow Barrage as their ranks open.
- For efficient infiltrations: choose Double Assassinate and consider Assassination Damage I based on enemy health and your settings.
- For a more direct style: build around Yasuke’s weapon and samurai trees instead of buying Naoe’s stealth-focused skills.
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