Spoiler warning: This guide explains the story structure and how to reach the latest story finale; it avoids describing individual story outcomes. In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you progress by selecting objectives on the objective board rather than following one fixed mission list. Prioritize the Shinbakufu circle if you want to unlock free switching between Naoe and Yasuke sooner, then work through their intertwined quests and the other objectives until you complete the main story. To reach the post-launch finale, finish the main story plus A Critical Encounter and A Puzzlement, then start Black Tides.
How story progression works
Naoe’s shinobi story and Yasuke’s samurai story are intertwined, but the game gives you room to choose which available objectives to pursue next. The objective board is the practical guide to that progression: it groups story goals into circles rather than presenting a single compulsory mission order. Ubisoft’s early advice is to prioritize the Shinbakufu circle if your aim is to reach the point where both characters are playable and freely switchable. Ubisoft’s game guidance also describes six Knowledge levels, each of which opens a new tier of passive and activated abilities.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Assassin’s Creed Shadows - Limited Edition (Amazon Exclusive), PlayStation 5 | $61.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Assassin's Creed Shadows [PlayStation 5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cgBmgsqGL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Assassin's Creed Shadows [PlayStation 5] | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
The Art of Assassin's Creed Shadows | $29.69 | Buy on Amazon |
That flexibility means “the next mission” depends on what you have completed and which thread you choose to advance. Use the board to identify available targets and character quests, and follow the requirements shown there rather than assuming every player must complete missions in the same sequence.
A practical route through the main story
For a concrete ordering, PowerPyx’s main quest walkthrough proposes a route that covers all 12 Onryo/Shinbakufu members alongside quests involving Naoe, Yasuke, and Junjiro. Treat it as one navigable route, not the game’s sole required sequence: PowerPyx notes that credits can roll after different character-quest orders.
#1 Best Overall
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- 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.
- Start with the Shinbakufu circle if early character switching is your priority. This follows Ubisoft’s stated guidance for reaching free switching sooner.
- Work through the available Shinbakufu targets. Use the objective board to track target-related objectives and open quests.
- Advance Naoe, Yasuke, and Junjiro quests as they become available. PowerPyx incorporates quests from all three into its proposed completion route; the board, not a universal linear order, determines what you can pursue at a given point.
- Continue until the main story is complete. The base-game story can reach its credits through different character-quest orders, so do not mistake a different sequence for a missed mandatory mission.
For individual mission objectives and step-by-step directions, consult PowerPyx’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows main quest walkthrough. Its ordering advice is third-party guidance, distinct from Ubisoft’s narrower recommendation to prioritize the Shinbakufu circle for earlier free switching.
What Knowledge levels do
Knowledge progression is a separate part of character development from choosing which story objective to pursue. Ubisoft describes six Knowledge levels, with each level opening a new tier of passive and activated abilities. When the board or your progression points you toward Knowledge, regard it as access to a higher ability tier—not as a substitute for completing story objectives.
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
Base-game completion versus the post-launch finale
Reaching the base-game credits is not the same as reaching the latest story content. Ubisoft identifies Black Tides as “our final story mission for Naoe and Yasuke.” Access requires completing the main story and the two prior post-launch quests, A Critical Encounter and A Puzzlement. Follow that order:
- Complete the main story.
- Complete A Critical Encounter.
- Complete A Puzzlement.
- Start Black Tides.
These are the stated access requirements; the available information does not establish a different route that bypasses either prerequisite. Ubisoft’s final-update announcement also introduces Domains, but Domains are a challenge feature, not an additional step in the story-mission sequence.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #3
Using a printed guide
If you prefer a paper reference for mission steps, maps, and game systems, Piggyback’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows – The Complete Official Guide (ISBN 9781913330163) is advertised as covering main, secondary, and additional objectives, with numbered steps, annotated screenshots and maps, an atlas, inventory, and mastery reference. Ubisoft’s official game page also points to it as a companion: Assassin’s Creed Shadows official game page. The publisher’s guide description does not establish whether its printed contents include Black Tides or later additions, so check the edition’s listed coverage before relying on it for post-launch missions.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
