How to Build the Best Samurai & Shinobi Loadouts in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The beauty of Assassin’s Creed Shadows lies in its contrast. On one hand, you have Yasuke, the towering samurai built for brute force and battlefield dominance.

On the other, Naoe, the nimble shinobi who disappears into the wind, striking when least expected. If you want to truly master this dual-character experience, then crafting the best loadouts for both playstyles is essential.

In this article, we break down the ideal samurai and shinobi loadouts, focusing on weapons, armor, tools, and stat priorities for each. Whether you're storming castle gates or ghosting through moonlit rooftops, your gear choices will determine your success.

Understanding Loadouts in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Loadouts in Assassin’s Creed Shadows allow you to tailor each character’s gear to suit your preferred playstyle. This includes weapons, armor, and throwable tools. You can switch between Yasuke and Naoe at designated points, so optimizing both characters independently is key. Building an effective loadout means balancing power, survivability, and versatility.

Best Samurai Loadout – Yasuke, the Warrior

Yasuke doesn’t hide in shadows. He creates them with his sheer presence. His combat style is aggressive, loud, and brutally efficient. His ideal loadout enhances his strengths, high damage output, area control, and the ability to withstand multiple foes.

Primary Weapon: Katana

The katana is Yasuke’s signature blade, and rightly so. Opt for a katana with:

• High base damage for clean kills.
• Stagger bonuses to break enemy guards.
• Bleed or fire effects, which increase damage over time during drawn-out fights.

Pair this with light or medium-speed stats for fluid combo chains. Avoid heavy, sluggish weapons unless you’re skilled at timing counterattacks.

Secondary Weapon: Kanabo or Odachi

For tougher enemies or armored bosses, equip a kanabo (a spiked war club) or an odachi (a greatsword). These two-handed weapons:

• Deal massive stagger damage.
• Have wide arcs to control crowds.
• Excel against shielded or elite enemies.

They’re slower, so use them strategically—after parries or when facing slow-moving targets.

Armor: Heavy Samurai Armor Set

The best armor for Yasuke should prioritize:

• High defense and poise, allowing you to tank through blows.
• Damage resistance to elemental effects like fire or poison.
• Passive bonuses to melee power or stagger.

Look for gear that gives bonuses to health regeneration or fury (a special rage mechanic), enhancing your survivability during long engagements.

Tools and Throwables

While Yasuke doesn’t rely heavily on tools, a few options can give you an edge:

• Smoke Bombs – escape when overwhelmed.
• Firecrackers or Explosive Kunai – disrupt tight groups of enemies.
• Throwable Axes – quick ranged damage without compromising your aggressive momentum.

Don’t overload him with stealth-based gear. Keep tools functional and combat-focused.

Best Shinobi Loadout – Naoe, the Shadow

Naoe is a completely different beast. Her strength lies in misdirection, silence, and surgical precision. She thrives in verticality, tight spaces, and moments of hesitation. Her loadout should maximize mobility, stealth, and lethal accuracy.

Primary Weapon: Tanto or Wakizashi

For silent assassinations and quick, fluid strikes, choose:

• Tanto – best for single-target stealth kills.
• Wakizashi – slightly longer reach with better dueling capabilities.

Focus on blades with stealth bonuses, critical hit boosts, or poison effects. Look for perks that enhance sneak attack damage or chain kills.

Secondary Weapon: Kusarigama or Blowgun

• Kusarigama (chain and sickle) – perfect for pulling enemies off ledges or disrupting enemy formations from mid-range.
• Blowgun – apply poisons or sleep to patrols from a distance without alerting others.

These tools allow you to control the battlefield without stepping into it.

Armor: Shinobi Armor Set

Naoe’s armor should be light, sleek, and tuned for silence. Choose gear that enhances:

• Movement speed and parkour fluidity.
• Detection delay or stealth damage bonuses.
• Tool cooldown reductions, letting you use distractions more often.

Avoid any armor that boosts defense at the cost of speed. Stealth is your defense.

Tools and Throwables

Naoe’s toolkit is vast and diverse. The best loadout includes:

• Grappling Hook – essential for vertical movement and rooftop ambushes.
• Shuriken – silent ranged kill option.
• Chaff Bombs – blind enemies temporarily, ideal for repositioning.
• Poison Traps or Sleeping Powder – handle groups silently.
• Decoys or Noise Makers – split up enemy formations without raising alarms.

Use tools proactively. Naoe isn’t built to withstand direct confrontation for long, distraction and elimination are your core tactics.

Stat Prioritization and Perks

Each piece of gear can roll with different perks and stats. Here's what to prioritize for each character:

For Yasuke:

• Melee Damage
• Armor Rating
• Stagger or Knockback Power
• Fury Gain on Kill

For Naoe:

• Stealth Damage
• Detection Resistance
• Tool Cooldown Reduction
• Critical Hit Chance from Stealth

Keep an eye on synergy. If your armor boosts poison damage, match it with poisoned blades or blowgun darts.

Hybrid Playstyles: Can You Cross the Line?

While Yasuke is tailored for brawling and Naoe for stealth, some situations demand flexibility. You can experiment with hybrid loadouts, but at a cost.

Giving Naoe a heavier weapon or armor makes her sluggish, breaking her core advantage.

Stripping Yasuke down for speed exposes him to lethal combos.

Use hybrid gear only if you’re deeply familiar with enemy patterns and know exactly how to exploit both playstyles without relying solely on character strengths. Otherwise, keep your builds focused.

Final Tips for Optimizing Loadouts

• Swap Often: The game encourages switching between Yasuke and Naoe. Use this to your advantage. Scout as Naoe, strike as Yasuke.
• Adapt Gear for Regions: Some areas are more open (ideal for Yasuke), while others are dense and vertical (perfect for Naoe). Customize accordingly.
• Upgrade Thoughtfully: Use rare crafting materials on weapons or armor that match your playstyle. Don’t waste upgrades on experimental loadouts unless you plan to commit.
• Practice Tool Timing: Especially for Naoe, tools aren’t just support items—they are part of your assassination flow. Know when to throw, when to distract, and when to vanish.

Building the best samurai and shinobi loadouts in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is more than just selecting high-stat gear. It’s about embracing the philosophy of each character, strength and honor for Yasuke, speed and subtlety for Naoe. Take time to learn how they move, fight, and survive. Equip them not just with weapons, but with purpose. That’s how you become a shadow in the war, and a storm in the silence.

Let your blade speak loudly, or let it never be seen. The choice, and the loadout, is yours.