In Assassin's Creed Shadows, mastering Naoe's skills is key to becoming a formidable assassin. While Naoe excels in stealth and assassination, she can also handle direct confrontations with the right preparation. Here are the best skills to prioritize for Naoe early in the game, up to Knowledge Rank 3, which you can achieve quickly by engaging in the open world activities of the starting regions.

Katana

• Dodge Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Melee Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Counter Attack – Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Eviscerate – Katana Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills transform you into a defensive powerhouse, ready to counter aggressive enemies. If you excel at dodging and deflecting, you'll have ample opportunities to counterattack, deal increased damage with buffs, and finish off fights with Eviscerate.

Kusarigama

• Entanglement – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Affliction Builder – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Big Catch – Kusarigama Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Multi-Target Expert – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Cyclone Blast – Kusarigama Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 7 Mastery Points)

With these skills, you become a formidable force against groups or single targets. Entanglement is excellent for building afflictions with the right weapon abilities, and upgrading it lets you throw even large enemies around for extra damage. The other skills enhance your ability to handle multiple foes, keeping them at bay while delivering memorable blows.

Tanto

• Shadow Piercer – Tanto Ability (Knowledge Rank 1, 5 Mastery Points)
• Gap Seeker – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Backstab – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Backstabber – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Back Breaker – Tanto Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)

These skills amplify your damage output with the tanto, exploiting Vulnerable enemies. Even armored foes will fear your blade, and using your R2/RT attack to spin behind ensures you can target their backs for more damage.

Tools

• Smoke Bomb – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Larger Tool Bag I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Shinobi Bell – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Enduring Haze – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Kunai Assassination Damage I – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Shuriken – Tools Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)

These tools enable you to manipulate guards, clearing the way to your target. Use Shuriken to disable alarm bells or trigger explosives, the Shinobi Bell to lure enemies away, and Kunai for long-range kills. If spotted, deploy the Smoke Bomb to escape or execute a chain of assassinations.

Shinobi

• Ascension Boost – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Vault – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Igan Roll – Shinobi Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Heighten Senses – Shinobi Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills keep you out of sight and help you reach your goal without alerting enemies. Faster climbing is useful in all situations, reducing fall damage is beneficial, and the ability to slow down time provides more room for error when navigating crowded areas.

Assassin

• Executioner – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Improved Ground Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Double Assassinate – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Assassination Damage I – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Reinforced Blade – Assassin Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 4 Mastery Points)

These skills are best utilized with a Tanto as one of your main weapons, making it easier to take out targets swiftly with the Hidden Blade. Dual assassinations are always handy, and they help take down larger, stronger foes. However, be cautious not to become overzealous, as you'll encounter enemies with more health that can resist assassination attempts until you upgrade your skills further.

By focusing on these skills, you'll enhance Naoe's abilities to become the ultimate assassinating shinobi in Assassin's Creed Shadows. For more tips and guides, be sure to visit The Escapist.