Top Skills to Prioritize for Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, the dual protagonists offer diverse approaches to gameplay, and Yasuke’s skill set is no exception. To maximize his potential right from the start, here are the top skills to prioritize early in the game. These selections will not only enhance Yasuke's combat prowess but also ensure he remains a formidable force on the battlefield.

Best Skills to Get First for Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Long Katana

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• Sheathed Attack – Long Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Riposte – Long Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Energizing Defense – Long Katana Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Payback – Long Katana Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

Mastering these skills allows Yasuke to effectively defend, counterattack, and regain health during combat. This combination ensures he remains robust and resilient, making him a formidable opponent in any encounter.

Naginata

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• Far Reach – Naginata Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• One Man Army – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Lethal Reach – Naginata Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 2 Mastery Points)
• Impale – Naginata Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

These skills are perfect for keeping adversaries at a distance while maximizing damage and critical hits. They are especially effective in crowd control situations, with Impale serving as a powerful tool to manage groups and create openings for further attacks.

Kanabo

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• Forward Momentum – Kanabo Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Spine Breaker – Kanabo Ability (Knowledge Rank 1, 3 Mastery Points)
• Power Surge – Kanabo Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Crushing Shockwave – Kanabo Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 5 Mastery Points)

With these skills, Yasuke gains enhanced power and speed, enabling him to swiftly dispatch enemies. Crushing Shockwave is particularly useful for crowd control, while Spine Breaker provides a tactical advantage by allowing time to heal and regroup before delivering devastating attacks.

Teppo

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• Steady Hand – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Armor Damage – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Concentration – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Teppo Tempo – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 1 Mastery Point)
• Explosive Surprise – Teppo Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)
• Reload Speed – Teppo Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)

The Teppo skills provide significant advantages in ranged combat, allowing Yasuke to deal substantial damage and manipulate the battlefield. Slowing down time and increasing reload speed are key, with Explosive Surprise offering a way to clear space or set up for melee engagements.

Samurai

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• Brutal Assassination – Samurai Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 2 Mastery Points)
• Regeneration – Global Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Improved Brutal Assassination – Samurai Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Assassination Damage I – Samurai Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)
• Impenetrable Defense – Samurai Ability (Knowledge Rank 3, 4 Mastery Points)

These skills empower Yasuke to perform devastating assassinations, even against elite enemies. Regeneration keeps him in the fight by restoring health with each kill, while Impenetrable Defense offers crucial protection during intense battles.

Bow

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• Swift Hand – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1/2/3 Mastery Points)
• Marksman’s Shot – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 1, 1 Mastery Point)
• Larger Quiver I – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 3 Mastery Points)
• Silent Arrows – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 2, 2 Mastery Points)
• Kyudo Master – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 2 Mastery Points)
• Silent Arrows II – Bow Passive (Knowledge Rank 3, 3 Mastery Points)

These skills enhance Yasuke's ranged capabilities, allowing him to take out enemies before they even notice him. Increased arrow capacity and faster reload times make him a silent but deadly threat, particularly effective against armored foes.

That's everything you need to know about the best skills to prioritize for Yasuke early in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For more tips and strategies, be sure to explore the rest of The Escapist.