Yasuke or Naoe: Who to Choose in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces a groundbreaking change to the franchise with its dual protagonists, Yasuke the Samurai and Naoe the Shinobi. Each character brings unique strengths and weaknesses to the table, offering players diverse gameplay experiences. Here's a guide on which protagonist to choose based on your gameplay preferences.

Yasuke the Samurai: Pros and Cons

Yasuke overlooks a coastal vista in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft

Yasuke stands out as one of the most intriguing protagonists in *Assassin’s Creed* history, particularly from a gameplay standpoint. With his Samurai skills and formidable stature, Yasuke offers a unique playing style. Inspired by From Software's melee combat, Yasuke's gameplay feels like controlling a boss in *Dark Souls*. His physical prowess allows him to dominate in open combat, excelling in crowd control and delivering powerful melee attacks. As you level him up, Yasuke can swiftly deal with higher-tier enemies like the Daimyo patrolling castles. Additionally, his ability to use a Bow and Arrow makes him effective at range.

However, Yasuke struggles with traditional Assassin tasks. His assassinations are slower and more exposed than Naoe's, and his parkour abilities are limited. Climbing and shimmying are much slower, making many synchronization points in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* either impossible or extremely challenging to reach. This can be frustrating when exploring new provinces.

Naoe the Shinobi: Pros and Cons

Naoe and Yaya team up to fight in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft

Naoe, the Iga Shinobi, embodies the classic *Assassin’s Creed* experience with her focus on stealth and parkour. Her nimbleness allows her to navigate the game world with ease. By investing Mastery points in Assassin and Shinobi skills, Naoe becomes a master of stealth, perfect for executing hidden blade takedowns and aerial assassinations.

However, Naoe's strengths in stealth come with weaknesses in open combat. She has lower health and less powerful melee abilities compared to Yasuke. Facing multiple enemies can be overwhelming, and the best strategy often involves retreating to re-enter stealth mode before returning to strike.

When to Play as Each Protagonist in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*

Naoe and Yasuke team up in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft

Choosing between Yasuke and Naoe often depends on personal preference and the specific demands of the game's missions. In canon mode, the story may dictate which character is available for certain quests. However, when you have the freedom to switch, each protagonist excels in different scenarios.

For exploration, Naoe is the better choice. Her higher mobility and speed make her ideal for clearing the fog of war, synchronizing, and discovering new areas in feudal Japan. She's also highly effective for assassination missions once you've reached Knowledge Level 2 and invested in Assassin and Shinobi skills.

Once you've explored a region and identified its most dangerous targets, switch to Yasuke for combat. He's perfect for storming castles and defeating Daimyo Samurai lords, either through brutal assassinations or open sword fights. If a mission involves a lot of open combat, Yasuke is your go-to character.

Ultimately, the choice between Yasuke and Naoe will depend on whether you prefer the classic *Assassin’s Creed* stealth gameplay or the more action-oriented RPG elements. Both characters are capable beyond their specialized roles, so your decision may also hinge on which personality you connect with more.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S starting March 20th.