Study precisely how to swap characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows between Naoe and Yasuke. Our full information in 2025 covers unlocking each assassins and mastering character switching for optimum gameplay.

The Twin-Protagonist System: Naoe and Yasuke
Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces one of the crucial thrilling gameplay improvements in the franchise’s historical past: a real dual-protagonist system that includes the nimble shinobi Naoe and the highly effective samurai Yasuke. Studying how to swap characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is crucial for mastering the sport’s numerous fight and stealth mechanics.
In contrast to earlier Assassin’s Creed titles that featured a number of playable characters, Shadows implements a dynamic switching system that enables gamers to alternate between two distinct playstyles on the fly. This information will present you precisely how to swap characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows utilizing a number of strategies, when every character turns into out there, and the way to leverage their distinctive talents for optimum benefit.
Whether or not you’re infiltrating a closely guarded fortress or partaking in open fight, realizing when and the way to swap between these two assassins can imply the distinction between success and failure in feudal Japan.
When Can You Switch Characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Many gamers surprise: Assassin’s Creed Shadows can you turn characters freely throughout gameplay? The reply is sure, however not instantly. The sport introduces its twin protagonists via a fastidiously structured narrative development.
Right here’s the timeline for character availability:
Character | Preliminary Availability | Full Unlock Timing | Unlock Necessities |
---|---|---|---|
Naoe | Recreation Begin | Speedy | None – Obtainable from starting |
Yasuke | Temporary Tutorial Solely | After ~8-12 hours | Full “Temple of the Horseman,” “Lightning and Thunder,” and “Mibuno Showdown” quests |
Whenever you first start Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll play as Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows for almost all of the early recreation. Whilst you do get a quick style of Yasuke’s gameplay throughout an introductory tutorial sequence, he isn’t totally unlocked as a playable character till you progress via particular story missions.
This design selection serves a number of functions:
- It permits you to grasp the core stealth mechanics via Naoe’s gameplay
- It builds anticipation for Yasuke’s full integration
- It aligns with the narrative arc of each characters
To unlock Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll want to full the “Temple of the Horseman” most important quest, adopted by two subsequent missions: “Lightning and Thunder” and “Mibuno Showdown.” This sometimes happens after 8-12 hours of gameplay, relying on how a lot facet content material you discover.

How to Switch Characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows: All Strategies
When you’ve unlocked each characters, you possibly can Assassin’s Creed Shadows swap between characters utilizing a number of totally different strategies. Every method has its benefits relying in your present state of affairs in the sport.
Technique 1: Utilizing the Stock Menu
Probably the most universally accessible approach to swap characters:
- Press and maintain Sq. (PlayStation) or X (Xbox) to open the character menu
- Navigate to the character choice on the backside of the display
- Choose your required character
- Affirm your choice
This technique is obtainable virtually wherever in the sport world, with some restrictions that we’ll cowl later.
Technique 2: Quick Journey Factors
You can too swap characters when utilizing the quick journey system:
- Open your map
- Choose any unlocked Viewpoint or Kakurega (hideout)
- Select which character you need to journey as
- Affirm your choice
This technique is especially helpful while you need to method a brand new space with a selected character.
Technique 3: Mission Choice
For sure missions, the sport will enable you to select your character earlier than starting:
- Strategy a mission begin level
- When prompted, choose both Naoe or Yasuke
- Start the mission as your chosen character
Some missions are character-specific and gained’t supply this selection.
Technique 4: Scripted Switching
Throughout particular story moments, the sport will routinely immediate you to swap characters as a part of the narrative. These switches are scripted and important to story development.

Restrictions on Character Switching
Understanding how to swap characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows additionally means realizing when you possibly can’t swap. The character switching mechanics in Assassin’s Creed Shadows have sure limitations to preserve gameplay steadiness and narrative cohesion.
You can not swap characters:
- Throughout energetic fight
- Whereas swimming
- In mid-air throughout parkour actions
- In sure restricted or closely guarded areas
- Throughout character-specific missions
- In the midst of sure animations or actions
These restrictions add a strategic aspect to character administration, encouraging you to plan your method to missions and exploration.
Character Variations: Selecting Between Naoe and Yasuke
The character switching mechanics in Assassin’s Creed have developed considerably with the Shadows installment. Every protagonist provides distinct gameplay benefits that go well with totally different conditions and playstyles.
Facet | Naoe | Yasuke |
---|---|---|
Fight Model | Stealth-focused murderer | Energy-based samurai |
Weapons | Smaller, quicker weapons | Heavy, damage-dealing weapons |
Motion | Sooner, extra agile | Slower however extra highly effective |
Particular Talents | Smoke bombs, kunai, stealth kills | Heavy assaults, crowd management, sturdiness |
Mission Suitability | Infiltration, stealth, reconnaissance | Direct fight, boss fights, crowd encounters |
Whenever you play as Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll excel at:
- Silent assassinations
- Rooftop navigation
- Fast escapes
- Eavesdropping missions
- Precision concentrating on
When enjoying as Yasuke, you’ll dominate in:
- Head-on confrontations
- Boss battles
- Breaking defenses
- Crowd fight
- Withstanding harm

Strategic Character Switching Suggestions
Understanding the character switching mechanics in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is essential for mission success. Listed below are some strategic ideas for when to use every character:
Greatest Eventualities for Naoe
- Infiltration Missions: Naoe’s stealth talents make her excellent for sneaking into closely guarded areas with out detection.
- Reconnaissance: Whenever you want to collect data with out being noticed, Naoe’s agility and smaller profile are advantageous.
- Precision Eliminations: For missions requiring particular goal eliminations with out alerting others, Naoe’s assassination abilities are unmatched.
- City Navigation: In dense metropolis environments with loads of climbing alternatives, Naoe’s parkour talents shine.
Greatest Eventualities for Yasuke
- Fight-Heavy Encounters: When stealth fails or isn’t an choice, swap to Yasuke for superior fight capabilities.
- Boss Battles: Yasuke’s heavy assaults and sturdiness make him the higher selection for main confrontations.
- Crowd Management: When surrounded by a number of enemies, Yasuke’s wide-reaching assaults can handle teams successfully.
- Defensive Stands: Missions requiring you to maintain a place towards waves of enemies are excellent for Yasuke.
Superior Switching Methods
To maximise the effectiveness of each characters:
- Scout areas with Naoe earlier than partaking
- Switch to Yasuke when detected or for deliberate fight
- Use Naoe for follow-up assassinations after Yasuke creates chaos
- Think about mission targets when selecting your beginning character
- Use quick journey factors strategically to place each characters
Troubleshooting Frequent Character Switching Points
Even when you know the way to swap characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you would possibly encounter some technical points. Listed below are options to widespread issues:
Problem | Doable Trigger | Resolution |
---|---|---|
Switch choice unavailable | In restricted space or exercise | Transfer to an unrestricted space or full present motion |
Switching lag | Efficiency points | Regulate graphics settings or restart the sport |
Character locked | Story development requirement | Full crucial missions to unlock full switching |
Controls unresponsive | Controller points or recreation bug | Verify controller settings or reload final checkpoint |
Loading delays | System efficiency | Think about recreation reinstallation or console restart |
When you expertise persistent points with character switching, guarantee your recreation is up to date to the newest model, as patches ceaselessly deal with such gameplay mechanics.
Regularly Requested Questions
Can you turn characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows from the start?
No, you can not freely swap characters from the beginning. You’ll primarily play as Naoe for the primary 8-12 hours, with Yasuke changing into totally playable after finishing the “Temple of the Horseman,” “Lightning and Thunder,” and “Mibuno Showdown” quests.
How do I do know which character is best for a selected mission?
Mission icons generally point out a advisable character. Typically, stealth-focused targets favor Naoe, whereas combat-heavy situations profit from Yasuke’s strengths. Some missions are character-specific and gained’t supply a selection.
Does switching characters reset enemy consciousness?
Partially. Switching characters can cut back enemy alert standing in some conditions, however gained’t fully reset it if enemies are actively pursuing you. This can be utilized tactically to handle detection ranges.
Are there character-exclusive talents or weapons?
Sure, every character has distinctive weapons and skills. Naoe specializes in stealth instruments like smoke bombs and kunai, whereas Yasuke excels with heavy weapons and has superior fight sturdiness.
Can I improve each characters equally?
Sure, talent factors and upgrades could be distributed between each characters. Nonetheless, some upgrades are character-specific, so that you’ll want to make strategic decisions about which talents to prioritize.
Do each characters share stock gadgets?
Most consumable gadgets and sources are shared between characters, however weapons and sure specialised instruments stay character-specific.
Can I swap characters throughout boss fights?
Typically no. Most boss encounters lock you into utilizing whichever character initiated the combat. Select properly earlier than partaking main enemies.
Conclusion: Mastering the Twin-Protagonist System
Studying how to swap characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows opens up a world of strategic prospects that enrich the gameplay expertise. By understanding when to use Naoe’s stealth prowess and when to leverage Yasuke’s fight energy, you’ll have the ability to deal with any problem feudal Japan throws at you.
The power to murderer’s creed shadows swap between characters successfully offers you tactical benefits all through your journey. As you progress via the sport, experiment with totally different approaches to missions utilizing each characters to uncover your most popular playstyle.
Do not forget that whereas the character switching system provides super flexibility, it additionally requires considerate planning. A number of the recreation’s most rewarding moments come from seamlessly transitioning between stealth and fight by switching between these two distinct protagonists at simply the precise second.
Have you ever found any inventive methods to use the character switching system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Share your methods in the feedback under!
This information was final up to date on March, 2025, and displays the present model of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Recreation mechanics might change with future updates.