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

Author:Kristen Update:May 15,2025

The introduction of dual protagonists in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* marks a significant shift in the franchise's history. With Yasuke the Samurai and Naoe the Shinobi, players are presented with two characters who bring unique strengths and weaknesses to the table. Here's a detailed look at each protagonist and guidance on when to play as each.

Yasuke the Samurai: Pros and Cons

Yasuke views a coast vista in his mount, image from Ubisoft press centerYasuke overlooks a coastal vista in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Image via Ubisoft. Yasuke, a unique protagonist in *Assassin’s Creed* history, offers a gameplay experience like no other. His samurai skills and imposing stature make him a formidable force. The melee combat in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, inspired by From Software's style, allows Yasuke to feel like a boss character from *Dark Souls*.

Yasuke stands out among the warriors of Feudal Japan in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. His prowess in crowd control and powerful melee attacks enable him to handle both base enemies and higher-tier foes like the Daimyo in castles with relative ease. Additionally, Yasuke's ability to use a bow and arrow extends his effectiveness to ranged combat.

However, Yasuke's strengths in open combat come with trade-offs. He struggles with the stealth and agility expected of typical *Assassin’s Creed* protagonists. His assassinations are slower and more exposing, and his parkour abilities are limited, making navigation and reaching synchronization points challenging and sometimes frustrating.

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 traditional *Assassin’s Creed* experience with her focus on stealth and parkour. Her agility and ninja-like skills make her a master of navigating the game world and executing assassinations.

While Naoe excels in remaining undetected, her combat capabilities are less robust than Yasuke's. With lower health and weaker melee attacks, she can struggle when detected. However, skilled players can still manage encounters by leveraging her speed and evasion tactics, though retreating to re-enter stealth is often the best strategy. Once back in stealth, Naoe can perform the series' signature hidden blade takedowns and aerial assassinations.

When Should You Play as Each Protagonist in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Assassins creed Shadows Steam(1)Naoe and Yasuke team up in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Image via Ubisoft. The choice between Yasuke and Naoe often comes down to personal preference, though the story may dictate character availability in certain quests, particularly in canon mode. However, there are clear scenarios where each protagonist shines.

For exploration, Naoe is the preferred choice. Her superior mobility and speed make her ideal for clearing the fog of war, synchronizing, and uncovering the secrets of Feudal Japan. She is also the go-to character for missions requiring stealthy assassinations, especially once you've invested in her Assassin and Shinobi skills.

Once a region is well-understood and its key targets identified, Yasuke becomes the better option for combat-focused missions. He excels at storming castles and defeating high-value targets like Daimyo Samurai lords, whether through brutal assassinations or direct combat.

In summary, choose Yasuke for missions involving open combat and Naoe for exploration and stealth-based objectives. Beyond these specific scenarios, the choice between the two protagonists may hinge on which character's personality and playstyle you prefer, as well as your affinity for either the classic *Assassin’s Creed* experience or the newer RPG elements.

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