Top Skills to Unlock Early for Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players can experience the game through the eyes of dual protagonists, each offering unique approaches to solving challenges. When it comes to enhancing your gameplay, especially with Yasuke, selecting the right skills early on can make a significant difference. Here's a detailed guide on the best skills to prioritize for Yasuke in the early stages of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.

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)

These skills not only allow you to defend and counter effectively but also enable you to deliver powerful strikes while recovering lost health. This combination ensures you remain robust during combat encounters throughout the game.

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)

The Naginata excels at keeping enemies at a distance while dealing significant damage. These skills enhance your reach and critical hit chances, making them particularly effective in crowd control. Use Impale to clear a path or gather enemies for concentrated damage.

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)

These skills boost Yasuke's power and speed, allowing him to decimate enemies quickly. Crushing Shockwave is excellent for crowd control, while Spine Breaker provides a crucial window for healing and regrouping before delivering a devastating ground strike.

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's high damage output can level the playing field in combat. Skills that slow down time and improve reload speed work synergistically, while Explosive Surprise and Teppo Tempo help create space before switching to melee for the final blow.

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)

Assassinations are not exclusive to Naoe; Yasuke can take down even elite enemies with these skills. The Regeneration passive provides continuous health recovery, while Impenetrable Defense offers protection in critical moments.

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 ability to take down enemies from a distance, even those with armor, through faster reloads, increased arrow capacity, and silent, precise shots.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about selecting the best skills for Yasuke early in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For more tips and strategies, be sure to visit The Escapist.