Assassin’s Creed Shadows stands out as one of the most expansive entries in the franchise, featuring an intricate progression system that enhances its vast scale. Let's delve into the details of the max levels, Knowledge Ranks, Mastery, and level scaling in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
What Is the Max XP Level in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has introduced a revamped progression system, blending traditional XP-based advancement with the new Knowledge Ranks. As you accumulate XP, you unlock higher-tier weapons, armor, and gear, alongside boosting Naoe and Yasuke's base stats.
To explore all the Japanese provinces on the game's map, players need to reach Level 35. However, the XP grind doesn't stop there. Initially, Ubisoft suggested a Level Cap of 40, but players can actually push their characters up to Level 60. This cap might even increase with the upcoming Claws of Awaji expansion, set to launch post-release.
What Is the Max Knowledge Rank in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Mastery menu with low-level progress, Image via Ubisoft.
Knowledge Rank introduces a fresh take on progression, separate from XP leveling. Players earn Knowledge Points through engaging in various open-world activities focused on mindfulness and training. As you advance through the Knowledge Ranks, new skills become available for Naoe and Yasuke, although these skills must be unlocked using Mastery Points.
To access every skill, you must reach Knowledge Rank 6. But the journey doesn't end there; upon reaching this rank, you'll unlock a new Knowledge tree with passive skills tailored to refine your preferred playstyle.
Related: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Trophy List (All 55 Trophies)
Is There a Cap for Mastery in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Mastery serves as the game's skill points system, essential for unlocking skills within the six Mastery trees for each protagonist. The amount of Mastery required varies by skill, offering a diverse range of abilities to unlock.
While there's a theoretical cap on Mastery Points, reaching it involves extensive activity completion. The upcoming Claws of Awaji expansion, slated for later in 2025, will likely introduce new ways to earn Mastery, ensuring players have ample opportunities to master their skills.
Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Have Level Scaling?
In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, each Japanese province comes with its own level requirement, with Kii being the highest at Level 35 at the start. As you level up through XP, some regions' difficulty scales to match your progress.
However, from Level 42 onwards, there's a scaling floor where the recommended level for each province remains two levels below your current XP level. This ensures the game remains challenging and maintains a balanced combat pace in the late game, rewarding players who invest significant time into the game.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
