Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces transmogrification, enabling players to maintain weapon aesthetics while altering their stats. This article delves into the game's progression system and extensive customization options.
Deep Dive into Progression and Customization
Assassin's Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) offers a detailed progression system, highlighted by its transmogrification feature. A March 1, 2025, website post outlined player progression and customization. Associate Game Director Julien shared the team's vision, emphasizing the game's customizability.
Transmogrification allows players to adjust weapon stats independently of their appearance. Players can retain preferred stats while changing the visual look. This feature unlocks upon creating a Forge in the Hideout, accessible from the inventory menu.
Julien explained the Forge's role in inventory management, including weapon and gear upgrades and dismantling (with further details promised in a future Hideout-focused article). Weapon customization extends to mixing and matching components: "The final result could be the blade of one weapon, with the guard of another, and the handle of your newly acquired one."
Enhanced Progression Loop
Building on IGN Fan Fest 2025 discussions about combat and progression, Ubisoft provided a deeper look at AC Shadows' mechanics. Julien discussed the impact of two protagonists: "Having two separate characters with unique archetypes in our feudal Japan world pushed us to rethink how we wanted to approach player progression," stating the goal was to maintain a "philosophy of mastery and martial art."
Mastery, Abilities, and Knowledge Ranks
Separate mastery trees for Naoe (shinobi/assassin) and Yasuke (samurai) allow focused specialization. Mastery points unlock bonuses and abilities, enhancing gameplay. However, access to certain abilities and mastery points requires specific Knowledge Rank levels, increased through non-combat activities like finding Lost Pages, praying at Shrines, meditation (Naoe), or learning Kata (Yasuke).
Tailoring Your Playstyle
AC Shadows offers extensive playstyle customization. Perks modify, enhance, or specialize equipment, impacting stats, afflictions, and gameplay conditions. Despite initial archetypes, players can deviate. Examples include a ground-focused, high-damage Naoe build, or a stealthy, ranged Yasuke build utilizing perks and abilities.
With recent reveals, anticipation for AC Shadows' March 20, 2025 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC is high. For updates, refer to the linked article.
