Hi everyone!

Assassin's Creed Shadows drops February 14, 2025, and we're excited to keep digging into gameplay details with you. Last time, we broke down stealth, and this week, we're going to round up the fundamental principles of Shadows' combat system.

The protagonist you're playing as and the weapon you're using dramatically alters combat, so read on to learn how samurai Yasuke and shinobi Naoe will clash with the enemy and take down their targets.

We'll be joined today by Charles, Shadows' game director for additional insight.

All footage is from a work in progress build. Please note that some of the videos in this article may be compressed, which could affect their quality. Make sure to watch in 4K for the best quality. HUD setting may vary from one clip to another to showcase examples of customizable options.

Offensive Basics

We'll start with a quick round-up of the basic principles of Shadow's fight system. Remember that choosing to fight as Naoe or Yasuke - as well as your choice of weapon can alter these building blocks.

Light attacks

Light attacks in Shadows are quick, fluid, and reliable, inflicting small increments of damage. However, some enemy archetypes can power through them and land attacks of their own, so be careful.

Heavy attacks

Packing a bit more strength, heavy attacks inflict higher damage on most enemies - useful to stagger them and create some space around you.

Posture attacks

Holding the input on any attack - that is, pressing and holding the light or heavy attack button - will charge that attack to significantly increase its damage output: this is called a Posture Attack. A Posture Attack can be held indefinitely, allowing you to adjust your distances or change targets. All posture attacks are great at breaking through an enemy's blocking stance - breaking their guard instantly.

"Light attacks can be postured a bit faster than heavy attacks" says Charles, "but heavy posture attacks pack one hell of a punch, if you get the timing right. Take note, though - enemies will watch out for Posture Attacks and attempt to prevent you from charging them, so make you sure to keep your eyes out."

Mixing light, heavy and posture attacks is the best way to build up different types of complex combos.

Vulnerable State

Under certain conditions such as perfect dodge, an enemy can be put in a vulnerable state - a short window in which they can be dealt devastating damage. This vulnerable state is the perfect opportunity to counterattack by unleashing a posture attack or an active ability for maximum damage.

Defense Basics

There are a few different ways in which Naoe and Yasuke can defend themselves, some unique to each protagonist. Here's a quick roundup:

Dodge

Both Naoe and Yasuke can use directional dodges to avoid incoming blows. Naoe's dodges are characterized by directional rolls, whereas Yasuke's are directional steps that keep his stature upright throughout. Though both characters are very reactive, Yasuke's second consecutive directional dodge-step has a slight recovery period, which Naoe doesn't have.

Parry / Deflect

Both Yasuke and Naoe share similar mechanics under the parry/deflection umbrella, but the results vary slightly for each of them. Yasuke's parry mechanic happens on a straight line: when a parry is successful, the enemy bounces back, opening themselves to counterattacks. In short, Yasuke does not back down and does not concede terrain.

Naoe's deflect mechanic requires similar timing but sees her pivot to either side of the enemy, deflecting their attacks away from her. This changes the axis of combat and exposes the enemy's flanks, but it also means Naoe opens herself up to surrounding enemies, pushing you to always stay alert.

Block

Unique to Yasuke, block mechanics allow him to turtle up behind his weapon and withstand attacks including incoming arrows or kunai - except for unstoppable attacks, which are detailed further below.
"These subtle differences in attack and defense are really what makes the control of each character unique - and adaptable to your ideal playstyle." says Charles.

Skills and Abilities

Skills and abilities can also be acquired and learned throughout your journey to further develop your combat repertoire. Some of these are active abilities that are triggered manually in combat to deal more damage; some are combo variations or extensions; others introduce new mechanics that require precise timing and new tactical approaches. These will be crucial to surprise your enemies, and, as they are tied to your progress, will give you an ongoing sense of growth within your combat mastery.

We'll have more to say about progression later, but right now we can say that gaining levels or defeating specific foes will reward you with Mastery Points, which you can spend in the different Mastery trees to unlock weapon-based skills and abilities, amongst other things. This progression loop will allow you to put your skills to the test by facing strong opponents and be rewarded with new moves to learn.

"Active abilities are by far the most powerful skills to acquire" says Charles. "They look cool, they hit hard, and they all offer additional opportunities like gap-closing, armor-breaking - even health regeneration."

Players can also earn passive skills, which work in the background to make you more efficient and powerful in combat. These include adrenaline regeneration increase, basic health increase, time dilation for longer window of opportunities, and more.

Two Protagonists

"In essence, our core fight mechanics are the same for Yasuke and Naoe" says Charles, "but as samurai and shinobi, respectively, they each have their own weapon types and abilities that make them feel very different from one another."

Despite Naoe's formidable stealth prowess - as detailed in our previous post - she's no pushover when it comes to combat. Quick and agile, she can make short work of a single enemy with her barrage of attacks, but as the number of enemies increase, she will be at a significant disadvantage due to her lack of armor and limited combat resources.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Yasuke stands as a stalwart warrior ready for prolonged , knock-down-drag-out combat scenarios. For instance, the last attack in each of his combos (i.e., combo-enders) will break an enemy's guard without relying on posture attacks.

While both characters can carry two weapons and switch between them in combat, Yasuke is also the only protagonist with the ability to switch weapons mid-combo, via the link-attack ability, which allows him to rapidly string together attacks and weapon abilities in a continuous flow.

"Yasuke has a few unique samurai tricks up his sleeves" says Charles. "One of them is the Sheathed Posture Attack, where he will charge-up an opening attack while his katana is still in its sheathe. On top of looking quite iconic, most enemies won't see that one coming if timed correctly."

Weapons

Both protagonists have a unique selection of weapons available to them - which offer their own set of abilities. Among other strengths, Naoe's weapons unlock unique stealth opportunities, while Yasuke's offer a variety of strategies to be deployed in combat.

Here's a look at each of their weapon types:

NAOE

Katana

Naoe's katana is well-balanced and versatile; it offers a good balance of speed, damage output and defense. Well-timed attacks can stagger enemies, opening windows for posture attacks. The Katana unlocks the ability to assassinate enemies through shoji doors.

Kusarigama

The fearsome Kusarigama is Naoe's best option for crowd control. Its extendable ball-and-chain can reach enemies at a distance and push back numerous enemies all at once, while its scythe is adept at giving a single enemy a very close shave. The Kusarigama unlocks the ability to Rush Assassinate enemies up to 10 meters away.

Tanto & Hidden Blade

Hidden Blade combat marks its return when combined with the tanto dagger. Combining whirling slashes and lightning-fast stabs, it is the ideal weapon for that strike-and-retreat, death-by-a-thousand-cuts playstyle. The Tanto and Hidden blade combo unlocks the ability to perform Double Assassinations

YASUKE

Long Katana

The legendary samurai weapon - scaled up to match Yasuke's size - is versatile and well-balanced. Equally efficient in attack and defense, it is an excellent choice in a one-on-one duel or in the middle of a large-scale skirmish.

Naginata

Standing at over two meters in length and sporting a sharp bladed tip, the Naginata is Yasuke's weapon of choice for crowd control. It is very efficient at keeping enemies at bay as well as dealing damage to multiple enemies surrounding you.

Kanabo

Perhaps Yasuke's deadliest weapon - and definitely his heaviest - the kanabo can break through enemies' defenses and pulverize armor with the slightest hit. But its deadliness comes at the price of speed and mobility. For the kanabo players, timing will be everything.

Yumi Bow

The great Japanese Yumi Bow allows Yasuke to attack unsuspecting enemies from a significant distance and strike them down with precision. Its variety of arrows offer an array of interesting strategies, and mastering accuracy will increase its efficiency.

Teppo rifle

The Teppo flint rifle combines destructive power with high lethality. Its raw power offers more range than the bow and great armor penetration - albeit with a slow fire rate and even slower reload time. The Teppo is a good opener when you don't mind being noticed.

Mastering a weapon takes time and dedication. In Shadows, players gain experience through combat, earning Mastery points that can be spent on their favorite weapon type to unlock new abilities.

Know Your Enemy

"As you progress and discover new locations in Japan, you will encounter stronger and tougher enemies," says Charles, "each with new abilities and move sets that challenges different aspects of your fight mastery."

The enemies in Shadows are numerous and varied, but for simplicity's sake, we've categorized some of them under a few broad families:

OUTLAWS

Outlaws are opportunists that prey on the weak, and for what little combat training they have, some make up for it with unusual tactics. Be wary of their brutes, who can still be incredibly deadly.

ASHIGARU SOLDIERS

Ashigaru are the conscripts and volunteers forming the bulk of any clan's armies, carry basic weapons and fight using conventional tactics. They tend to be more aggressive towards Naoe, and are fearful of Yasuke.

RONIN

Masterless samurai perpetually seeking their next meal, most Ronin are in the employ of Naoe and Yasuke's enemies; they roam the roads and will attack on sight if they recognize you. Former samurai themselves, Ronin are well-trained, and their disheveled looks are deceiving.

SAMURAI

Superb warriors, well-trained and fierce in combat, samurai can carry a wide variety of weapons, from their trusty katana to the mighty kanabo; they can also wear an impressive selection of armor sets - including some very high-level End-Game sets - and employ a surprising number of attacks and counterattacks in a fight.

If you can catch them unaware, samurai can be easy pickings for a shinobi, but as soon as they know a threat might be lurking nearby, their vigilance and battlefield awareness make them formidable foes.

SAMURAI DAISHO

An offshoot of the samurai family, Daisho are enemy types that can only be found in military castles. They have unique fighting styles that mix a lot of techniques, and they are a stiff combat challenge all by themselves - let alone when surrounded by other samurai.

Samurai Daisho are the gateway to some of the best loot in the game though, so they are worth the time and effort.

GUARDIANS

An elite group of badass samurai, Guardians are used as reinforcements when the alarm is raised in any given province. With their unmistakable white manes and facemasks, Guardians aim to strike fear in their opponents, and offer some of the most difficult combat you'll find in Shadows.

Study Their Tactics

Recognizing the patterns and tactics of your enemies will ensure you gain the upper hand in any situation. Here's a brief look at some of the mechanics and challenges you will face in Shadows:

FLURRY ATTACKS

Flurry attacks are marked by a distinctive blue glint on the enemy's weapon. They are a short succession of attacks that won't stop even if you successfully block, parry, deflect or dodge them; the next blow in the series will come at you, no matter what.

Advanced players may attempt to parry/deflect each successive blow to trigger the enemy's vulnerable state, but parrying/deflecting only the last attack won't be enough: you need to deal with the entire sequence to put your enemy on their back foot.

UNSTOPPABLE ATTACKS

Unstoppable attacks are marked by a distinctive red glint on the enemy's weapon; they are hard-hitting, highly kinetic attacks that should ideally be dodged. Blocking, parrying, or deflecting an unstoppable attack will defuse much of its energy, but it will break your character's guard and leave you open to follow-up attacks.

Advanced players may want to fine-tune their dodge timings, because a perfect dodge against an unstoppable attack will trigger the enemy's vulnerable state.

Watch some of these enemy attacks in action.

DEFENSIVE ACTIONS

While under attack, enemies have a variety of reactions available to them to attempt a momentum shift. These are called defensive actions, and they can vary from a simple step back that avoids a single blow, all the way to lightning-fast unstoppable counterattacks that will challenge your nerves.

Generally, the more enemies are involved in a fight, the less defensive actions each of them will perform, confident that their numbers will be enough to overwhelm you. But in a one-on-one duel against a highly skilled warrior, defensive actions will be numerous and nearly constant, pushing you to diversify your attacks and utilize every move you learnt along the way.

That's all we had this week! There will be many opportunities to test your skills in combat in Assassin's Creed Shadows, from surprising encounters in the world, fight tournaments or dueling against legendary opponents. We can't wait for you to explore all the depth of that system when you get your hands on the game, on February 14th. 

Make sure to catch up on our previous article dedicated to stealth, and stay tuned for our next overview, where we will explore Parkour.