One of the core features of Assassin's Creed Shadows is the introduction of the two playable character archetypes, Naoe and Yasuke. In of gameplay mechanics and playstyle, there couldn't be two more opposite characters, and it will take some adjustments to get used to playing as Yasuke once you eventually unlock him. Naoe and Yasuke have unique skills and weapons, and they are designed to give you different options for the various encounters and side quests in the game. There are a lot of differences between the two, but some are much more noticeable than others.

The four major differences between Naoe and Yasukeo in AC Shadows are their weapon and armor options, the type of skills each has access to, their general mobility and movement, and their assassination styles. While there are other minor features that differentiate the two characters, these four areas are the most noticeable. They will take some getting used to, especially the differences in movement and mobility. In general, Naoe is designed for stealth assassination and quick-paced combat, while Yasuke is designed for heavy weapon melee combat and taking on large groups of enemies and challenging bosses.

5 Naoe & Yasuke's Movement & Mobility In Assassin's Creed Shadows

Naoe Is Quick, Smooth & Agile, While Yasuke Has Limited Mobility

Naoe's stealth abilities, parkour skills, speed, agility, etc., are ideal for exploration and navigating the massive world outside the Assassin's Creed Shadows. She delivers on everything you've come to love in the Assassin's Creed franchise, and her controls feel incredibly smooth.

Naoe's parkour skills, particularly, are noteworthy in easily traversing difficult mountainous terrain. She also has a grappling hook, allowing much easier access to areas for stealth gameplay. Naoe will be your go-to choice for anything requiring climbing or stealth.

When Yasuke performs a leap of faith, the pile of hay he lands in is obliterated, and you won't be able to use it unless you fast-travel again to the same location.

Yasuke is a brute whose controls feel clunky compared to Naoe's. He has no grappling hook, can barely jump enough to climb even the lowest walls, and often struggles to climb surfaces. It's fun to charge and ram through doors and crates, but this only comes useful in niche situations. When Yasuke dives off for a leap of faith, he falls like a lead balloon and bounces out of the hay, promising that his form will improve (it never does). Yasuke feels like a clunky mess compared to Naoe, and he is incredibly slow in exploration - especially climbing.

4 Naoe & Yasuke's Weapon & Armor Differences

Naoe Specializes In Small Melee Weapons, Yasuke In Heavy & Ranged Weapons

Both characters have their own unique weapon sets. Naoe specializes in the Kasurigama, Tanto, and Katana, while Yasuke specializes in the Long Katana, Naginata, and Kanabo. Naoe's weapons are what you'd expect from an assassin, delivering rapid attacks with increased speed and movement. The Kasurigama is a chained weapon that is really useful for group encounters if you end up getting swarmed, while the Tanto delivers multiple slashes that can build up afflictions quickly. She can also use special assassination moves with each of these weapons, such as assassinating through screens with the Katana.

Yasuke's Kanabo is a brutal heavy weapon that can one-hit enemies once the skill tree is buffed up or send them flying into the distance with a well-timed swing. Yasuke's weapons tend to deal much higher Weapon and Posture DPS. The Kanabo has an in-combat assassination ability that literally lifts an opponent and breaks their back.

Yasuke can also use only two ranged weapons in the game, Teppos and Bows, and the ammo can be upgraded to deal with afflictions, such as poison or daze. In of armor, Yasuke wears Samurai armor that boosts his health significantly, making it useful for constant combat encounters and close-range fighting. Naoe's armor has lower health but will have an additional stat that increases damage with tools.

3 Naoe & Yasuke's Abilities & Skills Are Different

Naoe Has Eagle Vision, Yasuke Can Move Crates & Oil Jars

Naoe and Yasuke have access to certain abilities that others don't, such as Naoe's Eagle Vision and grappling hook or Yasuke's Samurai skills and ability to lift heavy items. You will have to use Yasuke to move certain crates and oil jars for the assortment of puzzles and tombs throughout the game, such as Kofuns. Naoe can use Tools, including Shurikens, Kunai, Smoke Bombs, and Shinobi Bells, which are also buffed through armor stats and the Tools skill tree.

Only one ability from Naoe's Shinobi tree and Yasuke's Samurai tree can be slotted at a time, so don't waste Mastery Points on multiple abilities.

For combat skills and abilities, you'll be investing in Naoe's Assassin and Shinobi skills, which will increase the number of health bars your assassinations or attacks can do, give you unique ways to carry out assassinations with different weapons, and even allow you to slow down time. Shinobi skills also provide Naoe with vaulting abilities and let her grab enemies before assassinating them.

Yasuke has three Samurai abilities to choose from: War Kick, Impenetrable Defense, and Battle Cry. War Kick is exactly what it sounds like, allowing Yasuke to drop-kick enemies and send them cartoonishly flying across the map. Impenetrable Defense lets Yasuka automatically counter up to five attacks for 20 seconds, while Battle Cry will stagger all enemies in a 10-meter radius.

2 Naoe & Yasuke's Assassin Abilities Aren't The Same

Yasuke Can Utilize Brutal Assassinations On Unsuspecting Enemies

Naoe is what you would consider a more traditional assassin from the Assassin's Creed franchise. She has the hidden blade, Eagle Vision, and access to the Assassin skill tree, gradually enhancing her stealth and assassin abilities. Each of Naoe's weapon types can be upgraded in the Assassin tree for unique assassination options, such as Kusarigama's Rush Assassinate, which lets you lunge at opponents from a distance. Naoe can also take out targets instantly with Kunai if they are buffed properly.

Yasuke is not built for stealth but is still capable of what's referred to as a brutal assassination, unlocked by his samurai tree. It functions somewhat similarly to Naoe's assassination abilities, but it is much more difficult to be stealthy with Yasuke, making this more of a bonus than a core feature. You can also buff Yasuke's Bow abilities and take out enemies with one precise headshot, one of the only effective ranged stealth strategies available aside from Naoe's Kunai.

1 AC Shadows' Protagonists Have Different Specialties

Do You Prefer Stealth Or Melee Encounters?

Naoe and Yasuke couldn't be more different from each other, and you'll really want to weigh your options before deciding whom to swap to in AC Shadows. Each protagonist has their own specialty when it comes to combat tactics. Yasuke specializes in melee encounters and is ideal for any situation where you don't want to worry about stealth or if there are large groups of enemies, difficult bosses, etc.

Naoe is your best bet for general exploration and stealth. This gives the protagonist a bit of an old-school Assassin's Creed feel, so longtime fans may end up preferring that approach. Switching between the two in Assassin's Creed Shadows can be pretty jarring, given the stark contrast in mobility and playstyle.