*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* stands as one of the most expansive entries in the franchise, boasting a sophisticated progression system that complements its vast scale. Here, we delve into the max levels of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* and elucidate how the level cap functions.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces a refreshed approach to progression within the series. While skill acquisition is predominantly tied to the new Knowledge Ranks, traditional XP-based progression remains integral. By accumulating XP, players gain access to advanced weapons, armor, and gear, enhancing the base stats of protagonists Naoe and Yasuke.
Reaching Level 35 is sufficient for players to explore all Japanese provinces within the game. However, the XP grind extends well beyond this, allowing players to ascend to Level 60. Initial indications from Ubisoft suggested a level cap of 40, but it's now confirmed that players can reach Level 60. It’s anticipated that this cap might increase further with the upcoming *Claws of Awaji* expansion, set to release post-launch.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Mastery menu with low-level progress, Image via Ubisoft. The Knowledge Rank system represents a significant evolution in the franchise's progression mechanics, separate from XP leveling. Players earn Knowledge Points by engaging in various open-world activities focused on mindfulness and training. These points allow progression through the Knowledge Ranks, unlocking new skills for Naoe and Yasuke, which must then be activated using Mastery Points.
To access all available skills, players must reach Knowledge Rank 6. However, this is not the end of the journey. Upon reaching this rank, players unlock an additional Knowledge tree, offering passive skills that allow further customization of play style.
Mastery is the third pillar of progression in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, serving as the game’s skill point equivalent. Players must allocate Mastery Points to unlock skills across the six Mastery trees available for each protagonist. The number of Mastery Points required varies by skill.
The game offers numerous ways to earn Mastery Points through diverse activities, ensuring players have ample opportunities to acquire the necessary points. While a theoretical cap on Mastery Points exists, reaching it requires extensive engagement with the game. The *Claws of Awaji* expansion is expected to introduce additional methods to earn Mastery Points upon its 2025 release.
In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, each province in Japan has an associated level. At the outset, the highest level requirement is for Kii, set at Level 35. As players progress and gain XP, the levels of certain regions adjust to match the player's advancement.
Beyond Level 40, the game implements a scaling mechanism where the recommended level for each province remains two levels below the player's current XP level. This ensures a consistent challenge and maintains combat pacing in the late game, rewarding dedicated players who invest significant time into the game.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.*