In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, players have the unique opportunity to play as either Yasuke or Naoe, each bringing their own strengths and playstyles to the table. One of the most exciting aspects of the game is the variety of tools available to help you navigate, eliminate targets, and manipulate enemy behavior. Understanding how to use and upgrade these tools can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Below is a complete breakdown of all tools in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* and how to upgrade them for maximum effectiveness.

All Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In total, there are five distinct tools that players can access throughout the game, with two being unlocked through story progression. Each tool serves a specific purpose, allowing for creative solutions to stealth and combat encounters.

Grappling Hook

Naoe gains exclusive access to the Grappling Hook, a powerful traversal tool that allows her to scale structures quickly without relying on traditional handholds. This makes reaching high vantage points effortless and ideal for scouting enemy positions. Additionally, it enables smooth swinging between anchor points, helping you cross large distances with ease and avoid detection.

Kunai

The Kunai is a deadly throwing knife capable of one-hit kills against standard enemies. It’s an essential tool for silent eliminations and precision strikes. However, armored enemies require upgrades to increase damage and armor penetration. Upgrading this tool ensures its continued usefulness against tougher foes later in the game.

Smoke Bomb

A versatile utility item, the Smoke Bomb creates a dense cloud of smoke upon impact. Use it defensively to break line of sight when detected, or offensively to disorient enemies and create opportunities for assassinations or quick strikes. Upgrades allow for extended duration and larger coverage area, making it even more effective in chaotic situations.

Shuriken

The classic ninja throwing star, the Shuriken excels in stealth scenarios by staggering enemies and triggering environmental interactions—such as setting off barrels or disabling alarms. While not as damaging as the Kunai, its ability to ricochet between targets and be thrown in triplets after upgrades makes it indispensable for crowd control and distraction-based tactics.

Shinobi Bell

This tool is perfect for those who prefer misdirection over direct confrontation. When thrown, the Shinobi Bell emits a sound that draws nearby enemies toward it. With upgrades, it becomes more effective at long range and can even emit a golden shimmer to attract attention from greater distances, offering strategic advantages during infiltration missions.

How to Upgrade Tools in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

All tools (except the Grappling Hook) can be upgraded using Mastery Points within the Tools skill tree. Some tools must be unlocked first through story progression before you can begin enhancing them.

Grappling Hook

The only upgrade available for the Grappling Hook is found in the Shinobi Tree. By spending 2 Mastery Points at Knowledge Rank 2, you unlock the Ascension Boost passive ability, which significantly increases climbing speed. This makes vertical navigation faster and less likely to be noticed by enemies.

Kunai

To maximize the Kunai’s lethality, invest in the Kunai Assassination Damage upgrades to remove more health segments per hit. The Armor Piercing passive improves its effectiveness against armored enemies, while Everlast ensures every Kunai is retrieved after use, eliminating durability concerns.

Smoke Bomb

Once unlocked, extend the Smoke Bomb’s utility with Enduring Haze, which adds 10 extra seconds to the smoke duration. Widespread expands the smoke cloud’s radius, giving you more cover and better escape options during tense moments.

Shuriken

Enhance the Shuriken’s versatility with Bank Shot, which allows it to bounce between enemies, dealing increased damage with each ricochet. Triple Threat lets you throw three Shurikens at once for the cost of one, dramatically improving both stealth takedowns and combat efficiency.

Shinobi Bell

Upgrade the Shinobi Bell with Golden Bell to make it more visually distracting, increasing its effectiveness as a decoy. Follow up with Louder Chimes to expand its audible range by five meters, drawing more enemies away from your position with a single toss.

Mastering the use and upgrades of these tools will give you a significant edge in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. Whether you're playing as Yasuke or Naoe, leveraging these tools creatively will allow you to tackle missions with precision, stealth, and style. For more tips, strategies, and updates on *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, continue exploring our content library.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.*