Assassin's Creed Shadows Allows for Transmogging, Keeping a Weapon's Looks While Changing Its Stats

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Deep Dive into Progression and Customization

Transmogging and Weapon Customization

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) offers players extensive progression options, including weapon transmogrification. A March 1, 2025, website post detailed player progression and customization, with Associate Game Director Julien outlining the team's vision.

The game features transmogging, allowing players to alter weapon appearances while retaining original stats. Unlock this feature by building a Forge in your Hideout; access it from the inventory menu afterward.

Julien explained the Forge's role in inventory management, including weapon and gear upgrading and dismantling, promising further details in a future Hideout-focused article. Players can also mix and match weapon components—blade, guard, and handle—for truly unique looks.

A New Progression Loop

Following Creative Director Charles Benoit's IGN Fan Fest 2025 discussion of combat and progression, Ubisoft provided a deeper look at the game's mechanics. Julien discussed the impact of two protagonists on progression design: "Having two separate characters with unique archetypes in our feudal Japan world pushed us to rethink how we wanted to approach player progression. Our goal was to stay as close as possible to the philosophy of mastery and martial art."

Mastery, Abilities, and Knowledge Ranks

AC Shadows features unique mastery trees for Naoe (shinobi/assassin) and Yasuke (samurai). Each tree focuses on their archetype, allowing players to specialize.

Julien stated, "With the unique Mastery trees, we want to give players the freedom to dedicate themselves into a specific weapon, playstyle, or archetype, and ensure they can deepen their mastery of it. The points you invest in a Mastery tree also unlock additional bonuses for that weapon or archetype, further reinforcing your progress."

Mastery trees unlock abilities, adding gameplay twists and damage boosts. However, some abilities and mastery points require specific Knowledge Rank levels, increased through non-violent activities like finding Lost Pages, praying at Shrines, Kuji-kiri Meditation (Naoe), or learning Kata (Yasuke).

Customizing Your Playstyle

AC Shadows offers extensive playstyle customization. Perks modify, enhance, or specialize equipment, impacting stats, afflictions, and gameplay conditions.

Despite their initial archetypes, Naoe and Yasuke offer diverse build possibilities. Examples include a damage-focused, mobile Naoe build and a stealthy, ranged Yasuke build, highlighting the game's depth.

With recent reveals, anticipation for Assassin’s Creed Shadows is high. The game launches March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with our articles!