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"Quick XP and Leveling Guide for Assassin’s Creed Shadows"

Author:Kristen Update:Apr 24,2025

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, mastering the art of the Samurai and Shinobi requires a swift accumulation of XP. Here’s how you can accelerate your journey to becoming a formidable force in feudal Japan.

What Awards XP in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered

To level up in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, you'll need to engage in various actions and activities. From slaying enemies and assassinating targets to completing quests and exploring side content, each action can boost your XP. However, not all activities are created equal; some offer more XP than others. To maximize your XP gain, focus on the most rewarding tasks, which you can identify by hovering over quests or activities in the map or objectives tab. The most lucrative activities for fast XP are conquering castles and executing optional assassinations.

How to Get Fast XP from Castles in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Sakamato Castle awards 3,000 XP in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.

Sakamato Castle awards 3,000 XP in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.
Japan’s castles in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* are prime targets for XP farming. Each castle is fortified with basic and elite enemies, along with Samurai Daisho, whom you must eliminate to access the area’s valuable chest. Completing a castle challenge alone can net you thousands of XP, but the journey to the chest is equally rewarding. Each enemy defeated contributes to your XP, with elites and Daisho offering significant bonuses of around 250 XP. Additionally, synchronizing at high points within the castle grants a few hundred XP and serves as a fast travel point for character switching.

While castles offer immense XP, they can be challenging. Here are some tips to streamline your approach:

  • Choose your protagonist wisely. Naoe's Eagle’s Vision can quickly locate and tag Samurai Daisho, facilitating stealthy assassinations. Enhance Naoe's assassination damage through mastery and engravings to ensure one-hit kills.
  • At lower levels, Yasuke's brute strength is ideal for clearing castles quickly. Trigger the alarm bell to draw enemies to you, then engage in open combat to dispatch them efficiently.

With these strategies, you can amass up to 4,000 XP or more in a matter of minutes.

Assassinating Targets Nets Large XP Bonuses in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Naoe perches to assassinate an enemy from above, Image via Ubisoft

Naoe perches to assassinate an enemy from above, Image via Ubisoft
In addition to the main quest targets, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* offers numerous optional assassination quests. These can be uncovered by conversing with specific NPCs and using scouts to pinpoint targets. Strategically placing fast travel points like Kakurega can bring you close to your targets. A quick ride on your mount and a swift assassination can earn you an XP bonus of 2,000-3,000 for completing the quest, plus additional XP from the kill itself, comparable to defeating elite enemies. Completing an entire group of assassinations and returning to the quest giver can reward you with an additional 5,000 XP.