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 customization options, highlighted by its robust transmogging system. A March 1, 2025, website post detailed player progression and customization, with Associate Game Director Julien outlining the team's vision. The game allows players to visually alter weapons while retaining their original stats. This feature, unlocked by building a Forge in the Hideout, is accessible from the inventory menu.

Julien explained the Forge's role in inventory management, hinting at further details in an upcoming article about the Hideout. The game allows for creative mixing and matching of weapon components: "The final result could be the blade of one weapon, with the guard of another, and the handle of your newly acquired one."

A New Progression Loop

Following Creative Director Charles Benoit's IGN Fan Fest 2025 presentation on combat mechanics, Ubisoft provided a deeper look at player progression. 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). These trees focus on their respective archetypes, allowing players to specialize their skills.

Julien elaborated: "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 that enhance gameplay and damage output. However, access to certain abilities and mastery points requires reaching specific Knowledge Ranks, increased through non-violent activities like finding Lost Pages, praying at Shrines, meditating (Naoe), or learning Kata (Yasuke).

Customizing Your Playstyle

AC Shadows provides extensive customization options. Perks modify, enhance, or specialize equipment, offering stat improvements, affliction influences, and diverse gameplay conditions. Despite their initial archetypes, Naoe and Yasuke offer diverse playstyles. Examples include a damage-focused, mobile Naoe build and a stealthy, ranged Yasuke build.

With recent previews showcasing its depth, Assassin’s Creed Shadows generates significant anticipation. The game launches March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest updates, check out our related articles!