"Assassin's Creed Shadows Introduces Transmogging: Change Weapon Stats While Retaining Appearance"

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces transmogging, allowing players to maintain preferred stats while customizing the appearance of their weapons and gear. Dive in to explore the game's comprehensive progression system and the extent of its customization options.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Provides A Deep Dive on Progression

Transmogging and Weapon Customization

Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) offers a detailed look into its progression system, featuring a robust transmog system for weapons. On March 1, 2025, AC Shadows detailed player progression and customization on its official website. Julien, the Associate Game Director, shared insights into the game’s vision and its expansive customization capabilities.

The transmog feature allows players to alter the appearance of their weapons while retaining their stats. If a player favors the stats of a weapon but not its design, they can change the look to suit their taste. This feature is unlocked by constructing a Forge in the Hideout, accessible directly from the inventory menu.

Julien emphasized, "The Forge is central to managing your inventory. You can upgrade or dismantle weapons and gear there, and we'll delve deeper into the Hideout in an upcoming article." Players can also mix and match different parts of weapons, such as combining the blade of one weapon with the guard of another and the handle of a third, offering endless customization possibilities.

New Progression Loop

At IGN Fan Fest 2025, Charles Benoit, the Creative Director, discussed the game's combat mechanics and progression. Ubisoft later provided an in-depth look at how player progression functions and its underlying mechanics.

Julien discussed the challenges of developing two distinct protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, stating, "Having two separate characters with unique archetypes in our feudal Japan setting inspired us to reimagine player progression." She added, "Our aim was to align closely with the philosophy of mastery and martial arts."

Mastery, Abilities, and Knowledge Ranks

AC Shadows features unique mastery trees for its protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, tailored to their archetypes—shinobi and assassin for Naoe, and samurai for Yasuke.

Julien explained, "The mastery trees allow players to focus on specific weapons, playstyles, or archetypes, deepening their mastery over time." She added, "Points invested in these trees unlock additional bonuses, enhancing your progress."

Abilities within the mastery trees offer new gameplay mechanics and increased damage against enemies. However, unlocking certain abilities and points requires reaching specific Knowledge Ranks. These ranks can be increased through non-violent activities like finding Lost Pages in temples, praying at Shrines, practicing Kuji-kiri Meditation with Naoe, or learning new Kata with Yasuke.

Customizing Your Playstyle

AC Shadows enables players to craft their ultimate playstyle through various customization features. Perks allow players to "modify, enhance, or specialize equipment," offering stat improvements, influencing afflictions, or creating conditions that encourage varied gameplay.

Despite their initial archetypes, Naoe and Yasuke can be played in diverse ways. The game provides potential builds for each character, showcasing the depth of customization. Naoe can adopt an exotic combat style, enhancing ground attacks for quick engagement and disengagement. Conversely, Yasuke can be built for stealth and ranged combat, with perks and abilities enhancing his stealth and archery skills.

With the recent updates leading up to its release, fans are eagerly anticipating Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The game is set to launch on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest on Assassin’s Creed Shadows by checking out our related articles.