How to upgrade and engrave weapons and armor in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest installment of Ubisoft’s acclaimed action-adventure series, players are introduced to a robust and immersive gear upgrade system that allows you to enhance the weapons and armor you acquire throughout your journey. Whether you’ve looted a powerful katana from a fallen foe or earned a rare piece of armor through a challenging quest, the game provides you with the tools to improve your gear and tailor it to your playstyle. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about upgrading and engraving your equipment, ensuring you’re fully prepared to dominate the shadows of feudal Japan.

The Gear Upgrade System: A Game-Changer

One of the standout features of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is its gear upgrade system, which allows players to continuously improve their weapons and armor. This system ensures that even your favorite early-game gear can remain viable as you progress through the story. While the game encourages experimentation with its wide array of weapons—each boasting unique passive abilities—the option to stick with a single weapon from start to finish is entirely possible, thanks to the upgrade mechanics.
However, with dozens of weapons and armor pieces available, each offering distinct advantages, it’s worth exploring different options to find the perfect fit for your combat style. Whether you prefer the swift strikes of a tanto or the defensive capabilities of heavy armor, the upgrade system ensures that your gear evolves alongside your character.

The Hideout: Your Central Hub for Upgrades

Similar to the settlement mechanics in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Shadows introduces a new hub called the Hideout. This customizable base serves as the heart of your operations, where you can construct buildings to unlock various bonuses and advantages. Among these buildings is the Forge, the key location for upgrading your gear.
To access the Forge, you’ll need to progress through the prologue and early game until you establish your Hideout in Izumi Settsu. Once the Hideout is set up, you’ll be instructed to build the Forge. After construction is complete, head over to the Forge and speak with Heiji, the resident blacksmith, to begin upgrading your equipment.

How to Upgrade Weapons and Armor

Upgrading your gear in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a straightforward process, but it requires careful resource management. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to upgrade your weapons and armor:

Access the Forge Menu: Speak to Heiji at the Forge and select See Shop. This will open the upgrade menu.

Select Gear Type: On the left side of the menu, you’ll see icons representing different gear types, such as katanas, tanto blades, headgear, trinkets, and armor. Choose the category of the item you wish to upgrade.

Choose the Item: After selecting the gear type, pick the specific weapon or armor piece you want to enhance.

Upgrade the Item: Hold the Upgrade button prompt (X on PS5 or Spacebar on PC) to initiate the upgrade. You can also choose to upgrade the item multiple levels at once, provided you have the necessary resources.

Resource Costs: Upgrading gear requires specific resources, which vary depending on the item type:

• Weapons: Ironsand and Mon (the in-game currency).
• Armor: Hemp Cloth and Mon.
• Trinkets: Silk and Mon.

Level Restrictions: Your gear can only be upgraded up to your current character level. For example, if you’re level 10, you can upgrade a weapon or armor piece to level 10. Once you reach level 11, you can further upgrade it to match your new level.

Expanding Upgrade Limits with Forge Improvements

By default, the Forge allows you to upgrade gear up to level 20. However, you can extend this limit by investing in Forge upgrades through the Improve Hideout menu. Here’s what each upgrade tier unlocks:

• Level 1: Gear upgrades up to level 20.
• Level 2: Gear upgrades up to level 40 and access to non-legendary engravings.
• Level 3: Gear upgrades up to level 60 and access to legendary engravings.

Investing in Forge upgrades is essential for late-game progression, as it ensures your gear remains competitive against increasingly powerful enemies.

Engraving: Unlocking Powerful Perks

Once you’ve upgraded the Forge to level 2, you’ll unlock the ability to engrave your rare, epic, and legendary gear. Engravings provide additionalperks and buffs, such as increased damage, improved armor, or enhancedconsumable effectiveness. Here’s how to engrave your weapons and armor:

Access the Engrave Menu: Speak to Heiji at the Forge and select See Shop. Navigate to the Engrave tab by pressing R1 on PS5 or E on PC.

Select the Item: Choose the weapon or armor piece you wish to engrave.

Choose an Engraving: You’ll see a list of available Engravings, categorized by type (e.g.,damage, armor, constitution, consumables). Each Engraving has a cost inMon, so ensure you have enough currency before proceeding.

Apply the Engraving: Select the desired Engraving and press the Engrave button prompt (X on PS5 or Spacebar on PC) to apply it to your gear.

How to Acquire More Engravings

Engravings can be obtained through various means, adding an extra layer of depthto the game’s progression system. Here are the primary ways to unlocknew Engravings:

• Assassinate Specific Targets: Certain Engravings are tied to high-value targets. Eliminating these foes will grant you their unique Engravings.
• Complete Challenges and Activities: Some Engravings are rewarded for completing specific tasks, such asassassinating a set number of enemies or clearing challengingactivities.
• Purchase from Gear Vendors: Gear Vendors scattered across Japan sell a variety of Engravings. Keep an eye out for rare and powerful options.
• Loot Gear Chests: Heavily-guarded areas, such as castles, often contain Gear Chests that yield valuable Engravings.
• Legendary Engravings: These are obtained by finding Legendary weapons and armor, which are among the most powerful items in the game.

Tips for Maximizing Your Gear

Experiment with Different Weapons: While upgrading your favorite weapon is tempting, don’t overlook theunique passives and abilities of other weapons. Experimentation can lead to discovering a weapon that perfectly complements your playstyle.

Prioritize Forge Upgrades: Investing in Forge upgrades early will pay off in the long run, as itallows you to keep your gear relevant throughout the game.

Farm Resources: Keep an eye out for Ironsand, Hemp Cloth, Silk, and Mon as you exploreJapan. These resources are essential for upgrades and engravings.

Plan Your Engravings: Engravings can significantly enhance your gear, so choose perks thatalign with your combat preferences. For example, if you favor stealth,prioritize Engravings that boost assassination damage or reducedetection.

The gear upgrade and engraving systems in Assassin’s Creed Shadows add a layer of depth and customization that enhances the overallgameplay experience. By mastering these mechanics, you can ensure thatyour character is always equipped to face the challenges of feudalJapan. Whether you’re a stealthy assassin or a head-on warrior, theability to upgrade and personalize your gear ensures that your journeythrough Shadows is as unique as your playstyle. So, venture forth, build your Hideout, and forge the ultimate arsenal to conquer the shadows!

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