Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Max Level and Rank Cap Revealed

Assassin’s Creed Shadows stands as one of the most ambitious entries in the franchise, boasting a comprehensive progression system that complements its expansive world. Here’s a detailed look at the maximum levels in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and how the level cap functions.

What Is the Max XP Level in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a revamped progression system, blending traditional XP-based leveling with a new Knowledge Rank system. The XP progression in Assassin’s Creed Shadows allows players to unlock higher-tier weapons, armor, and gear, while also enhancing the base stats of protagonists Naoe and Yasuke.

To explore all the available Japanese provinces on the game’s map, players need to reach Level 35. However, the XP grind doesn’t stop there. Initially, Ubisoft suggested a level cap of 40, but players can actually continue leveling up to 60. It’s anticipated that this cap might increase even further with the upcoming Claws of Awaji expansion.

What Is the Max Knowledge Rank in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

The Knowledge Rank system in Assassin’s Creed Shadows represents a significant evolution in the franchise’s approach to progression. Separate from XP leveling, Knowledge Ranks are advanced by accumulating Knowledge Points through various open-world activities that focus on mindfulness and training. As players advance through the Knowledge Ranks, new skills become available for Naoe and Yasuke, although these skills must be unlocked using Mastery Points.

To access all available skills, players must reach Knowledge Rank 6. However, this isn't the end of the journey. Upon reaching this rank, Naoe and Yasuke unlock a new Knowledge tree, offering passive skills that allow players to refine their builds according to their preferred playstyle.

Related: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Trophy List (All 55 Trophies)

Is There a Cap for Mastery in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Mastery is the third pillar of progression in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, serving as the game's skill point system. Mastery Points are required to unlock skills within the six Mastery trees available for each protagonist. The amount of Mastery needed varies by skill.

With numerous skills to unlock and a variety of activities to earn Mastery Points, players are unlikely to hit a Mastery cap easily. Extensive gameplay is required to reach such a limit, and the Claws of Awaji expansion, set to release in 2025, is expected to introduce additional ways to earn Mastery Points.

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Have Level Scaling?

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, each Japanese province has an associated level, with Kii being the highest at Level 35 at the game's start. As players progress and gain XP, the levels of some regions will scale to match their progress.

However, there’s a cap on how high enemy and province difficulty levels will scale, starting from Level 40. Beyond Level 42, the recommended level for each province remains two levels below the player’s current XP level. This ensures the game maintains a challenging yet rewarding endgame experience for those who invest significant time into it.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, offering players a deep and engaging experience in feudal Japan.