In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the introduction of Knowledge Rank marks a significant evolution in the game’s progression system. This new mechanic allows players to enhance their abilities by completing specific quests. The latest installment has been designed to mitigate some of the frustrations experienced in earlier versions, thus promising a more seamless gameplay experience. As you raise your Knowledge Rank, you’ll unlock specific skills that are vital for both protagonists in the game.
This article provides a comprehensive guide on strategies to effectively increase your Knowledge Rank in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Strategies to Elevate Your Knowledge Rank

To enhance your Knowledge Rank effectively, focus on completing both Main and Side quests. Certain missions will be marked with a red icon, indicating they offer opportunities to earn Mastery Points. These points are essential for unlocking the abilities of the game’s two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke.
In addition to quests, engaging in diverse open-world activities such as exploring Temples, Shrines, Kofuns, and Kuji-kiri will also contribute to your Knowledge Rank. Although it may be a challenging endeavor, exploration is key to unlocking various abilities.
Elevating your Knowledge Rank provides access to new skills for both characters, all of which can be activated using Mastery Points. Aiming for a completionist approach—finishing all available quests—is vital for significantly boosting your Knowledge Rank.
While many advanced skills are linked to your Knowledge Rank, bear in mind that some abilities are contingent upon the progression of the main storyline. This means that completing main story missions is necessary for unlocking certain crucial skills.
Both Naoe and Yasuke possess unique skill sets reflective of their distinct playstyles, with specific quests tailored to unlocking their abilities. Therefore, it’s essential to diligently complete the respective missions to access advanced skills for each character.
Keep in mind that not all skills demand the same amount of Mastery Points to unlock. You’ll obtain these points by maximizing your engagement in various quests and open-world activities, all while working to raise your Knowledge Rank in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.