Exploring Kanabo Skills for Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
In the realm of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Yasuke emerges as a formidable warrior, wielding a massive spiked war club known as the Kanabo. This weapon enables him to deliver crushing blows to adversaries, contrasting sharply with the stealthy tactics of Naoe. Yasuke’s gameplay is characterized by a relentless offensive strategy, emphasizing power, devastating hits, and keeping the momentum in his favor. The Kanabo skill tree has been expertly designed by Ubisoft to amplify this tank-like playstyle, casting Yasuke as a true powerhouse on the battlefield.
This comprehensive guide will delve into each skill within Yasuke’s Kanabo abilities, explaining their functionalities and methods for unlocking them in AC Shadows.
Kanabo Skills Overview

Knowledge Rank 1
The initial rank of Kanabo skills lays the groundwork for Yasuke’s combat expertise. These foundational abilities significantly enhance combo execution, crowd control, and the speed of attacks.
Ability Name | Function | Nodes | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Devastation | Change attack type after a combo to activate an additional Combo Ender. | 1 | Kanabo Passive |
Spine Breaker | Grab an enemy with the Kanabo, inflicting 100% ability damage and knocking out standard foes; large enemies receive diminished damage. | 1 | Kanabo Active |
Forward Momentum | After hitting an enemy, press R1/RB or R2/RT to execute faster chain attacks. | 1 | Kanabo Passive |
Knowledge Rank 2
This level introduces branching abilities, allowing further skill development through previous unlocks.
Ability Name | Function | Nodes | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Combo Ender Damage | Increases Combo Ender damage by 12% per node. | 3 | Global Passive |
Turmoil | Devastation combo enders generate 50% of an Adrenaline Chunk on hit and increase Devastation damage by 40%. | 2 | Kanabo Passive |
Power Surge | Each successful Forward Momentum before a Combo Ender enhances its damage by 15%. | 1 | Kanabo Passive |
Knowledge Rank 3
This rank amplifies ability damage and introduces a new crowd control technique that incapacitates enemies.
Ability Name | Function | Nodes | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Ability Master | Boosts damage across all abilities by 9% per node. | 3 | Global Passive |
Irresistible Force | Extends Spine Breaker’s knockout duration by 10 seconds and enhances its damage by 40%. | 2 | Kanabo Passive |
Crushing Shockwave | A downward smash dealing 126% ability damage, disabling and staggering all enemies within a 3-meter radius. | 1 | Kanabo Active |
Knowledge Rank 4
This tier features enhanced abilities, introducing additional strikes, improved knockback effects, and area control mechanics.
Ability Name | Function | Nodes | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Infinite Devastation | Perform a second Devastation attack with the opposite input, while increasing Devastation damage by 60%. | 2 | Kanabo Passive |
Slugging Rampage | A series of spinning strikes, each causing 20% ability damage and launching enemies away. | 1 | Kanabo Active |
Unstoppable Strength | Enhances Spine Breaker to function at full effectiveness against large enemies and increases its damage by 60%. | 2 | Kanabo Passive |
Greater Shockwave | Improves Crushing Shockwave, adding Daze effect and 40% more damage. | 2 | Kanabo Passive |
Knowledge Rank 5
At this advanced level, Yasuke gains significant damage resistance along with prolonged attack durations.
Ability Name | Function | Nodes | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Damage Reduction | Enhances damage resistance by 1% per node. | 3 | Global Passive |
Slugging Torrent | Extends the duration of Slugging Rampage. | 2 | Kanabo Passive |
Constant Pressure | Allows Forward Momentum to initiate without hit confirmation, enabling instant chain attacks at any moment. | 1 | Kanabo Passive |
Knowledge Rank 6
The pinnacle of Kanabo skills, this final rank unlocks the most potent abilities that significantly enhance area of effect control in combat.
Ability Name | Function | Nodes | Type |
---|---|---|---|
Slugging Fury | Further extends the duration of Slugging Rampage. | 2 | Kanabo Passive |
Absolute Shockwave | Expands the area of effect of Crushing Shockwave by 167%, transforming it into a battlefield-wide attack. | 2 | Kanabo Passive |
Unlocking Kanabo Skills in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Different from earlier installments in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Shadows introduces a Knowledge Rank (KR) system. This mechanic requires players to progress through Yasuke’s journey of mastering the Kanabo before unlocking advanced abilities.
To increase your Knowledge Rank, engage in activities such as:
- Exploring Temples, Shrines, and Kofun
- Completing Kuji-kiri puzzles
- Discovering Hidden Paths
- Participating in Kata training sessions
- Completing Main and Side Quests
Once you reach the required Knowledge Rank, skills can be unlocked using Mastery Points. These points are earned through various in-game achievements, with some abilities requiring more than one Mastery Point for complete enhancement.