The “Temple of the Horseman”quest serves as a pivotal moment in Act 1 of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, where protagonist Naoe attempts to execute a critical assassination of the notorious Oda Nobunaga within the Honnoji Temple. With a looming assault from Mitsuhide’s forces, players must navigate through guards, stealthily infiltrate the temple, and ultimately face Nobunaga in a decisive duel.
Overview of the Temple of the Horseman Quest
Stealth Tactics to Reach Oda Nobunaga
1) Navigating the Inner Courtyard
Oda Nobunaga’s personal quarters are situated deep within the temple complex and are heavily guarded by formidable Ronins and vigilant servants. The mission commences with Naoe positioned on a rooftop, making it advisable to keep a low profile as you edge along the building’s periphery. While enemies can detect movement, maintaining a prone position and utilizing available cover will help you remain unseen, especially on Normal difficulty settings.
To facilitate a stealthy approach, employ kunai for silent takedowns, as these lethal tools can often be reclaimed after use on enemies. Favor the rooftops as your primary travel route, avoiding ground-level confrontations whenever feasible. Locating chests containing valuable loot might be tempting, but they often come with their own defenses. Activate Eagle Vision to identify enemy locations before making any moves.
2) Accessing Nobunaga’s Quarters
Access to the inner courtyard is possible through a small gap in the wall. Utilize the well to silently dispatch a nearby guard, and then proceed to eliminate patrolling foes while strategically hiding among haystacks for cover.
The main entrance to Nobunaga’s chamber is too well-guarded for a frontal assault; instead, utilize a more covert approach from the back. Climbing the bushes on the right side of the temple allows you to reach the roof, presenting an opportunity to eliminate a patrolling servant. Execute an air assassination or use your kunai to swiftly deal with the guard directly in front of you.
Prior to entering Nobunaga’s rooms, make sure to replenish your rations from nearby supply boxes—this preparation is vital for the imminent boss confrontation.
Strategies for Defeating Oda Nobunaga
After successfully infiltrating the temple, Naoe must confront Oda Nobunaga, who challenges her to a duel after his followers retreat following Mitsuhide’s assault.
Understanding Nobunaga’s Combat Patterns
Nobunaga employs a series of attacks that players need to be astutely aware of—some are parryable and others are unblockable, necessitating precise timing and awareness. His combat begins with two quick slashes, both of which can be parried. Unblockable upstrokes follow, which require nimble dodging. Additionally, he utilizes a trio of slashes that can also be parried, while his poke combo alternates between unblockable and regular attacks, culminating in a powerful stab that requires sidestepping to evade.
Nobunaga’s relentless running slash is a key attack; it features a rapid advance followed by a sweeping blow, making quick dodges essential during this segment of the fight.
Effective Strategies for Victory
Success against Nobunaga hinges on executing precise parries while skillfully dodging his unblockable maneuvers. Despite his aggressive assault patterns, Naoe’s agility can help her counteract his fierce attacks effectively.
Upon defeating Nobunaga, the mission concludes with a cutscene that transitions seamlessly into Act 2, where Yasuke becomes a playable character. This crucial development allows players to switch between two protagonists as the storyline progresses in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.