How to Get XP and Level Up Fast in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, unlocking and mastering skills for your Samurai and Shinobi characters is crucial for progression, and earning XP quickly is the key to doing so. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to maximize your XP gains in the game.

What Awards XP in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, XP can be earned through a variety of actions and activities. From killing enemies and assassinating targets to completing quests and engaging in side content, every action contributes to your XP total. However, the amount of XP awarded can vary significantly, so it's essential to focus on the most rewarding activities. You can preview the XP rewards for quests and activities by hovering over them in the map or objectives tab. The most efficient ways to earn XP quickly are by tackling castles and optional assassinations.

How to Get Fast XP from Castles in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Throughout Japan in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, you'll encounter numerous castles, each heavily guarded by basic and elite enemies, including Samurai Daisho. Completing the task of eliminating a certain number of Daisho within a castle allows you to access a chest that contains high-tier loot.

Castles serve as an excellent source of XP, with each completion potentially awarding thousands of XP. Additionally, every enemy you defeat, especially elites and Samurai Daisho, contributes to your XP, with bonuses around 250 XP per elite. Synchronizing at high points within the castles not only awards a few hundred XP but also unlocks fast travel points, enhancing your gameplay efficiency.

While castles are challenging, strategic approaches can make XP farming more manageable. The choice of protagonist is crucial; Naoe's Eagle’s Vision ability helps in quickly locating and stealthily assassinating Daisho. Enhancing Naoe’s assassination damage through mastery and engravings ensures instant kills. Alternatively, at lower levels, playing as Yasuke and engaging in open combat can be more effective. Triggering the castle’s alarm bell can draw out most enemies, allowing for quick XP gains. With these tactics, you can amass up to 4,000 XP or more in just a few minutes.

Assassinating Targets Nets Large XP Bonuses in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In addition to main quest assassinations, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* offers numerous optional assassination targets. These can be discovered by interacting with specific NPCs and using scouts to track targets. Utilizing fast travel points like Kakurega can streamline your approach to these targets. Each assassination not only awards XP for the kill, typically around 2,000-3,000 XP, but also for completing the associated quest. Clearing out an entire group of targets and returning to the quest giver can yield an additional 5,000 XP bonus, making this a highly rewarding strategy for XP accumulation.