Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a deeper base upgrade system than previous installments. The hideout isn’t just a place for Naoe and Yasuke to relax with allies; it’s a strategic hub that expands gameplay functionality. While the tutorial introduces basic structures like the Scout Hut, maximizing your hideout’s potential requires careful resource management. This guide outlines the best hideout upgrades to prioritize in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, ensuring you don’t waste precious resources and progress efficiently.
The hideout upgrade menu in Assassin
While aesthetically pleasing, decorative buildings offer no gameplay benefits. Resist the urge to build them until all functional structures are fully upgraded. Unless your primary goal is to transform Assassin’s Creed Shadows into a miniature Animal Crossing experience, prioritize functionality over aesthetics.
Essential Hideout Upgrades for Early Game Success
Prioritize the Stables for Resource Gathering
The Stables are crucial, though their function might be misleading. They don’t manage your mount; instead, they govern resource collection from stockpiles found in enemy camps and castles. Initially, the Stables unlock the ability to mark these stockpiles for your Scouts to retrieve. Upgrading the Stables increases the amount of resources gathered from each stockpile, providing a crucial early-game income stream to fuel further upgrades.
Expand Your Scouting Network with the Study
Scouts play a vital role in revealing quest locations and gathering resources. Without paying, you’re limited to using each Scout once per season, starting with only three. Building and upgrading the Study increases the number of Scouts at your disposal and expands their scouting range on the map. This increased scouting capacity significantly impacts exploration and resource acquisition.
Mid to Late-Game Hideout Upgrades
Boost Your XP Gains with the Tera
The Tera, a smaller building often overlooked, provides a significant XP boost. A single, non-upgradable structure, the Tera increases all XP gain by a substantial 10%, regardless of the source. This makes it an invaluable asset for leveling up your characters quickly and efficiently.
Forge Upgrades: A Late-Game Consideration
While a quest prompts you to build the Forge, upgrading it should be a late-game priority. Forge upgrades increase the maximum level your gear can be upgraded to. While beneficial, this is often unnecessary in the early and mid-game as you’ll frequently find new, higher-level gear through quests and exploration. Later Forge upgrades improve engraving options, making them worthwhile once you’ve settled on your preferred end-game equipment.
Conclusion: Optimize Your Hideout for Success
Strategic hideout development is key to a successful playthrough of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Prioritizing functional structures like the Stables and Study early on will provide a strong foundation for resource acquisition and exploration. The Tera offers a substantial XP boost, while Forge upgrades are best left for the late game. By following these recommendations, you can ensure efficient resource management and maximize your hideout’s potential, allowing you to focus on the core gameplay experience.
