If you're diving into the world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you'll quickly realize that leveling up your Samurai and Shinobi is key to mastering the game. The faster you rack up XP, the quicker you'll unlock powerful abilities and upgrades. Here's how to maximize your XP gains.

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What Awards XP in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
XP in Assassin’s Creed Shadows comes from a variety of actions. Killing enemies, assassinating targets, completing quests, and engaging in side content all contribute. However, some activities yield significantly more XP than others. To make the most of your time, focus on the highest XP rewards.

To check how much XP a quest or activity offers, hover over it in the map or objectives tab. Among the best sources of XP are castles and optional assassinations.

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

Sakamoto Castle awards 3,000 XP. Castles across Japan are packed with enemies, including basic and elite foes, along with Samurai Daisho. Eliminate the required Daisho to unlock the chest for high-tier loot.

Completing a castle rewards several thousand XP, but the real XP bonanza comes from eliminating every enemy. Each enemy kill awards XP, with elites and Daisho offering substantial bonuses—up to 250 XP per kill. Many castles also feature synchronization points, which award a few hundred XP and serve as fast travel hubs.

While castles are great XP farms, they can be challenging. Here’s how to optimize your strategy:

• Choose the Right Protagonist: Naoe’s Eagle’s Vision helps locate Daisho quickly. Stealth-assassinate them for maximum efficiency. Ensure your mastery and engravings enhance assassination damage for instant kills.
• Play as Yasuke at Lower Levels: At lower levels, charge into the castle, let the alarm sound, and mow down enemies in open combat. This nets quick XP while clearing the area.

With skillful execution, you can earn up to 4,000+ XP per castle in just minutes.

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

Naoe perches to assassinate an enemy from above. Image via Ubisoft

Beyond the main assassination missions, Assassin’s Creed Shadows features optional assassination targets. Talk to NPCs to uncover quest chains and scout their locations. Populate the map with fast travel points like Kakurega to reach targets swiftly.

Each successful assassination awards an XP bonus, typically 2,000-3,000 XP, plus additional XP for defeating elite enemies. Clearing an entire group and reporting back to the quest giver earns a massive bonus—around 5,000 XP.

Mastering these methods will keep your XP bar filling and your skills sharp.