In Assassin’s Creed Shadows players will face a diverse array of enemies and Bosses that players will go up against in the setting of feudal Japan. From the disciplined Samurai to the stealthy Shinobi and various notorious NPCs, these foes challenge the player throughout their journey. Some enemies serve as assassination targets in the main storyline, while others appear during exploration as optional or random encounters.
THIS PAGE WILL CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS FOR CERTAIN MAIN STORY TARGETS INCLUDING TRUE IDENTITIES.
How Normal Enemies Work
The most common adversaries encountered in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are Normal Enemies. These foes populate the open world map and appear frequently in various locations, whether in villages, outposts, or fortresses. They often serve as guards, mercenaries, or bandits, reacting to the player's presence and even hunting them if they are Wanted. They are the most common enemies players will encounter.
What Are the Normal Enemy Types?
- Ashigaru - The backbone of feudal Japan's military forces, these foot soldiers come in various combat roles. Some Ashigaru wield Katanas for close combat, others use Teppos for ranged attacks, and some are equipped with bows to strike from a distance.
- Portuguese Soldiers - Foreign mercenaries with advanced weaponry and distinct combat techniques.
- Outlaws - Bandits and criminals who roam the countryside, attacking travelers and settlements.
- Ronin - Masterless Samurai who may fight for personal gain or as hired swords.
Each of these enemy types can have varied combat styles, making engagements unpredictable and dynamic.
What Are Bosses?
Bosses in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are unique and powerful enemies that act as key obstacles in the main story. Unlike normal enemies, bosses possess special health bars and distinct combat mechanics, requiring strategy and skill to defeat.
Many Bosses are tied to influential Organizations, such as the Shinbakufu, a powerful faction of elite warriors and political figures, and the Pirate Alliance, a deadly coalition of seafaring outlaws and raiders. Some of the bosses are targets you can assassinate, while others must be defeated in boss battles.
How the Boss Fight Characteristics Work
- Special Health Bars - Unlike normal enemies, bosses feature unique names and health indicators, often with multiple phases.
- Heavily Guarded Locations - Some bosses reside in fortified castles or secure compounds, surrounded by numerous normal enemies.
- Unique Mechanics - Expect specialized attack patterns, defensive techniques, and unique abilities that set them apart from common foes.
What Are All Enemies in AC Shadows?
Quick Search of All Enemies in Assassins Creed Shadows
| Name | Organization | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ashigaru | - | Ashigaru can be found performing a variety of roles in combat: firing ranged attacks, engaging in close combat with sword and spear, and investigating suspicious areas when their guard is up. They are often ordered around by enemies of a higher rank. Though their fighting combos are short and their defense is limited, they make up the bulk of enemy armies. |
| Samurai Daisho | - | Seasoned experts in martial combat, samurai enemies will react to action instantly. Most wear heavy armor and will deny your advancement with parries, dodges, and blocks. Their unstoppable and flurry attacks make these archetypes difficult to outsmart. |
| Warrior Monk | - | Warrior monks - or sohei - are nimble, tenacious fighters that can heal while in combat. This archetype wields a variety of unorthodox ranged and melee weapons, like a dual katana, and are quick to dodge if it wins them an advantage. Eye them with caution, as they will investigate when suspicious. |
| Outlaw | - | A reckless enemy outlaw will do just about anything to crush their opponent. From throwing rocks to fighting with bare fists, outlaws fight dirty. This enemy type ranges from the lowest grunt to stealthy rogues, and can be found in small encampments or overtaken castles. Keep smoke bombs handy to make them vulnerable. |
| Ronin | - | These lordless samurai are intelligent and analytical foes that wander the roads of the open world. Against an enemy ronin, rash attacks will be punished by swift parries and complicated counterattack patterns. Despite these archetypal warriors wearing very little protective armor, they carry highly sought-after loot. |
| Guardian | - | The powerful Guardian roams around the world, hunting down any Wanted individuals until they are defeated. |
| Portuguese Soldier | Portuguese/Templar | These enemy front-liners are agile and evasive, capable of inflicting quick melee strikes and then dodging back to safety. Many carry their teppo, or arquebus, at the ready. There is a "foreignness" to their archetypal fighting-style that makes them stand out so far from their homeland. Use smoke bombs to render them vulnerable. |
| Ido Yoshihiro (Onryo Samurai) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | The Onryo Samurai is a powerful warrior who took the box and left Naoe with a scar. |
| Poacher | - | A person looking to take advantage of the flames of war to take from others. |
| Oda Brute | Oda Nobunaga | A brutish member of the Oda Nobunaga clan. |
| Merchant Kanta | The Iron Hand Guild | Merchant Kanta is a trader of seafood under the thumb of Iron Hand. |
| Merchant Ginroku | The Iron Hand Guild | This merchant in Iron Hand's Grip sells rare delicacies to the richest families around Miyazu Bay. |
| Merchant Kin-no-suke | The Iron Hand Guild | This merchant of modest means' association with Iron Hand is marked by a dramatic increase in fortune. |
| Merchant Tamao | The Iron Hand Guild | This merchant and brewer of sake uses his business as a front for selling contraband for Iron Hand. |
| Iron Hand | The Iron Hand Guild | Iron Hand is an enigma. We know he is ambitious and ruthless, but little more. His goal to usurp the Imai clan of Sakai seems driven by business, yet even that is open to doubt. |
| The Godai of Fire | The Godai Shinobi | The Godai of Fire is a former student of Shotei. |
| The Godai of Earth | The Godai Shinobi | Akira of Koga is one of Shotei's former students. |
| The Godai of Wind | The Godai Shinobi | Kazumi is the most elusive of Shotei's former students. |
| The Godai of Water | The Godai Shinobi | Mizu is one of Shotei's former students. |
| The Godai of Void | The Godai Shinobi | Yoshimitsu is one of Shotei's former students. |
| Kappa | The Yokai | Travelers speak of a road that swarms with creepy green creatures, who chase civilians and attack merchants. |
| Daitengu | The Yokai | Travelers report seeing glimpses of a red-faced yokai in the mountaintop forests and hearing shrill, bird-like cries. |
| Taka Nyudo | The Yokai | Villagers and travelers report sightings of a strange monk on the roads at night - monstrous in size, predatory in nature. |
| Oshiroi Baba | The Yokai | Villagers report sightings of a creepy old woman with a hideous, ghostly face. They say her ramblings and demonic mornings can often be heard at night. |
| Yuki Onna | The Yokai | Villagers and travelers report that a Yuki Onnia is plaguing the mountains, especially during the winter months. |
| Suika no Bakemono | The Yokai | Villagers report seeing glimpses of plant-like creatures crawling out of the melon fields. They hear sounds of violent struggles, as these creatures seem to be tearing each other apart. |
| Izumi Bunzo | The Corrupt Daikan | Izumi Bunkyo has taken control of the artisan guilds, stealing their handiwork through a thinly-veiled craft tax in order to control prices. |
| The Sword Hunter | The Corrupt Daikan | Paranoid and brutal, the Sword Hunter seeks to control the people of his fief by confiscating their weapons. |
| The Soiled Merchant | The Corrupt Daikan | Sequestered away within the high walls and thick foliage of his estate, the Soiled Merchant is a recluse who demands taxes paid in human waste. |
| Ise Asuka | The Corrupt Daikan | Duplicitous and clandestine, the enigmatic Ise Asuka runs a criminal network of extortion rackets while keeping his identity hidden. |
| The Connoisseur | The Corrupt Daikan | A cruel glutton who derives sick pleasure from feasting in front of his starving, destitute subjects. |
| The Hedonist | The Corrupt Daikan | Lost to his own chamber earthly excess, he turns a blind eye to the suffering of his people as he indulges in debauchery. |
| Takahashi Taro | The Twisted Tree | Taro feels his destiny is to lead his clan after his father dies, but to achieve this, he must show he is as cruel as his predecessor. |
| Takahashi Jiro | The Twisted Tree | Jiro patrols Kyoto with bodyguards who shield him from retaliation while he practices tsujigiri, testing his katana on random people. |
| Takahashi Saburo | The Twisted Tree | He is shadowed by a much larger bodyguard, assigned by his father. |
| Takahashi Shiro | The Twisted Tree | Shiro gained a reputation as the Takahashi enforcer. He only feels accepted by his younger sister, Ichi-hime, and brother Goro. |
| Takahashi Ichi-Hime | The Twisted Tree | She wants more than her clan's legacy of cruelty. She is expected to be loyal and stay in Kyoto but may have other ideas. |
| Takahashi Goro | The Twisted Tree | Goro hopes his destiny is greater than becoming a Takahashi thug, but to stand up to his family and choose himself feels almost impossible. |
| Takahashi Inoshichi | The Twisted Tree | He issues commands from a secret location in the city of Kyoto, content to let his sons carry out his cruel whims. |
| Sen | The Pirate Alliance | Once a renowned pirate, he has since deserted the Pirate Alliance. |
| Little Kappa | The Pirate Alliance | Not much is known about this pirate working with Lopo Cruz, but his name suggests that there is little to fear. |
| Lopo Cruz | The Pirate Alliance | This unpredictable madman is feared by the other pirates. |
| Kage | The Pirate Alliance | A staunch supporter of Samemaru, he will do anything his big brother asks. |
| The Ambusher | The Hunters of Kyonyo | This bounty hunter is always ready to strike when his enemies are least prepared. |
| Hayate | Winter Raiders | Death lurks in white. A master tactician, Hayate is the Winter Raiders' specialist in ambushes and explosives. |
| The Akiyama Agent | Kurai Eikyou | The Samurai Captain seems to be one of the big players in the region. Ambitious and cunning, they are a dangerous foe. |
| The Messenger | Kurai Eikyou | This individual seemingly has connections that run deep in Yamato, corrupting the land. |
| The Katsuragi Agent | Kurai Eikyou | This person's intimidating demeanor has left a frightening impact on the locals. |
| Akechi Kagemitsu (The Naginata) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | Akechi Kagemitsu (The Naginata) controls Shinbakufu activity in southern Omi. |
| Ise Sadaoki (The Fool) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | The arrogant son-in-law of Akechi Mitsuhide helped betray Oda Nobunaga and poisoned his own brother to take control of the clan. |
| Lady Oichi (The Mourner) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | The Mourner, also called the Wheel, controls Shinbakufu activity in northern Omi.. |
| Wada Koretake (The Wounded) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | This brutal samurai pledged to Oda Nobunaga to wipe out the last of the Ikko Ikki resistance in Settsu. |
| Akechi Mitsuhide (The Two-Faced) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | Akechi Mitsuhide betrayed his superior, Oda Nobunaga, as the mastermind behind the Honnoji incident. |
| Ukita Naoie (The Noble) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | A shrewd, conniving daimyo who gladly put his own son in harm's way to further his political ambitions. |
| Wakasa (The Golden Teppo) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | She is the masked woman who shot Naoe with a gold-trimmed teppo. |
| Bessho Harumasa (The Ox) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | He is fanning the flames of rebellion from the confines of Miku Castle. |
| Joken Hokkyo (The Wise) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | The manipulative and cunning Joken Hokkyo is trying to wrest control of Yamato through a network of plots that fan the flames of war. |
| Takeda Motoaki (The Fox) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | The melancholic and vengeful Takeda Motoaki is attempting to massacre the Niwa clan in Wakasa to reclaim his birthright, Nochiseyama Castle. |
| Ashikaga Yoshiaki (The Horseman) | The Onryo/The Shinbakufu | The ousted shogun is the mysterious leader behind the Shinbakufu. |
| Hosokawa Tama | Templar | The mysterious woman known as the Silver Queen is the daughter of the traitor Mitsuhide. |
| Kimura Kei | Templar | This Japanese swordmaster, swayed by Nuno Caro toward the Templar ways, is training fighters for him at a hidden location. |
| Duarte de Melo | Templar | A man from Yasuke's past. |
| Nuno Caro | Templar | An odious figure from Yasuke's past, Nuno Caro is a Portuguese Templar. |
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