In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, The Tournament is not only a thrilling experience but also a fantastic way to earn XP and unlock the "Test Your Might" trophy. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to unlock, find, and conquer The Tournament.
How to Unlock and Find The Tournament in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
To unlock The Tournament, you'll need to meet Gyoji, a resident of Yamato, who will approach you after you've taken down several members of The Shinbakufu. Gyoji will be waiting outside your hideout, eager to discuss the tournament. The secret fighting arena is located at Ominesanji Temple in Southeastern Yamato. For easy access, synchronize at the Ominesanji Overlook viewpoint to the west of the area, which will serve as a fast travel point. This is crucial for returning to the location and switching characters if needed.
Upon arriving at Ominesanji Temple, speak with Gyoji again. He'll inform you that you must complete four one-on-one duels before facing the ultimate champion. After the cutscene, ring the bell to start your first fight.
How to Complete The Tournament in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The Tournament is a series of intense, life-or-death battles. Fortunately, you can take breaks between fights, allowing you to heal with rations and upgrade your weapons and armor as needed. To ring the bell and initiate the next fight, ensure you're fully prepared.
To triumph over each opponent, we recommend using Yasuke with a long katana. Focus on dodging and parrying to exploit their vulnerabilities. Utilize abilities like Power Dash and Payback when you have enough adrenaline. Knowing your opponents' weapons can also give you an edge:
- Lady Masago wields a Naginata.
- Lord Suguru uses a Katana.
- Lord Hokuto fights with a Kanabo.
- Lady O-Sen employs two Poison Katanas and throws ranged items.
- Lord Unkai uses a Naginata and can heal if you keep your distance for too long.
After defeating all challengers, speak with Gyoji on the hill. He'll express gratitude for his freedom and mention future tournaments. The "Test Your Might" trophy should unlock during this conversation.
Best Loadout and Skills for Tournaments in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
For The Tournament, the Long Katana is your best weapon choice. Use the highest rarity Long Katana available and upgrade it to the maximum level at your hideout's blacksmith. Engravings that boost Armor Damage or Armor Piercing are highly beneficial. Your armor selection is equally important, as it not only increases your health but can also provide combat-altering abilities through engravings.
Before entering The Tournament, ensure you've unlocked the Samurai Daimyo Armor of Legend by defeating The Ox, a Shinbakufu member. Also, acquire the Protector’s Armor by completing one of the Castles. The former offers a 75% damage increase at the cost of limiting your health to 25%, while the latter enables you to parry unblockable attacks. Combining these engravings can allow you to defeat tournament enemies in under a minute, provided you parry effectively.
Invest your Mastery points in the Long Katana and Samurai skill trees. Max out Combat Expert to enhance your melee damage, and unlock Power Dash and Payback for an edge in combat.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S starting March 20th.