Essential guide to Assassin’s Creed Shadows April 8 update: Major quality-of-life improvements, new features, and performance enhancements explained.
Major Quality-of-Life Improvements
Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched with considerable anticipation, yet certain gameplay elements required refinement. The April 8 Title Update 1.0.2 addresses several community-requested features that significantly enhance the player experience.
While the game achieved substantial success despite initial controversies, players immersing themselves in feudal Japan as Naoe and Yasuke encountered specific friction points. This comprehensive patch delivers solutions for three particularly requested improvements.
Veterans of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and other recent franchise entries will appreciate the restoration of horse autofollow mechanics. Previously, traversal required constant manual control through Japan’s landscapes. Now, mounting your steed and setting a destination allows for automated navigation while you appreciate the scenery or manage inventory.
Pro Tip: Combine autofollow with increased urban horse speeds to efficiently navigate crowded cities like Osaka. This is particularly useful when completing time-sensitive contracts or escaping pursuing guards.
Strategic character development receives a substantial upgrade with the introduction of full skill tree resets. Players can now reallocate Mastery Points freely, enabling experimentation with different combat styles, ability combinations, and specialized builds for both protagonists without permanent commitment.
Inventory management becomes dramatically more efficient with batch operations. Merchants, forges, and hideouts now support tagging multiple items for simultaneous selling or dismantling. This eliminates tedious single-item processing when clearing accumulated gear after extended exploration sessions.
Common Mistake: Avoid dismantling all rare items immediately—some merchants offer better exchange rates for specific gear types. Always check multiple vendors before mass-dismantling purple or gold rarity equipment.
Interface and Control Enhancements
The Investigation Board receives streamlined accessibility through new controller shortcuts. Holding the OPTION button for several seconds now provides direct access to this central narrative component, while a single press opens the inventory menu as before.
This refinement allows smoother integration of mission management during active gameplay. Players can quickly reference objectives, track progress, or review clues without disrupting exploration flow. The update establishes more intuitive navigation between the World Map, Inventory, and Investigation Board systems.
Optimization Tip: Remap the Investigation Board shortcut if you frequently accidentally open menus. The control customization options allow reassigning this function to less commonly used button combinations.
PS5 Pro Visual Upgrades
PlayStation 5 Pro users gain substantial graphical enhancements through this update. The implementation of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) support provides improved image quality with reduced performance impact across all visual modes.
Added PSSR support for PS5 Pro
- Important Configuration Note: Players who have been playing on PS5 Pro prior to Title Update 1.0.2 must manually enable PSSR in the video tab of the pause menu. This setting defaults to disabled for existing saves.
- Balanced mode receives Raytraced Specular enhancements.
- This brings visual fidelity closer to PS5 Pro Quality mode than Performance mode, offering better reflections and lighting without the full performance cost of Quality mode.
Performance Recommendation: For most players, Balanced mode with PSSR enabled provides the optimal experience, combining near-Quality mode visuals with smoother framerates. Competitive players may still prefer Performance mode for maximum responsiveness during combat.
Core Gameplay Refinements
Beyond major features, numerous gameplay adjustments address player feedback across multiple systems. These improvements create a more polished and balanced experience throughout feudal Japan.
Uncapped the Hideout to above 30 FPS on Performance mode.
Improved balancing of boss encounters for more consistent challenge curves.
Fixed an issue where the pathfinder line appears in photos taken in Photomode.
Resolved inconsistencies with the ‘Throw a Kunai at the closest enemy after an assassination’ perk when ‘The Tool Master Gear’ is equipped on Naoe.
Enhanced Double Assassination reliability and timing.
Improved Naoe’s responsiveness during specific animation transitions.
Combat Strategy: With improved boss balancing, consider adjusting your approach to difficult encounters. Previously effective cheese strategies may no longer work, requiring more tactical use of abilities and environmental advantages.
Quest and Progression Fixes
SPOILER WARNING – Please keep in mind that some of the descriptions below may contain spoilers. Proceed at your own risk!
Fixed multiple quest issues with markers failing to spawn or characters not being interactable.
Addressed an issue where Ise Sadatame could be killed after reviving him while previously being knocked down by explosives during ‘Escort Ise Sadatame’ objective in Yamashiro.
During “The Wheel Unmasked” quest, some players cannot exit the quest or quit to memories when selecting the options from the menu.
Players will no longer be stuck in the Objective board tutorial after loading into the first Naoe memory if completed after ‘From Spark to Flames’.
Fixed an issue in ‘A True Igan’ meditation, where the Eavesdrop objective cannot be completed if Naoe kills the Oda clan Ashigaru before reaching the objective location.
Fixed an issue in ‘Brothers in Arms’ quest where the quest can’t progress by talking to ronin if the prisoners were freed first.
In ‘Flames of War’, the Igan leader will now fight back appropriately.
‘Wake Up Call’: Resolved an issue where Nagato wouldn’t attack Naoe once he enters the Guard Break state during the ‘Duel with Nagato’ objective.
‘Wake up Call’: Objectives during the ‘Duel with Nagato’ now correctly update.
Kumabe Ujiie no longer stops walking after talking with one of the ronins if the player doesn’t follow him immediately during ‘Follow Kumabe Ujiie’ objective.
Players are no longer rolled back to the beginning quest and stealth sequence if they die to the brute in ‘Shinobi Warfare’.
Addressed an issue where Sanada Masatoyo only uses one attack if Yasuke stays close to him during ‘Nobutsuna’s Students’ objective.
Yoshisada can now be interrupted while drinking his health potion in ‘Silver Smugglers’.
Addressed an issue where the game crashes after killing an NPC in ‘The Stray Dogs’.
During the ‘Protect the Dog’ objective, enemies are now identifiable with quest markers and are easier to locate.
Addressed an issue where the fight with Kimura Kei is instantly finished when using Crushing Shockwave to defeat him during ‘Fighting for the Cause’ quest.
‘The Price of Rice’: Fixed an issue where the Drunk Samurai will not attack Naoe if he takes damage from an Assassination attempt while unconscious.
‘Losing Hand’: Player is no longer desynchronized after successfully completing the quest.
Rewards on the Oni-yuri card within The League Target Board will now appear as claimed after players complete the quest ‘Sweet Revenge’.
‘Mibuno Showdown’: Corrected an issue so players can now deal damage to Momochi Sandayu during transition to phase 2.
Fixed an issue where Momochi Sandayu would stop fighting during ‘Duel Momochi Sandayu’ objective.
Players are no longer desynchronized if they attack and kill Usami Yoshiko in ‘The Betrayers’ quest.
Addressed an issue where Yasuke could use allies before agreeing to ally with Naoe.
Fixed an issue where Hattori Hanzo wouldn’t move after the user switches to Yasuke during ‘Wolves and Foxes’.
‘My Name is Yasuke’: Duarte won’t get stuck if Yasuke shoots him from an elevated position.
Progression Tip: If you experienced quest blocking issues before this patch, revisit affected areas. Many progression blockers have been resolved, allowing completion of previously stuck storylines.
Combat and Ability Adjustments
Improved Double Assassinations for more reliable execution.
Enhanced Naoe’s responsiveness in specific combat scenarios.
Fixed an issue where NPCs would not die after being killed by a finisher or assassination.
Naoe can no longer perform Double Assassinations without learning the ability.
Fixed the visual effects on the Shinobi Bell when thrown at distance.
Fixed an issue where destroying alarm bells didn’t consistently trigger NPC investigation behavior.
Further improved balancing of boss fight mechanics.
Addressed various NPC behavior and animation irregularities.
Improved the accuracy of Yasuke’s Teppo (matchlock rifle).
Knocked out NPCs no longer stand up immediately when attacked.
NPCs and enemies now react appropriately to Shinobi Bells.
Fixed an issue where Yasuke could block with his teppo after being dismounted instead of his melee weapon.
Yasuke can now call his mount while having his sword unsheathed during combat.
Yasuke is no longer immune to enemy damage after using the ‘Samurai Dual’ Ability.
The ‘Staggering Blast’ Yumi Bow ability now functions correctly on enemies.
Fine-tuned Yasuke’s ‘Dark Burst’ and ‘Falcon’s Eye’ abilities to prevent one-shot kills on standard enemies.
Fixed arrow firing so projectiles consistently release when fully charged.
Addressed how Naoe’s light attacks could disarm enemies unintentionally.
Corrected the ‘Entanglement’ ability so it now works with the light attack button.
Fixed an issue where bare fists and kicks contributed to affliction build up.
Fixed an issue where Yasuke could perform a ‘Brutal Assassination’ with a ranged weapon in specific animations.
Improved Yasuke’s Power Dash ability so it doesn’t miss targets during enemy attack animations.
Advanced Combat Technique: With fixed ability interactions, experiment with new combos. The corrected ‘Entanglement’ ability now enables reliable crowd control when chained with light attacks, creating openings for Yasuke to engage.
Technical and Platform-Specific Fixes
This update addresses numerous technical issues across all platforms, improving stability, performance, and platform-specific functionality.
Fixed various bugs related to Transmog variant visuals.
If wearing store-bought items, both characters will now appear dressed in the latest save. Very demure, very mindful.
Addressed an issue where all horse saddles were incorrectly classified as uncommon rarity.
Corrected an error that blocked manual saves after completing the ‘Heart of an Assassin’ quest.
Fixed an issue where a “save game” operation could occur while players were dead or dying.
Addressed an issue where no autosave was created before starting a contract quest.
Reason/Error Code messages now display correctly for corrupted save files.
Fixed an issue where players attempting to save and load during the ‘Get on your mount’ objective caused Rin to spawn dismounted and follow Yasuke on foot, blocking progression.
Fixed an issue where there was no snow in winter environments. Frosty’s back!
Addressed various issues with synchronization points not triggering correctly.
Addressed various instances where players or NPCs could get stuck or fall through objects.
Fixed an issue where the Sakamoto Castle reward chest didn’t give loot if opened during ‘Requiem for Rokkaku’.
Adjusted the positions of certain loot chests in Castles for better accessibility.
Fixed an issue with storage rooms that couldn’t be opened after defeating Nakatomi and talking to Ibuki in Hijiyama Fort.
Adjusted multiple behavioral errors with the Pathfinder navigation system.
Naoe can no longer enter Yasuke’s Kofuns. Get out of my room.
Addressed an issue where players could pass through movable objects while sprinting inside kofuns.
Fixed an issue where animals could flee while the sumi-e UI was still present during heavy rain if players performed a save/load operation.
Legendary deer now properly despawn after being drawn in the sumi-e activity.
Corrected an issue where Naoe’s scroll would be missing while painting the Legendary Sakura Shika Deer in the sumi-e activity.
Uncapped the Hideout to above 30 FPS on Performance mode.
Various stability and visual improvements to build mode.
Fixed an issue where players were able to use weapons inside the Hideout.
Cursor no longer trembles when building pavement and moving the camera in Hideout building mode.
The experience gain bonus received after building the Tera in the Hideout now correctly applies to both characters.
Corrected armor placement in the gallery.
Fixed an issue where fast travel to the hideout was unavailable with the map zoomed to 3x.
The Switch Character option now correctly greys out in the inventory menu when unavailable.
Addressed an issue where resetting active abilities didn’t remove them from their ability slots.
Fixed an issue where players couldn’t reach maximum Mastery Points after fully upgrading the ‘Teppo Skill Tree’.
Fixed inconsistencies with the ‘Throw a Kunai at the closest enemy after an assassination’ perk when ‘The Tool Master Gear’ is equipped on Naoe.
Fixed an issue where master level progression wasn’t filled by gaining experience.
Corrected the ‘Power Perk’ so it’s effective against NPC armor.
The perk from ‘Daybreak’s Fury’ now activates correctly after breaking an NPC’s armor.
The Shrapnel damage for the ‘Daybreak’ Kanabo perk now displays correctly.
The second upgrade of the Katana Dodge attack can no longer be applied to other weapons.
Fixed an issue where the ‘Health on Weakpoint Attack’ engrave didn’t restore health.
Fixed an issue where trinkets couldn’t be sold to merchants.
XP points are now correctly rewarded upon defeating the Convoy Master.
Fixed how reward prompts from kills could continue playing if players reloaded previous checkpoints via performance mode change.
Fixed an issue where a perk incorrectly indicated 600% affliction build-up with Posture Attacks.
Addressed various graphics, clipping, LOD, textures, and FPS issues.
Addressed issues with floating props in the environment.
Corrected various character visuals and NPC animation issues.
Addressed visual issues in various cinematics and cutscenes.
Fixed water rendering issues with Raytraced Global Illumination set to Diffuse Hideout Only and/or Diffuse Everywhere.
Fixed an issue where the pathfinder line appears in photos taken in Photomode.
Fixed an issue where PhotoMode would close while taking a photo when online services were unavailable.
Fixed an issue where taking a new photo and accessing it through the legend menu resulted in “Animus-5-00013” error on PS5 and Xbox Series.
Adjusted various audio and sound effect issues.
Fixed an issue where music could play during combat with music volume set to OFF.
Added a shortcut to the objective board by holding the START button during gameplay.
Fixed multiple UI, menu, and text alignment issues.
Fixed various UI and text issues in the Animus HUB.
Corrected various UI/UX animations.
Tweaked “XP gain” UI presentation.
Fixed an issue where the “Is New” icon remained in the inventory after viewing all owned items.
Fixed an issue where engraving was visible on incompatible weapons in the Forge interface.
Fixed an issue where players sometimes couldn’t sprint or manually save.
Fixed multiple issues causing controller remapping to reset to default configurations.
Fixed some Menu narration prompts.
Fixed controller vibrations that persisted even when turned off in options.
Fixed an issue where resetting one movement direction input reset all other movement directions in control customization.
Addressed an issue where the game remained on a loading screen after losing connection to Ubisoft services following Helix Credits Pack purchases.
Fixed an issue where items claimed in the Vault weren’t unlocked.
Fixed an issue where the “Make it Personal” achievement didn’t unlock when engraving the first weapon with a different character than currently active.
Fixed an issue where the “Limitless” achievement didn’t unlock upon obtaining legendary gear for each equipment type.
Players can now toggle between DRS and fixed resolution modes regardless of upscaler quality settings.
Fixed an issue where the overall preset defaulted to Custom in the Scalability menu after changing presets and reloading the game.
Fixed various mouse and keyboard input issues.
Fixed an issue where observation targets weren’t visible from 80 meters on Steam Deck.
Corrected an error where default controller configurations didn’t show button actions for L2 and R2 on Steam Deck.
Ray Traced Specular can now be enabled on high-end Mac systems.
Mouse and keyboard now function correctly when the game boots in windowed mode.
Fixed the HDR toggle so it doesn’t remain enabled after toggling off or switching to non-HDR displays.
Fixed the mouse cursor remaining on screen after pressing the home button while using a controller.
“Save Report” prompt now displays correctly in the Benchmark results screen.
The mouse is no longer tracked when outside the game window.
Fixed button prompts for “Internet Connection Lost” messages when players lost connection during audio language pack downloads.
Platform-Specific Optimization: Steam Deck users should notice improved visibility for observation targets. Mac players with compatible hardware can now enable ray tracing for enhanced visuals. All platforms benefit from the extensive stability improvements.
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