Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a dynamic wanted system that can significantly impact your gameplay. When you’re spotted committing crimes or causing too much chaos, you may find yourself with a wanted status that makes it challenging to move freely in certain regions. Let’s explore how this system works and the most effective ways to clear your wanted status.
What Triggers Wanted Status?
The primary way to become wanted in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is through Alarm Bells. These are scattered throughout castles, compounds, and other restricted areas. If an enemy guard spots you and manages to ring one of these bells, it will trigger a regional alert, marking you as wanted in that specific area.
When you have a wanted status:
- Guards will attack you on sight
- Powerful “Guardian” enemies will appear in groups
- Your movement becomes restricted, limiting quest options
Methods to Clear Your Wanted Status
Use Scouts to Remove Regional Alerts
The most efficient method to clear your wanted status involves using scouts:
Step 1: Upgrade your Kakurega building to Level 2 at your hideout. This unlocks the ability to use scouts for clearing regional alerts.
Step 2: Open your map and look for regions where you’re wanted. You’ll see a red indicator.
Step 3: Check the bottom left corner to see how many scouts you have available.
Step 4: Look at the opposite side of the screen to see how many scouts are required to clear the specific regional alert.
Step 5: Assign the necessary number of scouts to remove your wanted status in that region.
This method is quick but requires investment in hideout upgrades and scout recruitment.
Switch Between Characters
Assassin’s Creed Shadows features two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke. You can use this to your advantage:
- If Naoe is wanted, switch to Yasuke to move freely.
- If Yasuke is wanted, switch to Naoe instead.
Important: This strategy won’t work if both characters are wanted in the same region.
Wait for Seasonal Changes
The most passive but time-consuming solution is to wait for the seasons to change:
- Wanted status automatically clears when the game transitions from one season to another.
- You can manually change seasons when the option is available, typically after completing certain story milestones or activities.
While this method doesn’t cost resources, it requires patience as you progress through the game’s storyline or complete activities that advance the seasonal cycle.
Preventing Wanted Status
The best strategy is to avoid getting a wanted status in the first place:
- Always locate and destroy alarm bells before engaging enemies.
- Prioritize taking out guards who might reach alarm bells.
- Use stealth takedowns rather than open combat when possible.
- Plan escape routes in case you’re spotted.
By mastering these preventive measures and understanding the clearance strategies, you’ll maintain the upper hand in your shadowy adventures across feudal Japan. Remember, a true assassin leaves no trace – and certainly no wanted posters.
With these techniques in your arsenal, you’ll be able to navigate the intricacies of Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ wanted system like a true shinobi. Happy hunting!