The Rarest Engravings in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Where to Find Them
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has captivated players with its rich depiction of feudal Japan, blending stealth, combat, and exploration through the dual perspectives of Naoe, the nimble shinobi, and Yasuke, the formidable samurai. One of the game’s most exciting mechanics is its engraving system, which allows players to enhance weapons and armor with powerful perks. While common engravings are easy to come by, the rarest ones—often legendary-tier—can transform your gameplay, making Naoe and Yasuke near-unstoppable. This guide explores the rarest engravings in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, their game-changing effects, and exactly where to find them. Whether you’re aiming for one-shot assassinations or unbreakable defense, these engravings are worth the hunt.
Understanding Engravings in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Engravings are modifications applied to gear at the Hideout’s Forge, boosting stats like damage, affliction buildup, or survivability. Every piece of gear has a fixed core perk, but rare and higher-tier items (Epic and Legendary) have a second slot for additional engravings. Legendary engravings, the rarest of all, are typically unlocked by looting specific Legendary weapons or armor, and their effects are often unique, offering playstyle-defining bonuses. To apply these, you’ll need a Forge upgraded to at least Level 2 for standard engravings and Level 3 for legendary ones, requiring resources like Mon and Ironsand.
The rarity of these engravings comes not just from their power but also from their obscure locations—hidden in dangerous castles, guarded Kofun tombs, or tied to challenging quests. Below, we dive into the cream of the crop, focusing on engravings that stand out for their scarcity and impact, with precise details on how to claim them.
1. Affliction Buildup Is Not Lost Over Time (Bloodshade Katana Engraving)
Why It’s Rare: This engraving is a godsend for affliction-based builds, ensuring that Bleed, Poison, or Daze effects persist on enemies without decaying. Normally, afflictions fade if you stop attacking, but this perk lets you stack status effects indefinitely, making it perfect for Naoe’s stealthy hit-and-run tactics or Yasuke’s prolonged duels. Its exclusivity to the Bloodshade Katana makes it highly sought-after.
Effect: Affliction buildup (e.g., Bleed, Poison) doesn’t drain over time, allowing continuous damage even if you disengage.
Where to Find It:
Location: Osaka Boat Legendary Chest, Izumi Settsu.
How to Get It: Head to the large ship docked south of Amagasaki in the Izumi Settsu region. The chest is at the top of the ship, guarded by a small group of enemies. Use Naoe’s stealth to eliminate them silently, then climb to the chest. The Bloodshade Katana comes with this engraving, which can then be applied to other weapons at a Level 3 Forge.
Tip: Visit early in the game, as the katana scales with your level, and the engraving becomes available immediately upon looting.
Why It’s Game-Changing: For Naoe, this engraving synergizes with her Bleed-focused katana strikes, letting you weaken enemies from the shadows. For Yasuke, it enhances Poison builds, ensuring even bosses succumb to sustained affliction damage. Players on X have called it “a must-have for any serious shinobi build,” noting how it trivializes tough encounters.
2. +2 Health Segments Removed on Double Assassinate (Shinobi’s Fury Tanto)
Why It’s Rare: Double Assassination is one of Naoe’s signature moves, allowing her to take out two enemies at once. This engraving, found only on the Shinobi’s Fury Tanto, boosts the skill by removing two additional health segments, ensuring even elite enemies fall instantly. Its specificity to a single legendary tanto makes it a rare gem.
Effect: Double Assassinate removes two extra health segments, greatly increasing one-shot potential.
Where to Find It:
Location: Nochiseyama Castle, Wakasa.
How to Get It: Infiltrate Nochiseyama Castle, a heavily guarded fortress in Wakasa. The legendary chest containing the Shinobi’s Fury Tanto is located in the castle’s upper keep, behind a sliding door guarded by samurai. Use Naoe’s kusarigama to pull enemies from ledges and avoid detection. The engraving unlocks upon looting and can be applied to other tantos or gear.
Tip: Equip stealth gear like the Yurei-Walker Robes to make the infiltration easier, and save before entering, as the castle’s patrols are relentless.
Why It’s Game-Changing: This engraving turns Naoe into a silent reaper, clearing enemy pairs effortlessly. It’s especially useful in restricted areas where multiple guards patrol together. According to a GameRant guide, “This engraving is a stealth player’s dream, making double kills feel like cheating.”
3. Can Parry Unblockable Attacks (Protector’s Armor)
Why It’s Rare: Yasuke’s combat style relies on parrying, but unblockable attacks (red-glow moves) are his bane. This engraving, exclusive to the Protector’s Armor, removes that weakness, letting Yasuke counter even the deadliest strikes. Its availability only through a late-game legendary chest makes it a rare find.
Effect: Allows Yasuke to parry unblockable attacks, nullifying a major combat vulnerability.
Where to Find It:
Location: Ishibutai Kofun, Yamato.
How to Get It: Travel to Ishibutai Kofun, a tomb in Yamato accessible late in the main campaign. The legendary chest is deep within the Kofun, past traps and monk guards. Use Yasuke’s strength to move heavy obstacles blocking the path. The Protector’s Armor inside carries this engraving, which can be applied to other armor at a Level 3 Forge.
Tip: Bring plenty of rations, as the Kofun’s enemies hit hard, and the traps can drain health quickly.
Why It’s Game-Changing: This engraving makes Yasuke a true tank, able to stand toe-to-toe with any foe. It’s particularly effective against samurai daisho and bosses, whose unblockable attacks would otherwise force you to dodge. IGN notes, “This perk turns Yasuke into a parry god, perfect for aggressive players.”
4. +60% Damage on Enemies Over 3 Meters Away (Demon Tooth Kusarigama)
Why It’s Rare: Naoe’s kusarigama is a crowd-control weapon, but this engraving gives it sniper-like precision, boosting damage against distant foes. Found only on the Demon Tooth Kusarigama, it’s a niche but powerful perk for players who master the weapon’s range. The engraving’s rarity stems from its location in a heavily fortified area.
Effect: Increases damage by 60% on enemies more than 3 meters away, ideal for kusarigama’s ranged attacks.
Where to Find It:
Location: Kashiwabara Fortress, Omi.
How to Get It: Sneak into Kashiwabara Fortress in Omi, a stronghold crawling with archers and samurai. The legendary chest is in the fortress’s armory, locked behind a barred door. Use Naoe’s grappling hook to reach a rooftop entry, then drop into the armory to loot the Demon Tooth Kusarigama. The engraving unlocks for use on other weapons.
Tip: Clear archers first to avoid detection, and use smoke bombs to escape if spotted.
Why It’s Game-Changing: This engraving makes Naoe’s kusarigama a long-range powerhouse, letting you soften up enemies before closing in. It’s ideal for open-world encounters where you can kite foes. A YouTube guide called it “the ultimate kusarigama buff for crowd-clearing shinobi.”
5. Damage for Unspent Mastery Points (Masakado’s Vengeance)
Why It’s Rare: This engraving is a wildcard, converting unspent Mastery Points into raw damage (1% per point). Exclusive to the Masakado’s Vengeance trinket, it rewards players who hoard points or experiment with builds later in the game. Its late-game availability and unique scaling mechanic make it incredibly rare.
Effect: Grants 1% damage boost per unspent Mastery Point, scaling massively with high point totals.
Where to Find It:
Location: Ishibutai Kofun, Yamato.
How to Get It: Like the Protector’s Armor, this trinket is in Ishibutai Kofun, but in a separate chest hidden behind a collapsible wall. Use Yasuke to break the wall, then navigate a trap-filled corridor to reach the chest. The engraving unlocks upon looting and can be applied to trinkets or weapons.
Tip: Save Mastery Points if you’re aiming for this, as even 50 unspent points translate to a 50% damage boost.
Why It’s Game-Changing: This engraving is a late-game powerhouse, especially for players who’ve leveled up without spending all their points. It can make any weapon or build absurdly strong, from Naoe’s katana to Yasuke’s kanabo. ScreenRant dubbed it “the most abusable perk in Shadows,” warning it’s “almost too good.”
Tips for Collecting Rare Engravings
Upgrade Your Forge Early: A Level 3 Forge is essential for applying legendary engravings. Prioritize Hideout upgrades by gathering Mon, Ironsand, and Wood from side quests and open-world chests.
Check the Engrave Menu: Locked engravings in the Forge menu provide clues about their locations, such as “Nochiseyama Castle” or “Izumi Settsu.” Use these hints to plan your hunts.
Use Both Characters: Some locations, like Ishibutai Kofun, are easier with Yasuke’s strength, while others, like Kashiwabara Fortress, suit Naoe’s stealth. Switch as needed.
Stock Up on Tools: Kunai, smoke bombs, and rations are lifesavers in guarded areas. Refill at Kakurega outposts before tackling castles or Kofuns.
Explore Kofuns and Castles: Most legendary engravings come from these high-risk areas. Sync viewpoints to reveal nearby legendary chests on the map.
Why These Engravings Matter
These rare engravings aren’t just trophies—they redefine how you play Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The Bloodshade Katana’s affliction perk makes Naoe a master of sustained damage, while the Shinobi’s Fury Tanto ensures her stealth kills are unmatched. Yasuke benefits from the Protector’s Armor, shrugging off unblockable attacks, and the Masakado’s Vengeance trinket turns him into a damage juggernaut. The Demon Tooth Kusarigama’s engraving adds versatility to Naoe’s arsenal, proving no enemy is safe at any range.
Players across platforms like Reddit and X have shared their excitement, with one user posting, “Masakado’s Vengeance with 100 unspent points is straight-up broken—bosses melt!” Others praise the Protector’s Armor for making Yasuke “feel like a true samurai legend.” These engravings don’t just enhance gear; they shape your legend in feudal Japan.
Final Thoughts
Hunting down the rarest engravings in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a journey of skill, patience, and strategy. From the Bloodshade Katana’s affliction mastery to the Masakado’s Vengeance’s raw power, these perks elevate Naoe and Yasuke to new heights. Whether you’re sneaking through Kashiwabara Fortress or braving Ishibutai Kofun’s traps, the rewards are worth the effort. Equip these engravings, experiment with builds, and carve your path through Japan’s Sengoku period.
So, sharpen your katana, ready your kanabo, and dive into the hunt. The rarest engravings await—will you claim them?
