The presence of two main characters is a defining feature in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Rather than picking a single protagonist for every mission, players gain two fully developed heroes, each with a distinct play style and separate plot lines. This guide explains how character switching works, when it becomes available, and the limits that apply.
How to change the character into Assassin’s Creed Shadows
The roster includes two heroes:
- Yasuke is a formidable samurai who excels in open combat.
- Nae is a strategic synobi who specializes in stealth and information control.
At the start players do not have a choice because the mission design assigns the hero for every objective. As the game progresses, however, the option to select a character for most tasks becomes available, with a few story moments reserved for a single hero.
To freely switch between the characters in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players must reach the plot chapter “New Union.” This chapter unlocks after completing the mission “Thunder and Lightning” and roughly corresponds to the ten-hour mark. Once unlocked, switching between Nae and Yasuke becomes possible at any time.
When both characters are accessible, a prompt in Katsen offers you the choice “Play as Yasuke” or “Play as Nae.” Yet this does not lock you in—players can swap heroes at any time during a mission.
To switch between the characters:
- Open the game menu;
- Go to the Inventory or Skills tab.;
- Hold the Character change button.
After selecting, a loading screen appears as a simulated synchronization. The new hero appears in the same location as the previous one, so there is no need to return to a checkpoint or redo traveled paths.
Another method is fast travel on the world map. Selecting a destination presents a secondary option: “Fast travel and switch character.” This lets players not only swap heroes but also reach the target location in a single action.
Limitations in changing characters
There are times when the game blocks switching and a message informs the player that the change is inaccessible in the current game context. This happens in several situations:
- You are in combat;
- You are in a protected area where enemies become hostile when detected;
- Even if no enemies are visible, the system can temporarily block the switch. In that case, move a bit away from the danger area and try again.
Shifting a hero may also be blocked when the player is in a reinforced location, such as a castle or temple under enemy control.
There are plot missions that require playing as a specific hero. Even so, many tasks include segments that allow a switch. Players will often see the synchronization/loading screen. If an NPC has a task available for only one hero, open the menu, switch characters, and talk to them. Automatic shifts do not occur.