Master the first quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Claws of Awaji expansion with strategic approaches and insider tips
Quest Overview and Strategic Setup
A Shinobi on Awaji serves as the introductory mission for the Claws of Awaji expansion content within Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This narrative-driven quest becomes accessible immediately after you’ve successfully completed The Puppet Show main story mission and gained entry to the newly available Awaji Island region. The central objective revolves around intelligence gathering concerning a captured shinobi operative, who potentially holds connections to Naoe’s long-lost mother based on narrative context clues.
There will be no consequences if you eavesdrop at the docks, though this optional activity does provide a modest 2000 XP reward. To make meaningful progress in the quest chain, you must visit either the stables or the inn location as your primary intelligence-gathering hub. Each location offers distinct gameplay approaches and stealth challenges that cater to different player preferences and character builds.
Strategic consideration: The docks eavesdropping serves as an optional warm-up that familiarizes players with the expansion’s new mechanics without narrative penalties, making it ideal for players adjusting to Awaji Island’s unique environmental design and guard patrol patterns.
Inn Information Path – Complete Stealth Approach
When selecting the inn intelligence-gathering approach, navigate to the designated location within Sumoto’s urban center. Upon arrival, get inside the inn through the main entrance and immediately blend in by sitting with other civilians at one of the occupied tables. This social stealth mechanic remains crucial for maintaining cover while observing your targets.
Activate the eavesdrop feature once positioned correctly to listen to the conversation between the innkeeper and the guard. This exchange reveals critical intelligence about the captured shinobi’s whereabouts. Your subsequent objective involves covertly follow the guard by utilizing the rooftops as he departs the establishment, maintaining elevated positioning to avoid detection.
Access the restricted zone from above through carefully timed parkour movements and continue shadowing your target. When the guard eventually halts at a predetermined location, execute a controlled descent and initiate conversation. The dialogue interface presents three distinct interaction options with varying consequences:
- Tell me or die: This aggressive approach immediately triggers combat, requiring you to defeat the guard through direct confrontation to extract information about the shinobi’s location.
- Please, this is important: Despite the diplomatic tone, this selection still necessitates combat resolution, as the guard remains uncooperative without proper incentive or intimidation.
- I can pay [2000]: Offering 2000 Mon currency persuades the guard to voluntarily share the intelligence, completely bypassing the combat encounter while preserving stealth momentum.
Pro tip: The payment option proves most efficient for stealth-focused builds, while combat-oriented players may prefer the XP rewards from defeating the guard through either aggressive dialogue choice.
Stables Alternative Route – Covert Infiltration Method
The stables intelligence-gathering approach offers an alternative gameplay experience focused on environmental stealth and document retrieval. Upon reaching the stables location, immediately hide inside the haystack near the perimeter to establish an observation position. This concealment mechanic provides excellent cover while monitoring your surveillance targets.
From your hidden position, carefully eavesdrop on the conversation between the citizen and the carpenter to acquire intelligence about an important report located within the Samurai Residence. This document contains verified information about the missing shinobi’s current location and captivity conditions.
Go to the Samurai Residence marked on your map and employ stealth techniques to infiltrate the restricted area undetected. The compound typically features multiple entry points, with upper-level windows often providing the most discreet access route. Once inside the main structure, thoroughly search the interior to collect the report from its designated location, usually on a desk or bookshelf in the main living quarters.
Advanced infiltration tip: Time your approach during guard shift changes when patrol density decreases temporarily. The stables route eliminates dialogue-based decision points entirely, making it ideal for players who prefer pure stealth gameplay over social interaction mechanics.
Advanced Strategies and Completion Rewards
The A Shinobi on Awaji mission provides multiple completion paths with identical narrative outcomes but distinct gameplay experiences. Regardless of your chosen approach, successfully obtaining the shinobi’s location intelligence automatically triggers the subsequent quest titled The Reunion, advancing the expansion’s main storyline.
Strategic considerations for optimal playthrough:
- Resource management: The inn’s payment option conserves health items and equipment durability but costs 2000 Mon, while combat approaches consume resources but provide additional XP
- Stealth optimization: Both routes reward stealthy approaches, with the stables method offering pure infiltration and the inn path incorporating social stealth elements
- Common pitfalls: Avoid aggressive rooftop movements during the inn follow sequence, as falling or creating noise alerts nearby guards; in the stables approach, don’t rush the Samurai Residence infiltration without proper reconnaissance
- Completion rewards: Beyond the narrative progression, expect substantial XP gains and potential gear rewards based on performance metrics during the quest
The mission’s flexible design accommodates various playstyles while maintaining consistent storytelling quality, establishing solid foundations for the expanded Awaji Island narrative arc.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji walkthrough: How to complete A Shinobi on Awaji quest Master the first quest in Assassin's Creed Shadows' Claws of Awaji expansion with strategic approaches and insider tips