Getting the Platinum in Assassin's Creed Shadows isn't actually about clearing every single icon on that massive map of feudal Japan. Honestly, if you try to 100% the game before looking at the trophy list, you're going to end up sitting in a cave for three hours waiting for the weather to change. I've seen it happen. People get obsessed with the "checklist" and then realize they've locked themselves into a tedious grind.
The good news? You don't need every collectible. Not even close.
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The Strategy for AC Shadows Trophy Guide Success
First off, let's talk about the two protagonists. You've got Naoe, the stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, the heavy-hitting samurai. A lot of players worry about "missables" based on which character they pick for specific missions. Relax. Ubisoft confirmed you can snag every single trophy in one playthrough. You can switch between them almost whenever you want after you finish Act 1.
The game is basically split into a Prologue, three main Acts, and an Epilogue. Most of your trophies come from just playing the story and doing a handful of side activities.
What You Can Skip (Seriously)
Most "Ultimate" guides will tell you to find everything. They're wrong. You only need:
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- 5 Legendary Sumi-e (not all of them).
- 22 Kuji-kiri (these are Naoe-exclusive).
- 1 Kata (just one, Yasuke-only).
- 1 Kofun (tomb raid).
If you’re spending twelve hours hunting every single Jizo statue or Kano painting, you’re doing it for personal glory, not the Platinum. The "Collector" trophy only requires completing one collection, not all twenty-one types of items scattered across the nine regions.
The Season Trap: A Rare Occurrence
This is the one that ruins lives. The trophy "A Rare Occurrence" requires you to find and paint five legendary animals. Here’s the kicker: these animals are season-dependent.
If you finish the entire game and then decide to go for this trophy, you might find yourself stuck in Winter when the animal you need only spawns in Summer. Since there's no "change season" button, you have to wait for the in-game clock to cycle through. It takes about 45 to 60 minutes of real-world time to move through a single segment of a season.
Pro Tip: Start looking for these animals early. Every time the season changes, check your objective board and see if a legendary animal is available in your current region. Don't wait until the Epilogue.
Combat Trophies and Character Specifics
You’ve got to play as both characters to get the Platinum. Period. Some trophies are physically impossible to do with the wrong person.
For Naoe (The Shinobi):
You’ll need to master the grappling hook. The trophy "Hook, Line, and Swinger" asks you to stay airborne by swinging from one hook point to another without touching the ground. It’s easier than it sounds if you find a temple with multiple eaves. Also, keep an eye out for shoji doors. The "Master Shinobi" trophy requires an assassination through one of these paper walls. It’s classic Ninja stuff.
For Yasuke (The Samurai):
Yasuke is all about the "Finisher." You’ll want the "Adept Samurai" trophy, which usually pops naturally. But the funny one is "Leap of Fail." You have to perform a Leap of Faith as Yasuke. Let's just say he’s not as graceful as Naoe. Also, try to find a high ledge near an enemy for "This is Japan, Actually"—basically, you just need to kick a guy off a cliff.
The "Overdesign III" Headache
Remember "Overdesign II" from Valhalla? Yeah, it’s back. Sorta. This time, you need to perform a finisher on an enemy that is both Poisoned and Dazed.
- Use Naoe’s poison tools or Yasuke’s poison arrows.
- Hit them with a heavy blunt weapon or a specific skill to Daze them.
- Trigger the finisher.
It’s a bit of a dance, but if you do it on a "Giant" or a guardian, you’ll likely get the "Giant Slayer" trophy at the same time.
The Hidden Mechanics of the Hideout
Your base of operations isn't just for show. You need to unlock it ("Sole Sanctum") and then upgrade at least one building fully for "Against Wood and Stone." Don't ignore the forge. You need to reach Level 2 at the forge to unlock the ability to engrave weapons. The "Make it Personal" trophy pops the second you engrave your first blade. It costs materials, so don't sell every piece of scrap you find in the early game.
Common Misconceptions
I see people asking if difficulty matters. It doesn't. You can play the entire game on Story mode and still get the Platinum. The only setting that actually affects a trophy is "Guided Exploration." For the "Scouting Mission" trophy, you need to gather info using a scout while Guided Exploration is turned OFF. You can just toggle it off in the settings, get the trophy, and flip it back on if you’re feeling lost.
Practical Steps to Efficiency
- Don't grind XP. You'll hit the necessary level for the final bosses just by doing the trophy-related side quests like "The Tournament" or "The Pirate Alliance."
- Adopt a pet immediately. The "Everybody Benefits!" trophy is literally just interacting with an animal. Don't be the person who finishes the game and realizes they never petted a dog.
- Check the "Objective Board" often. This is how you track the Shinbakufu targets. You need to wipe them all out for the "Death Blossom" silver trophy.
- Keep Legendary Gear. You need to equip legendary gear in all slots for "Better than a Bucket." Don't dismantle or sell gold-tier items until you've filled every slot once.
Once you’ve cleared the Epilogue and finished the final quest "Out of the Shadows," you’ll likely only have a few combat-specific cleanups left. If you followed the season-tracking advice, you won't be stuck waiting for the snow to melt just to paint a fox.
Keep your saves. While there aren't "missable" trophies in the traditional sense, having a save before a major fortress raid makes the "5 assassinations in a row without being noticed" ("Unseen") much easier to farm. Go slow, use the bells to distract, and the Platinum is yours.