You're crouched on a damp rooftop in 16th-century Japan. Below, a man known only as the Executioner is ending lives with a terrifying, rhythmic efficiency. This isn't just another target. In Assassin's Creed Shadows, kill the executioner isn't just a mission objective—it's a massive shift in how Ubisoft wants us to think about power and consequence. Honestly, after years of the "RPG-lite" bloat that defined Valhalla, seeing a focused, high-stakes assassination like this feels like a return to form, but with a nasty, modern edge.
It’s personal.
Ubisoft has been very clear about the dual-protagonist system featuring Naoe and Yasuke. When you set out to Assassin's Creed Shadows kill the executioner, the game doesn't just hand you a waypoint and a "good luck." It asks you who you want to be. Are you the shadow that the target never sees, or the unstoppable force that breaks down the front gate?
The Dynamics of the Hunt
The Executioner isn't some low-level thug. He’s a symbol of the oppressive regime Naoe is fighting against and the chaotic world Yasuke is trying to navigate. If you choose Naoe, the approach to Assassin's Creed Shadows kill the executioner is a masterclass in tension. You’re using the new lighting engine—which actually matters now—to extinguish lanterns and hide in shadows that are dynamic, not just "pre-baked" stealth zones.
I've seen players try to rush this. It fails.
The AI in Shadows is tuned to react to environmental changes. If a guard notices a light is out that should be on, they don't just shrug it off anymore; they investigate. This makes the "Kill the Executioner" loop feel much more like a puzzle. You have to account for the season, too. If it’s winter, your footsteps in the snow might give you away. If it’s summer, the tall grass provides cover, but the daylight stays longer, shortening your window of opportunity. It’s localized, it’s crunchy, and it’s surprisingly difficult.
Yasuke vs. Naoe: Two Different Deaths
Let’s be real: playing as Yasuke changes the vibe entirely. When you take the path to Assassin's Creed Shadows kill the executioner as the legendary Black Samurai, you aren't sneaking. You’re a tank. Yasuke’s combat is built around momentum and heavy strikes. While Naoe might use a Hidden Blade or a kusarigama to end the Executioner’s life in a single, silent strike, Yasuke turns the encounter into a public spectacle.
There is a specific weight to Yasuke’s armor. You feel it in the controller. You aren't climbing walls; you're kicking down doors. This creates a fascinating narrative dissonance. Killing the Executioner as Naoe feels like justice served from the dark. Killing him as Yasuke feels like a political statement. Ubisoft’s developers, including Creative Director Jonathan Dumont, have emphasized that these choices aren't just about gameplay flavor—they affect how the world perceives you.
Why This Mission Specifically Matters
The "Executioner" archetype has appeared in AC games before, but never with this much environmental interactivity. In previous titles, a target was basically a health bar with a name. Here, the Executioner has a routine. He interacts with other NPCs. He reacts to the weather. If it starts pouring rain, he might move under a gatehouse, changing your entire entry plan.
To successfully Assassin's Creed Shadows kill the executioner, you need to leverage the "Spy Network" mechanic. This isn't just a menu option. You actually send agents out to gather intel. Maybe they find out the Executioner has a weakness for certain tea, or they learn that he’s terrified of dogs. This intel allows you to manipulate the environment before you even draw a blade. It's a layer of depth that actually rewards the "Investigative" phase of the game, something we haven't seen done well since the original 2007 title.
Hidden Details You Might Miss
- The Season System: If you attempt this mission in Autumn, the falling leaves can actually mask the sound of your movement, but their bright colors might make Naoe more visible against a dark wall.
- Destructible Cover: Unlike Odyssey, many parts of the environment in Shadows can be broken. If the Executioner is standing under a heavy shingle roof, Yasuke can literally smash the supports to bring the building down on him.
- The Servant Factor: The NPCs around the target aren't just background noise. They can be bribed, intimidated, or saved. Saving a servant before you Assassin's Creed Shadows kill the executioner might lead to them opening a side door for you later.
Master the Stealth Loop
If you’re going for the silent kill, you have to get cozy with the crawl. Naoe can go fully prone, a feature that sounds simple but changes the level design entirely. You can slide under floorboards of traditional Japanese houses. You can breathe through a bamboo reed while submerged in a pond.
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When you finally get within striking distance to Assassin's Creed Shadows kill the executioner, the kill animation is brutal. It’s not the flashy, acrobatic stuff of Syndicate. It’s quick. It’s efficient. It’s period-accurate. The game emphasizes the "Shinobi" aspect—not as a superhero, but as a specialized tool for a specific job.
Yasuke’s Brutal Efficiency
Conversely, Yasuke’s approach to the Assassin's Creed Shadows kill the executioner objective is about posture breaking. It’s a bit Sekiro-lite, but with the weight of an AC game. You parry, you stagger, and then you deliver a finishing blow that usually involves a kanabo (war club) or a katana. It’s loud. It draws every guard in a 50-meter radius. But if you’re good at the combat rhythm, you can turn the Executioner’s own courtyard into a graveyard for his guards before you even touch the target.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Most players are going to treat this like Valhalla and just jump into the middle of the camp. Don't do that. Even as Yasuke, the guards in Shadows use actual tactics. They will flank you. They will use ranged weapons while you're busy with the Executioner.
- Don't ignore the bells. If a guard reaches a signal bell, your mission just got 400% harder. Prioritize the bell-ringers or sabotage the bells with Naoe’s tools before starting the fight.
- Check the time of day. Night is your friend for stealth, obviously, but the Executioner’s guard detail is tighter at night because they expect trouble. During the day, they might be more relaxed or distracted by chores.
- Use the grappling hook. Naoe’s hook isn't just for climbing; it's for repositioning. If you're spotted, don't fight. Hook up to a rafter, disappear into the ceiling, and wait for the heat to die down.
A New Era of Assassination
The move toward more grounded, systemic gameplay is a breath of fresh air. For a long time, the franchise felt like it was chasing the "bigger is better" dragon. With missions like Assassin's Creed Shadows kill the executioner, it feels like Ubisoft is finally realizing that better is better. The complexity comes from the interaction of systems—weather, light, sound, and character choice—rather than just a higher level number over an enemy's head.
Honestly, the most satisfying way to play this is to scout as Naoe, find the opening, and then decide in the moment if you want to execute a surgical strike or swap to Yasuke for a frontal assault. The game allows for this kind of tactical flexibility, and it makes the world of Sengoku Japan feel alive and dangerous.
Actionable Strategy for Success
To dominate the Executioner encounter and similar high-value target missions:
- Invest in the Spy Network early. The more "eyes" you have in a province, the more environmental interactions (like loose chandeliers or weak walls) will be highlighted on your map.
- Master the "Prone" transition. Practicing moving from a sprint into a slide and then into a prone crawl is essential for Naoe. It’s the only way to exploit the low-profile crawl spaces in the fortresses.
- Armor matters for Yasuke. If you know you're going in hot, don't skimp on the heavy plating. The speed penalty is real, but so is the damage reduction when the Executioner’s guards start swarming.
- Watch the shadows. Use your Eagle Vision (or the Shadows equivalent) specifically to check light levels. If you are standing in a "true" shadow, your silhouette is much harder to detect, even at close range.
This mission serves as a litmus test for the player's understanding of the new mechanics. If you can Assassin's Creed Shadows kill the executioner without raising a single alarm or taking a single hit of damage, you've mastered the core loop of what makes this entry different from its predecessors. It’s about patience. It’s about the environment. It’s about being a shadow in a world that is increasingly trying to bring everything to light.
Focus on the lighting, listen for the guards' verbal cues, and remember that in this version of Japan, the environment is just as much your weapon as the blade in your hand. Stick to the roofs, use the seasons to your advantage, and don't be afraid to retreat if the wind changes—literally.