Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Max Level and Rank Cap Revealed

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* stands as one of the most ambitious entries in the franchise, featuring an expansive world and a deep progression system that matches its grandeur. Here's a comprehensive look at the max levels in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* and how the level cap functions.

What Is the Max XP Level in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces a fresh take on the series' progression mechanics. While the new Knowledge Ranks system plays a pivotal role in skill unlocking (which we'll delve into later), the game also maintains a traditional XP-based progression. Advancing your XP level in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* grants access to higher-tier weapons, armor, and gear, and enhances the base stats of protagonists Naoe and Yasuke.

To fully explore all the Japanese provinces available on the game map, players need to reach Level 35. However, the XP grind doesn't stop there. Initially, Ubisoft suggested a Level Cap of 40, but players can actually push their characters all the way to Level 60. It's anticipated that this cap might increase further with the upcoming *Claws of Awaji* expansion for *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.

What Is the Max Knowledge Rank in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Mastery menu with low-level progress, Image via Ubisoft.

Knowledge Rank is a groundbreaking addition to the *Assassin’s Creed* series' progression model, separate from the XP leveling system. Players advance through Knowledge Ranks by accumulating Knowledge Points through diverse open-world activities focused on mindfulness and training. As you progress, new skills become available for Naoe and Yasuke, but these must be unlocked using Mastery Points.

To unlock all available skills, players must achieve Knowledge Rank 6. However, this isn't the end of the journey. Upon reaching this rank, Naoe and Yasuke unlock an additional Knowledge tree, offering several passive skills to further tailor your gameplay to your preferred style.

Related: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Trophy List (All 55 Trophies)

Is There a Cap for Mastery in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Mastery represents the third pillar of progression in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, functioning as the game's skill points system. Mastery Points are essential for unlocking new skills across the six Mastery trees available for each protagonist. Some skills demand more Mastery Points than others to unlock.

With a vast array of skills to unlock, players can earn Mastery Points through a wide variety of in-game activities. While it's theoretically possible to reach a limit on Mastery Points, this would require completing a significant amount of content. The upcoming *Claws of Awaji* expansion, set for release later in 2025, is expected to introduce new ways to earn Mastery Points.

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Have Level Scaling?

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, each province in Japan has an associated level. The highest initial level requirement is for Kii, set at Level 35. As you progress and increase your XP level, the levels of some regions will adjust to match your advancement.

However, from Level 42 onwards, there's a cap on how high the levels for enemies and province difficulty can scale. At this point, the recommended level for each province remains two levels below your current XP level. This system ensures the game remains challenging and maintains a balanced combat pace in the endgame, while still rewarding players who invest extensive hours into the game.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.*