Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Claws of Awaji Expansion Released: Top Things to Know Before You Play

Ubisoft has dropped the Claws of Awaji expansion for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, adding a whole new island to explore, fresh gear, and a handful of achievements that’ll keep players busy. If you’re planning to dive in, here are the key things worth knowing.

You Can’t Play It Right Away

Don’t expect to jump straight into Awaji. The DLC only unlocks once you’ve completed the main story arcs of both Naoe and Yasuke. After finishing the quest “Out of the Shadows,” you’ll meet Hanzo’s contact in Settsu, which kicks off the journey to the island.

Awaji Island Is Full of Traps

Ubisoft describes Awaji as a mix of beaches, swamps, and jungles. Sounds scenic, but it’s crawling with dangers. The island is controlled by the Sanzoku Ippa faction, and ambushes are common. Some enemies even disguise themselves as harmless citizens, so staying alert is part of the challenge.

Naoe Gets a New Weapon

The expansion introduces the Bo staff for Naoe. It’s fast, versatile, and can chain together some flashy combos, including tossing one enemy into another. Legendary versions of the staff are hidden across the island, which gives you a reason to hunt them down.

There’s New Gear and Achievements

Expect brand-new armor and abilities along the way. Ubisoft has also added a full set of achievements, some of which are visible (like eliminating all targets in Awaji) and others deliberately hidden to avoid spoilers. That means there’s plenty to discover on your own.

Check Your Level Before You Start

Claws of Awaji supports the new level cap introduced in New Game Plus, which now goes up to 80. Ubisoft recommends being at least level 60 before heading to the island so you can get the most out of the progression system.

Compatibility and Platforms

The Claws of Awaji expansion is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It isn't launching on last-gen consoles, so only current-gen players and PC users can access the new content right now.