Character progression and access to gear and companions are gated behind the leveling mechanics of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Earning XP remains a mainstay of the series, with several different activities available to keep things fresh and interesting.
This Assassin’s Creed Shadows guide has all the ways you can earn XP quickly and efficiently in order to level up fast.
Tera Themed Room
One of the first things you should do is construct the Tera at your Hideout. This themed room grants a 10% buff to XP regardless of the source. Building it early guarantees maximum efficiency in leveling as you progress through the game. Rush through a few Hideout Contracts in order to afford the required cost in construction materials, and you will be set for the rest of the game.
Seasonal Contracts
At 1000 XP per contract, these rotating missions renew on a seasonal basis but their availability is time-limited. Complete the three new contracts that unlock each season as early and quickly as possible to avoid missing out.
Castles
These strongholds can be a source for a significant amount of XP, not just from the enemies and the bosses, but also the final loot chest. Additionally, the Samurai Daisho offers up a bonus of a single Mastery Point each upon defeating him, not to mention the Legendary gear drops.
General Questing
As always, quests are the ideal way to earn XP, but these are of course limited by story progression, as well as region. Side quests will have to be actively sought out as you explore the map. Objective Boards can be a good source for missions granting good amounts of XP for some light work.
General Combat
Combat is part and parcel of progression in the game, with minor amounts of XP to be gained from every single enemy slain. However there may be bonuses to gain by combining this activity with side quests that target specific enemy types.
General Contracts
These missions that can be found in the Hideout are not just a source for construction materials, but are also great for reaping a relatively easy 1000 XP upon each completion. While not very exciting beyond fetch and kill quests, they are a reliable source for the points you might need to get to the next level quickly.
Exploring Knowledge Point Locations
Knowledge Points can be gained from various locations scattered across the map, but these also grant a good deal of XP as well. Activities such as horse archery and hidden trail are where Knowledge Point activities can be performed by both characters.
Exploration
A finite source of XP, map exploration does grant a significant chunk of XP over time. Everything from new regions to fast travel locations confer some XP upon first discovery.
Sketch Wildlife
Animals in the wild can be observed and sketched as you come across them on the map. Since they can be quite skittish, as well as rare, it will be necessary to employ stealth to get as close to the target as possible in order to trigger the Observe function. Once the sketch is complete, a bonus to XP will be granted in addition to a Wall Decoration and a Pet.
Those are all the best ways to earn XP fast and level up quickly in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
