Uncovering Claws of Awaji's Legendary Treasures in Assassin's Creed Shadows

The Claws of Awaji expansion for Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces thrilling new mechanics absent from the base game, including three intricate treasure hunts. These challenges task players with locating unmarked spots on Awaji Island using cryptic clues found within scattered letters, rewarding them with unique legendary gear for protagonists Naoe and Yasuke. Echoing the papyrus puzzles of Origins and Valhalla's Treasure Hoard Maps, these quests—Tomeji's Prize, Nowaki's Memento, and Yasuhira's Secret—offer substantial rewards but demand keen observation and exploration skills. Players will naturally gather the required letter fragments during early DLC activities, as pieces drop from ambushed foes or appear as white quest-item clues in enemy outposts, identifiable using the Observe key. 🗺️

Solving Tomeji's Prize

Once assembled, Tomeji's Prize letter reveals its secrets across three parts:

1. "A letter from Tomeji. He has hidden an item of great value in one of Awaji's castles."

2. "It resides in Yura Castle during winter and summer and Sumoto Castle in spring and autumn."

3. "It is in the stable kura in Sumoto Castle, or the western storage kura in Yura Castle."

This hunt is the most straightforward, pinpointing exact locations. The catch? Players must visit the correct castle based on the in-game season and obtain a key for the specific kura (storehouse), which drops randomly from enemies or found objects. At Sumoto Castle, head to the southeastern section near stables and crops. In Yura Castle, locate the western storage building. Crucially, the treasure isn't a ground-level chest; it's a golden object perched high atop materials inside the kura vault. Use Observe meticulously to spot it!

The reward, the Master Fisherman's Kasa (legendary helmet for Yasuke), might seem modest against the "great value" hype, but its engraving is vital for Awaji's heightened difficulty: "Avoid death but lose health until killing an enemy." Perfect for surviving brutal encounters.

Deciphering Yasuhira's Secret

Yasuhira's Secret letter guides players to the coastline:

1. "A letter from Yasuhira's Spies. The spymaster has prepared boats around Awaji's shoreline, one of which contains a valuable outfit."

2. "The outfit is under a twisted tree near one of the boats."

3. "The outfit is near the boat on the west coast, on the border of Sumoto and Fukura regions."

Start at the Wrecked Boat marker on Awaji's western shore. Traverse the coastline northwards towards the border between the Sumoto and Fukura regions. Watch for a distinctive twisted tree surrounded by several small boats. Activate Observe near the tree's base to reveal the hidden golden cache.

The prize is the Master Fisherman's Outfit, legendary armor for Yasuke. Beyond its stylish wandering ronin aesthetic, its engraving is exceptionally practical: "25% damage reduction when surrounded by four or more enemies." This is invaluable against Awaji's frequent four-enemy shinobi ambushes and chaotic combat scenarios.

Finding Nowaki's Memento

Nowaki's Memento presents the toughest spatial puzzle, rewarding Naoe:

1. "A letter from Nowaki. She has constructed a hiding place for her prized kusarigama."

2. "The trees point the way to her hiding place."

3. "The path to her hiding place begins at the fork in the road west of Kanaguchi Village, the one with five stone lanterns."

The challenge lies in locating the obscure starting point. The fork with five stone lanterns is far west of Kanaguchi Village, nearer the Trail of Eshima. An efficient alternative is fast-traveling to the Iwaya Castle synchronization point if unlocked. From there:

1. Jump down and cross the small pond near training grounds (beware patrols).

2. Climb the fence directly ahead.

3. Push straight through dense bushes.

4. Emerge in a sunny clearing by the water, finding a large branch nest.

The treasure rests within this nest.

The Rewards: Power and Style

Claiming Nowaki's Memento grants the Ophidian Feeder, a legendary kusarigama for Naoe. Its unique engraving, "Rush Assassination triggers a slowdown effect," synergizes perfectly with the weapon type, as Rush Assassination requires a kusarigama to close distances. It also boosts Critical Damage and boasts a visually striking design. 🔱

These legendary treasures significantly bolster Naoe and Yasuke's capabilities for tackling the formidable challenges within the Claws of Awaji expansion. While the Master Fisherman set leans into Yasuke's resilience, the Ophidian Feeder enhances Naoe's lethal agility, proving these hunts are well worth the effort for dedicated Shadows players seeking an edge and unique flair. ⚔️