Assassin's Creed Shadows Releases Big New Update for June…

Assassin's Creed Shadows Title Update 1.0.6 is now available for download. This release introduces new story content, expands Assassin's Creed Shadows' roster of allies, and adds an extra-hard difficulty setting, among other novelties.

The latest mainline Assassin's Creed game has received a handful of patches since its late March launch. Two such updates, identified by version numbers 1.0.4 and 1.0.5, were rolled out over the course of May 2025.

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By Matthew Schomer

Another patch bumping the game's version number up to 1.0.6 debuted on June 25. Its headline addition is a new Assassin's Creed Shadows ally Rufino, voiced by Robbie Daymond of the Critical Role fame. The character is introduced over the course of a new quest that sees Naoe and Yasuke unravel a shadowy conspiracy. Recruiting Rufino is one of the rewards for completing his newly added storyline, which is a free addition available to all players.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Nightmare Difficulty Is Here

Another standout feature included in the 1.0.6 update is the Nightmare difficulty setting. Much like the lower difficulty levels, the new addition impacts both stealth and combat in Assassin's Creed Shadows. While Nightmare unsurprisingly boosts enemy damage, it also makes other changes, like tweaking parry windows to the point of requiring perfect timing in order to avoid all damage. Imperfect parries still reduce damage but no longer provide complete protection. Ubisoft says enemy AI under this setting is "smarter, faster, and more aggressive." In terms of stealth, the new difficulty makes Naoe emit some noise even while crouching. She will also always remain visible at point-blank, even in the shadows. Additionally, placing enemies into a vulnerable state now requires the use of abilities—parrying or dodging alone no longer does the job on Nightmare.

By popular request, the ability to toggle headgear in cutscenes has been added to the game, bringing it in line with Assassin's Creed Origins and later series entries. Granular VFX settings have also been introduced and can now be found under the Interface menu. Moreover, Assassin's Creed Shadows' regional alert system has been expanded from castles to entire provinces, meaning high-profile actions like attacking patrols or civilians will now prompt Guardians to actively hunt down the player.

Three horse camera presets—activated by holding "X" on a keyboard or the down button on a controller—are part of the package as well, together with a new, "Ultra Low" visual quality mode. The 1.0.6 update also introduces over two dozen bug fixes, targeting Assassin's Creed Shadows gameplay systems, quests, and visuals, among other elements.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Title Update 1.0.6 Patch Notes

Patch File Sizes

Platform	Size
PS5	6.27 GB
XSX/S	19 GB
macOS	9 GB
PC (UConnect)	17 GB
PC (Steam)	8.5 GB

New Free Story Pack: "A Critical Encounter"

Rufino, an old friend of Tomiko and Heiji, calls in a life debt after uncovering a deadly conspiracy. While working as a translator, he discovered evidence that a secretive organization has been hiring assassins to eliminate influential commoners.

Now, he turns to Naoe and Yasuke for help in stopping these killers.

*Unlock conditions: Complete "Way of the Blacksmith" and unlock Yasuke as a playable character. This questline will start in the Hideout.
- Reward: New Ally based on Critical Role's Assassin's Creed Shadows One-Shot campaign character, Rufino, played by Robbie Daymond. You will also get a banner in the hideout with the Critical Role logo.
- New Trophy/Achievement: "A Critical Encounter", received upon completion of the questline.

With this collaboration, we will also release a Critical Role Weapon Pack inspired by the Critical Role universe, available for purchase in the game store! This pack includes 2 weapons for both characters, a Tanto and Katana for Naoe and a Kanabo and Teppo for Yasuke.

New Nightmare Difficulty Setting

We are adding a new Difficulty Setting (Nightmare) that will introduce additional challenges to your journey. This mode will impact both combat and stealth, requiring more tactical planning and greater attention to your surroundings. Prepare for tougher enemies and a more intense overall experience.

Here is a tease of some changes you can expect from this new difficulty:

Player defensive options are less effective, and enemies deal greater damage at all levels.
- E.g., Parries now require perfect timing to deflect the hit - imperfect parries will only partially block incoming damage.
Enemy AI is smarter, faster, and more aggressive in a variety of circumstances, including detection.
- E.g., Even while crouching, Naoe now generates some sound! And even while in the shadows, she can be seen while moving!
- E.g., Enemies will no longer become vulnerable from dodges or parries - only abilities can put them into a vulnerable state.
Combat resources (like adrenaline, rations, and shinobi items) are harder to come by, making their use even more vital.

This is just a glimpse of how this new difficulty setting will impact the game. Don't hesitate to share your most intense moments with us by posting your clips on Discord or X using #AssassinsCreedShadows.

Toggle Headgear in Cutscenes

We're excited to introduce a highly requested feature: players can now choose to show headgear, whether it's a hood, helmet, headband, or more during cutscenes. Now your style can shine through dialogue scenes too!

You will find the option available in the in-game settings.

Headgear will not be displayed in cinematics or in some specific instances where a rule overrides this setting (romance-specific cutscenes).

VFX Toggles

Players can now disable/enable specific VFX to further customize their experience. These include the ability to hide or show the loot on dead bodies, the last known position of the player, the special attacks indicators of the enemies, and more.

All will be accessible in the Interface option menu.

Open World Alarm

We have expanded the Regional Alert System available in Castles to the whole Province. Now by repetitively attacking Civilians or Military units outside Castles, the alarm can be triggered, and a group of Guardians will hunt you in the world.

Horse Camera Presets

You can now toggle between 3 different camera presets while riding on your mount (hold the down button on controller/'X' key on keyboard while riding) allowing for a more cinematic experience to take in the full beauty of Japan.

Ultra Low Specs for PC

We are adding a new visual quality level, the Ultra Low mode. This will allow PC players with a limited GPU configuration to experience the game in better framerate conditions.

General Bug Fixes

Fixed an issue where the Onryo Mask remained visible despite selecting the option to hide gear.
Fixed an issue where players were unable to earn Mastery Points.
Fixed an issue where Mastery Points were not returned after resetting the Mastery Tree.
Fixed an issue where players could not switch characters anymore even without gameplay context restrictions.
Fixed an issue where allies could be trained to veteran rank without upgrading the dojo to level 3.
Fixed an issue where Gennojo did not immediately appear in the hideout after recruitment. He was busy washing his hair!
Fixed an issue where sometimes a player remains stuck in a Red Zone, without being able to fast travel anywhere, by allowing them to fast travel to the hideout.
Fixed an issue where the Oni Drawing remains stuck on screen after completing the "Vision of the Realms" quest.
Fixed various localization issues.

Quest-Related Bug Fixes

Fixed an issue where players could not progress in the "A Chance Encounter" quest when following Fuyu.
Fixed an issue where players could not complete the quest after defeating all Kabukimono.
Fixed an issue where Lady Oichi's letter became unavailable after the Fuji-maru cutscene.
Fixed an issue where players were unable to talk to Katsuhime in the crop field when she was sitting on the ground. She just wanted some peace and quiet!
Fixed an issue where tracking the "Temple Stories" quest only showed a progress bar with no text.
Fixed an issue where Genzaburo's Teppo Master was missing from the Kaya Shrine.
Fixed an issue where Yagyu Munetoshi revealed a later plot point too early in the "Nobutsuna's Students" quest.
Fixed an issue where players could not assassinate the Godai of Void because the NPC was missing. He took his name too seriously.
Fixed an issue where players could not complete the "Diary of Lady Rokkaku" quest after dodge rolling and dropping Katsuhime.
Fixed an issue where players could not complete the "Diary of Lady Rokkaku" quest when there was no immediate option to carry Katsuhime.
Fixed an issue where players glitched through an anomaly in the "Heads Will Roll" quest, making Animus activities unavailable.
Fixed an issue where players could not progress in the "Lost Honor" quest because the game failed to switch to Naoe.
Fixed an issue where players could not progress through the Tournament after dying.

Visuals- and Graphics-Related Bug Fixes

Fixed some minor visual issues.
Fixed misplaced visual elements with the Dark Woods Kusarigama.
Fixed an issue where all NPC horses appeared as identical.
Fixed a clipping issue with Naoe's Sekiryu outfit.
Fixed an issue with the "Bloodshade Katana" being visible out of the sheath when transmogged.
Fixed a movement physics issue with the Dead by Daylight Oni's armor.