“The Winter Raiders” quest stands out in Assassin’s Creed Shadows for its challenging and rewarding nature. This mission tests your ability to plan strategically while using either stealth or brute force as you tackle multiple seasonal approaches that must be completed efficiently in order to reap its rewards. In this guide we delve deep into this fascinating side quest and its unique challenges while outlining how to complete them efficiently for optimal success and find out which rewards await.
Overview of “The Winter Raiders” Quest
After you complete the main storyline, “The Winter Raiders” quest becomes available and is located mainly within Kii region. When starting this mission, speak with Rin in Gobo village where she directs you towards speaking with Elder who charges you with eliminating an unwelcome group known as winter raiders from surrounding communities.
This mission presents five primary targets to attack, and your strategy to do so depends on which season it takes place in. Each target offers its own distinct location and combat style to keep things interesting!
Winter-Only Strategy
Winter makes stealth and takedown more manageable as each target is hidden in their specific hideout across multiple regions.
- Yasha can be found near Kawakami in the Yamato region.
- Hayate hides along the Iseiji Trails in Kii.
- Akumu camps out on the Nakahéchi Route in Kii.
- Sobei lurks near Gobo Village.
- Jinbei resides deep inside the Sandanbeki Cave.
This method is ideal for players who prefer carefully considered eliminations and makes use of Assassin’s Creed’s legendary stealth gameplay.
All-At-Once Strategy (Non-Winter Seasons)
When embarking on this quest in spring, summer or autumn, all five raiders will gather inside Sandanbeki Cave – greatly increasing its difficulty, as you must now face multiple powerful enemies at once and fight multiple large-scale battles at the same time – which may appeal to players who prefer Yasuke’s brute strength and direct combat approach.
Tips for Success
Tailor your gear and skill set based on the season you intend on entering.
When traveling during winter months, focus on stealth upgrades for Naoe; in other seasons prioritize armor upgrades and crowd control abilities for Yasuke. In all cases, pre-scout areas before going and use environmental advantages where applicable.
Don’t forget to restock on healing items and smoke bombs – both can save your life in times of disaster!
Quest Rewards
Successfully completing “The Winter Raiders” yields significant in-game benefits:
- 5,500 XP, helping your characters level up quickly.
- Unlocks two powerful skills: Feral Frenzy for Naoe and Ultimate Onslaught for Yasuke.
- Access to epic gear pieces, with each raider dropping a unique weapon or upgrade item.
- Lore-rich letters and scrolls that deepen the game’s narrative.
Final Thoughts
“The Winter Raiders” side mission in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is more than a side mission; it showcases what this game does best: merging strategy, seasonal dynamics, and detailed world building into an engaging gameplay experience. You may choose to eliminate targets one-by-one during cold winter nights or storm their hideout during warmer months for this quest that promises intense action, deep lore, and valuable rewards – plan wisely when selecting your season and strike decisively for maximum effect!
