Assassin’s Creed Shadows has just released its 1.0.6 update, one of many from the Year 1 Post Launch Roadmap, and one included feature might just make this the best time to start another playthrough. Overall, this new update includes some QOL updates, exciting changes to difficulty, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows‘ second special collaboration.
While additional paid content, namely the Claws of Awaji DLC, is scheduled for release later this year, everything included in this patch is free, including the special collaboration content. Unfortunately, this update does not include the highly requested New Game+ feature, but the new difficulty setting may be a good reason to start over anyway.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ 1.0.6 Title Update Highlights
Quality Of Life Updates & A Critical Encounter
As with every patch, numerous small bug fixes and quest adjustments are included as part of this update, but that’s not what players are excited about. First and foremost, Patch 1.0.6 will include new special collaboration content with none other than Critical Role, as shared by Ubisoft. If you don’t know, Critical Role is a popular, if not the most popular, Dungeons & Dragons group that shares its campaigns online for others to watch and enjoy.
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While Critical Role is most notably known for its talented cast of voice actors, long campaigns, Vox Machina TV show, and new tabletop RPG Daggerheart, the group has also done several one-shot sessions based around various games, including Assassin’s Creed. As part of this special collaboration with Critical Role, Assassin’s Creed is presenting the new free story pack, A Critical Encounter. This additional content will feature a new story and a new ally, Rufino, inspired by Robbie Daymond’s character from the Critical Role one-shot.
In addition to A Critical Encounter, players will also be able to enjoy some small QOL updates, including the option to toggle headgear during cutscenes, as well as various VFX settings to accommodate your personal gameplay preferences. Other small updates include an expansion of the Regional Alert System, which has been broadened from just inside castles to the whole province, as well as new camera presets while on horseback and the option for Ultra Low specs on PC.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Is Worth Replaying For Nightmare Difficulty Alone
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Presents Its Players With A New Challenge
The last, and perhaps most important, feature change coming with Patch 1.0.6 will be a brand-new Nightmare Difficulty Setting for AC Shadows. Unfortunately, there isn’t a comprehensive list of everything that specifically changes, but these are just a few of the ways it will impact both combat and stealth:
- Players will be less effective when using defensive options.
- Parries will now require perfect timing to block incoming damage.
- All enemies will deal more damage.
- Players will be easier to detect, and Enemy AI will be both more intelligent and aggressive as a result.
- Enemies will now only be vulnerable through abilities, not as a result of parrying or dodging.
Considering that AC Shadows has been criticized for being too easy when compared to other Assassin’s Creed games, even at greater difficulties, this should help provide players with the challenge they’re looking for. If you thought the game was too easy on your first go around, or perhaps you even stopped midway through because of it, this may now be the perfect opportunity to give it another shot.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Still Has DLC To Come
Claws Of Awaji Drops Later This Year
While there are still several free updates coming this year, according to the Assassin’s Creed Shadows‘ Roadmap, perhaps the most exciting release will be the Claws of Awaji DLC. At the moment, Ubisoft has not confirmed an official release date for this DLC, but it is planned for release in late 2025 and will include an additional 10 hours of content for players to enjoy.
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In the Claws of Awaji DLC, players will travel to a new region, the island of Awaji, where they will attempt to claim a long-forgotten treasure while avoiding capture by a new group of enemies. As you transition from the role of hunter to hunted, you’ll be forced to find new and creative ways to avoid your pursuers and their traps until you’re able to turn the tables back on them.
While there is still only a limited amount of information to go on at the moment, Ubisoft will likely share more information, along with the formal release date for Claws of Awaji, soon. Until then, however, be sure to test out Assassin’s Creed Shadows‘ new difficulty setting, QOL updates, and the A Critical Encounter story pack, as well as the other upcoming free updates.
Source: Ubisoft
