On July 29, 2025, Assassin’s Creed Shadows received a sweeping summer update, leveling up the player experience across the board. With the level cap rising from 60 to 80, the addition of New Game Plus, and fresh content systems like Animus-themed collectibles and Knowledge/Mastery upgrades, Ubisoft has rolled out a substantial mid-season refresh. All this comes in anticipation of the expansion Claws of Awaji, set to arrive this September.
Level Cap Boost: Into the 80s
The expansion of the level cap to 80 makes way for more progression opportunities and fuels player motivation. Whether you’re closing in on the earlier cap or just entering midgame content, this increase allows for deeper mastery of class skills, more powerful gear, and renewed advancement even for longtime fans. With the cap raise comes a flurry of high-level challenges and tougher boss encounters designed to stretch late-game builds to their limits.
New Game Plus Mode: Replay, Retain, Rekindle
A long-requested feature has finally arrived: New Game Plus. Once players finish their first run-through, they can restart the campaign while retaining gear, perks, and progression. Enemy difficulty scales accordingly—NPCs are more aggressive, AI is smarter, and randomized loot patterns keep replayability high. Importantly, NG+ unlocks exclusive achievements and rare gear sets that can only be earned in this mode, offering a substantial incentive for completionists.
Fresh Trophies & Animus Collectibles
The update introduces several new trophy challenges, including Acolyte, Flesh and Steel, Phantom Assassin, and Shadow Master legacy bronze, silver, and gold tiers. For collectors, Animus-themed collectibles—including spectral Animus fragments, Glyph shards, and hidden memory archives—have been added across multiple regions. Completing sets grants powerful relic gear or bonus XP events tied to the Claws of Awaji storyline.
Knowledge & Mastery Tiers: Skill Climbing Reimagined
A fresh progression layer called Knowledge & Mastery Tiers has also been added. As players explore and challenge content like dens, nebulous archives, or adrenaline trials, they earn Knowledge XP. At set thresholds, they unlock Mastery Ranks—rewards include new gear rarity tiers, perk sockets, cosmetic flair, and special offer frameworks that echo seasonal themes. This layered approach encourages both exploration and mastery across repeated playthroughs.
Building Toward a September Expansion
All of this sets the stage for the celebrated free expansion Claws of Awaji, launching in early September. Set against feudal Japan’s intricate internal politics, this DLC explores darker Miyako Clans, myth-infused ninja legends, and new open-world regions. With the summer update, players get time to level up, farm rare gear, and test builds in anticipation of the new story arc.
Player & Community Response
Fan communities have embraced the update with enthusiasm. Veteran players praise the added level ceiling for opening new build diversity, while speedrunners are already charting optimal NG+ routes. Collectible hunters and completionists are mobilizing to map hidden Animus caches and trophy benchmarks. Online forums showcase lively discussions around challenge dens, optimized builds for boss gauntlets, and unique NG+ exclusives.
Final Word
The July 29 update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t just a balance patch—it’s a pivotal engagement push that revamps progression, replayability, and perks systems ahead of impending narrative content. By raising the level ceiling, enabling New Game Plus, introducing layered Knowledge systems, and adding Animus collectibles, Ubisoft signals a bold commitment to sustained player investment. With Claws of Awaji on the horizon, Shadows now stands as one of the most polished and feature-rich entries in the franchise to date.
