Top 5 Most Challenging Boss Fights in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Since the launch of Claws of Awaji, players have discovered a range of difficult boss encounters that challenge skill, patience and mastery of both stealth and combat tactics to their limits. To defeat each of them, I recommend visiting ingametor.com, where you can find all the necessary guides for these difficult bosses.

These fights don’t just test reflexes – they put your ability to read attacks, use tools properly, manage resources effectively and adapt quickly in shifting phases to the test.

Here are five of these tough boss fights from this expansion and their respective mechanics and strategies from player experiences.

Nowaki, The Ambusher

Nowaki, also known as The Ambusher, is rated by many as being the most intense and unusual encounter. It combines stealth with trap avoidance, decoys and long-range threats into a gameplay that’s different from other AC Shadows bosses. 

She uses traps that mimic her, but that explode with poison if they are damaged. At range, she also uses her Teppo gun. Once exposed, she will apply poison and shoot. Your positioning and noise are important because the swamp is filled with traps, tripwires and elevation changes. 

It is possible to use sound to help distinguish between the real Nowaki and the decoys. This can be done by focusing on the Aim key/button to track Nowaki’s voice. Silent movements (e.g. going prone and using Shallow water Breathing, from the Shinobi Mastery Tree) are very useful. 

Only after landing two successful stealth/assassination hits do ranged kunai become usable for damage, and in the final stage she relocates to a tower for a face-to-face duel. This fight has been praised in particular for its unique design and atmosphere. This fight is covered in detail at How to defeat Nowaki AC Shadows Claws Of Awaji.

Imagawa Tomeji

Imagawa Tomeji is encountered in the quest Garrison to Destroy. It’s a tough enemy for many reasons, including his durability, defenses and attack patterns. Tomeji’s armor is very thick and takes sustained pressure to break. 

Blue-marked attacks can be parried and red/unblockable attacks must be dodged. After one of his ground slams, he becomes vulnerable for a short time. You can then follow up by doing good damage. 

The fight becomes much more difficult if his captains are still alive. There are many enemies to deal with and multiple attacks. This fight is a limited resource fight. (Yasuke & Naoe both have fixed numbers for this fight).

Mis-timing your use of rations can be costly. It’s a long and grueling battle, according to players, because you need to be careful.

Kimura Yukari

Kimura Yokari is the main antagonist of large parts of the DLC. She also appears in one of most demanding and criticized boss fights. The second phase of the fight has been described as brutal by players: Attack density increases and there are many “red” or unblockable attacks to dodge (and these windows can be tight).

Sometimes, gear that reduces damage or blocks them feels inadequate. Some combos are large and require the player to constantly reposition themselves. Feedback indicates that the Yukari battle can be overwhelming, even with proper preparation.

The damage is high and mistakes punished severely. The fight is a test of endurance, pattern recognition and your ability to build your character and equipment.

Nagano Saemon

Nagano Saemon, a boss that is not part of the main DLC, but is still challenging. Saemon is a duel boss in the Nobutsuna’s Students content. He uses smoke bombs, a yumi at range and intermittent melee attacks or ambushes from behind. 

His tactics require you to be aware: moving from cover to cover in order to avoid incoming shots, and timing your counters or dodges with care. He will also use smoke or invisibility to punish players who are not paying attention. 

His duel is difficult for many not because he is so strong, but because he is so quick to punish mistakes and is dynamic in his movements.

Oni Samurai (The Oni)

The Oni Samurai is one of the most unpredictable and punishing bosses found in AC Shadows. The Oni is described by players as a challenge in terms of timing, risk management, and mobility. He punishes being aggressive by combining teleportation with surprise melee grappling and rapid heavy attacks. 

Yasuke’s durability and forgiving dodges, parries and attacks give you a greater margin of error when you are facing The Oni. However, even with the best gear, his unblockable or nearly unblockable attacks can still be devastating. Many people who have defeated him advise that staying light on your feet and avoiding his grappling range is key.

A mechanic that players have observed is the Oni’s teleportation. He’s more likely teleport to block/parry or commit to specific attacks when they do. It seems that baiting the Oni’s teleport and then dodging him, before countering, is a good strategy. Tools like Teppo and bows can be used to make him reveal himself, or stagger him.

Many people mention that patience and space are more important than brute strength. Do not overwhelm him. Wait for the openings that will occur after his more telegraphed movements. Punish wisely and avoid being caught in his grips. A single mistake can set off a series of events that will end you.

Why These Fights Stand Out

Each boss tests different skills; Nowaki requires stealth, tracking, patience; Tomeji requires endurance, defensive play, resource management; Yukari demands memorization and precise reflexes; Nagano Saemon demands mobility targeting timing while Munetoshi necessitates resolve in parry/dodge skills – many players report that having high level gear or equipment alone won’t always suffice; in many instances players must adapt their build to give vulnerability windows or crowd control, and learn its rhythm before entering battle!

Many players report it’s not enough simply having high level gear or high level equipment – many players report they must adjust your build by selecting abilities that give vulnerability windows or crowd control and learning its rhythm before engaging it head on with it during combat!