Assassin’s Creed Shadows title update 1.0.4 patch notes explored

Complete guide to Assassin’s Creed Shadows update 1.0.4 with new story content, bug fixes, and performance improvements

Introduction: Major Post-Launch Update Overview

Assassin
A new update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows is coming soon (Image via Ubisoft)

Ubisoft has released comprehensive details for Assassin’s Creed Shadows title update 1.0.4, marking the game’s first substantial post-launch enhancement package. This significant patch introduces both new narrative content and addresses numerous player-reported issues that have emerged since launch. For gaming enthusiasts tracking patch cycles, this update represents a crucial milestone in the game’s ongoing development and refinement process.

The 1.0.4 update focuses on three core areas: expanding the game’s narrative universe through additional story content, refining gameplay mechanics based on community feedback, and optimizing technical performance across all supported platforms. Players can expect a more polished experience with fewer interruptions to their immersion in feudal Japan.

Release Details and Download Sizes

The Assassin’s Creed Title Update 1.0.4 will become available on May 6, 2025, at 2 pm UTC / 10 am EDT / 7 am PT. Below, you can find the size of the patch on various platforms where the game is available.

  • Xbox Series X/S: 20 GB
  • PC (Ubisoft Launcher): 17 GB
  • These download sizes reflect the substantial content additions and technical improvements included in this update. Players should ensure they have sufficient storage space and consider downloading during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on distribution servers. The variance in file sizes between platforms accounts for platform-specific optimizations and compression techniques employed by Ubisoft’s development team.

    Practical Tip: Schedule your download for the morning of May 6th to ensure immediate access when the update goes live. Consider clearing temporary files and verifying your game installation integrity beforehand to prevent download corruption issues.

    New Story Content: The Works of Luis Frois

    An encounter with Luis Frois at a Jesuit Mission turns into an opportunity to help an old friend. Retrieve lost notes, protect Lady Satoko, and learn more about the Jesuits in this new Free Story Pack playable with both Naoe and Yasuke.

    To meet with Luis Frois and start the quest arc, head to Azuchi. Luis will be located south of the Merchants’ Quarters. The quest will be available upon completing “The Path He Walks” in Yasuke’s Board.

    This narrative expansion introduces historical depth by incorporating Luis Frois, an actual Portuguese Jesuit missionary who documented 16th-century Japanese culture. The questline offers approximately 2-3 hours of additional gameplay and provides valuable lore context about European interactions with feudal Japan. Players can approach this content with either protagonist, though certain dialogue and interaction options may vary based on character selection.

    Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t attempt this quest immediately after completing “The Path He Walks” without first ensuring you have adequate healing items and appropriate gear level. The mission involves several challenging combat encounters that may surprise underprepared players.

    Quality-of-Life Enhancements and New Features

    Character bios in the Codex database have been added to help you keep track of the many allies and foes you will meet throughout your journey in feudal Japan.

    This database expansion represents a significant quality-of-life improvement for players invested in the game’s narrative complexity. The bios provide historical context, relationship maps, and narrative significance for each character, making it easier to follow intricate political and personal storylines. Additionally, several environmental adjustments enhance immersion: all props near altars or religious buildings now remain static to prevent accidental destruction during combat or exploration.

    Merchant systems have been refined to eliminate duplicate item offerings, creating a more streamlined shopping experience. The update also addresses an issue where purchasing and equipping headgear would unexpectedly close merchant menus—a frustrating interruption that has now been resolved.

    Optimization Tip: Regularly check updated character bios after completing major story missions, as new information often unlocks that provides context for upcoming narrative developments and character motivations.

    Comprehensive Bug Fixes Breakdown

    Here is a list of bug fixes coming with the Assassin’s Creed Shadows title update 1.0.4 patch.

  • Fixed an issue where pressing “Go to board” for “Complete Yasuke’s personal journey” does not redirect the player to Yasuke’s quest board.
  • Fixed an issue where some trinkets could not be accessed in the Forge.
  • Fixed some issues where visual customization could not be applied to certain weapons.
  • Fixed a visual issue with the Red Bull trinket swapping between Yasuke and Naoe.
  • Addressed several AI issues.
  • Addressed several audio issues.
  • All props near an altar or a religious building will now be static, preventing any destruction.
  • Fixed an issue where too many deer were spawning and running on main roads. Oh dear, watch out!
  • Merchants will no longer offer multiple instances of the same item in shops.
  • Fixed an issue where buying and equipping headgear would kick you from the merchant menu.
  • Fixed an issue where, in the quest “Astray”, players could not talk to Nakamura Tadashige.
  • NOTE: Players will need to step away from Nakamura Tadashige (+500 meters) and then come back to speak with them.
  • Fixed an issue where Nagato would sometimes not follow the correct path in the prologue during the “Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki” quest.
  • Fixed an issue where Momochi Sandayu does not attack during the objective “Kill the Soldier” in the “Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki” quest.
  • Fixed an issue where Nagato would despawn after a save/load during the quest “The Onryo Samurai”.
  • A prompt will now properly appear to observe during the objective “Reach a high place to observe the Onryo Samurai” in the quest “The Onryo Samurai”.
  • Addressed an issue with enemy NPCs fighting each other after talking to Shotei during “Against the Koga-ryu”.
  • Fixed an issue where Tokubei would start attacking anyone who enters conflict with the player during the “Confront Tokubei” objective of the “Losing Hand” quest.
  • Fixed an issue where quest directions do not match the quest location during the “Meet Katsuhime” objective of “Against the Koga-ryu” quest.
  • Addressed an issue where Yasuke would recover all of his health upon receiving a killing blow from Marume Nagayoshi during the duel from “Nobutsaha’s Students”.
  • Fixed an issue where Improved Ground Assassination (Assassin passive skill) would not work properly.
  • Fixed an issue where Assassinations would not remove any health from knocked-out enemies.
  • Fixed an issue where, after performing a Double Assassination, Naoe could not swap weapons if she was using the Katana as her primary weapon.
  • Fixed an issue with Yasuke’s Brutal Assassination not triggering at a certain distance with NPCs.
  • Fixed Guaranteed Assassination not working with the kunai.
  • Fixed an issue where Naoe could use smoke bombs to trigger Guaranteed Assassination opportunities on bosses.
  • Fixed an issue where crouching during a Sprint Dodge would increase the speed of the crouch state.
  • Fixed an issue where Naoe had a delay when crouching after moving while aiming a tool.
  • Fixed an issue where the corner cover camera would not always trigger.
  • Fixed an issue with alarm bells respawning after cutscenes. Please don’t ring. Please don’t ring. Please don’t ring.
  • Adjusted the Igan Sunset Tanto perk (i.e., slow down time on Escape Strike) to prevent endless slowdown when using Escape Strike repeatedly.
  • The perk now works as follows: “Slow down time after Escape Strike interrupts enemies.”
  • Fixed an issue with the Snake Bite ability (Kusarigama) costing more than one chunk of adrenaline. Two fangs. But one bite.
  • Fixed an issue where the “Crescent Strike” ability (Naginata) did not deal any damage on its first hit.
  • Fixed various issues with perks not functioning correctly.
  • Fixed an issue where letters displayed on screen would not automatically close when the player entered conflict.
  • Fixed an issue where Naoe cannot dodge if she first attacks the Ashigaru Swordsman with a posture attack during the “Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki” quest.
  • Fixed an issue where the ability wheel would still display the abilities from the previously equipped weapon when being unarmed.
  • Fixed several animation, visual, or misplacement issues.
  • Fixed various rendering issues.
  • Addressed various UI/HUD issues.
  • Addressed localization issues.
  • Fixed an issue with the tutorial explaining how to use boats. How do you row this thing?
  • Fixed an issue where the four targets of the Pirate Alliance were not aligned on the Objective Board.
  • Fixed an issue where the drop-down list is missing for “Text Color” and “Background Color” options in the Captions menu.
  • Fixed various visual issues with Photo Mode.
  • Fixed an issue where the last known position visual effect remained visible in Photo Mode.
  • Fixed an issue where the Codex Orbs remained present in Photo Mode.
  • Fixed an issue where the vignette effect size increases when decreasing the value in Photo Mode.
  • Fixed an issue where the blacksmith was missing from the hideout. I must upgrade my weapons!
  • Fixed an issue where some trinkets could not be accessed in the Forge.
  • Addressed various crashing and stability issues.
  • Fixed an issue where the “Balanced” mode was missing in the Performance options.
  • VRAM usage is now added to the performance overlay when using the benchmark tool.
  • Improved description in the Scalability options to better reflect the impact on CPU and GPU.
  • Addressed an issue with conflicting bindings for mouse & keyboard on PC.
  • Fixed an issue where the VRAM meter doesn’t accurately update the VRAM usage when settings are individually changed.
  • Addressed an issue with PC using Photo Mode with the Ultra-wide screen settings.
  • Addressed an issue where there was a heavy loss of FPS in the opening animation before arriving at the Animus HUB (memories).
  • Fixed an issue where the resolution options are all “Custom” when the game is in windowed mode on macOS.
  • VRAM usage added to the performance overlay.
  • Addressed an issue with the PS5® DUALSENSE® controller lightbar not emitting the correct light on macOS.
  • Practical Tips for Update Implementation

    Successfully implementing this update requires strategic planning. First, backup your save files before installing—while rare, major updates can occasionally cause save compatibility issues. Second, after installation, spend 10-15 minutes testing previously problematic areas: visit merchants to check duplicate item fixes, test assassination mechanics on knocked-out enemies, and verify quest progression markers function correctly.

    Advanced players should particularly focus on the combat mechanic adjustments. The fixes to Improved Ground Assassination, Guaranteed Assassination with kunai, and Yasuke’s Brutal Assassination distance requirements significantly alter stealth approach viability. Re-evaluate your skill point allocation considering these corrected mechanics, as previously suboptimal builds may now become highly effective.

    Performance-focused players should utilize the new VRAM monitoring tools to optimize their settings. The enhanced scalability descriptions help identify whether performance bottlenecks stem from CPU or GPU limitations, allowing for more targeted adjustments. PC players experiencing FPS drops in specific scenarios should retest those areas post-update, as many rendering and stability issues have been addressed.

    Common Mistake: Don’t assume all bug fixes will immediately resolve every issue—some may require starting new game sessions or traveling to different regions to trigger proper correction. If a previously bugged quest still seems problematic, try completing an unrelated activity first, then return to the affected quest.

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