Where do you get legendary gear in Assassin's Creed Shadows? You can gain access to powerful ive abilities with certain pieces of legendary gear, capable of drastically changing the way you approach combat. Legendary gear can be found inside legendary chests scattered throughout Japan, or earned through clearing content like quests and Projects in the Animus Hub.
If you want to find specific pieces of equipment, we've got you covered with our comprehensive AC Shadows Amulets, and Trinkets you can get your hands on, what each piece of equipment does, and how to upgrade your gear. Light spoiler warning.
Here are the Assassin's Creed Shadows legendary gear locations:
Headgear (Naoe)
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Peasant Hat | +100% of an Adrenaline Chunk upon entering combat | Takatsuki Castle Legendary Chest, Izumi Settsu |
| Tools Master Mask | Shuriken no longer break on hard impact | Amagasaki Castle Legendary Chest, Izumi Settsu |
| Yurei-Walker Hood | +2 Health Segments removed on Assassinations in shadows | Yamazaki Castle Legendary Chest, Yamazaki, Yamashiro |
| Mamushi Snake Hood | 33% less Cooldown on Ally Abilities | Omizo Castle Legendary Chest, Ado River Valley, Omi |
| Swift Shinobi Hood | Slow down time when detected | Kunimiyama Fort Legendary Chest, Mibuno Vale, Iga |
| Noh Masterstroke Mask | +20% of an Adrenaline Chunk on Affliction Buildup | Kinokawa Valley Legendary Chest, Kinokawa Valley, Kii |
| Master Assassin Hood | Ground Attacks now remove two Health Segments on hit | Complete the quest 'Out of the Shadows' |
| Hood of the Dragon | Restore 33% Health on Weakpoint Attack | Purchased from the Shadows Exchange for 1,350 Keys |
| Cerulean Guise Hood | Undetectable when dodging out of a stalking zone | 'The Legacy' Shadows Project Level 9 |
| Cerulean Guise Mask | +50 change to loot rations from dead bodies | 'Awakening' Shadows Project Level 9 |
Armor (Naoe)
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Peasant Clothes | Attacks have 3% chance to remove one Health Segment on hit | Osaka Castle Legendary Chest, Izumi Settsu |
| Tools Master Gear | Throw a Kunai at the closest enemy after an Assassination | Katano Castle Legendary Chest, Izumi Settsu |
| Yurei-Walker Robes | Enemies are less efficient at detecting sound | Shoryuji Castle Legendary Chest, Shoryuji, Yamashiro |
| Mamushi Snake Robes | Dead bodies release a poison cloud when investigated | Nagahama Castle Legendary Chest, Omi |
| Legendary Onna-musha Kosode | Knock down enemies by sliding into them | Uda Matsuyama Castle Legendary Chest, Uda Matsuyama, Yamato |
| Master Assassin Gear | +2 Health Segments removed on Assassinations | Complete the quest 'Out of the Shadows' |
| Dragon's Roar Light Armor | 3% chance to instantly kill with Posture attacks | Purchased from the Shadows Exchange for 1,350 Keys |
| Robes of the Enraged | Vanish after two seconds while crouched or prone | Purchased from the Shadows Exchange for 1,350 Keys |
| Cerulean Guise Kosode | Tag enemies on sight with Eagle Vision | 'The Legacy' Shadows Project Level 21 |
Trinkets (Naoe)
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Amaterasu's Blessing | +10% damage per unused Ability slot | Old Kofun Legendary Chest, Izumi Coast, Izumi Settsu |
| Oni's Fury | +15% damage per non-Legendary Gear Equipped | Teratsutsuki Den Legendary Chest, Kawachi Heights, Izumi Settsu |
| Otakemaru's Battlecry | +1% Health per Mastery Point in Shinobi | Koriyama Camp Legendary Chest, Muggy Lands, Izumi Settsu |
| Graceful Crane | +150% to Stats with no weapon equipped | The Shimmering Fields Legendary Chest, Omi |
| Dragonfly's Cunning | +15% to Stats with only a Katana equipped | Defeat the corrupt Daikan, The Hoarder, during the quest 'The Corrupt Daikan,' Hogonji Temple, Omi |
| Minogame's Protection | +50% damage per empty Armor Piece | Mibuno Castle Legendary Chest, Mibuno Vale, Iga |
| Fluttering Moth | +15% to Stats with only a Kusarigama equipped | Four Devils Lair Legendary Chest, Nabari Wilds, Iga |
| Flight of the Ubagabi | +1% Adrenaline Gain per Mastery Point in Kusarigama | Defeat the kabukimono, Laughing Man, during the quest 'The Kabukimono,' Kanki Burned Fields, Harima |
| Soaring Tatsu | +1% Armor Piercing per Mastery Point in Tanto | Complete the quest 'The Godai Shinobi,' The Shimmering Fields, Omi |
| Cerulean Puzzle Trinket | +2 Health Segments removed on Running Assassinate | 'The Legacy' Shadows Project Level 13 |
Headgear (Yasuke)
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Protector's Helmet | Deal 50% damage to the attacker on Parry | Hanazono Castle Legendary Chest, Yamashiro |
| Elegant Samurai Hat | Reduce damage taken by 5% per enemy in conflict | Yama Camp Legendary Chest, Takatori, Yamato |
| Master Archer Headband | Slow down time on Headshots every 8 seconds | Kanegasaki Castle Legendary Chest, Sotomo Gate, Wakasa |
| Samurai Daimyo Helmet of Legend | Trigger Samurai Stand on death, once per combat | Nagusano Falls Legendary Chest, Mount Kasagata, Harima |
| Destroyer Samurai Helmet | +10% damage per 10% health missing | Defeat Kimura Kei during the quest 'Fighting for the Cause,' Hibuse Fudo Temple, Kii |
Armor (Yasuke)
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Protector's Armor | Can Parry Unblockable attacks | Nijo Palace Legendary Chest, Yamashiro |
| Master Archer Outfit | +200% damage with Ranged Weapons while out of combat | Tsuruga Castle Legendary Chest, Sotomo Gate, Wakasa |
| Samurai Daimyo Armor of Legend | +75% damage but limit Health to 25% | Kanki Castle Legendary Chest, Kanki Burned Fields, Harima |
| Destroyer Samurai Armor | Reduce Impact from enemy attacks | Defeat Kimura Kei during the quest 'Fighting for the Cause,' Hibuse Fudo Temple, Kii |
| Armor of the Undead | Create a Poison Cloud on Parry | Purchased from the Shadows Exchange for 1,350 Keys |
| Cerulean Guise Armor | +100% of an Adrenaline Chunk on ration use | 'Awakening' Shadows Project Level 21 |
Amulets (Yasuke)
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Kitsune's Trickery | +1% Health per Mastery Point in Samurai | Defeat Takahashi Inoshichi of the Twisted Tree during the quest 'Inside Help,' Kyoto, Yamashiro |
| Amaterasu's Blessing | +10% damage per unused Ability slot | Received from the Shinto Priest during the quest 'A Prayer for Omi,' Shirahige Shrine, Omi |
| Heartseeker | +15% to Stats with only a Kanabo equipped | Defeat Marume Nagayoshi in a duel during the quest 'Nobutsuna's Students,' Azuchi, Omi |
| Minogame's Protection | +50% damage per empty Armor piece | Complete the quest 'The Corrupt Daikan' |
| Oni's Fury | +15% damage per non-Legendary Gear Equipped | Defeat The Noble during the quest 'Spring and Fall,' Himeji Castle, Harima |
| Warrior's Respite | +1% Headshot Damage per Mastery Point in Teppo | Defeat Duarte de Melo during the quest 'My Name is Yasuke,' Obama, Wakasa |
| Scale of the Koi | +1% Armor Piercing per Mastery Point in Kanabo | Onyu Legendary Chest, Onyu , Wakasa |
| Howl of the Dragon | +2% Critical Damage per Mastery Point in Long Katana | Defeat Baltazar during the quest 'A Promise,' Kameyama Castle, Kameyama, Tamba |
| Masakado's Vengeance | +1% damage per unspent Mastery Point | Defeat Nuno Caro during the quest 'End of the Line,' Takeda Castle, Takeda, Tamba |
| Bone of the Fallen Warrior | Trigger Poison Buildup with Posture Attacks | Purchased from the Shadows Exchange for 900 Keys |
| Cerulean Core | +2 Health Segments removed on Brutal Assassinations during daytime | 'Awakening' Shadows Project Level 13 |
Weapons
Katana
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Bloodshade | Affliction Buildup is not lost over time | Burnt Village of Nakajima Castle Ship Legendary Chest, west coast of Osaka, Izumi Settsu |
| Steel Blossom | Instantly charge Posture attacks after a Vault | Defeat The Fool during the quest 'Lost Honor,' Yamazaki Castle, Izumi Settsu |
| Masked Death | Posture attack remains charged after Dodge | Shimagahara Valley Legendary Chest, Otogi , Iga |
| Yami no Kage | Deal 100% damage to the attacker on Deflect | Hiraiyama Fort Legendary Chest, The Warfields, Harima |
| Snakebite | Instantly charge Posture attacks after using a Tool | Defeat The Fox during the quest 'The Performer,' Obama, Wakasa |
| Dragon's Edge | Create an area of effect on hit with Dodge Attacks | Defeat The Two-Faced during the quest 'Topple the Traitor,' Shoryuji Castle, Shoryuji, Yamashiro |
| Cerulean Arc | +100% of an Adrenaline Chunk on ration use but no Health regained | 'Awakening' Shadows Project Level 18 |
Kusarigama
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Death Whisperer | +200% damage on enemy collisions | Defeat The Wounded during the quest 'Heads Will Roll,' Amagasaki Castle, Izumi Settsu |
| Featherstorm | Instantly charge Posture attacks when hitting multiple enemies | Kashiwabara Fortress Legendary Chest, Ibu Highlands, Omi |
| Demon Tooth | +2 Health Segments removed on Rush Assassinate | Arima Onsen Legendary Chest, Kakogawa Estuary, Harima |
| Winds of War | Posture attacks on Dazed enemies break armor | Defeat The Wise during the quest 'Darkness Falls,' Kofukuji Temple, Nara Heartland, Yamato |
| Kaen Kusarigama | +135% damage when surrounded by two or more enemies | Purchased from the Shadows Exchange for 1,350 Keys |
Tanto
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Shinobi's Fury | Weakpoint attacks make enemies Vulnerable a second time | Defeat The Golden Teppo in the quest 'Defensive Position,' Osaka Castle, Izumi Settsu |
| Call of the Void | +30% damage on Tagged enemies | Defeat the Godai of Void during the quest 'The Godai Shinobi,' Daikichiji Temple, Omi |
| Artist's Tear | +6% damage with consecutive hits | Takagi Otsuka Fort Legendary Chest, Kanki Burned Fields, Harima |
| Scarlet Fate | Increased Impact with all attacks | Chasuriyama Kofun Legendary Chest, Chasuriyama, Tamba |
| Hatou Tanto | Use a Smoke Bomb after a Weakpoint Attack | Purchased from the Shadows Exchange for 1,350 Keys |
| Cerulean Flux | Instantly charge Posture attacks after using Abilities | 'Awakening' Shadows Project Level 4 |
Long Katana
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Turquoise Zephyr | Successful parries push nearby enemies back | Eagle's Nest Legendary Chest, Yamashiro |
| Myth Slayer | Combo Enders are Postured and make enemies Vulnerable | Defeat The Mourner in the quest 'The Wheel Unmasked,' Hogonji Temple, Omi |
| Cerulean Glitch | +100% of an Adrenaline Chunk on ration use but no Health regained | 'The Legacy' Shadows Project Level 18 |
Naginata
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Sage's Reach | Stack +10% damage on next hit with each block | Defeat The Naginata during the quest 'Showdown in Sakamoto,' Sakamoto Castle, Omi |
| Time-Honored Crescent | First strike makes enemies Vulnerable every eight seconds | Kashiwabara Fortress Legendary Chest, Ibu Highlands, Omi |
| Celestial Blade | Blocking automatically parries incoming regular attacks | Defeat Yuki no Kata in a duel during the quest 'Nobtsuna's Students,' Kakogawa Estuary, Harima |
| Lustrous Pearl | Postured Combo Ender knocks down enemies | Defeat The Clifftop Yamabushi of the Yamabushi Imposters, Path of the Chosen, Kii |
| Cerulean Nexus | Increased Impact on Shoulder Tackle | 'The Legacy' Shadows Project Level 4 |
Kanabo
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Rage of Red Mist | +100% of an Adrenaline Chunk after Armor Break | Grave of Buried Hopes Legendary Chest, Genbu Highlands, Yamashiro |
| Daybreak's Fury | Breaking Armor spreads shrapnel dealing 100% damage | Defeat The Ox during the quest 'Broken Horn,' Miki Castle, Harima |
| Boulder Fall | Attacks cannot be interrupted | Defeat the Katsuragi agent during the quest 'Kurai Eikyou,' Katsuragi, Yamato |
| Eikyo Kanabo | Next Posture attack is charged instantly after blocking an attack | Purchased from the Shadows Exchange for 1,350 Keys |
Teppo
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Patient Harbinger | Chamber two bullets instead of one | Ado River Valley Legendary Chest, Ado River Valley, Omi |
| Hero's Message | Bullets ricochet to nearby enemies | Hikidan-jo Ruins Legendary Chest, Lake Suigetsu, Wakasa |
Bow
| Item | Effect | Location |
| Blush of the Earth | Extend Clear Mind duration by five seconds | Makino Kurumazuka Kofun Legendary Chest, Yawata Plains, Izumi Settsu |
| Last Breath | Special Ammo instantly triggers its affliction on a Headshot | Complete the quest 'Requiem for Rokkaku,' Sakamoto Tower, Omi |
| Funeral Pyre | Retreating Shot pushes enemies back | Inariyama Garrison, Mount Kasagata, Harima |
| A Thousand Cuts | Shots to legs knock down enemies | Defeat Akumu of The Winter Raiders in the quest 'The Winter Raiders,' Sandanbeki Cave, Nakahechi Route, Kii |
And those are all the Assassin's Creed Shadows Legendary gear locations we've found so far. We'll continue to update this guide as we gradually uncover all the hidden gems the game has to offer.
How to upgrade gear in Assassin's Creed Shadows
There are two ways to upgrade your gear in Assassin's Creed Shadows: leveling it up, or by having the blacksmith at your Hideout engrave it with a bonus perk.
In AC Shadows, gear is scaled to Naoe and Yasuke's current level. This is handy at first, but as you continue to grow stronger, the power of your favored equipment quickly falls behind the curve. To remedy this, you can use the AC Shadows resources you gather to upgrade them to your current level, improving their stats.
Unfortunately, this is a costly process, requiring Mon and Ironsand to complete. We'd recommend only hunting the legendary gear you really need at first, as you'll quickly accrue a chunk of equipment you can't afford to level. If you're not sure what to go after first, use our builds guide as a source of inspiration. Once you upgrade your Forge to level three, though, you're free to collect to your heart's content for the following reason…
Once you've leveled your Forge to level two at the Hideout, you'll unlock the ability to engrave perks into your gear. These bonus modifiers range from extra crit chance, to bonus damage reduction from certain sources. Once you've found a legendary piece of gear, you'll unlock the ability to apply its unique perk – even to other legendary gear – but only when your Forge has reached level three.
We're still experimenting with combinations, but generally, we recommend engravings that accentuate the purpose of your gear. For example, affliction bonus engravings on weapons that apply poison. Legendary gear becomes even better with this system. In the example above, we've engraved Yasuke's Samurai Daimyo Armor of Legend with the Protector's Armor's ability to parry unblockable attacks, effectively removing the threat of lethal melee blows. It should be noted that engravings can be overwritten at any time, so you're free to switch it up as long as you have the cash to do so.
And that's how to upgrade your gear in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Marry your new legendary gear with certain AC Shadows guides hub.