Assassin’s Creed Shadows received its massive Title Update 1.1.1 on September 11, 2025, delivering one of the most substantial post-launch updates in franchise history. While this patch primarily prepares the game for its first major expansion, Claws of Awaji, it also introduces highly requested features, quality-of-life improvements, and significant gameplay enhancements that benefit all players—whether they purchase the DLC or not. This comprehensive guide breaks down every change in Update 1.1.1, including the level cap increase to 100, time-skip mechanics, hideout upgrades, the free Bo staff quest, and all bug fixes.
Table of Contents
Update Overview: Size, Availability, and Release Details
Download Sizes by Platform
Update 1.1.1 launched on September 11, 2025, at 2 PM UTC / 10 AM EDT / 7 AM PT across all platforms. The update size varies significantly depending on your platform:
- PlayStation 5: 12.94 GB
- Xbox Series X|S: 33 GB
- Steam (PC): 17 GB
- Other PC Storefronts: 42 GB
- Mac: 24 GB
The substantial file sizes reflect the depth of changes, expansion support infrastructure, and numerous quality-of-life improvements packed into this update.
Major New Features: Game-Changing Additions
Level Cap Increase to 100
Perhaps the most significant change for dedicated players is the level cap increase from 80 to 100. This 20-level expansion provides substantially more character progression and build customization options.
What This Means:
- More skill points to distribute across Naoe and Yasuke’s ability trees
- Expanded build diversity allowing hybrid playstyles
- Additional power scaling for tackling higher-difficulty content
- Extended endgame progression for completionists
Push Square noted the community reaction: “L100 oh god the trophy hunters are gonna be mad. People were already fuming that the difference btw L60 and L80 is like 20+ hours of XP grinding”. The level increase dramatically extends the grind for completionists but provides meaningful progression for players who’ve exhausted the original content.
Time Skip Mechanic: Finally Control Day and Night
One of the most requested features since launch, Update 1.1.1 introduces the ability to skip time by meditating.
How It Works:
- Upgrade the Nando (meditation building) to level 2 in your hideout
- Find a safe location during gameplay
- Hold the up button (L on keyboard) to meditate
- Time advances to the next 6 o’clock (either 6 AM or 6 PM)
Why It Matters:
This seemingly simple feature transforms gameplay, particularly for stealth-focused players who prefer infiltrating castles under cover of darkness. Previously, players had to wait in real-time or complete other activities to advance the clock—an immersion-breaking frustration that hampered tactical planning.
Gamesradar emphasized: “This feels like something that should’ve been in the base game at launch”. The feature addresses a fundamental quality-of-life issue that plagued players throughout the game’s first months.
Hideout Upgrades: Expanded Progression Systems
New Building Upgrade Levels
Update 1.1.1 adds two additional upgrade levels to each unique hideout building, totaling 20 new enhancements across three new Hideout levels.
Key Upgrade Benefits:
Study Level 4 Upgrade:
- Scouts can now reveal viewpoints and safehouses automatically on the map
- Eliminates tedious exploration grinding
- Streamlines map completion and synchronization
Kakurega (Hideout) Level 4 Upgrade:
- Discovering all viewpoints within a province automatically reveals the entire province
- Completely removes fog of war after synchronization
- A heavily requested feature since launch that dramatically improves navigation
Forge Level 6 Upgrade:
- Unlock two new equipment quality tiers: Mythic and Artifact
- Significantly boosts gear power ceiling
- Provides new crafting goals for endgame players
Additional Benefits:
According to Ubisoft’s official statement: “These upgrades introduce valuable bonuses that accelerate Hideout growth, improve crafting capability by making Gold more accessible, and directly enhance Naoe, Yasuke, and their allies, making them more effective in both combat and exploration”.
Free Content: Go with the Bo Quest
New Weapon Type for All Players
Even if you don’t purchase the Claws of Awaji expansion, Update 1.1.1 includes a free story quest called “Go with the Bo” that unlocks Naoe’s new weapon type.
Quest Details:
- Available to all players starting September 16, 2025
- Follow Junjiro’s journey to meet a legendary Bo Master
- Learn the art of Bo staff combat
- Receive the Bo staff weapon permanently upon completion
Bo Staff Combat:
The Bo staff suits Naoe’s acrobatic fighting style, emphasizing quick strikes and fluid movement. Vulkk described it as “suited for Naoe’s aptitude with acrobatics and quick strikes”. This represents Ubisoft’s commitment to providing meaningful free content alongside paid expansions, ensuring the community doesn’t fragment.
Project Sanctuary: Ezio Returns
Fan-Favorite Assassin’s Rewards
Update 1.1.1 introduces Project Sanctuary, a new Animus Hub project featuring rewards themed around franchise icon Ezio Auditore da Firenze.
Ezio-Themed Rewards:
- Ezio’s signature robes and hood – The iconic Renaissance Assassin outfit
- Rooftop Cat pet – An adorable white feline wearing custom Assassin robes for your hideout
- Additional Ezio-inspired cosmetics and decorations
How to Unlock:
Start the Sanctuary project and complete Animus Anomaly challenges scattered throughout the game world. These activities reward exploration and puzzle-solving while providing nostalgic callbacks to the beloved Ezio trilogy.
IGN India called the Rooftop Cat “adorable”, while Gamesradar admitted: “what can I say, I’m a sucker for cats”. The combination of functional cosmetics and charming hideout decorations provides fan service that resonates across the community.
Claws of Awaji Expansion Support
First Major DLC Preparation
While Update 1.1.1 is available to all players, it primarily prepares the game for the Claws of Awaji expansion releasing September 16, 2025.
Expansion Overview:
- New island region dominated by the mysterious Sanzoku Ippa faction
- Naoe and Yasuke travel searching for Fujibayashi Tsuyu
- Over 10 hours of additional story content
- New legendary gear, skills, abilities, enemies, and locations
- Price: $25 / €25 (Free for pre-order customers)
The expansion introduces new enemy types, environmental challenges, and narrative threads that expand the game’s lore. While technically separate from the free update, the infrastructure supporting the DLC benefits all players through improved performance and systems optimization.
Bug Fixes: Addressing Community Issues
Update 1.1.1 includes numerous bug fixes targeting crashes, localization problems, and quality-of-life annoyances.
Critical Fixes
Crash Fixes:
- Fixed game crash during the “Chained” rift cutscene
- Resolved multiple stability issues affecting mission completion
Audio Fixes:
- Fixed vertical sliding sound effect continuing after character switches
- Prevents audio bugs that broke immersion during traversal
Tutorial Fixes:
- Fixed repeating tutorials after unlocking Yasuke
- Addresses annoying issue where basic instructions reappeared unnecessarily
Localization:
- Fixed various localization issues across multiple languages
- Improves text accuracy and translation quality
These fixes represent Ubisoft’s ongoing commitment to polish and stability, addressing specific pain points reported by the community since launch.
Quality of Life Improvements
Beyond headline features, Update 1.1.1 includes subtle enhancements that significantly improve player experience:
Map Revelation System
The combination of Study Level 4 upgrades and Kakurega Level 4 upgrades creates a dramatically improved map discovery system. Scouts revealing viewpoints and safehouses, combined with automatic province revelation after synchronizing all viewpoints, eliminates tedious fog-of-war management.
Crafting Accessibility
Enhanced Gold accessibility through hideout upgrades reduces grinding for crafting materials, making gear progression feel more rewarding and less repetitive.
Character Enhancement
The upgrades “directly enhance Naoe, Yasuke, and their allies, making them more effective in both combat and exploration”, improving core gameplay feel without requiring specific player actions.
Community Reception: Mixed but Optimistic
Player response to Update 1.1.1 has been generally positive, though some concerns persist.
Positive Reactions:
- Time-skip mechanic praised as essential feature that should’ve existed at launch
- Ezio cosmetics and Rooftop Cat generate excitement and nostalgia
- Hideout upgrades provide meaningful long-term goals
- Free Bo staff quest appreciated as non-expansion players receive substantial content
Concerns:
- Level cap increase to 100 creates additional grind for completionists
- Some features feel like they should’ve been in base game
- Large download sizes frustrate players with limited storage or bandwidth
Push Square captured the sentiment: “I dropped the game a few weeks after release but want to get back into playing and finishing it after a bunch of updates”—suggesting the update successfully attracts lapsed players back to the experience.
Post-Launch Roadmap: What’s Coming Next
Update 1.1.1 represents just one component of Ubisoft’s ongoing support plan for Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Fall 2025 Roadmap Highlights:
Title Update 10 (October 28, 2025):
- Parkour Update 2 with “Advanced Parkour” toggle
- Side ejects and back ejects from any height
- Directional catch ledge mechanic returns
- Corrupted Castles – New Animus-themed activity with seasonal rotations
November 25, 2025:
Future Plans:
- Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility confirmed
- Additional seasonal content and events
- Continued quality-of-life improvements based on feedback
This roadmap demonstrates Ubisoft’s long-term commitment to supporting Shadows well into 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When was Assassin’s Creed Shadows Update 1.1.1 released?
Update 1.1.1 launched on September 11, 2025, at 2 PM UTC / 10 AM EDT / 7 AM PT across all platforms.
Q2: How large is the update download?
Download sizes vary: PS5 (12.94 GB), Xbox Series X|S (33 GB), Steam (17 GB), other PC (42 GB), Mac (24 GB).
Q3: Do I need the Claws of Awaji DLC to access Update 1.1.1 features?
No, all Update 1.1.1 features (level cap increase, time skip, hideout upgrades, Bo staff quest, Ezio rewards) are available to all players regardless of DLC purchase.
Q4: What is the new level cap?
The level cap increased from 80 to 100, adding 20 additional character progression levels.
Q5: How do I skip time in the game?
Upgrade the Nando to level 2, find a safe location, then hold up button (L on keyboard) to meditate and advance to the next 6 AM or 6 PM.
Q6: What is the Bo staff and how do I get it?
The Bo staff is Naoe’s new weapon type. Complete the free “Go with the Bo” quest (available September 16) to unlock it permanently.
Q7: Can I get Ezio’s outfit in this update?
Yes, start the Project Sanctuary in the Animus Hub and complete Anomaly challenges to unlock Ezio’s robes, hood, and other rewards.
Q8: What are Mythic and Artifact gear qualities?
New highest-tier equipment qualities unlocked by upgrading the Forge to level 6, providing the most powerful gear in the game.
Q9: Does the map automatically reveal after synchronization now?
Yes, with Kakurega upgraded to level 4, synchronizing all viewpoints in a province automatically reveals the entire province.
Q10: When does the Claws of Awaji expansion release?
The Claws of Awaji DLC releases on September 16, 2025, priced at $25/€25 (free for pre-order customers).
