In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll see many icons while traveling throughout feudal Japan. These symbols show your upcoming quests, the locations of important landmark, NPCs, and other things. Knowing what each icon means can help you make better choices as you play as Naoe the ninja and Yasuke the samurai in the game. Here is a guide to help you understand what all icons and symbols mean in Assassin's Creed Shadows.

What Do All Icons and Symbols Mean in Assassin's Creed Shadows Gameplay

When you start your journey through feudal Japan, you will see some icons on your screen that help you navigate and control your character. They display key details like health, abilities, and objectives, making it easier to play and react quickly:

Assassin's Creed Shadows Icons and Symbols

Icons and SymbolsDescription
1. QuestsThe blue diamond with a square icon shows the Quests you need to tackle. There are a total of 87 main quests in the game, plus a lot of other side quests too to complete.
2. Objective HelpersThis double diamonds stack into each other icon is your Objective Helpers.
3. HealThe plus icon is the button you need to click if you want to Heal.
4. Swap WeaponWhen you want to Swap Weapon, you need to click the weapon icon here. You can change between your primary and secondary weapons.
5. Whistle / Call MountThis voice frequency symbol is the Whistle or Call Mount button. If you want to call your horse, just click this icon.
6. Health BarThe white long gauge icon shows your Health Bar.
7. NPCBlue diamond with a circle icon inside it shows all the NPC locations.
8. AbilitiesAll the icons on the bottom right of your screen shows your Abilities.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Icons and Symbols

Icons and SymbolsDescription
9. Eagle VisionThis eye icon shows Naoe's ability to do Eagle Vision. This ability is unlocked by reaching Knowledge Rank 1, and can be used to detect enemies and assassinate them after. 
10. Observed TargetThe red target icon on top of enemies head is the Observe Target system that lets you tag enemies and kill them easily.
11. Compass BarThis long line with N, S, W, and E letters is the Compass bar.

Icons and SymbolsDescription
12. ChestThis box icon with a lock on it shows Chest locations in the game. You can loot them for materials.
13. StockpileThe barrel icon shows Stockpiles. When you open Stockpiles, you can get Woods, Crops, and Minerals.
Assassin's Creed Shadows Icons and Symbols

Icons and SymbolsDescription
14. Play as YasukeIf you want to play as Yasuke, click the Samurai icon.
15. Play As NaoeHowever, if you want to play as Naoe, you have to click the Ninja icon.

What Do All Icons and Symbols Mean in Assassin's Creed Shadows Dialogues

Whenever you find and talk to NPCs in the game, the icons next to dialogue options show what will happen. Understanding them helps you make the right choices in the game:

Icons and SymbolsDescription
1. Lie DialogueScales icon when you are having a conversation, means you are about to lie to the person you're talking to.
2. Kill DialogueThe skull icon in the conversation means you are about to kill the character you are speaking with.
3. Recruit an AllyThis friendly person with plus sign icon shows that selecting this option will recruit the character as your ally.
4. Exit ConversationIf you want to exit the conversation and walk away, use this door with arrow icon.
5. Flirt DialogueWhen you see a heart icon in the conversation, you have an opportunity to flirt with the character.
6. Final Romance DialogueSelecting the arrow through heart icon will trigger the final romance scene with the character.
7. Break Up DialogueChange your mind about the romance? You can always choose to break up by clicking the heart with slash icon.
8. Fight DialogueIf you are talking to an NPC and there is a red crossed swords icon and you select it, you will start a fight with the NPC.

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What Do All Icons and Symbols Mean in Assassin's Creed Shadows Map

The map in Assassin's Creed Shadows is filled with so many icons that mark important locations throughout feudal Japan. These map markers help you find places like hideouts, castles, viewpoints, and vendors:

Assassins Creed Shadows Map Icons and Symbols

Icons and SymbolsDescription
1. KakuregaThe Kakurega, which is the key hideout building in Assassin's Creed Shadows is shown with the ninja-like icon on the map.
2. CastleIf you want to clear legendary chests, you have to visit the Castles scattered throughout the map. The Japanese-castle structure icon shows the locations.
3. FortYou can also clear legendary chests in the Forts. Find them by searching the three arrows looking up icon on the map.
4. ViewpointThe icon that looks like angel with wings are the Viewpoints. There are a total of 109 Viewpoints across the map, each one acts as a fast travel point for easier navigation.

Icons and SymbolsDescription
5. Ornament VendorThese house with decorated roof icon shows the locations of Ornament Vendor. This place sells horse skins and hideout decorations.
6. Gear VendorIf you want to buy weapons, armor, and rations based on your level, find the Gear Vendor on the map with armor and katana icon.
7. Port TraderThe Port Trader, shown with an anchor icon on the map, provides items for upgrading your hideout.
8. Target NPCJust like the NPC icon we mentioned above, you can also see the Target NPC locations by searching the diamond with a person icon in it.
9. QuestYou can also search the current Quest locations by looking for the diamond with a square icon inside it.

Icons and SymbolsDescription
10. Hidden TrailThe track in between two trees icon shows the Hidden Trail. This is Naoe-exclusive activities that reward Knowledge Points and loot for her.
11. KataKata is the locations where Yasuke can do some movement-based meditation. Find it on the map with white head-silhouette and an arrow icon inside it.
12. Horse ArcheryThese horse icons you find on the map show Horse Archery locations. This is like a minigame where you have to ride our horse and practice to use your bow. This activity is only for Yasuke.
13. KofunThis tomb sign icon shows the Kofun locations in Assassin's Creed Shadows. These are hidden tombs that contain legendary chests.
14. RiftThe various vertical lines icon is the Rift location. Rifts are Animus glitches added to the game, to reveal hidden information that Abstergo tried to keep secret with.
15. ShrineThe shrine icons shows the Shrine locations on the map. When you visit the Shrines, you can get Knowledge Point and XP.
16. TempleAnd the temple icons shows the Temple locations on the map. Temples in Assassin's Creed Shadows hide lost pages that reward you with a Knowledge Point for unlocking new skills.
17. Kuji KiriKuji-kiri is a meditative practice performed by Naoe. These will require her to sit in an area as the player hits four buttons in the same pattern.
Icons and SymbolsDescription
18. Lost PageThese paper-scroll icons on the map shows all the Lost Page locations. They are found in temples and when you open them you will get Knwoledge Points.
19. Kura KeyThis key icon means that's where you can find Kura Key. It unlocks a stash with loot and resources.
20. KeysThe Animus logo icons shows the Keys. In Assassin's Creed Shadows, these Keys are used to buy premium items at the Exchange Store.
21. Small ShrineJust like the Shrines, these small shrine icons shows the Small Shrine locations on the map.
22. Samurai DaishoTo open a fort or castle's legendary chest, you must first locate and defeat all Samurai Daisho. Their locations can be spotted by searching for the Samurai helmet icons on the map.

This completes our article on all Assassin's Creed Shadows icons and symbols meaning. When you remember these icons and their meanings, they will definitely help you shape your journey, whether playing as Naoe or Yasuke. They guide your choices in alliances, conflicts, and interactions in the game. Good luck!