In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, The Tournament is not just a thrilling experience but also a fantastic source of XP and a chance to earn the "Test Your Might" trophy. Here’s a detailed guide on how to unlock, find, and conquer The Tournament.

How to Unlock and Find The Tournament in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Screenshot by The Escapist

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, your journey to The Tournament begins with Gyoji, a resident of Yamato. After you’ve taken down several members of The Shinbakufu, Gyoji will be waiting outside your hideout, eager to discuss The Tournament. This secret fighting arena is nestled in Southeastern Yamato at the Ominesanji Temple. To make your journey easier, head to the Ominesanji Overlook viewpoint just west of the area. Synchronizing here will unlock a fast travel point, allowing for quick returns and seamless character switching if needed.

Once at the Ominesanji Temple, reconnect with Gyoji. He’ll brief you on the challenge ahead: four one-on-one duels, culminating in a face-off with the ultimate champion. After the cutscene, ring the bell to kick off your first fight.

How to Complete The Tournament in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

The Tournament is a gauntlet of intense, life-or-death battles. Fortunately, you can take breaks between fights, using the bell to signal when you’re ready for the next challenge. Use this time wisely to heal with rations and upgrade or swap your weapons and armor.

To triumph in each duel, we recommend using Yasuke with a long katana, focusing on dodging and parrying to exploit your opponents' vulnerabilities. Utilize abilities like Power Dash and Payback when your adrenaline is sufficient.

Knowing your opponents' weapons can give you an edge. Here’s who you’ll face:

• Lady Masago wields a Naginata.
• Lord Suguru uses a Katana.
• Lord Hokuto fights with a Kanabo.
• Lady O-Sen dual-wields Poison Katanas and throws ranged items.
• Lord Unkai uses a Naginata and can heal if you keep your distance.

After defeating all opponents, speak with Gyoji once more atop the hill. He’ll express gratitude for his freedom and hint at future tournaments. It’s during this conversation that the "Test Your Might" trophy should unlock.

Best Loadout and Skills for Tournaments in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Yasuke’s best armor for The Tournament, Screenshot by The Escapist

For The Tournament, the Long Katana is your weapon of choice. Ensure you’re using the highest rarity available, upgraded to its maximum potential at the blacksmith. Engravings that boost Armor Damage or Armor Piercing are particularly beneficial.

Your armor choice is crucial, not only for increased health but for the combat-altering engravings. Before entering The Tournament, secure the Samurai Daimyo Armor of Legend by defeating The Ox, a member of The Shinbakufu, and the Protector’s Armor from completing a Castle mission. The former provides a 75% damage boost at the cost of 25% health, while the latter allows you to parry unblockable attacks. Combining these engravings can make you unstoppable, enabling you to defeat opponents in under a minute with effective parrying.

For skills, prioritize the Long Katana and Samurai trees, maxing out Combat Expert for enhanced melee damage, and unlocking Power Dash and Payback.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S from March 20th.