Assassin's Creed Shadows: First major DLC "Claws of Awaji" launched

The feudal Japan adventure continues as Ubisoft has officially launched Claws of Awaji, the first major expansion for Assassin's Creed Shadows. Released on September 16, 2025, this substantial DLC brings players to an entirely new region while introducing fresh gameplay mechanics and story elements that build upon the main campaign.

“Claws of Awaji” takes players to a new location

The DLC drops players onto Awaji Island, which is a mysterious location beyond Osaka Bay that serves as the backdrop for over 10 hours of additional content. This new region introduces the Sanzoku Ippa, a dangerous faction that hunts players relentlessly as they search for a lost treasure.

Naoe and Yasuke return as the dual protagonists, with the story picking up after the main campaign's conclusion. Players must complete the base game to access the expansion, as it directly continues the narrative threads established in the original story.

The DLC hands out new weapons to players

The next addition is the Bo staff weapon for Naoe, which emphasizes tactical efficiency and fluid combo attacks against multiple enemies. This new weapon type, developed initially exclusively for the expansion, proved popular enough that Ubisoft made a basic version available to all players through a free quest called "Go with the Bo". The expansion also includes legendary gear, new skills, and abilities that can be carried back into the main game.

Claws of Awaji is the first in a planned series of expansions for Shadows, with Ubisoft confirming additional content in development. As mentioned earlier, the DLC costs $25 as a standalone purchase, though players who pre-ordered Shadows receive it at no additional charge. The expansion is also included with Ubisoft+ subscriptions, providing multiple access points for interested players.