Confront Wakasa or Otama in Assassin’s Creed Shadows: What to Choose?

If you're diving into Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you'll soon find yourself at a pivotal moment during the "Tea Ceremony" mission. While not every choice in the game carries significant weight, deciding between confronting Wakasa or Otama will undeniably impact the remainder of your campaign.

Recommended videos aside, there’s a clear path that makes this quest significantly smoother. Both participants in the tea ceremony raise suspicions, but only one choice leads to a straightforward resolution.

Should You Confront Wakasa or Otama in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Image Source: Ubisoft Quebec via The Escapist

Following the tea ceremony, your best bet is to confront Wakasa, who is revealed to be the Golden Teppo of the Onryo. Identifying her early will allow you to eliminate her with minimal hassle. As soon as you engage her, she invites Naoe back to her residence to discuss matters privately. Upon entering her home, subtle clues—like the kasa (straw hat) from the prologue, prominently displayed on her wall—confirm your decision.

After a brief exchange, Naoe can swiftly end the mission by retrieving Wakasa’s Teppo from the wall and firing it directly at her. This cinematic finish ensures a clean victory without unnecessary complications.

What If You Confront Otama in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Choosing to pursue Otama instead of Wakasa will still lead to the same outcome—Wakasa’s defeat—but the journey becomes far more convoluted. Initially, you’ll chase Otama and eliminate her. However, the letter found on her person reveals she wasn’t the Golden Teppo. Worse still, Wakasa escapes and retreats to Osaka Castle, where she fortifies herself alongside her soldiers.

If you've unlocked the nearby Osaka Tenshu fast travel point, reaching the castle becomes easier, though you’ll encounter a few standard enemies en route. Sneaking past these guards to confront Wakasa won’t suffice, as she’ll require a direct confrontation. Even then, the ensuing battle isn’t overly challenging, but the added complexity detracts from the satisfaction of a seamless cinematic kill.

Ultimately, identifying and addressing Wakasa first proves far less frustrating and offers a more rewarding experience. After all, she played a key role in Naoe’s father’s demise.

Now that you know the optimal approach, consider leveling up efficiently in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Explore ways to earn XP quickly or gather Knowledge Points to unlock new abilities for Naoe and Yasuke.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is currently available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.