Can You Master Everything in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey? A Deep Dive into Mastery Levels
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So, you’re delving into the world of ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and wondering if you can become the ultimate demigod, mastering every skill and ability the game has to offer? The short answer is: yes, eventually, you can acquire enough Ability Points to unlock and max out all Mastery Levels, but reaching that point requires a significant investment of time and effort. Let’s unpack this a bit, exploring the intricacies of the Mastery Level system, how to maximize your Ability Point gain, and what you should prioritize along the way.
Understanding the Mastery Level System
Once you reach level 50 in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, the game unlocks the Mastery Level system. This system allows you to further enhance your Assassin, Hunter, and Warrior skill trees by spending Ability Points on powerful passive bonuses. These bonuses range from increased damage and health to higher critical hit chances and resistances. Each Mastery Level provides a specific bonus, and each can typically be upgraded multiple times (usually up to 20 levels), further amplifying its effect.
The key here is that while the initial skill tree unlocks active abilities, Mastery Levels primarily offer passive enhancements. These passive bonuses, when stacked, can dramatically alter your character’s build and playstyle. They essentially allow you to fine-tune your character’s strengths and compensate for weaknesses, making your Spartan mercenary a truly formidable force.
The initial misconception is that, given the large number of Mastery Levels and their potential upgrades, and the initially perceived scarcity of Ability Points, maxing everything out is impossible. When the game launched, before DLC and updates, this was closer to the truth. However, with the addition of new content, a higher level cap, and various patches, the accumulation of Ability Points becomes much more generous.
Earning Ability Points: The Path to Mastery
The primary method of acquiring Ability Points is by leveling up. Each time you gain a level, you’re awarded Ability Points that can be spent on unlocking new skills or upgrading Mastery Levels. With the level cap increased to 99, this provides a substantial influx of points.
But leveling isn’t the only way. You also earn Ability Points by completing certain quests and activities. These can include finishing main story missions, completing side quests, and clearing out locations. Keep an eye out for quests with Ability Points as a reward.
Another source of Ability Points comes from Ancient Steles scattered throughout the world. These steles, often found in tombs and ruins, grant an Ability Point upon discovery. Seek them out during your exploration – they’re valuable and often located in interesting places.
The bottom line? The more you play and explore, the more Ability Points you’ll accumulate.
Prioritizing Your Mastery Levels: Smart Spending
While technically you can get all Mastery Levels eventually, it’s generally not the most efficient strategy, especially early on. Some Mastery Levels provide significantly more benefit than others, depending on your playstyle.
Here’s a rough guideline of what to prioritize:
- Critical Hit Chance & Damage: These are universally useful, regardless of your preferred combat style. Critical hits deal massive damage, making these bonuses highly effective.
- Assassin Damage: If you enjoy stealth gameplay, boosting your Assassin Damage is crucial. It allows you to one-shot more enemies and tackle tougher targets.
- Warrior Damage: For a more direct combat approach, investing in Warrior Damage is essential. This increases the damage you deal with melee weapons.
- Health & Armor: Survivability is key, especially on higher difficulties. Boosting your health and armor allows you to withstand more damage and stay in the fight longer.
- Resistances: Elemental and physical resistances can be incredibly useful against certain enemy types and bosses.
- Weapon-Specific Damage: If you favor a particular weapon type (swords, spears, axes, etc.), investing in the corresponding Mastery Level can provide a noticeable damage boost.
Avoid spreading your points too thin. Focus on the Mastery Levels that complement your playstyle and provide the most significant benefits. You can always respec your Mastery Levels later if you want to experiment with different builds – more on that below.
Resetting Mastery Levels: Experimentation is Key
One of the best features of the Mastery Level system in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is the ability to reset your points and redistribute them. This allows you to experiment with different builds and find what works best for you.
You can reset your Mastery Levels at any time by navigating to the Mastery Levels menu and holding the designated button (L3 on PlayStation, LS on Xbox, and a corresponding key on PC). The cost of resetting is relatively low, making it easy to adapt your build to different challenges or playstyles.
Avoiding the Grind: Making the Most of Your Time
While grinding for Ability Points is certainly possible, it’s not the most enjoyable way to experience Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Here are some tips to minimize the grind and maximize your enjoyment:
- Focus on Main Quests & Interesting Side Quests: Prioritize quests that offer good rewards, including Ability Points, experience, and valuable gear.
- Explore the World: Discovering new locations, tombs, and Ancient Steles is a great way to earn Ability Points and other rewards while enjoying the game’s stunning environments.
- Complete Contracts & Bounties: These offer a quick and easy way to earn experience and drachmae (in-game currency), which can be used to upgrade your gear.
- Participate in Conquest Battles: These large-scale battles provide a good source of experience and loot.
- Use XP Boosters Wisely: If you’re looking to level up quickly, consider using XP boosters to accelerate your progress.
Is It Worth It? The Pursuit of Completion
Ultimately, whether or not you choose to max out all Mastery Levels in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is a matter of personal preference. If you’re a completionist, then the challenge of unlocking every single bonus may be appealing. However, for most players, focusing on the Mastery Levels that provide the most significant benefit to their playstyle is the more practical approach.
Remember, the game is designed to be enjoyed, not to be a chore. Experiment, have fun, and find the build that works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many Ability Points do you need to max out all Mastery Levels?
The exact number depends on how many Mastery Levels and upgrades you’re aiming for, but it is a significant number. Expect to invest dozens of hours into the game to acquire enough points to max out everything.
2. What’s the best way to farm Ability Points?
Completing main quests and side quests is the most reliable method. Also, keep an eye out for Ancient Steles. Efficiently clearing forts and bandit camps can also provide a decent stream of XP.
3. Can I reset my Mastery Levels for free?
No, resetting Mastery Levels costs a small amount of drachmae (in-game currency), but the cost is manageable.
4. Do DLCs add more Ability Points?
Yes, the DLCs (Legacy of the First Blade and The Fate of Atlantis) introduce new quests, locations, and enemies, all of which provide opportunities to earn more Ability Points. The Atlantis DLC is particularly generous.
5. What are the most important Mastery Levels for an Assassin build?
Critical Hit Chance, Critical Hit Damage, Assassin Damage, and bonuses that increase damage after a successful assassination.
6. What are the most important Mastery Levels for a Warrior build?
Warrior Damage, Health, Armor, and resistances to various damage types.
7. What are the most important Mastery Levels for a Hunter build?
Hunter Damage, Critical Hit Chance, Critical Hit Damage, and headshot damage bonuses.
8. Does the difficulty setting affect the number of Ability Points I earn?
No, the difficulty setting primarily affects enemy health and damage output, not the number of Ability Points you earn.
9. Can I get Ability Points after reaching the level cap?
No, once you reach the level cap of 99, you will no longer earn Ability Points from leveling up. You must rely on other sources like quests and Ancient Steles.
10. Are there any missable Ability Points in the game?
No, there are no missable Ability Points. You can always go back and complete quests or find Ancient Steles that you may have missed.
11. What are the best engravings to pair with my Mastery Level build?
Engravings should complement your Mastery Levels. For example, if you’re focusing on Critical Hit Chance, engravings that further increase your critical hit chance or damage are ideal.
12. How do I find Ancient Steles easily?
Use a guide or online map to locate the Ancient Steles in each region. They’re often found in tombs and ruins, so explore thoroughly.
13. Is it better to focus on one skill tree (Assassin, Hunter, Warrior) or spread my points across all three?
This depends on your playstyle. Focusing on one tree will maximize your effectiveness in that area, while spreading your points allows for a more balanced approach.
14. Can I change my playstyle later in the game?
Yes, the ability to reset your Mastery Levels makes it easy to change your playstyle at any time.
15. Where can I learn more about game strategies and mechanics?
There are many online resources, including forums, wikis, and video guides. Furthermore, understanding how people learn by playing games is a growing field of research that you can check out on the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.
Embrace the journey, experiment with different builds, and become the legendary figure of ancient Greece that you were destined to be!