As someone who absorbed the vanilla version of AC Shadows in mere days, I know just how many tricky puzzles and intense quests this game has to offer. It’s a high bar that Ubisoft set from the outset, but in my humble opinion, the 1.1.6 update boasts a few quests that arguably outdo the base game.
One of which involves the Isu Door puzzle, a real head-scratcher. You’ll need to track down 13 Glyphs with minimal hints to guide you, meaning you’ll be leaping and bounding around Feudal Japan like an assassin possessed.
I wish I had a guide to point me in the right direction at the time, but I have walked so you can run, as I have all the locations listed to make your time with this quest a breeze.
All Glyph Locations in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
To start locating glyphs, you need to start and complete The Puzzlement Quest. The quest becomes available after downloading the 1.1.6 Update for AC Shadows, and if you have Yasuke as a playable character.
Then, bring up your map to spot a new quest marker. This will lead you north of Hanazono Castle in the southern section of Wakasa. Once here, speak to the two bickering NPCs, Kinu and Kane, and they will ask you to help in deciphering a strange riddle.
Kinu and Kane will give you the Riddle Scroll Beacon, which you equip from your inventory’s Trinket section. The Riddle Scroll Beacon will chime whenever you get close to a glyph, which gives a clearer idea of where the glyph might be hidden.
Glyph of the Vault
Just east of where you met Kinu and Kane, you’ll find the first Glyph nearby.
Check out the large boulder to find the symbol etched on it. Return to Kinu and Kane right after to complete The Puzzlement quest.
Glyph of the Mist
Head over to Okishima Overlook in Lake Biwa, Omi. Visit the southwestern section of the island.
Jump down the cliff from the viewpoint hut, then turn around to find the second glyph on the rocky wall.
Glyph of the Lost
Your next location will be east of the Ogura Pond viewpoint, Yamashiro, close to the shoreline.
Get up on the hill here and jump down a bit to find the third glyph engraving on the rock.
Glyph of the Ship
You would have to travel between Tamba, Yamashiro, and Wakasa for this one.
Right at the southern end of Shattered Coast, or northeast of Tamba Highlands, is where this glyph will be, right beside the shore and engraved on a boulder.
Glyph of the Arch
In Lake Suigetsu in Wakasa, walk over to Hiruga Bay and jump across to the tiny plateau.
Slowly make your way down the plateau to find the fifth glyph.
Glyph of the Sakura
Head over to the Yamashiro region and get to the Yamazaki viewpoint.
From Yamazaki Castle, travel west towards Eagle’s Nest. Check the rocky wall of the hill to find the sixth glyph.
Glyph of Silence
In the Tamba region, make your way to Tamba Highlands.
A bit north of the Path of Silence hidden trail, head way up towards the waterfall and walk along the cliffside to find the seventh glyph.
Glyph of Stone
Don’t leave the Tamba region just yet. Between Kameyama, the Silver Lands, and Eagle’s Nest, head over to the base of the hill here.
Look around to find the eighth glyph on the wall of the hill.
Glyph of the Watchtower
Make your way to Mount Hiei in the Omi region and head a bit southeast from there.
You should spot a hill, just between Mount Hiei and Sakamoto village. Explore the hills to find the ninth glyph etched on a rock.
Glyph of the Sky
Head over to Yamashiro and travel north of the Kuramadera Pagoda viewpoint, close to Onyu Pass, Wakasa.
On top of the snowy hill is where you will spot the tenth glyph.
Glyph of the Waterfall
Your next stop is at Omi’s Takashima Shores. You will find a small pond just south of the viewpoint here.
Make your way to the eastern section of the shoreline to find the eleventh glyph, on the upper levels of the hill.
Glyph of the Tide
Don’t leave Omi yet; head over to Lake Biwa again. Cross the river from Omizo Tenshu and head north towards the broken sections of land.
Walk close to the shoreline and investigate the rocks here to find the twelfth glyph.
Glyph of the River
For the last glyph, you will find it in the Wakasa region. You need to head east of the Hikidan-jo Ruins viewpoint and cross over the broken landmasses.
You will find the thirteenth glyph on a pointed rock.
Unlocking the Isu Door
Head back to the location where you initially started the A Puzzlement quest. You should have been shown the mysterious Isu Door after completing the quest for Kinu and Kane. Now that you have located all 13 glyphs, the door will be unlocked. Inside, you will find the following items.
- Blade of Yumminess Clue
- Blade of Yumminess Scabbard
- Isu-Forged Blade Legendary Tanto
- Isu-Forged Spear Legendary Naginata
- Statue of Kassandra Cosmetic
- Strength of Atlantis Engraving
- Wisdom of Atlantis Engraving
Completing the Isu Door puzzle in AC Shadows is well worth the effort, as you get to uncover unique weapons and other rewards. It might be a bit of a lengthy task overall, but this will help you get one step closer to completing the new update.
