Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an ambitious and visually stunning game, but to get the best experience on PC, optimizing the settings is crucial. Whether you’re aiming for high frame rates or the best graphics possible, adjusting the right settings can make all the difference. Here’s a breakdown of the best settings based on different hardware capabilities.
1. Best Settings for High Performance (Smooth Gameplay)
If you prioritize high FPS over visuals, these settings will help you achieve a fluid experience, especially on mid-range or older hardware.
- Resolution: 1080p (or lower if needed)
- Graphics Preset: Medium
- Texture Quality: High (if VRAM allows, otherwise Medium)
- Shadows: Low to Medium
- Anti-Aliasing: TAA (Performance mode)
- Ambient Occlusion: Off
- Volumetric Clouds: Low
- Screen Space Reflections: Off
- Ray Tracing: Off
- V-Sync: Off (unless screen tearing occurs)
- DLSS/XeSS/FidelityFX: On (if supported by your GPU)
- Motion Blur: Off
- Field of View (FOV): 90-100 (personal preference)
Recommended for: Players who want 60+ FPS on mid-range GPUs like GTX 1660, RTX 2060, or RX 5700.
2. Best Settings for Balanced Performance & Graphics
If you want a balance between smooth gameplay and good visuals, these settings offer the best compromise.
- Resolution: 1440p (or 1080p with upscaling)
- Graphics Preset: High
- Texture Quality: High
- Shadows: Medium to High
- Anti-Aliasing: TAA or DLSS Quality Mode
- Ambient Occlusion: Medium
- Volumetric Clouds: Medium
- Screen Space Reflections: On
- Ray Tracing: Off (or on if you have an RTX 3070 or higher)
- V-Sync: Adaptive
- DLSS/XeSS/FidelityFX: Balanced mode
- Motion Blur: Off
- Field of View (FOV): 100
Recommended for: Players using RTX 3060, RX 6700 XT, or better who want a stable 60 FPS at 1440p.
3. Best Settings for Maximum Graphics Quality
For those with high-end GPUs and who want to experience the game at its best, these settings will provide the most immersive visuals.
- Resolution: 4K (or 1440p with upscaling)
- Graphics Preset: Ultra
- Texture Quality: Ultra
- Shadows: Ultra
- Anti-Aliasing: DLSS Quality or Native TAA
- Ambient Occlusion: High
- Volumetric Clouds: High
- Screen Space Reflections: High
- Ray Tracing: On (if supported and stable)
- V-Sync: On (if needed)
- DLSS/XeSS/FidelityFX: Quality mode
- Motion Blur: Optional
- Field of View (FOV): 100+
Recommended for: Players with RTX 4080, RX 7900 XTX, or better aiming for 4K 60 FPS or higher.
4. Additional Tweaks for Extra FPS
If you need more FPS without significantly affecting visuals, consider these tweaks:
- Lower Volumetric Clouds & Shadows – These are resource-heavy.
- Disable Motion Blur & Chromatic Aberration – Improves clarity.
- Enable DLSS, XeSS, or FSR – AI upscaling boosts FPS.
- Cap FPS at 60 or 120 – Reduces power usage & stuttering.
Final Thoughts
The best settings for Assassin’s Creed Shadows depend on your hardware and preferences. If you prioritize performance, focus on reducing shadows, reflections, and volumetric effects. If you want the best visuals, enable high-quality textures and ray tracing while ensuring stable FPS with DLSS or FSR.
Adjust these settings to suit your playstyle and enjoy Assassin’s Creed Shadows at its best!