Assassin’s Creed® Origins takes players to ancient Egypt, putting you in the sandals of Bayek, a Medjay navigating a land torn by political upheaval and personal revenge. Unlike earlier entries, Origins expands into a semi-open-world RPG, introducing skill trees, loot-driven gear, and combat with depth and challenge.
For newcomers, the vast desert, bustling cities, and endless quests can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down the key tips and strategies you’ll need to thrive in Egypt—from combat mastery to exploration and hidden secrets.
Mastering the Combat System
Origins revamped combat, shifting away from counter-based gameplay to hitbox-driven, timing-focused fighting. Success requires patience, dodging, and using your shield wisely.
Learn enemy attack patterns. Light attacks are fast but weaker, while heavy attacks break shields. Positioning and spacing matter—rolling or dodging to flank enemies opens them up to quick kills.
Don’t forget your tools. Arrows, sleep darts, and smoke bombs can turn a losing fight into an easy victory. Adapt to situations rather than relying only on swordplay.
Choosing the Right Weapons
Weapons in Origins come in different categories: swords, bows, spears, and heavy weapons. Each type has a distinct fighting style suited to different situations.
- Swords – Balanced, fast, reliable.
- Spears – Long reach, excellent for crowd control.
- Heavy Blades – Slow but devastating against armored foes.
- Bows – Essential for stealth and ranged combat.
Experiment with each category early, then invest in upgrading the ones that fit your playstyle. Keeping multiple weapon types equipped ensures you’re ready for any encounter.
Stealth Is Still Your Friend
Even though combat is deeper, stealth remains a powerful tool. Bayek can assassinate targets instantly if undetected, making infiltration often safer than direct confrontation.
Use Senu, your eagle companion, to scout camps and tag enemies. Marking patrol routes makes it easier to sneak past or silently eliminate threats.
Tall grass, rooftop access, and distraction tools like sleep darts help you slip into strongholds undetected. Stealth may not always be required, but it’s often the most efficient path.
Using Senu Effectively
Senu, Bayek’s eagle, is more than just a gimmick. She acts as your eyes in the sky, helping locate enemies, treasures, and objectives.
Upgrade Senu’s perception early—it makes spotting enemies and resources easier. Use her to plan infiltration routes or to avoid unnecessary fights.
In larger battles, Senu also reveals reinforcements and incoming threats, giving you a tactical edge. Treat her as a key part of your toolkit, not just a scouting feature.
Managing Gear and Loot
Loot is everywhere in Origins. Weapons, shields, and armor drop from enemies or can be found in hidden chests. Higher rarity items often come with stronger stats or unique perks.
Don’t hoard endlessly. Dismantle weaker gear for crafting materials and upgrade your preferred weapons. Crafting upgrades to Bayek’s quiver, bracers, and hidden blade should be a priority.
Remember that rarity doesn’t always equal usefulness—sometimes a lower-tier weapon with the right stats fits your build better than a flashy legendary.
Exploring the Open World
Egypt is massive, with deserts, oases, cities, and pyramids to uncover. Exploration is as rewarding as completing quests.
Synchronize viewpoints to unlock fast travel and reveal areas of interest. Treasure hunts, papyrus puzzles, and hidden tombs often provide powerful loot or lore about ancient Egypt.
Take time to wander. Many side quests are deeply personal stories that enrich the main narrative, and discovering them naturally often feels more immersive than rushing through the map.
Leveling Up and Skill Trees
Progression in Origins comes from XP earned through quests, exploration, and combat. Each level grants ability points to spend in one of three trees: Warrior, Hunter, and Seer.
- Warrior – Boosts melee combat and survivability.
- Hunter – Improves ranged combat and bow efficiency.
- Seer – Expands utility with tools and environmental tricks.
Experiment across trees, but prioritize skills that complement your preferred playstyle. For beginners, investing in survivability and ranged combat often makes the game smoother.
Tackling Side Quests and Activities
Side quests in Origins aren’t filler—they’re narrative-rich and rewarding. They often provide unique loot, crafting materials, and significant XP.
Activities like chariot racing, gladiator arenas, and hunting provide variety and extra rewards. Gladiator battles, in particular, are excellent for mastering combat in a controlled environment.
Don’t ignore world events like bounty hunters or Phylakes—though challenging, they drop rare weapons and add excitement to exploration.
Understanding Enemy Scaling
Origins uses a level-based system. Fighting enemies several levels higher than you is usually a death sentence, regardless of skill.
Check enemy levels before engaging. If they’re too strong, return later after upgrading your gear or gaining XP. This design encourages exploration and questing to progress naturally.
For smoother progression, stay within one or two levels of the current region. Out-leveling areas makes fights trivial, but tackling areas too early is frustrating.
Advanced Tips for Veterans
Once you’ve mastered the basics, advanced strategies can elevate your gameplay.
- Chain Assassinations – Unlock this skill to eliminate multiple foes in seconds.
- Bow Variety – Each bow type (Hunter, Warrior, Light, Predator) serves a different purpose. Learn when to use each.
- Craft Smartly – Upgrade hidden blade damage early—it makes stealth more reliable.
- Experiment – Don’t lock yourself into one playstyle. Switching between stealth, melee, and ranged keeps gameplay fresh.
Veterans who combine stealth precision with strong combat adaptability find Origins deeply rewarding.
Conclusion
Assassin’s Creed® Origins transforms the series into a full RPG adventure without losing its stealth-driven roots. Success requires balancing combat skills, stealth tactics, and smart resource management while exploring the wonders of ancient Egypt.
By mastering your weapons, making the most of Senu, investing wisely in skills, and embracing both main and side quests, you’ll fully experience the depth and beauty Origins has to offer. Whether you charge into battle or stalk from the shadows, Egypt is yours to shape.
