Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Steam Deck After Patch 1.0.4 – Best Settings & Performance Tips

on

With Patch 1.0.4 now live, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally showing more stable performance on Steam Deck. Whether you're using the LCD or OLED model, the right tweaks and settings can now give you a solid 30 FPS gameplay experience with fewer crashes and better battery life. Here's everything you need to know to get the best experience running AC Shadows on your handheld.

Can You Play Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Steam Deck?

Short answer: Yes – but with tweaks.
AC Shadows isn't officially Steam Deck Verified yet, but it runs well enough with the right setup. Post-patch improvements have reduced crashes and made load times smoother, especially if you're running the game with Proton Experimental or GE-Proton.

To play comfortably, you’ll want to cap FPS, enable FSR, and lower settings for thermal efficiency and battery management.

Best Settings for Steam Deck (Patch 1.0.4)

Best Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Steam Deck Settings After Patch 1.0.4
Here’s the setup that’s been working best on both Deck models:

  • Resolution: 1280x800 (native)

  • Preset: Low or Custom

  • FSR 2.0 or 3: Enabled (Balanced or Performance mode)

  • Anti-Aliasing: Low

  • Shadows: Low

  • V-Sync: Off (limit frame rate via SteamOS)

  • Framerate Cap: 30 FPS (recommended)

  • Steam Deck Tools:

    • Use CryoUtilities for RAM + cache optimization

    • Set TDP limit to 10–12W for cooler temps and less fan noise

Optional: Switch to GE-Proton if you're experiencing shader stutters or audio sync issues.

Performance Breakdown

FPS

  • Low Preset + FSR: 30–40 FPS in open areas

  • Stable 30 FPS with SteamOS cap and Half-Rate Shading

  • Cinematics dip occasionally to 28–29 FPS, but no crashes

Battery Life

  • 2.5 to 3 hours on average

  • OLED model offers slightly better battery performance and screen clarity

Thermals

  • Temps hover between 70–75°C under load

  • Manageable noise with lower wattage caps

Patch 1.0.4 Improvements for Steam Deck

Ubisoft’s 1.0.4 update fixed several Deck-specific issues:

  • Reduced stuttering during fast travel

  • Fewer crashes when launching Ubisoft Connect in Gaming Mode

  • Improved shader loading and less asset pop-in

  • Better performance on custom Proton builds

This patch is the first major step toward full Deck playability—even if Shadows isn’t yet Verified on Steam.

Tips for Smoother Gameplay

  • Launch Ubisoft Connect in Desktop Mode once before starting in Gaming Mode

  • Use CryoUtilities or Decky Loader for memory tweaks

  • Turn off Background Apps and Notifications during play

  • Monitor wattage draw with MangoHUD

Final Verdict: Is It Worth Playing on Steam Deck Now?

Yes! While not perfect, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now a solid “Playable” tier experience on Steam Deck after Patch 1.0.4. With optimized settings and the help of community tools, you can comfortably enjoy the Sengoku-era stealth adventure on the go.

Community Resources

Here are some helpful community hubs for support and optimization tips:

Other Related Articles: 

Comments

Post a Comment