How To Find & Recruit All Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke face a daunting challenge, but they don't have to tackle it alone. If you're looking to maximize your gameplay by finding and recruiting all possible allies, you're in the right place.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, there are two categories of allies you can recruit. The first type enhances your Hideout's capabilities, like the blacksmith who enables you to forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type serves as combat companions with upgradeable skills, offering crucial support in various scenarios.

Once you've recruited a combat ally, you can manage them from the Hideout or any kakurega you've unlocked. When summoned, they'll deploy their initial skill and fight by your side until they're defeated or all enemies are eliminated. Constructing a dojo in the Hideout allows you to level up these allies and equip two at once.

While allies are optional and you can progress through the story without them, having additional support can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.

Related: Where to Find the Cat Island in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

All Allies You Can Find & Recruit in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Here's a list of non-combat allies you can recruit through main and side quests:

• Tomiko – An Unpayable Debt
• Junjiro – From Spark to Flame
• Heiji (Blacksmith) – Way of the Blacksmith

These allies enhance your Hideout's functionality. Now, let's dive into the combat allies you can recruit to aid you in the field.

Yaya

You'll first encounter Yaya, the Buddhist monk, during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. She values justice over violence, much like Yasuke. To recruit her, ensure you spare the main target, The Wounded, during the Heads Will Roll quest. Continue with the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, choosing to forgive her apprentice and seek forgiveness together. Finally, invite her to join your cause.

Yaya's combat abilities evolve as follows:

• Novice: Joins the fight and performs pushback attacks.
• Initiate: Knocks down an enemy upon joining the fight.
• Veteran: Uses a powerful kick to send enemies flying.

Katsuhime

For ranged combat support, recruit Katsuhime, the Koga shinobi. Start her recruitment in Omi by completing Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku, followed by the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Continue until you reach The Diary of Lady Rokkaku, rescue the target, and invite Katsuhime to join your cause.

Katsuhime's abilities include:

• Novice: Deals daze damage upon entering the fight.
• Initiate: Uses a dazing bomb for an area of effect.
• Veteran: Teppo shots ricochet to another target when hitting a dazed enemy.

Gennojo

Encounter the thief, Gennojo, in the Missing Missive quest while locating The Fool. Spare him and follow his questline through Lost Honor, Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts. Flirt with him and affirm his convictions. During The Godless Harvest, prevent him from using explosives and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo's skills are:

• Novice: Arrives with a bomb to shock enemies.
• Initiate: Acts as a distraction to draw enemy attention.
• Veteran: Prevents servants from alerting others to your crimes.

Ibuki

In Iga, meet the ronin, Ibuki, fighting corruption. Start with Ambush Interrupted near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke and progress through his questline, always siding with Ibuki. Optionally, romance him, and at the end, invite him to join your organization.

Ibuki's combat capabilities are:

• Novice: Joins the fight and deals impact attacks.
• Initiate: Shatters the armor of nearby enemies upon joining.
• Veteran: More frequently shatters the armor of nearby enemies during combat.

Oni-yuri

If you prefer disabling enemies rather than killing them, recruit Oni-yuri. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust her throughout her quests, culminating in the decision to invite her into the league, hoping to reform her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities include:

• Novice: Puts an enemy to sleep upon entering the fray.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud affecting nearby enemies.
• Veteran: Delays enemy reinforcements.

That's everything you need to know about finding and recruiting all allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. For more tips and guides, be sure to check out The Escapist.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.