"Recruit All Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Guide"

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke face a challenging journey, but they don't have to tackle it alone. If you're looking to bolster your ranks with allies, this guide is your starting point for finding and recruiting them all.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

There are two categories of allies you can recruit in the game. Some, like the blacksmith, enhance your Hideout by providing services such as forging and upgrading equipment. Others serve as combat companions, equipped with upgradeable abilities that prove invaluable in various scenarios.

Once a combat ally joins your cause, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakuregas. When summoned, they deploy their initial skill and fight by your side until defeated or all enemies are vanquished. Constructing a dojo in the Hideout allows you to level them up and equip two allies simultaneously.

While allies are optional and you might miss them during your playthrough, 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

First, let's look at the non-combat allies you can recruit through main and side quests:

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

Now, let's delve into the combat allies who can aid you in overcoming the game's challenges.

Yaya

You'll first meet the Buddhist monk Yaya during the main quest, "The Fatherless Monk." Yaya values justice over unnecessary violence, aligning her with Yasuke's principles. To recruit her, make key choices during your interactions:

• During "Heads Will Roll," spare the main target, The Wounded, to align with her values.
• Complete the "Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs" missions, choosing to convince her 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 with 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, Katsuhime is your ally. She excels with the Teppo, delivering high damage from a distance. To recruit her:

• In Omi, complete the quests "Showdown in Sakamoto" and "Requiem for Rokkaku."
• Follow up with the "Letter from Katsuhime" sidequest, leading to "The Diary of Lady Rokkaku."
• Rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Katsuhime's abilities include:

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

Gennojo

Encounter the thief Gennojo during the "Missing Missive" quest, part of locating The Fool. To recruit him:

• Spare him during your initial encounter.
• Continue through "Lost Honor," "Sake and Sword," "Honor Among Thieves," and "Stolen Hearts," flirting with him and supporting his convictions.
• In "The Godless Harvest," prevent him from using explosives and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo's abilities are:

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

Ibuki

In Iga, you'll meet the ronin Ibuki, who fights corruption. Start with the "Ambush Interrupted" sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke. To recruit him:

• Consistently side with Ibuki and, if desired, pursue a romantic relationship.
• At the end of his questline, invite him to join your organization.

Ibuki's abilities include:

• Novice: Joins the fight with impact attacks.
• Initiate: Shatters the armor of nearby enemies upon joining.
• Veteran: Frequently shatters the armor of nearby enemies during combat.

Oni-yuri

For non-lethal takedowns, Oni-yuri is your ally. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the "Sweet Lies" sidequest. To recruit her:

• Trust her throughout her questline, despite her questionable methods.
• At the end, invite her to join your league and help her change her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities are:

• 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, visit The Escapist.

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