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

In Assassin's Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke face a challenging mission, but they don't have to go it alone. If you're looking to find and recruit all allies in the game, you're in the right place.

Allies in Assassin's Creed Shadows, Explained

In Assassin's Creed Shadows, there are two types of allies you can recruit. The first type enhances your Hideout with new functionalities, like the blacksmith who enables equipment forging and upgrading. The second type serves as combat companions in the world, offering upgradeable abilities that are beneficial in various scenarios.

Once you've recruited a combat ally, you can manage them at the Hideout or any unlocked kakurega. When called into action, they'll use their initial skill and continue fighting by your side until they're defeated or all enemies are eliminated. Constructing a dojo at the Hideout allows you to level up these allies and have up to two equipped at once.

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

Here are the 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 capabilities. Now, let's look at the combat allies you can recruit to help you tackle the challenges in Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Yaya

The Buddhist monk Yaya is introduced during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. She values justice over violence, aligning closely with Yasuke’s principles. To recruit Yaya, you must make specific choices:

• During the Heads Will Roll quest, choose to spare The Wounded, reflecting her values.
• Complete the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, convincing her to forgive her wayward apprentice and seek forgiveness together.
• Finally, invite Yaya to join your cause.

Yaya's combat abilities evolve as she levels up:

• 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, a skilled Koga shinobi, is your ally of choice. Begin her recruitment in Omi during the hunt for The Naginata:

• Complete 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 focus on debilitation:

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

Gennojo

The cunning thief Gennojo is encountered in the Missing Missive quest, part of locating The Fool. To recruit him:

• Spare him during the initial encounter.
• Continue with Lost Honor, Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts.
• Flirt with him and support his convictions.
• In The Godless Harvest side quest, prevent him from using explosives and invite him to join.

Gennojo's abilities revolve around stealth and distraction:

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

Ibuki

In Iga, you'll meet the ronin Ibuki, who fights against corruption. Start his recruitment with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village:

• Choose to side with Ibuki throughout his questline.
• Optionally, engage in romance to strengthen your bond.
• Invite him to join your organization at the end of his quests.

Ibuki's combat abilities focus on impact:

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

Oni-yuri

For non-lethal incapacitation, Oni-yuri is your best option. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest:

• Trust in her throughout her questline, despite any doubts about her methods.
• Invite her to join your league, hoping to influence her for the better.

Oni-yuri's abilities focus on disabling enemies:

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

That’s all you need to know about finding and recruiting all allies in Assassin's Creed Shadows. For more information, visit The Escapist.

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