"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 do it alone. If you're looking to bolster your team with the best allies, this guide will help you find and recruit them all.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

There are two primary types of allies you can recruit in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The first type includes allies like the blacksmith, who enhance the functionality of your Hideout by enabling equipment forging and upgrades. The second type are combat allies, who can fight alongside you in the open world with upgradeable abilities that prove invaluable in various situations.

Once a combat ally joins you, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakurega. When summoned, they will use their initial skill and continue fighting until they are defeated or all enemies are vanquished. Constructing a dojo in the Hideout allows you to level up these allies and equip up to two at once.

While allies are optional and you can complete the game without them, having extra 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

The non-combat allies join 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. The following combat allies can be recruited to assist in your adventures:

Yaya

Yaya, a Buddhist monk, first appears during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Her commitment to justice aligns well with Yasuke's values. During the Heads Will Roll quest, you must spare the main target, The Wounded, to progress your relationship with her.

Subsequently, undertake the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making choices that align with her values, such as forgiving her apprentice. Finally, you can ask her to join your cause.

Yaya's abilities at each level include:

• 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

Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi skilled in ranged combat with the Teppo, is an excellent ally for long-distance engagements. You'll meet her in Omi during the hunt for The Naginata. Complete the quests Showdown in Sakamoto, Requiem for Rokkaku, and the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest, leading to The Diary of Lady Rokkaku. Rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join your team.

Katsuhime's abilities include:

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

Gennojo

Gennojo, the sly thief, is first encountered in the Missing Missive quest. After sparing him, you'll meet him again in Lost Honor, followed by Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts. Flirt with him and affirm his convictions to build a relationship. In The Godless Harvest side quest, dissuade him from using explosives and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo's abilities are:

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

Ibuki

In Iga, you'll encounter Ibuki, a ronin fighting corruption. Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village, and continue his questline, always siding with him. Optionally, you can romance him to deepen your bond, making it easier to recruit him at the end.

Ibuki's abilities include:

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

Oni-yuri

For those who prefer disabling over killing, Oni-yuri is an ideal ally. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust her throughout her questline, culminating in the decision to invite her to join your cause, hoping she'll change her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities are:

• Novice: Enters the fight and puts an enemy to sleep.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud affecting nearby enemies.
• Veteran: Delays enemy reinforcements.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about finding and recruiting all allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. For more insights, visit The Escapist.

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