"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 go it alone. If you're looking to bolster your team with the best allies, you're in the right place to learn how to find and recruit them.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

There are two types of allies you can recruit in Assassin's Creed Shadows. The first type enhances your Hideout by adding new functionalities, like the blacksmith who allows you to forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type consists of combat allies who fight alongside you in the world, with upgradeable abilities that prove useful in various scenarios.

Once you recruit a combat ally, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakuregas. When called into action, they deploy their initial skill and continue fighting until defeated or all enemies are eliminated. Constructing a dojo in the Hideout not only lets you level up your allies but also allows you to equip two allies simultaneously.

While allies are optional and can be missed during your playthrough, having an extra blade at your side can significantly enhance your gameplay.

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

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

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

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. The following combat allies can be crucial in overcoming the game's challenges:

Yaya

The Buddhist monk Yaya first appears during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. She values justice over violence, aligning with Yasuke's principles. To recruit her, during the Heads Will Roll quest, choose to spare the target, The Wounded. Continue with the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making choices that align with her values, such as convincing her to forgive her apprentice and seek forgiveness together. Finally, ask her to join your cause.

Yaya's abilities at each level are:

• 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

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

For ranged combat support, Katsuhime is your best bet. She excels with the Teppo, delivering high damage from a distance. Start her recruitment in Omi by completing the quests Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku, followed by the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Continue until 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 upon entering.
• Veteran: Her teppo shots ricochet to another target when hitting a dazed enemy.

Gennojo

Encounter the thief Gennojo during the Missing Missive quest while hunting The Fool. Spare him, and he'll reappear in subsequent quests like 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 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 alerting others to your crimes.

Ibuki

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

In Iga, you'll meet the ronin Ibuki, who fights corruption. Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke. Consistently side with Ibuki, and consider romancing him to strengthen your bond. At the end of his questline, invite him to join your organization.

Ibuki's abilities include:

• Novice: Joins the fight and deals 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. Trust her throughout her quests, despite her questionable methods, and invite her to join your league at the end, hoping to guide her towards a better path.

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.