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

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 by finding and recruiting all possible allies, you're in the right place.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

In the game, you can recruit two types of allies. The first type enhances your Hideout with new functionalities, such as the blacksmith, who enables you to forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type consists of combat companions who can be deployed in the field, equipped with upgradeable abilities that prove invaluable in various scenarios.

Once a combat ally joins your ranks, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakurega. When summoned, they'll deploy their initial skill and continue to fight by your side until they're defeated or all enemies are vanquished. 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 complete 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 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 allies can be recruited to assist you in combat:

Yaya

Yaya, a Buddhist monk, 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. Then, complete 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, invite her to join your cause.

Yaya's combat 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

For ranged combat support, Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi skilled with the Teppo, is your best bet. Start her recruitment in Omi by completing the Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku quests, followed by the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Continue through 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 the fight.
• Veteran: Her teppo shots ricochet to another target when hitting a dazed enemy.

Gennojo

Gennojo, a cunning thief, is first encountered during the Missing Missive quest. After sparing him, continue through 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

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

Ibuki's abilities are:

• Novice: Joins the fight and deals impact attacks.
• Initiate: Shatters the armor of nearby enemies upon joining the fight.
• Veteran: Shatters the armor of nearby enemies more frequently 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 any doubts about her methods. This will lead to the final decision to invite her to join your league and potentially change her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities include:

• 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 everything 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.