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 tackle it alone. If you're looking to enhance your gameplay by finding and recruiting all possible allies, you've come to the right place.

Allies in Assassin's Creed Shadows, Explained

There are two categories of allies in the game that you can recruit. The first group, such as the blacksmith Heiji, enhances the Hideout by adding new functionalities like equipment forging and upgrading. The second group consists of combat companions who join you in the field, offering upgradeable abilities that prove useful in various scenarios.

Once you've recruited a combat ally, you can manage them at the Hideout or any unlocked kakuregas. When called upon, they'll deploy their initial skill and 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, enhancing your tactical options.

While allies are optional and can be missed during your playthrough, having additional support can significantly boost your chances of success.

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 are combat-focused and can be vital in overcoming challenges within Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Yaya

You first encounter the Buddhist monk Yaya during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Yaya prefers justice over violence, aligning closely with Yasuke’s values. During the Heads Will Roll quest, you must spare the target, The Wounded, to align with her principles.

Progress her story through Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making choices that encourage forgiveness and reconciliation. Ultimately, you'll have the opportunity to invite Yaya to join your cause.

Yaya’s abilities evolve as follows:

• Novice: Yaya joins the fight with pushback attacks.
• Initiate: She knocks down an enemy upon joining the fight.
• Veteran: Yaya uses a powerful kick to send enemies flying.

Katsuhime

Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi skilled in ranged attacks with the Teppo, is your ally for dealing high damage from a distance. Start her recruitment in the Omi region by completing Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku, followed by the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Continue until The Diary of Lady Rokkaku, where you must rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join you.

Her abilities include:

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

Gennojo

You first meet the thief Gennojo in the Missing Missive quest, part of locating The Fool. After sparing him, continue through Lost Honor, Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts. Consistently flirt and support his convictions. In The Godless Harvest, prevent him from using explosives and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo's abilities are:

• Novice: He 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

Ibuki, a ronin fighting corruption in Iga, can be recruited starting with the Ambust Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village. Consistently side with and support Ibuki, and you’ll eventually have the option to invite him into your organization.

Ibuki's abilities include:

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

Oni-yuri

For a non-lethal approach, Oni-yuri is your ally. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust her throughout her quests, leading to the opportunity to invite her to join your cause and potentially 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, be sure to visit The Escapist.

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