"Guide to Recruiting 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 with the best allies, you've come to the right place.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

In the game, there are two types of allies you can recruit. The first type enhances your Hideout with new functionalities. For instance, recruiting the blacksmith allows you to forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type consists of combat companions who fight alongside you in the world, equipped with upgradeable abilities to tackle various situations.

Once a combat ally joins your ranks, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakurega. When summoned, they'll unleash their initial skill and continue fighting until defeated or all enemies are vanquished. Constructing a dojo in the Hideout not only lets you level up your allies but also enables you to have two allies equipped simultaneously.

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

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 aid 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, ask 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 is your best bet. She excels with the Teppo, delivering high damage from a distance. Start her recruitment in Omi by completing the Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku quests, followed by the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Continue the questline until The Diary of Lady Rokkaku, rescue the target, and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Katsuhime's abilities at each level are:

• Novice: Deals daze damage upon entering the fight.
• Initiate: Uses a dazing bomb for an area of 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 at every opportunity. In The Godless Harvest side quest, prevent him from using explosives and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo's abilities at each level 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 his recruitment with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke. Consistently side with Ibuki and, if you choose, romance him. At the end of his questline, invite him to join your organization.

Ibuki's abilities at each level 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, hoping she'll change her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities at each level are:

• Novice: Puts an enemy to sleep upon entering the fray.
• 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 tips and guides, visit The Escapist.

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