In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke face a formidable challenge, but they don’t have to tackle it alone. If you're looking to bolster your ranks 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, such as the blacksmith who enables forging and upgrading your equipment. The second type consists of combat companions who join you in the field with upgradeable abilities that prove invaluable in various scenarios.
Once a combat ally is recruited, you can manage them from the Hideout or any of the unlocked kakuregas. When summoned, they will deploy their initial skill and continue to fight by your side until they are 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 can be missed during your journey through Assassin’s Creed Shadows, having an extra blade at your disposal can make all the difference.
Related: Where to Find the Cat Island in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
All Allies You Can Find & Recruit in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Here’s a rundown of 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 will enhance your Hideout. The rest can be recruited as combat allies to help you tackle the challenges in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Yaya
Yaya, a Buddhist monk, is introduced during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. She values justice over violence, aligning well with Yasuke’s principles. To recruit her, you must make specific choices:
- During the Heads Will Roll quest, spare the main target, The Wounded, to align with her values.
- Complete the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, choosing to forgive her wayward apprentice and seek forgiveness together.
- Finally, ask her to join your cause.
Yaya’s combat abilities evolve as follows:
- Novice: Joins the fight with 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 ally. She excels with the Teppo, delivering high damage from a distance. To recruit her:
- In Omi, complete the quests Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku.
- Follow up with the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest, leading to The Diary of Lady Rokkaku.
- Rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join your league.
Her abilities include:
- Novice: Deals daze damage upon entering the fight.
- Initiate: Uses a dazing bomb for an area effect.
- 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. To recruit him:
- Spare him during the quest.
- Continue through Lost Honor, Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts, flirting with him and supporting 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 enemies.
- 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. To recruit him:
- Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke.
- Consistently side with Ibuki and, if desired, pursue a romantic relationship.
- At the end of his questline, invite him to join your organization.
Ibuki’s abilities include:
- Novice: Joins the fight with 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. To recruit her:
- Begin her sidequests in Tsuruga, Wakasa, starting with Sweet Lies.
- Trust her throughout her quests, despite any doubts about her methods.
- At the end, invite her to join your league and help her change her ways.
Oni-yuri’s abilities 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, be sure to visit The Escapist.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
