"Recruiting All Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Guide"

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke face a daunting task, but they don't have to go it alone. If you're looking to bolster your team by recruiting all available allies, you're in the right place.

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 with new functions, such as the blacksmith, who enables the forging and upgrading of your equipment. The second type consists of combat companions, equipped with upgradeable abilities that prove invaluable in various scenarios.

Once you've enlisted a combat ally, you can manage them from the Hideout or any of the kakuregas you've unlocked. When called into action, they'll deploy their initial skill and then fight alongside you until either 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 a time.

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

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 contribute to your arsenal, helping you tackle the challenges in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Yaya

Yaya, a Buddhist monk, first appears during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. She values justice over violence, aligning closely with Yasuke's principles. To recruit her, you must spare the main target during the Heads Will Roll quest. Continue by completing the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, ensuring you choose options that align with her values, such as convincing her to forgive her apprentice and seek forgiveness themselves. Finally, invite her to join your cause.

Yaya's combat abilities include:

• 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

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi skilled in ranged attacks, is a valuable addition if you need to take out enemies from a distance. Begin her recruitment in Omi by completing the Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku quests, which unlock the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Follow the questline to The Diary of Lady Rokkaku, rescue the target, and invite Katsuhime to join your team.

Her abilities are focused on debilitating enemies:

• 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 if they hit a dazed enemy.

Gennojo

Gennojo, a cunning thief, is first encountered in the Missing Missive quest. After sparing him, continue through the Lost Honor, Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts quests. Flirt with him and affirm 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 skills include:

• Novice: Arrives with a bomb to shock the enemy.
• Initiate: Acts as a distraction to draw enemy attention.
• Veteran: Prevents servants from reporting your crimes.

Ibuki

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

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 consider romancing him to ease his recruitment at the end of his questline.

Ibuki's capabilities 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

If you prefer disabling enemies over killing them, Oni-yuri is your ally. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust in her throughout her quests, leading to the final decision to invite her into your league, with hopes of changing her ways.

Oni-yuri's skills focus on incapacitation:

• Novice: Puts an enemy to sleep upon entering the fight.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud affecting nearby enemies.
• Veteran: Delays enemy reinforcements.

That's all you need to know about finding and recruiting all allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. For more information, check out The Escapist.

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