"Discover and Enlist Every Ally 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 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 kakuregas. When summoned, they'll deploy their initial skill and continue fighting 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 might miss them during your playthrough, 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

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 enhance your Hideout's capabilities. The following allies can be recruited to aid you in combat:

Yaya

Yaya, a Buddhist monk, is introduced 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 promote forgiveness. Finally, invite 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

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi skilled in ranged combat, can be recruited in the Omi region. Start by completing the quests Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku, 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.

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, a cunning thief, is first encountered during the Missing Missive quest. Spare him, and he'll reappear in subsequent quests like 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 enemies.
• Initiate: Acts as a distraction to draw enemy attention.
• Veteran: Prevents servants from alerting others to your crimes.

Ibuki

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

In Iga, you'll meet Ibuki, a ronin fighting corruption. Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke and follow his questline. Consistently side with Ibuki, and consider romancing him to strengthen your bond. At the end, 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. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust her throughout her quests, despite her questionable methods, and invite her to join your league at the end.

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, visit The Escapist.

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