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 for the best way to find and recruit all allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you're in the right place.
Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained
In the game, there are two types of allies you can recruit. Some enhance your Hideout with new functionalities, like the blacksmith who enables you to forge and upgrade your equipment. Others serve as combat companions, offering upgradeable abilities that prove invaluable in various scenarios.
Once you recruit a combat ally, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakuregas. When called into battle, they deploy their initial skill and continue to fight by your side until they're defeated or all enemies are vanquished. Constructing a dojo in the Hideout not only allows you to level up your allies but also enables you to have two allies equipped simultaneously.
While allies are optional and you could miss them during your story progression in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, having an extra blade in your corner 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
For starters, these 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
The rest can serve as powerful allies in your arsenal to overcome challenges in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Yaya
The Buddhist monk Yaya first appears during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Despite her readiness to fight oppressors, Yaya values justice over violence, aligning with Yasuke's principles.
During the Heads Will Roll quest, you must choose to spare the target, The Wounded, to align with Yaya's values and progress your relationship with her.
Next, undertake the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions. Make the right choices by convincing Yaya to forgive her wayward apprentice and seek forgiveness together. This leads to the final decision where you can ask her to join you as an ally in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
As a close-combat expert, Yaya's abilities at each level are:
- Novice: Joins the fight and performs pushback attacks.
- Initiate: Knocks down an enemy when joining the fight.
- Veteran: Uses a powerful kick to send enemies flying.
Katsuhime
For ranged attacks in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Katsuhime is your best bet. This Koga shinobi is skilled with the Teppo and can deal significant damage swiftly.
In Omi, pursue The Naginata to unlock her quests. Complete Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku, then undertake the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Follow the questline to The Diary of Lady Rokkaku, rescue the target, and invite Katsuhime to join the league.
Katsuhime specializes in eliminating and debilitating:
- Novice: Deals daze damage upon entering the fight.
- Initiate: Uses a dazing bomb for an area effect upon entering a fight.
- Veteran: Her Teppo shots ricochet to another target if they hit a dazed one.
Gennojo
You'll first meet the sly thief Gennojo during the Missing Missive quest while locating The Fool. After sparing him, he reappears in Lost Honor, followed by Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts.
Flirt with him and support his convictions at every turn. In The Godless Harvest side quest, prevent Gennojo from using explosives and convince him to join your team.
With his toolkit, Gennojo offers:
- 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 encounter the ronin Ibuki, who's fighting corruption single-handedly. Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke, and continue his questline.
Always side with Ibuki, and consider romancing him if you wish. Your choices will make it straightforward to invite him to join the organization.
Ibuki's capabilities include:
- Novice: Joins the fight and deals impact attacks.
- Initiate: Shatters the armor of nearby enemies when 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 recruiting her in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest.
Despite questions about her methods and integrity, trust in her throughout her quests. This culminates in the final decision to allow her to join the league, potentially changing her ways.
Oni-yuri's abilities include:
- Novice: Enters combat and puts an enemy to sleep.
- Initiate: Releases a poison cloud that afflicts 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.
