"Recruit All Allies in Assassin's Creed Shadows: A Guide"

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke face a formidable challenge, but they don't have to face it alone. If you're looking for the best way to find and recruit all allies in this game, you've come to the right place.

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Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

There are two categories of allies you can recruit in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The first type enhances your Hideout's functionality. For example, the blacksmith can forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type are combat allies, who fight alongside you in the world with upgradeable abilities that can be crucial in various scenarios.

Once you've recruited a combat ally, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakuregas. When summoned, they'll use their initial skill and continue to fight until they're defeated or all enemies are eliminated. Building a dojo in the Hideout allows you to level up your allies and have two equipped simultaneously.

While allies are optional and can be missed during your storyline, having additional support can be advantageous.

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

Start by recruiting non-combat allies 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, while others can be recruited to bolster your combat capabilities.

Yaya

The Buddhist monk Yaya first appears during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Although willing to fight oppressors, Yaya values justice over violence, aligning with Yasuke's principles.

During the Heads Will Roll quest, you must spare the main target, The Wounded, to align with her values and progress your relationship. Next, complete the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making the right choices by convincing Yaya to forgive her wayward apprentice and seek forgiveness together. This leads to the final decision to ask her to join your allies.

Yaya's combat abilities are:

• 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

If you prefer ranged attacks, Katsuhime is your ally. Skilled with the Teppo, she can deliver high damage instantly.

In the Omi region, hunt down The Naginata to unlock her quests. Complete Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku, then take on the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Follow the questline until The Diary of Lady Rokkaku, rescue the target, and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Katsuhime's abilities are:

• Novice: Deals daze damage upon entering the fight.
• Initiate: Uses a dazing bomb for an area effect upon entering the fight.
• Veteran: Teppo shots ricochet to another target when hitting a dazed one.

Gennojo

The thief Gennojo is first encountered during the Missing Missive quest while locating The Fool. After sparing him, continue with 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 choosing the explosive option and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo's abilities include:

• Novice: Arrives with a bomb to shock enemies.
• 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 the ronin Ibuki, who fights against corruption. Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke and continue his questline. Always side with Ibuki, and even romance him if you wish, to easily convince him to join your organization.

Ibuki's abilities are:

• 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 to disable rather than kill, Oni-yuri is your ally. Start her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust her throughout her quests, culminating in the decision to let her join your league and potentially change her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities are:

• Novice: Puts an enemy to sleep upon entering the fray.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud affecting 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 information, check out The Escapist.

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