How To Find & Recruit All Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

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 to bolster your ranks and recruit all possible allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you've come to 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 by adding new functions, such as the blacksmith, who allows you to forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type consists of combat companions that you can use out in the world, equipped with upgradeable abilities that prove useful in various scenarios.

Once a combat ally joins your cause, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakurega. When called into action, they deploy their initial skill and continue to fight by your side until either they are defeated or all enemies are vanquished. Building a dojo in your Hideout allows you to level up these allies and equip two at a time, enhancing your tactical options.

While allies are optional and can be missed during your story progression in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, having an extra ally can significantly boost your chances of success.

Related: Where to Find the Cat Island in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

All Allies You Can Find & Recruit in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

To begin with, 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

The following allies can be used as part of your combat arsenal to tackle the challenges in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Yaya

The Buddhist monk Yaya first appears during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. She is eager to fight against oppressors but values justice over unnecessary violence, aligning with Yasuke's principles.

To recruit Yaya, during the Heads Will Roll quest, choose to spare the main target, The Wounded, reflecting her values. Next, complete the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making the right choices to convince her to forgive her apprentice and seek forgiveness together. Finally, you can invite Yaya to join your cause.

Yaya's abilities progress 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 a ranged combat ally, Katsuhime is your best bet. This Koga shinobi excels with the Teppo, delivering high damage from a distance.

In the Omi region, start by hunting down The Naginata, which leads to her questline. Complete Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku, then take on the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest, leading to The Diary of Lady Rokkaku. Rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Katsuhime's abilities include:

• Novice: Deals daze damage upon entering the fight.
• Initiate: Uses a dazing bomb for an area-of-effect impact.
• Veteran: Her teppo shots ricochet to another target when hitting a dazed enemy.

Gennojo

The cunning thief Gennojo is first encountered during the Missing Missive quest while locating The Fool. Spare him, and he'll reappear in the Lost Honor mission, followed by Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts.

Flirt with him and affirm his convictions at each turn. 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 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 meet the ronin Ibuki, who is fighting corruption. 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. By the end of his quests, you'll have the opportunity to 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 the fight.
• 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.

Despite questions about her methods and integrity, trust in her throughout her quests. This will lead to the final decision to invite her to join your league, hopefully guiding her towards a better path.

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 information and tips, be sure to visit The Escapist.

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