"Guide to Recruiting 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 tackle it alone. If you're looking to find and recruit all the allies available in the game, you've come to the right place.

Allies in Assassin's Creed Shadows, Explained

In Assassin's Creed Shadows, there are two types of allies you can recruit. The first type enhances your Hideout by adding new functionalities, such as a blacksmith who enables weapon forging and upgrading. The second type consists of combat companions who can join you 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 kakurega. When summoned, they'll use their initial skill and continue fighting by your side until they are defeated or all enemies are vanquished. Constructing a dojo in the Hideout allows you to level up your allies and equip two at once, significantly boosting your combat effectiveness.

While allies are optional and can be missed during your playthrough, having extra support can be a game-changer.

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

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

The non-combat allies you can recruit through main and side quests include:

• Tomiko – Recruited via the quest "An Unpayable Debt."
• Junjiro – Recruited via the quest "From Spark to Flame."
• Heiji (Blacksmith) – Recruited via the quest "Way of the Blacksmith."

These allies enhance your Hideout's capabilities, making them crucial for your overall strategy.

Yaya

Yaya, the Buddhist monk, is introduced in the main quest "The Fatherless Monk." She values justice over violence, aligning well with Yasuke's principles. During the "Heads Will Roll" quest, choose to spare the target, The Wounded, to align with her beliefs. Progress your relationship with her by completing the "Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs" missions, where you must persuade her to forgive her apprentice and seek forgiveness themselves. Finally, invite her to join your team.

Yaya's abilities are as follows:

• Novice: Joins the fight and performs pushback attacks.
• Initiate: Knocks down an enemy upon joining the fight.
• Veteran: Uses a powerful kick to send enemies flying.

Katsuhime

Katsuhime, the Koga shinobi, excels in ranged combat with her Teppo. In Omi, hunt down The Naginata to unlock her series of quests. Complete "Showdown in Sakamoto" and "Requiem for Rokkaku," then proceed with the "Letter from Katsuhime" sidequest. Follow this questline to "The Diary of Lady Rokkaku," rescue the target, and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Her abilities include:

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

Gennojo

Gennojo, the sly thief, is first encountered during the "Missing Missive" quest while locating The Fool. Spare him, and he'll return in the "Lost Honor," "Sake and Sword," "Honor Among Thieves," and "Stolen Hearts" missions. Flirt with him and support his convictions throughout these quests. In "The Godless Harvest" sidequest, prevent him from using explosives and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo's abilities are:

• Novice: Arrives at the fight with a bomb to shock the enemy.
• Initiate: Acts as a distraction to draw the attention of nearby enemies.
• Veteran: Prevents servants from alerting others to your crimes.

Ibuki

In Iga, you'll meet Ibuki, a ronin fighting corruption. Begin his recruitment with the "Ambush Interrupted" sidequest near Kashiwara Village, using Yasuke. Consistently side with Ibuki and, if desired, pursue a romantic relationship with him. At the end of his questline, invite him to join your organization.

Ibuki's abilities include:

• Novice: Joins the fight and deals impact attacks.
• Initiate: Shatters the armor of nearby enemies upon joining the fight.
• Veteran: Shatters the armor of nearby enemies more frequently during combat.

Oni-yuri

Oni-yuri is ideal for disabling enemies rather than killing them. Start recruiting her in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the "Sweet Lies" sidequest. Despite her questionable methods, trust her throughout her quests. This trust will lead to the final decision to allow her to join your league and potentially change her ways.

Her abilities are:

• Novice: Enters the fray and puts an enemy to sleep.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud that affects 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, visit The Escapist.

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