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

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 maximize your gameplay by recruiting all possible allies, 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. For instance, the blacksmith allows you to forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type serves as combat companions in the open world, offering upgradeable abilities that can be crucial in various scenarios.

Once you recruit a combat ally, you can manage them either from the Hideout or any unlocked kakuregas. When called into action, they'll use their initial skill and continue to fight by your side until they are 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 equip two allies simultaneously.

While allies are optional and you might miss them during your playthrough, having extra 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

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, while the following combat allies can be crucial in overcoming the game's challenges.

Yaya

Yaya, a Buddhist monk, first appears during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Her commitment to justice aligns well with Yasuke's values. During the Heads Will Roll quest, choose to spare the main target, The Wounded, to align with her principles.

Subsequently, undertake the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making choices that lead to forgiveness and ultimately invite her to join your cause. As a close-combat expert, Yaya's 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

For ranged combat support, Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi skilled with the Teppo, is your best bet. Start her recruitment in Omi by completing the Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku quests, followed by the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Continue through 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: Teppo shots ricochet to another target when hitting a dazed enemy.

Gennojo

Encounter Gennojo, the sly thief, during the Missing Missive quest. After sparing him, continue through 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

In Iga, you'll meet Ibuki, a ronin fighting corruption. Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke and continue his questline. Consistently side with Ibuki, and consider romancing him to strengthen your bond. Eventually, 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, leading to the final decision to invite her to 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 guides, be sure to visit The Escapist.

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