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

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke face a daunting challenge, but they don't have to tackle 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

There are two types of allies you can recruit in the game. Some add new functions to your Hideout, such as the blacksmith, who enables forging and upgrading your equipment. Others serve as combat companions in the world, with upgradeable abilities that can be invaluable in various situations.

Once you've recruited a combat ally, you can manage them either at the Hideout or at any unlocked kakuregas. When you call them into battle, they'll unleash their initial skill and then fight alongside you until they're defeated or all enemies are vanquished. Building a dojo in the Hideout allows you to level up your allies and equip two at once.

Allies are optional, and you might miss them during your story progression in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. However, having an extra blade at your side 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

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

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 can enhance your Hideout's capabilities. The rest can be recruited to bolster your combat prowess in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Yaya

The Buddhist monk, Yaya, first appears during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Although she's willing to fight against oppressors, Yaya values justice over violence, much like Yasuke.

To recruit Yaya, during the Heads Will Roll quest, choose to spare the main target, The Wounded, aligning with her values. Then, complete the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making the right choices by convincing her to forgive her wayward apprentice and seek forgiveness together. This will lead to the final decision where you can invite her to join as an ally in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Yaya's abilities at each level are:

• 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

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

If you're looking for an ally who uses ranged attacks, Katsuhime is your best bet. The Koga shinobi is skilled with the Teppo and can deliver high damage instantly.

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

Katsuhime's abilities are:

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

Gennojo

The sly thief, Gennojo, is first encountered during the Missing Missive quest, part of locating The Fool. After sparing him, he returns in the Lost Honor mission, followed by Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts.

To recruit Gennojo, flirt with him and affirm his convictions at every opportunity. In The Godless Harvest side quest, prevent him from using explosives and convince him to join the team.

Gennojo's abilities include:

• 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

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.

To recruit Ibuki, always side with him and consider romancing him. This will lead to the easy choice to invite him to join the organization.

Ibuki's abilities are:

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

Oni-yuri

If you prefer disabling enemies over killing them, Oni-yuri is your ally. Start her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest.

To recruit Oni-yuri, trust her throughout her quests, despite any doubts about her methods. This will culminate in the final decision to invite her to join the league, hoping she'll change her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities include:

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

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