In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Naoe and Yasuke face a challenging journey, but they don't have to do it alone. If you're looking to bolster your team by finding and recruiting all available allies, you're in the right place. Allies in the game can significantly enhance your experience, providing both strategic advantages and additional firepower.
Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained
There are two types of allies you can recruit in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. The first type enhances your Hideout by adding new functions, such as the blacksmith, who can forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type are combat allies, who join you in the field with upgradeable abilities that prove invaluable in various situations.
Once a combat ally is recruited, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakurega. When called into battle, they will use their initial skill and continue to fight by your side until they're defeated or all enemies are eliminated. Constructing a dojo in the Hideout allows you to level up your allies and equip two at once, making them even more effective.
While allies are optional and you might miss recruiting them during your playthrough, having them can make a significant difference in your quest.
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's a breakdown of 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 recruited to enhance your combat capabilities:
Yaya
Yaya, a Buddhist monk, enters the scene during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. She values justice over unnecessary violence, aligning her with Yasuke's principles. To recruit her, you must spare The Wounded during the Heads Will Roll quest. Continue through the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making choices that align with her values, such as convincing her to forgive her apprentice. Ultimately, ask her to join your cause.
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
Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist
For ranged combat support, Katsuhime is your ally of choice. A skilled Koga shinobi, she uses the Teppo to deliver devastating damage. Start her recruitment in Omi by completing the Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku quests, followed by the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Continue the questline until The Diary of Lady Rokkaku, where you 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 area effect upon entering the fight.
- Veteran: Her teppo shots ricochet to another target when hitting a dazed enemy.
Gennojo
Gennojo, a cunning thief, is first encountered in the Missing Missive quest. After sparing him, follow through with the Lost Honor, Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts missions. Flirt with him and support his convictions throughout. 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
Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist
In Iga, you'll meet Ibuki, a ronin fighting corruption. Begin his recruitment with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke. Side with him and, if you wish, romance him throughout his questline, which will lead to his recruitment.
Ibuki's capabilities 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 those preferring to disable rather than kill, Oni-yuri is the ally to recruit. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust her throughout her quests, culminating in the decision to let her join the 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 tricks, be sure to visit The Escapist.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
