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

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, Naoe and Yasuke are on a challenging mission, but they don't have to face it alone. If you're eager to bolster your team with powerful allies, this guide is the perfect starting point to find and recruit them all.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

In the game, there are two distinct types of allies you can recruit. The first type enhances your Hideout by adding new functionalities, like the blacksmith, who enables you to forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type are combat allies, who join you in the field with their upgradeable abilities, proving invaluable in various scenarios.

Once a combat ally is on board, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakuregas. When called into action, they will deploy their initial skill and continue to fight by your side until either they fall or all enemies are vanquished. Constructing a dojo in the hideout allows you to level up your allies and even deploy two at once.

While allies are optional and you could potentially miss them during your playthrough, having an extra blade at your side can be a significant advantage in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.

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

The following allies can be recruited to assist in combat and enhance your gameplay in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*:

Yaya

Yaya, a Buddhist monk, first appears in the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Although willing to fight, she prioritizes justice over violence, aligning with Yasuke's philosophy. During the Heads Will Roll quest, spare the main target, The Wounded, to align with her values and deepen your relationship.

Proceed with the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, choosing to forgive her wayward apprentice and seek forgiveness together. This will lead to the final decision where you can invite Yaya to join your cause.

Yaya's combat abilities evolve with each level:

• 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

For ranged combat, Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi skilled with the Teppo, is your best bet. In Omi, complete the quest to hunt down The Naginata, then proceed with Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku. The Letter from Katsuhime sidequest will unlock, leading to The Diary of Lady Rokkaku. Rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Katsuhime's abilities focus on debilitating and eliminating:

• 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 one.

Gennojo

Gennojo, the cunning thief, is first encountered in the Missing Missive quest while locating The Fool. After sparing him, he reappears in the Lost Honor mission, followed by Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts. Flirt with him and bolster his convictions at every opportunity. In The Godless Harvest side quest, prevent him from choosing the explosive option and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo's abilities as an ally 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

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. Always side with Ibuki and consider romancing him to ensure he joins your organization.

Ibuki's combat capabilities include:

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

Oni-yuri

For disabling enemies without killing them, Oni-yuri is your ally. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust in her throughout her quests, culminating in 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 insights, be sure to visit The Escapist.

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