"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 go it alone. If you're looking to bolster your team by finding and recruiting all allies, 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. The first type enhances your Hideout with new functions, 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 upgradeable abilities that prove invaluable in various situations.

Once a combat ally joins your team, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakuregas. When called into action, they'll unleash their initial skill and continue fighting 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.

While allies are optional and you can complete the story without them, 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

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 aid you in combat:

Yaya

You'll first encounter the Buddhist monk Yaya during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. She values justice over violence, aligning with Yasuke's principles. During the Heads Will Roll quest, choose to spare The Wounded to align with her values. Progress your relationship by completing the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, convincing her to forgive her apprentice and seek forgiveness together. Finally, invite her to join your cause.

Yaya's combat abilities:

• 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 is your best bet. She's skilled with the Teppo and can deliver high damage instantly. In Omi, hunt down The Naginata to start her questline. Complete Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku, then follow the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest to The Diary of Lady Rokkaku. Rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Katsuhime's combat abilities:

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

Gennojo

You'll first meet the thief Gennojo during the Missing Missive quest while locating The Fool. Spare him, and he'll reappear in the Lost Honor mission, followed by 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 combat abilities:

• 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 the ronin Ibuki, who's 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 if you wish. At the end, invite him to join your organization.

Ibuki's combat abilities:

• Novice: Joins the fight with 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

If you prefer disabling enemies over killing them, Oni-yuri is your ally. Start her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust her throughout her quests, culminating in the decision to let her join your league and potentially change her ways.

Oni-yuri's combat abilities:

• Novice: Puts an enemy to sleep upon entering the fray.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud to afflict 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.