How To Find & Recruit All Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In Assassin's Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke face a challenging journey, but they don't have to face it alone. If you're looking to enhance your gameplay by recruiting all available allies, you're in the right place.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

There are two primary types of allies you can recruit in Assassin's Creed Shadows. The first type includes those who enhance your Hideout's functionality, such as the blacksmith who helps in forging and upgrading your gear. The second type are combat allies who join you in the field, equipped with upgradeable abilities that can be crucial in various combat scenarios.

Once you've recruited a combat ally, you can manage them from your Hideout or any of the kakuregas you've unlocked. When you summon them, they'll use their initial skill and then fight by your side until either they're defeated or all enemies are eliminated. Constructing a dojo in your hideout not only allows you to level up these allies but also enables you to have two allies equipped simultaneously.

While allies are optional and you can complete the game without them, having extra support can significantly improve your chances of success.

Related: Where to Find the Cat Island in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

All Allies You Can Find & Recruit 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 – Recruited through the quest "An Unpayable Debt".
Junjiro – Recruited through the quest "From Spark to Flame".
Heiji (Blacksmith) – Recruited through the quest "Way of the Blacksmith".

The following allies can be recruited as combat companions to aid you in various challenges:

Yaya

Yaya, a Buddhist monk, first appears in the main quest "The Fatherless Monk". She values justice over violence, aligning closely with Yasuke's principles. To recruit her, complete the following steps:

During the "Heads Will Roll" quest, choose to spare the target "The Wounded".
Complete the "Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs" missions, ensuring you make choices that align with her values, such as convincing her to forgive her apprentice and seek forgiveness together.
In the final decision, invite her to join your cause.

Yaya’s abilities at each level are:

Novice: Joins the fight and performs pushback attacks.
Initiate: Knocks down an enemy when joining the fight.
Veteran: Uses a powerful kick to send enemies flying.

Katsuhime

All Allies You Can Find & Recruit in Assassin's Creed Shadows Katsuhime

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

Katsuhime is your best choice for ranged combat support in Assassin's Creed Shadows. She excels with the Teppo, delivering high damage effectively.

Start her recruitment by hunting down "The Naginata" in Omi.
Complete the quests "Showdown in Sakamoto" and "Requiem for Rokkaku".
Engage in the "Letter from Katsuhime" sidequest and follow it until you reach "The Diary of Lady Rokkaku".
Rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join your cause.

Katsuhime's abilities are:

Novice: Deals daze damage when entering the fight.
Initiate: Uses a dazing bomb upon entering a fight for area effect.
Veteran: Her teppo shots ricochet to another target if they hit a dazed enemy.

Gennojo

Gennojo, the sly thief, first appears in the "Missing Missive" quest during the hunt for "The Fool". To recruit him:

Spare him during your initial encounter.
Follow up with "Lost Honor", "Sake and Sword", "Honor Among Thieves", and "Stolen Hearts", making sure to 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, drawing enemy attention.
Veteran: Prevents servants from reporting your crimes.

Ibuki

All Allies You Can Find & Recruit in Assassin's Creed Shadows Ibuki

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

Ibuki, a ronin in Iga, is on a personal crusade against corruption. To recruit him:

Start with the "Ambush Interrupted" sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke.
Consistently side with Ibuki throughout his questline and, if desired, pursue a romantic relationship.
In the final decision, invite him to join your organization.

Ibuki’s abilities include:

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

Oni-yuri

Oni-yuri specializes in disabling enemies rather than killing them. To recruit her:

Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the "Sweet Lies" sidequest.
Maintain trust in her throughout her questline, despite any doubts about her methods.
In the final decision, allow her to join your league and guide her towards redemption.

Oni-yuri’s abilities are: