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 forces by finding and recruiting all allies, you've come to the right place.

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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 with new functions, such as a blacksmith who can forge and upgrade your equipment. The second type serves as combat companions in the field, equipped 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 kakurega. When called into action, they'll deploy their initial skill and continue to fight by your side until defeated or all enemies are vanquished. Building a dojo in the Hideout not only allows you to level up your allies but also enables you to have two allies equipped simultaneously.

While allies are optional and you can progress through the story without them, having an extra blade at your side can be a significant advantage.

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

To begin with, 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 remaining allies can be utilized as part of your arsenal to tackle the challenges in Assassin's Creed Shadows.

Yaya

You'll first meet the Buddhist monk Yaya during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Her commitment to justice over violence aligns her with Yasuke. During the Heads Will Roll quest, choose to spare the target, The Wounded, to align with her values and foster your relationship.

Proceed with the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making choices that encourage forgiveness and reconciliation. This will culminate in the opportunity to invite Yaya to join your cause.

Yaya's combat abilities evolve as follows:

• 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

For a ranged attack specialist, recruit Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi skilled with the Teppo. Begin her recruitment in Omi during the quest to hunt down The Naginata. Complete the quests Showdown in Sakamoto, Requiem for Rokkaku, and the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest. Follow the questline to The Diary of Lady Rokkaku, rescue the target, and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Katsuhime's abilities focus on debilitating enemies:

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

Gennojo

Encounter the sly thief Gennojo during the Missing Missive quest while locating The Fool. After sparing him, he'll appear in subsequent quests like Lost Honor, Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts. Consistently flirt with him and affirm his convictions. In The Godless Harvest side quest, prevent him from using explosives and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo's skills include:

• Novice: Arrives with a bomb to shock enemies.
• Initiate: Acts as a distraction to draw enemy attention.
• Veteran: Prevents servants from reporting your crimes.

Ibuki

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

In Iga, you'll meet the ronin Ibuki, who fights corruption single-handedly. Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke and follow his questline. Consistently support Ibuki and consider romancing him to solidify your alliance. This will lead to an opportunity to invite him to join your organization.

Ibuki's capabilities are:

• Novice: Joins the fight and deals 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 non-lethal tactics, recruit Oni-yuri, who specializes in disabling enemies. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust in her methods and integrity throughout her questline, culminating in an invitation to join your league and hopefully reform her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities include:

• Novice: Puts an enemy to sleep upon entering the fray.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud that affects 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 and tips, be sure to visit The Escapist.

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