"Guide to Recruiting All Allies in Assassin's Creed Shadows"

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, the journey of Naoe and Yasuke is fraught with challenges, but they don't have to face them alone. If you're eager to bolster your team by finding and recruiting all possible allies, you've come to the right place. Let’s dive into how you can enhance your gameplay with these crucial companions.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, there are two distinct categories of allies you can recruit. The first type enhances your Hideout with new functions, such as a blacksmith who can forge and upgrade your equipment, significantly boosting your combat readiness. The second category consists of combat allies who join you in the field, armed 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 kakuregas. Summoning them into battle triggers their initial skill, and they'll fight alongside you until either they're defeated or all foes are vanquished. Constructing a dojo in your Hideout not only allows you to level up your allies but also enables you to deploy two at once, doubling your tactical advantage.

While allies are optional and you could complete the story without them, having extra support can make all the difference in your quest through the shadows.

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

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

Let's start with 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 pivotal in overcoming the game's challenges:

Yaya

You'll first encounter Yaya, the Buddhist monk, during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Her commitment to justice aligns with Yasuke's values, making her a powerful ally against oppression. To recruit Yaya, you must make ethical choices:

• During the Heads Will Roll quest, spare The Wounded, reflecting Yaya's values.
• Complete the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, choosing to encourage forgiveness between Yaya and her apprentice.
• Finally, invite her to join your cause.

Yaya's close-combat skills evolve as follows:

• Novice: Yaya joins the fight and performs pushback attacks.
• Initiate: Upon joining, Yaya will knock down an enemy.
• Veteran: Yaya uses a powerful kick to send enemies flying.

Katsuhime

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

If you're looking for a ranged specialist, Katsuhime, the Koga shinobi, is your best bet. Her proficiency with the Teppo makes her a formidable asset. To recruit her, follow these steps:

• Complete the Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku quests in Omi.
• Proceed with the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest until you reach The Diary of Lady Rokkaku.
• Rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Katsuhime's abilities include:

• Novice: Katsuhime deals daze damage when entering the fight.
• Initiate: She uses a dazing bomb for an area effect upon joining.
• Veteran: Her teppo shots ricochet to another target if the initial hit is on a dazed enemy.

Gennojo

Gennojo, the cunning thief, first appears during the Missing Missive quest. To recruit him:

• Spare him during your initial encounter.
• Continue with Lost Honor, Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts missions.
• Flirt with him and support his convictions.
• During The Godless Harvest, prevent him from using explosives and invite him to join your team.

Gennojo’s skills 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, the ronin fighting corruption. To recruit him:

• Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke.
• Support and side with Ibuki throughout his questline, possibly romancing him.
• At the end, invite him to join your organization.

Ibuki's abilities are:

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

Oni-yuri

For those who prefer disabling enemies over killing, Oni-yuri is your ally. Begin recruiting her in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. To gain her trust:

• Trust her throughout her questline.
• At the end, invite her to join your league, hoping she'll change her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities include:

• Novice: Enters the fray and puts an enemy to sleep.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud affecting nearby enemies.
• Veteran: Delays enemy reinforcements.

That's a comprehensive guide on finding and recruiting all allies in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For more tips and tricks, be sure to check out The Escapist. *Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.*