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 with powerful allies, you’re in the right place to learn how to find and recruit them all in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

The game features two categories of allies: those who enhance your Hideout with new functionalities, like the blacksmith who enables equipment forging and upgrading, and those who serve as combat companions with upgradeable abilities that can prove invaluable in various scenarios.

Once you’ve recruited a combat ally, you can manage them from the Hideout or any unlocked kakurega. When summoned, these allies will deploy their initial skill and fight by your side until either they fall or all enemies are defeated. Constructing a dojo in the Hideout not only allows you to level up your allies but also lets you equip two allies simultaneously.

While allies are optional and you might miss them during your playthrough, having an extra blade can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.

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 – An Unpayable Debt
• Junjiro – From Spark to Flame
• Heiji (Blacksmith) – Way of the Blacksmith

These allies will enhance your Hideout, while the following can be recruited as combat companions to aid you in overcoming challenges in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*:

Yaya

Yaya, a Buddhist monk, joins during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. Her dedication to justice over violence aligns well with Yasuke’s principles. To recruit her, spare The Wounded during the Heads Will Roll quest, reflecting her values. Continue with the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, choosing to forgive her apprentice and seeking mutual forgiveness, culminating in inviting her 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

Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi, excels in ranged combat with the Teppo. To recruit her, start in Omi by hunting The Naginata, leading to the Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku quests. After completing these, undertake the Letter from Katsuhime sidequest, following it to The Diary of Lady Rokkaku. Rescue the target and invite Katsuhime to join your league.

Katsuhime’s abilities include:

• Novice: Deals daze damage upon entering the fight.
• Initiate: Uses a dazing bomb for an added area of effect.
• Veteran: Teppo shots that hit dazed targets ricochet to another target.

Gennojo

Gennojo, the sly thief, first appears in the Missing Missive quest. 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 throughout these quests. During The Godless Harvest, prevent him from using explosives and convince him to join your team.

Gennojo’s abilities are:

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

Ibuki

Image Source: Ubisoft via The Escapist

Ibuki, a ronin in Iga, fights against corruption. Begin his recruitment with the Ambust Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke. Consistently side with him and, if desired, pursue a romance. This will lead to inviting him to join your organization.

Ibuki’s abilities 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

Oni-yuri is your ally for disabling rather than killing enemies. Start her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust in her throughout her quests, despite doubts about her methods, to ultimately invite her to join your league and possibly change her ways.

Oni-yuri’s abilities include:

• Novice: Puts an enemy to sleep upon entering the fray.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud affecting nearby enemies.
• Veteran: Delays enemy reinforcements.

That’s all you need to know about finding and recruiting all allies in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. For more tips and guides, be sure to visit The Escapist.

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