In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Naoe and Yasuke face a daunting challenge, but they don't have to face it alone. If you're looking for the best ways to find and recruit all allies in the game, you're in the right place.

Allies in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Explained

In the game, there are two types of allies you can recruit. The first type enhances the functionality of your Hideout. For example, the blacksmith can forge and upgrade your equipment, significantly improving your gear. The second type consists of combat companions who can fight alongside you in the field, with abilities that can be upgraded for various situations.

Once a combat ally joins your team, you can manage them from the Hideout or any of the kakuregas you've unlocked. When called into battle, they'll use their initial skill and continue to fight until they're defeated or all enemies are eliminated. Building a dojo in your Hideout allows you to level up these allies and equip two at once, making your team even stronger.

While allies are optional and you can complete the game without them, having extra support can be a significant advantage in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

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 the main and side quests:

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

These allies enhance your Hideout's capabilities. The following allies, however, can join you in combat and help you overcome the challenges in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Yaya

Yaya, a Buddhist monk, first appears during the main quest, The Fatherless Monk. She values justice over violence, much like Yasuke. To recruit her, during the Heads Will Roll quest to assassinate The Wounded, choose to spare the target, aligning with her principles. Then, complete the Find Yaya/The Stray Dogs missions, making the right choices to forgive her wayward apprentice and seek forgiveness together. Finally, ask 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

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For ranged combat support, Katsuhime, a Koga shinobi skilled with the Teppo, is your best choice. In Omi, hunt down The Naginata to unlock her questline. Complete Showdown in Sakamoto and Requiem for Rokkaku, then pursue 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: Deals daze damage upon entering the fight.
• Initiate: Uses a dazing bomb for an area effect when entering a fight.
• Veteran: Teppo shots ricochet to another target when hitting a dazed enemy.

Gennojo

Gennojo, a sly thief, first appears in the Missing Missive quest as part of locating The Fool. After sparing him, he'll return in the Lost Honor mission, followed by Sake and Sword, Honor Among Thieves, and Stolen Hearts. Flirt with him and support his convictions at each turn. 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 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

In Iga, you'll meet Ibuki, a ronin fighting corruption. Start with the Ambush Interrupted sidequest near Kashiwara Village using Yasuke and follow his questline. Always side with Ibuki, and consider romancing him to ensure he joins your organization.

Ibuki's capabilities include:

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

Oni-yuri

For non-lethal takedowns, Oni-yuri is your ally. Begin her recruitment in Tsuruga, Wakasa, with the Sweet Lies sidequest. Trust her throughout her quests, and at the end, invite her to join your league, hoping to change her ways.

Oni-yuri's abilities are:

• Novice: Enters the fray and puts an enemy to sleep.
• Initiate: Releases a poison cloud affecting 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, check out The Escapist.

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