Step away from the chaos of assassinations and step into a world where your Hideout in Assassin’s Creed Shadows becomes a lively sanctuary filled with furry friends. From charming cats and loyal dogs to wild boars, discover how to unlock, adopt, and place these adorable companions in your Hideout, turning your base into a vibrant retreat amid the shadows of feudal Japan.
This is an incredible leap forward for the Assassin’s Creed franchise. But it wasn’t immediately obvious that adding animals to your hideout was possible, so read on to find out how to get pets in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and how to add them to your Hideout.
How to find pets in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
To find pets in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, explore towns, villages, and the open countryside where you’ll encounter dogs, cats, and even exotic animals. Simply approach these animals and interact when prompted to pet them, which adds them to your collection for use in your hideout. Pets can also be unlocked by completing specific quests (such as the pre-order exclusive “Thrown to the Dogs”), painting animals during Sumi-e tasks, purchasing from Ornament Vendors in major towns, or buying unique pets from the microtransaction store. Each new animal you befriend is added to your codex and can be placed in your hideout once you unlock the feature during the main story.
After you unlock the Hideout during the “From Sparks to Flame” quest, Naoe is unleashed (no pun intended) into the open world. If you meet animals in the open world, you’ll add them to your Codex – and once an animal is in your Codex, you’re able to put it in your Hideout.
There are a few different ways to encounter animals in the open world:
- Dogs and cats are the most straightforward. When you approach a dog or cat, you will be prompted to pet them. Each time you pet a different type of cat or dog, it gets added to your Codex (e.g. a black Akita, a golden Akita, and a Black Akita puppy are all distinct entries).
- Wild animals can be added by completing optional Sumi-e objectives. As you explore the world as Naoe, you’ll occasionally be prompted to sneak up on animals and paint them doing their thing. Once you do so, that animal will also be added to the Codex as a new Sumi-e entry.
- You can also purchase some pets from certain traders, and there are more in the in-game store.
- Finally, you can get some special pets through quests. The first one you’ll encounter is during the “Thrown to the Dogs” quest, which will result in the beat-up but good-hearted Tsuki-maru being added as a unique pet.
How to add pets to your Hideout in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
To add pets to your Hideout in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, first interact with the “Improve Hideout Table” where you manage your Hideout upgrades. Then, navigate to the Build menu and select the tab marked with an animal icon. This will display a list of all the pets you have unlocked by petting animals, completing certain quests, or acquiring them through Sumi-e paintings and vendors. Choose the pet you want to add and select an available outdoor spot in your Hideout to place it. Pets will roam freely around the area, adding life to your Hideout. Note that unique pets like Tsuki-maru can only be placed once, and you can add up to 30 animals in total.
Okay, now you have a Codex full of cats and dogs – but how can you see them running around your Hideout?
In your Hideout, access the table with the model that lets you improve the Hideout. From here, open the Build menu. On the final tab of the Build menu, represented by an image of a dog’s head, you’ll find your pets.
It’s here that you can add every animal you’ve catalogued to your hideout. You have to place them on an empty square outside, but once placed, they’ll free roam around the place. It’s actually really delightful and, along with the human companions you bring in, makes the hideout feel like a living village.
You should be able to add each kind of animal as many times as you like – with the exception of special, named pets like Tsuki-maru, who you can only place once.
How can I attract and befriend rare animals in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
To attract and befriend rare animals in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you need to pay attention to specific conditions such as time of day, season, and location, as many rare and legendary animals only appear under these circumstances. For example, the legendary Sakura Shika appears only at night during spring in the southern part of Yamato, near the Sakura Meadow area.
Generally, you can befriend animals by approaching them calmly and petting them when prompted, which adds them to your pet collection. This works for many dogs, cats, and some other animals found roaming the world. Some rare pets are unlocked by completing specific quests, such as the side quest “Thrown to the Dogs,” which grants the unique dog Tsuki-maru.
Additionally, collecting certain Sumi-e paintings can unlock pets related to those animals, but some of these only appear during particular seasons, so timing your collection is crucial. While you can pet many animals to add them to your collection, legendary animals found via Sumi-e paintings cannot be kept as pets in your Hideout, although they are rare and highly sought after.
In summary, to attract and befriend rare animals:
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Visit specific locations at the right time and season (e.g., night in spring for Sakura Shika).
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Approach animals calmly and pet them when prompted.
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Complete quests that reward unique pets.
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Collect Sumi-e paintings of animals, especially during their seasonal appearances.
Once befriended, you can place your pets in your Hideout to enjoy their company.
What are the best times and locations to find rare legendary animals in Shadows
Best Times and Locations to Find Rare Legendary Animals in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Legendary animals in Assassin’s Creed Shadows are extremely rare and only appear at specific times, seasons, and locations. Here’s a concise guide to help you track down all five:
| Animal | Location (Region, Area) | Season | Time of Day | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise Macaques | Yamashiro, Little Leaf Glade, Sarumaru Shrine | Any | Night | North of Sarumaru Shrine; appears only at night, any season. |
| Sakura Shika Deer | Yamato, Yoshino (SW of Lumber Yard) | Spring | Night | Near Sakura Meadow, southern Yamato; luminous antlers. |
| White Tanuki | Omi, Shimmering Fields, near Shigaraki Hamlet | Summer | Day | Found during summer days. |
| Silver Fox | Kii, Nakahechi Route, Kamimisu Inari Shrine | Autumn | Night | Near the cliff at the southern part of the shrine; approach prone. |
| Red-Crowned Crane | Wakasa, Lake Suigetsu (SE of Amiko Estate, on island) | Winter | Day | On unmarked island; nearest fast travel: Outer Amiko Kakurega or Tsuruga Tower. |
Tips for Finding Legendary Animals:
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Legendary animals have about a 35% spawn chance during their specific season and time. If not present, ride away 200+ meters or fast travel and return to refresh the spawn.
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Seasons change only when you fast travel, switch characters, or complete a quest, not automatically.
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Missing a season may require waiting up to 6 hours of real time for the cycle to return.
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Legendary animals are not marked on the map; use the compass and look for the Sumi-e icon when nearby.
Summary:
To maximize your chances, always check the correct location at the right season and time of day, and use fast travel or distance to refresh spawns if needed. Completing all five unlocks unique rewards and achievements.
