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The Yamabushi Imposters side quest in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows requires you to take down a group of formidable foes. Nine men have masqueraded as traveling mountain monks while carrying out violent acts, and your objective is to eliminate each one of them.
This mission can be particularly tough because many of these imposters are at a high level and wield Naginatas. You might attempt to learn their fighting styles quickly, but don’t underestimate their skill. In this guide, we’ll show you how to track down and defeat each imposter.
How to Start the Yamabushi Imposters Quest
You can begin this quest in Yoshino within the Yamato region during Act 2. Locate Genpaku there, who will instruct you to take out the nine Yamabushi Imposters.
Once you’ve initiated the quest, make sure to collect the letter found on a body in Kawachi Kaza-ana Cave, located in the Omi region. You might have already encountered Yuki Onna as part of the Yokai quest prior to this.
If you find yourself under-levelled, it’s advisable to level up to at least level 50 before embarking on this quest. Many of the opponents will present a significant challenge if you can’t eliminate them with a single strike.
How to Find and Defeat All Yamabushi Imposters
The River Yamabushi
Your first target, the River Yamabushi, is located in Yoshino, specifically in Mitarai Valley. He will be practicing, which gives you the opportunity to approach him stealthily and attempt an assassination. With a level of 51, he may be challenging to take out in one hit, but with enough power, it can be done.
The River Yamabushi uses a Katana, making his moves predictable. Even if you can’t finish him off with the initial strike, you can easily defeat him using straightforward combo attacks. Once he is defeated, you will receive Susanoo’s Torrent, a powerful bow, along with armor-piercing engravings and 700 Data Fragments.
When your opponent’s weapon glows blue, anticipate a chain of attacks and be sure to parry them. A white light indicates a single attack, allowing you to parry and counter effectively.
The Clifftop Yamabushi
Reaching this Yamabushi is quite a task. You must take the Path of Chosen to get to him, located on the Iseji Trails in the Kii region.
Once you’ve arrived, use stealth again, approach from behind, and attempt an assassination. If you’re unable to eliminate him in one hit, you could find yourself in trouble. Naginata users are formidable foes, so tread carefully.
Evade his swift attacks that can’t be parried, and take your chance to strike back. In our experience, he didn’t unleash many attacks that could be countered easily.
Upon defeat, you will earn 320 Mon and Lustrous Pearl, a legendary Naginata.
The Pathway Yamabushi
The next target can be found to the south of the Clifftop Yamabushi. Getting to him shouldn’t be too difficult, as you can unlock a fast travel point nearby. He is usually hidden behind a tree, so approach him quietly and try another assassination.
He wields a Naginata as well, and if you can’t end him in one go, you’re in for a tough fight. Additionally, the Pathway Yamabushi is known for executing chain attacks that are hard to parry. Upon eliminating him, you’ll receive Izanagi’s Reach, an Epic Naginata, and 290 Mon.
The Forest Yamabushi
Find the Forest Yamabushi northwest of Saika Castle and southwest of Wakanoura Bay in the Kii region. He will be positioned at the Nyu-Daimyojin Shrine, pretending to be injured. Sneak up behind him for an assassination.
Don’t underestimate him, as he too is a Naginata user. Even if you manage to chip away some of his health with the initial strike, his follow-up attacks can deal significant damage. Stay patient; you’ll need to dodge or parry his strikes, followed by landing your own combos. Utilizing your skills can help break his attack chains.
Once defeated, you will gain Izanami’s Salvation, an Epic Naginata, and 320 Mon.
The Pond Yamabushi
The next Yamabushi is hiding but can be lured out. Use the Kuji-kiri on Mount Hiei near the Three-Trunked Tree in the Omi region, and he will confront you. He’s a Katana user, so he won’t be tough to handle.
The Pond Yamabushi primarily performs a series of parryable attacks. However, be cautious; if he parries your strike, he will retaliate with a move that cannot be parried.
Alternatively, you can push him off the mountain for an instant kill.
After taking him down, you’ll receive The Monk’s Amendment, an Epic Long Katana, along with a letter disclosing that the Yamabushi was reporting to someone.
The Mountain Yamabushi
As mentioned before, collecting the letter in Kawachi Kaza-ana Cave will reveal the location of another Yamabushi on your map.
Since he is already dead, you won’t need to fight him, although there is another potential opponent nearby, Yuki Onna. There’s no need to engage her, as she is involved in a separate quest.
The Shadow Yamabushi
Your next target can be found in Iga, near the Kasuga Shrine at Otogi Pass. He will be around the fast travel point. If you’re at a high enough level, taking him down with a single strike should be manageable. We were able to eliminate him on the first attempt, so you should find it easy as well.
Upon his defeat, expect to earn Yomi’s Retribution, an Epic Kusarigama, and 260 Mon.
The Village Yamabushi
This Yamabushi is located in Mibuno Vale at the Shinobi Training Ground in the Iga region. He will be west of the fast travel point. This particular Yamabushi is stationary, and you will not have the opportunity to assassinate him. Instead, you’ll have a task to investigate the area.
Highlight the areas of interest by holding L2. There will be three objects to interact with, and doing so will trigger a cutscene. After this scene concludes, you’ll gain the engraving for Damage After Parry.
The Valley Yamabushi
The final target is The Valley Yamabushi, found in the Nabari Wilds in the Iga region. Approach him stealthily and attempt an assassination. He is a formidable fighter, swinging a Kanabo with great force. If you can finish him off with the assassination, it will save you a lot of hassle.
He can throw his weapon at you, making him even more irritating to deal with. Try to limit your attacks to one or two, as he counterattacks rapidly.
After defeating him, you will receive Mountain Bearer, an Epic Kanabo, and 275 Mon.
Yamabushi Imposters Reward
After defeating all the Yamabushi Imposters, return to Genpaku in Mitarai Valley and speak with him. Completing this quest will grant you the Secluded Shinto Shrine, a cosmetic outdoor item.
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