How to start and complete the Yamabushi Imposters quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and how to unlock the Contemplation Tanto Passive for Naoe and Absolute Protection Samurai Passive for Yasuke.
Table of contents
How to start the Yamabushi Imposters quest
You can start Yamabushi Presenters by going to the Path of Serenity in southern Yamato. A man at the start of the path will give you the quest.
Genpaku is a Yamabushi (a type of ascetic that lives in the mountains) and he’ll tell you of murderers impersonating Yamabushi. You’ll need to track them down and assassinate them.
Tip `: Many of these Yamabushi Imposters have a lot of health chunks and wield naginatas. If you play as Naoe, you might not be able to assassinate them with one stab, so pop a smoke bomb to have them lose sight then finish them off with another assassinate.
Tip 2: You can also activate the “Guaranteed Assassination” option in the game’s settings. This will allow you to assassinate every enemy regardless of level or Health Chunks. We do not recommend using it as this is not the way the game is meant to be played. The devs likely included it as an extra “easy” option and to allow you to feel like an assassin of the old games (we think).
The Clifftop Yamabushi
The Clifftop Yamabushi can be found at the end of the Path of the Chosen in eastern Kii. There’s no shortcut to him, you’ll need to traverse the entire path.
When defeated, you’ll gain the following rewards from the Clifftop Yamabushi:
Lustrous Pearl
Stats Boost
+ Weapon DPS
+ Posture DPS
+ Ability Damage
+ Critical Damage
Engraving
Postured Combo Ender knocks down enemies
- 2 Mastery Points
- 320 Mon
The Forest Yamabushi
The Forest Yamabushi is found at Nyu-Daimyojin Shrine. You can follow the road going east of Saika to reach this location. He’ll be feigning an injury, so give him an actual injury by assassinating him.
Once defeated, you’ll gain the following rewards from the Forest Yamabushi:
- Epic Naginata – Izanami’s Salvation
- Engraving – Buildup over Half Health
- 2 Mastery Points
- 320 Mon
The Mountain Yamabushi
The Mountain Yamabushi is in eastern Omi. He’ll be at Kawachi Kaza-ana Cave found between Ibu Highlands and Suzuka Foothills. He’ll save you the trouble of killing him as he’ll already be dead.
After looting the body, you’ll gain the following rewards:
- Letter of a Corpse of a Strange Yamabushi
- 220 Mon
The Pathway Yamabushi
The Pathway Yamabushi is south of Shingu and Kumano Hayatama Taisha in eastern Kii. He will require a few stabs to assassinate as he has a whopping 11 health chunks.
When defeated, you’ll gain the following rewards from the Pathway Yamabushi:
- Epic Naginata – Izanagi’s Reach
- Engraving – Health with Headshot
- 2 Mastery Points
- 290 Mon
The Pond Yamabushi
The Pond Yamabushi is at the Three-Trunked Tree Kuji-kiri location, north of Mount Hiei in the Omi province. To lure him out, you need to start the Kuji-kiri and he’ll attack you during the mini-game.
When defeated, you’ll gain the following rewards from the Pond Yamabushi:
- Epic Long Katana – The Monk’s Amendment
- Engraving – Ration on Headshot
- Letter Found on a Yamabushi Imposter
- 2 Mastery Points
- 325 Mon
The River Yamabushi
The River Yamabushi is in southern Yoshino, Yamato. He isn’t that far off from Genpaku, only a short walk east of the quest starting location.
When defeated, you’ll gain the following reward from the River Yamabushi:
- Epic Bow – Susanoo’s Torrent
- Engraving – Armor Piercing on Multiple Enemies
- 2 Mastery Points
- 330 Mon
The Shadow Yamabushi
The Shadow Yamabushi is northeast of Kasuga Shrine in Otogi Pass, Iga. He’s right next to the Tejikara Vista Viewpoint.
Once defeated, you’ll gain the following rewards from the Shadow Yamabushi:
- Epic Kusarigama – Yomi’s Retribution
- Engraving – Critical Chance on Consecutive Kills
- 2 Mastery Points
- 260 Mon
The Valley Yamabushi
The Valley Yamabushi is south of Hinotani Shrine in Nabari Wilds, Iga. He’s at a small cabin where he’s extorting an old man and his granddaughter.
When defeated, you’ll gain the following rewards from the Valley Yamabushi:
- Epic Kanabo – Mountain Bearer
- Engraving – Damage with Backstab
- 2 Mastery Points
- 275 Mon
The Village Yamabushi
The Village Yamabushi is at the Shinobi Training Ground in Mibuno Vale, Iga. He’s directly south of Naoe’s house and you’ll be unable to damage him.
When you find him, he’ll be in a deep meditative trance. Inspect the tree items near him: the armor set, the letters, and the cooking pot. He’ll be automatically spared as he’s trying to atone for his actions
You’ll gain the following reward for sparing the Village Yamabushi:
- Engraving – Damage after Parry
Return to Genpaku
With the Yamabushi Imposters dealt with, return to the Path of Serenity and talk to Genpaku. You’ll complete the quest and gain the following rewards:
- 5,000 XP
- Outdoor Cosmetic – Secluded Shinto Shrine
- Unlock the Contemplation Tanto Passive for Naoe
- Unlock the Absolute Protection Samurai Passive for Yasuke
