Ghost of Yotei keeps Atsu on the road alone for long stretches, but there are a handful of companions. They don’t behave like traditional party members: you can’t permanently add them to your side, and most show up only under specific conditions. Here’s how each companion works, where to find them, and what to expect once they join.

Companions at a glance

Companion / Group Where it starts How it recruits / triggers Availability & notes
Wolf Any Wolf Den (10 across Ezo). The earliest is the Great Mountain Wolf Den west of Yotei’s Shadow Inn (Yotei Grasslands). Clear the den’s enemies and free cages. Each den progresses a dedicated Wolf skill track. Not permanent. Can appear organically; later, a song lets you summon it at specific spots. More dens = more frequent appearances.
Oyuki (story) Teshio Ridge, during the Kitsune hunt arc. Progress the main story beats in that region. Mission-bound companion. Assists in combat and can sync stealth takedowns with Atsu.
Jubei (story) Ishikari Plain, while breaking the Oni’s hold. Progress the main story beats in that region. Mission-bound companion. Helps draw aggro and contributes to stealth eliminations.
Shino the bear Tokachi Range, Prospector’s Camp along the Nupur River just outside Serpent’s Pass. Complete a short local quest, then feed Shino fish twice and follow him. Leads you to the Toku’s Untamed Loyalty weapon kit. Further bear interactions appear limited.
Wolf Pack (masters & merchants) Across Ezo; you’ll meet members naturally as you advance (training, weapon unlocks, recurring vendors). Set up camp. When they have something new, members can visit; you can also camp to pull them in for upgrades or items. Support, not combat. Examples include Master Enomoto, Ran the Bowyer, Ginji the Armorer, Sensei Takahashi, and Hana the Kunai Artisan.

Wolf companion (how the dens, song, and skill track work)

The wolf is the most active companion you’ll see in the wild. To start, find a Wolf Den—there are 10 across the map. Early on, head to the Great Mountain Wolf Den west of Yotei’s Shadow Inn in the Yotei Grasslands. Speak to locals as you travel; NPC chatter can mark den locations on your map.

Each den plays out as a short rescue operation: follow the wolf, clear the camp, and unlock any cages. Completing your first den unlocks a Wolf-specific skill track, and every additional den advances it. There’s no way to lock the wolf in as a permanent follower, but you’ll eventually learn a song that lets you summon it at certain locations. The more dens you complete, the more often the wolf shows up organically in encounters.

Key points:

  • 10 Wolf Dens exist across Ezo; two early examples in Yotei Grasslands include Great Mountain and Green Hill.
  • Talking to regional NPCs can add den markers to your map loadout.
  • No permanent recruitment; summoning becomes situational via a learned song.

Story companions (Oyuki and Jubei)

Two named allies join during major story arcs, but only for specific missions:

  • Oyuki appears in Teshio Ridge during the Kitsune pursuit.
  • Jubei joins in Ishikari Plain during the Oni storyline.

They function like the wolf: not player-callable on demand, mission-dependent, and focused on practical utility. In combat, they split enemy attention and pick off targets. In stealth, they can synchronize assassinations with Atsu to thin patrols quickly. Outside their arcs, they return to the story rather than free-roaming at your side.

Shino the bear (one-off reward, limited follow-up)

For a short, memorable detour, seek out Shino in the Tokachi Range. Travel to Prospector’s Camp along the Nupur River just beyond Serpent’s Pass. After a brief encounter with the camp’s owner and completing a quick objective, feed Shino from the nearby fish basket—twice—then follow him. He’ll lead you to the Toku’s Untamed Loyalty weapon kit.

Shino does not behave like the wolf or story allies. After delivering the kit, further interactions seem minimal. Players have occasionally encountered a bear assisting in a skirmish before vanishing, but those moments are not consistent or summonable.

The Wolf Pack (how camp visits work, and who’s in it)

The Wolf Pack isn’t a combat squad; it’s the rolling cast of masters and traveling merchants you meet as Atsu grows—trainers tied to weapon unlocks, armorers, bowyers, scavengers, and specialists with unique upgrades. The system is simple: when you make camp, a member may arrive with a new technique, request, or inventory. If you’re chasing a specific upgrade, you can deliberately camp to pull them in when they have something new to offer.

Expect to see familiar faces rotate through camp over the journey. Examples include:

  • Master Enomoto and Master Yoshida for technique guidance.
  • Ran the Bowyer and Ginji the Armorer for ranged and armor upgrades.
  • Taro the Scavenger and Matchlock Murata for materials and firearms support.
  • Sensei Takahashi and Hana the Kunai Artisan for advanced skill and quickfire tuning.
Tip: If you’ve just unlocked a weapon or progressed a key arc, drop a camp soon after—those beats often align with useful Pack visits.

Finding Wolf Dens faster

Wolf Dens are scattered across all regions, with early access in the Yotei Grasslands. If you’re aiming to accelerate the wolf’s appearances and push the Wolf skill line:

  • Talk to villagers, travelers, and merchants in each area; wolf sightings can add a den marker to your map.
  • Tackle nearby dens as you pass through rather than backtracking later—your investment compounds with more frequent wolf aid.

FAQ: can the wolf be a permanent follower?

No. The wolf’s presence is contextual. Completing dens increases the likelihood you’ll see it in the wild, and a learned song lets you summon it at designated places, but there’s no permanent recruit slot for the wolf. Think of it as a relationship you deepen to trigger reliable, situational support—not a pet you toggle on.

The thread running through all of these is intention. Ghost of Yotei gives you help when the story or the world calls for it, not a full-time entourage. If you want the most consistent aid, prioritize Wolf Dens early, keep an ear out for NPC rumors, and make camp regularly to catch Wolf Pack visitors when fresh upgrades are on the table.