Age of Imprisonment builds its roster steadily through story missions and optional side quests. A core set of characters unlock as you progress through chapters, while others join after you clear specific post‑mission quests that appear on the world map. Below is the complete list of characters you can play and the exact mission or quest that makes them available.
How character unlocks work
- Story unlocks: A handful of heroes become playable as soon as you complete their featured chapter mission.
- Side quests: Most recruits arrive via character‑specific quests that appear after you clear a related story mission. These can be tackled immediately or saved for later.
- Co‑op considerations: Most battles support two players; a small number of early missions are single‑player only.
All playable characters and unlock requirements
| Character | How to unlock |
|---|---|
| Zelda | Playable from the start |
| Rauru | Complete Chapter 1 “Way of the Blade” |
| Mineru | Complete Chapter 1 “Where Ancient Wisdom Sleeps” |
| Mysterious Construct | Complete Chapter 2 “The Howling Tempests” |
| Calamo | Complete Chapter 2 “The Howling Tempests” |
| Typhan | Complete Chapter 2 “The Howling Tempests” |
| Quino | Complete the “For Hyrule” side quest (unlocks after “The Howling Tempests”) |
| Agraston | Complete Chapter 3 “Crisis on Death Mountain” |
| Qia | Complete Chapter 3 “Lanayru Defiled” |
| Raphica | Complete Chapter 3 “Shadows in the Snow” |
| Vence | Complete Chapter 3 “Shadows in the Snow” |
| Lago | Complete the “A Veteran’s Return” side quest (unlocks after “Lanayru Defiled”) |
| Ardi | Complete Chapter 4 “Terror of the Sands” |
| Pinnec | Complete “The Unsung Spearman” side quest (appears alongside “Terror of the Sands” at the start of Chapter 4) |
| Cadlan | Complete “The Strength to Protect” side quest (unlocks after Chapter 4 “Crimson Omen”) |
| Sholani | Complete “Standing on Principle” side quest (unlocks after Chapter 4 “Crimson Omen”) |
| Pastos | Complete “A Lone Wolf’s Pride” side quest (unlocks after Chapter 4 “Crimson Omen”) |
| Ronza | Complete “In Search of Power” side quest (unlocks after Chapter 4 “Crimson Omen”) |
| Braton | Complete “Gourmand Goron” side quest (unlocks after Chapter 4 “Crimson Omen”) |
Roster size and late unlocks
Expect 19 core unlocks through the story and their associated side quests. Some players report a 20th character appearing late in post‑game; that outcome has not been consistently reproduced, so treat it as unconfirmed until you see it on your own map.
Notable non‑playable characters at launch
- Ganondorf is not selectable in the launch build. He features prominently in the story but cannot be added to your roster through normal play.
- Link is not present in this era’s roster. The Mysterious Construct fills the sword‑and‑shield niche and plays a central role alongside Zelda.
Quick tips for clearing recruit quests
- Bring the right element: Many recruit missions skew toward a specific elemental weakness. Swapping in characters whose kits naturally apply those elements speeds clear times.
- Level smartly: If you unlock multiple recruits at once, prioritize those aligned with your next story mission’s enemy types. Their Sync Strikes and specials are tuned to those encounters.
- Don’t sweat the timing: Recruit side quests persist even if you push the main story forward. You can always circle back later with higher levels and better gear.
Once you’ve cleared the Chapter 4 set of side quests that open after “Crimson Omen,” your roster will be essentially complete. If you’re chasing a rumored late‑game unlock, finish all map content and keep an eye out for new icons after the credits roll.
