Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment pushes recruiting to the forefront. Instead of drip-feeding party members exclusively through story chapters, a slate of Scouting Challenges unlocks key fighters as you level up. Expect a sizeable cast — there are 20 playable characters — with a mix of familiar faces and new names that slot into defined combat roles.
Note: Character names and unlock methods below include light spoilers.
Age of Imprisonment roster size
The roster contains 20 playable characters. Several are recruited during the campaign, while many others arrive through Scouting Challenges with recommended levels. You’ll see a steady cadence of unlocks as you progress rather than a single post-game dump.
Scouting Challenge unlocks (recommended levels)
| Challenge | Recommended level | Character unlocked |
|---|---|---|
| For Hyrule | 19 | Quino |
| A Veteran's Return | 22 | Lago |
| The Strength To Protect | 33 | Cadlan |
| The Gourmand Goron | 36 | Braton |
| A Lone Wolf's Pride | 38 | Pastos |
| The Unsung Spearman | 28 | Pinnec |
| Standing On Principle | 33 | Sholani |
| In Search Of Power | 33 | Ronza |
Tip: Treat these recommendations as floor targets. If you’re underleveled, bring food buffs and crowd-control focused combos to pad survivability.
Character spotlights (what you get when they join)
- Braton — A young Goron who wields a heavy sledge. Expect big, committed swings, a strong thrust to pierce armor, and a leaping headbutt to crack stagger gauges.
- Cadlan — A Zora spear specialist with fluid strings that can route into elemental pressure. Turbulent flurries cover space; wheeling crash enders punish bosses after a dodge-cancel.
- Calamo — A boisterous Korok adventurer. Light on their feet and built for adds-clearing, with kit flavor that plays into battlefield control.
These recruits complement a core story team with defined roles — bruisers for lane clearing, ranged kits for boss armor breaks, and nimble utility fighters for objectives.
How character unlocks work in Age of Imprisonment
Recruitment falls into two buckets:
- Story joins — Characters who enter the roster automatically after specific chapters or set-piece missions.
- Scouting Challenges — Optional missions on the map that, upon first clear, add a named character to your lineup. Most Challenges have level targets and may test a particular combat skill or matchup.
If you’re chasing a specific recruit, scan the map for Scouting entries tied to their archetype (for example, spear- or greatsword-flavored objectives) and prioritize those once you meet the level threshold.
How this compares to Age of Calamity
If you played the previous entry, the structure will feel familiar. The earlier game delivered a substantial cast through story chapters, then layered in challenge-based recruits and late-game unlocks. Here are the highlights from that roster for context:
| Category | Characters |
|---|---|
| Story characters | Link, Impa, Zelda, Mipha, Daruk, Revali, Urbosa, Hestu, Sidon, Yunobo, Teba, Riju, Master Kohga, King Rhoam |
| Challenge unlocks | Great Fairies, Monk Maz Koshia |
| Post‑game unlocks | Terrako, Calamity Ganon |
| DLC additions | Battle‑Tested Guardian, Sooga, Purah & Robbie |
The base game roster in that title comprised 18 playable characters, expanding to 21 with its DLC. Age of Imprisonment lands at 20 without requiring extra content, and shifts more of its headliners into Scouting Challenges to give you agency over who joins your lineup and when.
As you work through the campaign, keep an eye on the map for newly available Scouting Challenges. Knock them out at — or just above — their suggested levels to steadily round out your roster with specialists tailored to your playstyle.
