The Iron Hand Guild represents one of the captivating target boards found in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, consisting of five distinct members you are tasked with locating in Tamba. What sets this target board apart is the unique approach to dealing with the targets; rather than eliminating them, the quest entails primarily keeping them alive to reap greater rewards. However, should you choose to assassinate them, you may still secure the rewards, leaving the ultimate decision in your hands.
This target board becomes accessible through Imai Sokun after you dispatch the Golden Teppo Onryo target in AC Shadows. Upon your return to Imai Sokun following the completion of this previous mission, he will solicit your assistance in tracking down the merchants associated with the Iron Hand Guild. Critically, he emphasizes the importance of keeping them alive, as their survival is essential for garnering political support. Depending on your choices regarding the merchants, Imai Sokun’s dialogues will vary, though the quest rewards remain consistent regardless of your decisions.
All Iron Hand Guild Locations In AC Shadows
Iron Hand Guild Merchant Locations
There are a total of four merchants you may choose to kill or spare. The first is Merchant Tamao, located in Yamashiro at a brewery nestled west of Honpoji Temple. To reach him, you must lure him out from his locked warehouse by creating a distraction, such as disrupting or damaging his valuables. Once he emerges, you have the option to either incapacitate him without killing or eliminate him if you prefer a swift approach.
The second target, Merchant Kin-no-suke, can be tracked via intel in Wakasa, specifically at a camp northeast of Onyu Pass. Completing the “Dirty Dealing”quest will lead you to him in Obama, where you can spare him by offering a letter. Next, Merchant Kanta can be located by following up on a quest linked to a missing ship on the shores of Omi, ultimately leading you to him near the Mouth of Seta in the Otsu Upper District.
The last merchant on this list is Merchant Ginroku, who resides in the far western region of Tamba, specifically at Miyazu Bay. To obtain information from him without killing, you should isolate him first, which allows you to knock him out and gain a letter that unveils the location of the Iron Hand leader, completing the Iron Hand Guild target board and unlocking your final rewards.
Iron Hand Leader Location & Rewards
After you have dealt with the other merchants, your next objective is to venture to Fukuchiyama Castle, where you must confront the leader of the Iron Hand Guild. This is the only mandatory assassination within this quest. While you are free to spare the other members, the Iron Hand leader’s fate is sealed. The castle is densely guarded, so approach with caution if you plan to use stealth; alternatively, prepare for combat if you’re equipped with a robust Yasuke build in AC Shadows. You’ll find the Iron Hand leader in the southeastern corner of the castle grounds during the day.
Upon concluding the quest, you’ll receive the Fujin’s Tempest, a legendary trinket in AC Shadows, granting Naoe a significant +10% damage increase per alerted province. Should you choose to eliminate the Iron Hand leader instead, you are rewarded with the Bloody Business, a long katana categorized as Epic Yasuke gear, providing +5% Armor Damage for each Adrenaline Chunk collected. Afterward, you may hand in your findings to Imai Sokun in Izumi Settsu, situated in the Sakai Firearm District. This final transaction rewards you with 5000 XP and a piece of Gold for crafting and upgrades at the Forge.
Should You Kill Or Spare The Iron Hand Merchants?
You Receive The Same Rewards Either Way
In the end, players have the autonomy to decide whether to kill or spare each merchant from the Iron Hand Guild, with no significant change in rewards. There are no tangible advantages or drawbacks associated with dispatching all the merchants, other than potentially frustrating Imai Sokun. The outcomes in terms of gameplay rewards remain unchanged, so players need not frett over accidentally eliminating a merchant or being unable to spare them. It is often simpler to kill all merchants, as sparing them may require additional strategies to isolate them effectively.
Ultimately, the decision to kill or spare does not markedly influence the narrative or future quests. Aside from Imai Sokun’s displeasure, players encounter no significant consequences, nor do they miss out on gear or necessary rewards. Regardless of their choice, both paths yield 5000 XP, allowing players to weigh the effort they are willing to dedicate to sparing the Iron Hand merchants in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows against the ease of execution through elimination.