The Iron Hand Guild is one of several target boards in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, featuring five different members you need to locate in Tamba. This target board stands out because you aren’t necessarily required to eliminate all the targets in order to earn the rewards; in fact, the quest giver prefers that you leave most of them alive. However, you still have the option to assassinate them and receive the same rewards, leaving the decision entirely in your hands.
You gain access to the Iron Hand Guild target board after taking out the Golden Teppo Onryo, who is assigned by Imai Sokun in AC Shadows. After defeating the Golden Teppo, return to Imai Sokun, and he will request that you track down the merchants affiliated with the Iron Hand Guild. He will specify that he prefers you not to kill the merchants, as they could be beneficial in garnering political support for him. Your interactions with Imai Sokun will vary depending on how many merchants you opt to spare or eliminate, but the quest rewards remain consistent regardless of your choices.
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All Iron Hand Guild Locations In AC Shadows
Iron Hand Guild Merchant Locations
There are four merchants within the Iron Hand Guild that you can either kill or spare, starting with Merchant Tama. He’s located at a brewery in Yamashiro, west of the Honpoji Temple in Kyoto. To lure him out of his secured warehouse, you’ll need to create an “unusual disturbance”—essentially, you must break or destroy some of his valuables to coax him outside. Once he emerges, you can either knock him out to spare his life or eliminate him if you find it easier.
Your next target is Merchant Kin-no-suke, who can be located using intel from a camp in Wakasa, northeast of Onyu Pass. After completing the Dirty Dealing quest, track Kin-no-suke down in Obama and spare him by handing him a letter. Merchant Kanta is involved in a questline that entails investigating a missing ship along the Omi shore. Ultimately, you’ll find him near the Mouth of Seta in Otsu’s Upper District.
Merchant Ginroku is the final target you can choose to save or kill. He is found in the westernmost region of Tamba, in Miyazu Bay. To get information from Ginroku without taking his life, you’ll need to isolate him and knock him out. This will yield a letter that reveals the location of the Iron Hand leader, allowing you to finish the Iron Hand Guild target board and claim the final rewards.
Iron Hand Leader Location & Rewards
Once you have dealt with the other targets, it’s time to head to Fukuchiyama Castle for the assassination of the Iron Hand Guild leader. This is the only kill that is mandatory in the quest, as the others can be spared. The castle is heavily guarded, so if you’re relying on stealth, proceed with caution, and be ready for combat if you’re using a heavy Yasuke build in AC Shadows. The Iron Hand will be in a prominent spot during the daytime, specifically in the southeastern corner of the castle grounds.
“Completing this quest grants the Fujin’s Tempest legendary trinket in AC Shadows, providing Naoe with a +10% damage boost for each alerted province.“
Eliminating him rewards you with the Bloody Business long katana, an Epic Yasuke gear item that provides +5% Armor Damage for each Adrenaline Chunk. After that, return to Imai Sokun in Izumi Settsu within the Sakai Firearm District to wrap up the quest. Completing this quest grants you the Fujin’s Tempest legendary trinket in AC Shadows, which gives Naoe a +10% damage boost per alerted province. Additionally, you’ll earn 5,000 XP and a piece of Gold for crafting or upgrading at the Forge.
Should You Kill Or Spare The Iron Hand Merchants?
You Receive The Same Rewards Either Way
Ultimately, you can decide to spare or eliminate each merchant within the Iron Hand Guild without any significant difference in rewards. Killing all the merchants offers no advantages or disadvantages, aside from potentially displeasing Imai Sokun. The rewards remain identical in gameplay, so there’s no need to worry if you accidentally kill a merchant or could not save one. In fact, it might be easier to eliminate them all, as sparing them may require more effort to isolate them from the group.
In conclusion, your choice to kill or spare the merchants doesn’t substantially affect the storyline or subsequent quests. Besides having Imai Sokun in a bit of a bad mood, there are no meaningful consequences, and you won’t lose out on any gear or rewards. Both choices yield the same 5,000 XP, so the decision is really about how much effort you want to expend on sparing the Iron Hand merchants in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, or whether you’d rather just dispatch them swiftly and move on.
