The notorious “Iron Hand Guild” is a dangerous merchant syndicate aiming to infiltrate Settsu’s prosperous businesses. Their most elusive target, Merchant Tamao, presents a unique challenge that requires clever tactics to locate. Discover how to gather intel from him in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Where to Locate Merchant Tamao in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
You can find Merchant Tamao east of Honnoji Temple in Yamashiro. Be aware that the mission hint may refer to “Honpoji Temple,” which can be confusing. If you’ve unlocked Honnoji Temple first, don’t mix up the names.
Approaching this area will trigger a dialogue with nearby NPCs, indicating that Merchant Tamao is located in a warehouse nearby.
Tamao will be locked inside the warehouse, and you’ll need to create a distraction to lure him out. Look straight ahead to spot the merchandise. Grab your weapon and start causing chaos by destroying the jugs.
To successfully lure Merchant Tamao outside, make sure to destroy all merchandise. Hitting only a few won’t be convincing enough for him to unlock the door. When he finally appears, be prepared for him to attack immediately.
Should You Kill or Spare Merchant Tamao in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Naoe suggests sparing Tamao, believing he could be acting against his will. However, based on my experience, there seems to be no option to spare him, unlike the Butterfly Collector quest which offers dialogue choices. I even attempted to knock him out, but the target board still registered him as “Killed.” Ultimately, it doesn’t make a difference if you kill or spare him, as both options reward you the same.
Regardless of your choice, you’ll always receive the Letter Regarding Kyoto Quest Item, Zashiki Hideout Room, and 280 Mon (approximately €2.60). Unlocking this letter is essential for progressing in the AC Shadows Iron Hand Guild questline. Be sure to track down the other four targets: Kanta, Ginroku, Kin-nosuke, and the Iron Hand leader. Utilize your Scouts to mark their locations on your map, and eliminate each target for 5,000 XP, Gold, and a Legendary Trinket.
Frequently Asked Questions About Assassin’s Creed Shadows
How can I find Merchant Tamao?
Locate him east of Honnoji Temple in Yamashiro. Approach the area to trigger NPC dialogues that point to his warehouse.
What should I do once I find Merchant Tamao?
To lure him out, cause a commotion by destroying all merchandise in front of the warehouse.
Can I spare Merchant Tamao during the quest?
While Naoe suggests sparing him, there are no apparent options to do so, and both choices yield the same rewards.
What are the rewards for either choice with Merchant Tamao?
You receive the Letter Regarding Kyoto Quest Item, the Zashiki Hideout Room, and 280 Mon (about €2.60) regardless of your choice.