Mastering the Pirate Coliseum in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* demands not just skill in naval combat but also strategic crew formations. Here's a breakdown of the most effective crew setups to ensure your dominance in the Pirate Coliseum.
Recommended Videos: Pirate Yakuza: Crew Formations, Explained
When planning your crew aboard the Goromaru, focus on these three crucial positions; the rest have minimal impact:
First Mate: As Goro’s second-in-command, this role significantly boosts either the offensive or defensive capabilities of your ship during naval battles.
Squad Leader: This position leads a section of your boarding party (four members) and provides a specific boost depending on the chosen character. You can upgrade to have up to four Squad Leaders, enabling up to 20 crew members to board and fight alongside Goro in the second phase of combat.
Support Squad: These crew members don't engage in combat but offer powerful stat boosts that can turn the tide of battle. Summoning them can enhance attack and defense or heal your team.
The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
Different battles may require different strategies, so here are the top choices for First Mates:
Daisaku Minami
Minami, a close friend of Goro Majima, joins the Goro Pirates at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait significantly increases damage to enemy sterns, making him essential for late-game Pirate Coliseum matches, especially when facing multiple high-star difficulty ships.
Nishida
Nishida, recruited alongside Minami, provides two additional repair uses as First Mate. This is crucial for maintaining the Goromaru's health during intense, multi-ship battles in the Coliseum.
Captain Beef
Available early in the story, Captain Beef's "Sink King Kiwami" trait, despite lower stats in other roles, makes him a formidable First Mate, particularly in early naval combat.
Misaki
Misaki, driven by vengeance, brings the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait, adding two more smoke screen uses to hide the Goromaru and launch surprise attacks. A riskier but viable choice for different tactical approaches.
Related: How To Upgrade Cannons in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
Squad Leaders influence your boarding party's effectiveness, and you can have up to four with a fully upgraded ship:
Kazuma Kiryu
A pre-order bonus, Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait boosts attack and accelerates the voltage gauge, crucial for overwhelming the enemy crew swiftly.
Jason
Recruited early in the game, Jason's "Former Hunter’s Knowledge" enhances both attack and defense of the boarding squad, making him vital for initial encounters.
Daigo Dojima
Available as DLC, Daigo's "Wisdom King’s Divine Protection" trait speeds up health recovery and charges the heat gauge, enabling more deadly attacks.
Ono Michio
This mascot from other Yakuza games, as a DLC character, boosts attack and charges the madness gauge with "The Idol of Onomichi," making the Goromaru a formidable force.
Masaru
As the first recruit, Masaru's "Marine Cuisine" trait enhances the attack of his boarding party, giving you an edge in early combat.
Taiga Saejima
Joining late in the story, Taiga's "Veteran" trait boosts both attack and defense, making him a powerful Squad Leader for tougher battles.
The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
The Support Squad's skills can be game-changers, even without direct combat involvement:
Noah
Noah's "Rallying Cry" provides medium health recovery, becoming more effective as you level him up, making him a permanent fixture in your crew.
Goro
Noah's pet tiger, Goro, offers "Goro’s Mighty Roar," which significantly boosts attack damage, making him another essential support member.
Nancy-Chan
As a DLC character from the Ichiban pack, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" complements Goro’s Mighty Roar, enabling one-hit kills on most enemies.
These are the optimal crew formations to conquer the Pirate Coliseum in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
