Top Pirate Coliseum Crew Strategies in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza, Hawaii

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, mastering the Pirate Coliseum involves not only skill in naval combat but also strategic crew formation. Here's a detailed guide on the best crew formations for dominating the Pirate Coliseum.

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When it comes to positioning your crew aboard the Goromaru, focus on three key roles, as these have the most significant impact on your performance in naval battles:

First Mate: This is Goro’s second-in-command, whose presence will boost either your ship's offense or defense during naval combat. The right First Mate can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Squad Leader: Leading a section of your boarding party, this role can have up to four members, each providing unique boosts. With upgrades, you can have up to four Squad Leaders, allowing up to 20 crew members to board and fight on enemy ships alongside Goro.

Support Squad: Members in this role don't participate in combat but offer crucial stat boosts that can shift the momentum of the battle. They can enhance attack and defense or provide healing to your team during fights.

The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Different battles require different strategies, so consider these top First Mates for your crew:

Daisaku Minami

Daisaku Minami, a lifelong friend and self-proclaimed brother of Goro Majima, joins your crew at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait significantly increases damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for late-game Pirate Coliseum matches where speed in taking down the boss ship is crucial.

Nishida

Nishida, recruited alongside Minami, offers two additional repair uses as First Mate. This trait is invaluable in intense naval battles, allowing the Goromaru to restore its health more often, thereby boosting your defensive capabilities.

Captain Beef

Available early in the game, Captain Beef's "Sink King Kiwami" trait makes him an excellent First Mate, particularly useful for early naval combat where maximizing damage is essential.

Misaki

With the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait, Misaki provides two additional smoke screen uses, allowing the Goromaru to hide from enemy ships and launch surprise attacks. This trait is perfect for players seeking a tactical advantage over direct boosts to attack or defense.

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The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Squad Leaders play a critical role in hand-to-hand combat, and here are the best choices, with the potential to have up to four once your ship is fully upgraded:

Kazuma Kiryu

A pre-order bonus, Kazuma Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait enhances attack and speeds up the voltage gauge, enabling more frequent and powerful team boosts.

Jason

Recruited early in the game, Jason’s "Former Hunter’s Knowledge" trait boosts both attack and defense, making him an essential Squad Leader for early encounters.

Daigo Dojima

A DLC character, Daigo Dojima's "Wisdom King’s Divine Protection" trait enhances health recovery and charges the heat gauge, allowing for more devastating attacks.

Ono Michio

Another DLC character, Ono Michio's "The Idol of Onomichi" trait boosts attack and charges the madness gauge, facilitating more frequent use of Goro’s powerful finishing moves.

Masaru

As the first character you recruit, Masaru’s "Marine Cuisine" trait enhances his boarding party's attack, giving you an edge in hand-to-hand combat.

Taiga Saejima

Joining in the second to last chapter, Taiga Saejima's "Veteran" trait significantly boosts both attack and defense, making him a formidable Squad Leader.

The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

While the Support Squad doesn't engage in combat directly, their skills can decisively influence the battle's outcome:

Noah

Noah's "Rallying Cry" skill provides medium health recovery, becoming more effective as you level him up, making him a must-have in your crew formation.

Goro

Goro, Noah’s pet tiger, offers "Goro’s Mighty Roar," which significantly boosts the damage of your boarding party's attacks, making him an indispensable part of your support squad.

Nancy-Chan

Available through the Ichiban DLC pack, Nancy-chan’s "Pincers of Pain" skill complements Goro’s Mighty Roar, making your attacks even more potent and enabling one-hit kills on non-boss enemies.

And those are the best Pirate Coliseum crew formations in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.