Mastering the Pirate Coliseum in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* demands not only sharp naval combat skills but also strategic crew formations. To help you dominate the seas, here are the best crew formations for the Pirate Coliseum.
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When assembling your crew aboard the Goromaru, focus on the three most crucial positions, as the rest have minimal impact on your performance:
First Mate: This position is Goro’s second-in-command, providing either an offensive or defensive boost during Naval Combat. Your choice here significantly influences your ship's capabilities.
Squad Leader: These leaders command sections of your boarding party, offering various boosts depending on the character. You can have up to four Squad Leaders, allowing for up to 20 crew members in the second phase of Naval combat, where you board enemy ships and fight alongside Goro.
Support Squad: Members in this position don't engage in combat but provide powerful stat boosts that can turn the tide of battle. They can enhance attack and defense or heal your team during fights.
The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
Different ship battles may require varied crew formations. Here are the top choices for First Mates:
Daisaku Minami
Minami, a lifelong friend and self-proclaimed brother of Goro Majima, joins the Goro Pirates at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait boosts damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for late-game Coliseum matches with higher difficulties. When facing multiple enemy ships, having Daisaku as your First Mate can expedite the defeat of the boss ship.
Nishida
Nishida, recruited alongside Minami, enhances the Goromaru's durability by providing two additional repair uses. This is crucial in intense battles against multiple vessels, significantly boosting your defensive capabilities.
Captain Beef
Captain Beef, an early-game recruit, also possesses the "Sink King Kiwami" trait, making him a valuable First Mate despite his lower stats in other roles. He's a great choice early on for maximizing naval combat damage.
Misaki
Misaki, driven by revenge, brings the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait, offering two additional smoke screen uses. This can hide your ship, allowing for recovery or surprise attacks. While riskier, it's a viable option if you're not prioritizing attack or defense boosts.
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The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
Squad Leaders are pivotal for hand-to-hand combat outcomes. Here are the best options, allowing up to four when your ship is fully upgraded:
Kazuma Kiryu
Available as a pre-order bonus, Kazuma Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait boosts attack and accelerates the voltage gauge, enhancing your team's combat efficiency.
Jason
Recruited early in Chapter 1, Jason's "Former Hunter’s Knowledge" trait boosts both attack and defense, making him ideal for initial boarding party encounters.
Daigo Dojima
A DLC character, Daigo's "Wisdom King’s Divine Protection" trait enhances health recovery and charges the heat gauge, enabling more potent attacks.
Ono Michio
Ono Michio, a humorous mascot from previous Yakuza games, boosts attack and charges the madness gauge with his "The Idol of Onomichi" trait, making him a valuable addition.
Masaru
Recruited early in the main story, Masaru's "Marine Cuisine" trait boosts the attack of his boarding party, providing a slight edge in combat.
Taiga Saejima
Joining in the second-to-last chapter, Taiga's "Veteran" trait significantly enhances both attack and defense, making him an immediate choice for a Squad Leader position.
The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
Support Squad members don't fight but can shift battle momentum with their skills. Here are the top support squad characters:
Noah
Noah, the first Support Squad member, offers a medium health recovery with his "Rallying Cry" skill. Keeping him in your formation and leveling up his skill enhances its effectiveness, making it vital for tougher battles.
Goro
Goro, Noah's pet tiger, provides a significant attack boost with his "Goro’s Mighty Roar" skill. Keeping him in your formation to level up his skill maximizes its impact, turning most non-boss enemies into quick targets.
Nancy-Chan
Available in the Ichiban DLC pack, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" skill enhances Goro’s Mighty Roar, making it a formidable combination that can one-hit many 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.
