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

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, mastering the Pirate Coliseum demands not only skill in naval combat but also strategic crew formations. Here, we delve into the best crew formations to ensure your triumph in the Pirate Coliseum.

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When assembling your crew aboard the Goromaru, three key positions stand out as crucial to your success:

First Mate: This role is vital as Goro’s second-in-command, providing either an offensive or defensive boost during naval combat. The choice of First Mate can significantly impact your strategy.

Squad Leader: Acting as the head of a boarding party, which can consist of up to four members, Squad Leaders offer specific boosts that can be tailored to your needs. With upgrades, you can have up to four Squad Leaders, enabling a formidable force of up to 20 crew members to board and fight alongside Goro in the second phase of naval combat at the Pirate Coliseum.

Support Squad: These crew members don't engage directly in combat but provide crucial stat boosts that can turn the tide of battle. When activated, they can enhance your attack and defense or heal your team, making them essential for any successful crew formation.

The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Different battles may call for different strategies, so here are the top First Mates for various scenarios:

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 an invaluable asset for late-game Pirate Coliseum matches, especially against multiple ships where taking down the boss ship quickly is crucial.

Nishida

Nishida, recruited at the same time as Minami, enhances the Goromaru's resilience by providing two additional repair uses. This is particularly useful in intense naval battles where maintaining your ship's health is key to surviving against multiple adversaries.

Captain Beef

Despite his quirky demeanor, Captain Beef is a valuable First Mate from early in the game. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait boosts damage in naval combat, making him a strong choice for those looking to deal significant blows early on.

Misaki

Misaki, driven by a quest for revenge, brings the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait to the table. This grants two additional smoke screen uses, allowing for strategic retreats and surprise attacks, which can be a game-changer in stealth-focused strategies.

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The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Squad Leaders play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of hand-to-hand combat. Here are the best options, with the possibility of up to four Squad Leaders on a fully upgraded ship:

Kazuma Kiryu

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

Jason

Recruited early in the game, Jason's "Former Hunter’s Knowledge" trait enhances both attack and defense of the boarding squad, making him ideal for early encounters where you're outnumbered.

Daigo Dojima

A DLC character, Daigo Dojima's "Wisdom King’s Divine Protection" trait speeds up health recovery and charges the heat gauge, enabling more deadly attacks.

Ono Michio

This DLC mascot character boosts attack and charges the madness gauge with his "The Idol of Onomichi" trait, allowing for more frequent devastating attacks.

Masaru

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

Taiga Saejima

Joining in the second-to-last chapter, Taiga Saejima's "Veteran" trait greatly 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

While not directly involved in combat, Support Squad members can significantly influence the outcome of battles with their support skills:

Noah

Noah's "Rallying Cry" skill provides medium health recovery, which becomes increasingly vital as battles intensify. Keeping Noah in your formation and leveling up his skill will enhance its effectiveness.

Goro

Noah's pet tiger, Goro, brings the "Goro’s Mighty Roar" skill to the table, boosting the attack power of your boarding party. Like Noah, keeping Goro in your formation will maximize his support skill's impact.

Nancy-Chan

A DLC character, Nancy-Chan's "Pincers of Pain" skill complements Goro’s Mighty Roar, providing an additional attack boost that can make enemies fall with a single hit.

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.