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

Mastering the Pirate Coliseum in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii demands sharp naval combat skills and strategic crew setups. Here are the top crew formations to dominate the seas in Pirate Yakuza.

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Pirate Yakuza: Crew Roles and Strategies

When assigning roles aboard the Goromaru, focus on three key positions that shape your success in naval combat, while other roles have minimal impact:

First Mate: As Goro’s right-hand, the First Mate enhances your ship’s offensive or defensive capabilities during naval battles.
Squad Leader: Leading a boarding party of four, this role boosts team performance based on the chosen leader. With upgrades, you can appoint up to four Squad Leaders, allowing 20 crew members to join Goro in boarding enemy ships during Pirate Coliseum battles.
Support Squad: These crew members stay out of direct combat but provide critical stat boosts or healing during fights, potentially shifting the battle’s outcome.

Top First Mates for Pirate Yakuza Crews

Different naval battles call for tailored crew setups. Here are the most effective First Mates for your Goromaru:

Daisaku Minami

Daisaku Minami, Goro Majima’s lifelong ally, joins the Goro Pirates at the end of Chapter 4. His “Sink King Kiwami” trait as First Mate massively boosts damage to enemy ship sterns, ideal for high-stakes Pirate Coliseum matches. When facing multiple enemy vessels, Minami’s ability to quickly target the boss ship makes him indispensable.

Nishida

Nishida, recruited alongside Minami, shines as First Mate by granting two extra repair uses for the Goromaru. In intense battles against multiple ships, his ability to restore the ship’s health bar extends your staying power, making him a defensive cornerstone for challenging Coliseum encounters.

Captain Beef

Captain Beef joins early in the story and is a top pick for First Mate. Despite quirky traits, his “Sink King Kiwami” ability delivers high damage in naval combat, making him a strong choice for early-game Coliseum battles despite weaker boarding stats.

Misaki

Misaki, a young recruit driven by vengeance, joins the Goro Pirates with the “Master of Stealth Kiwami” trait. This grants two additional smoke screen uses, cloaking the Goromaru for recovery or surprise attacks. It’s a riskier but viable option for strategic players.

Related: How To Upgrade Cannons in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Top Squad Leaders for Pirate Yakuza Crews

Squad Leaders shape the outcome of boarding combat. Here are the best picks for up to four Squad Leader roles when your ship is fully upgraded:

Kazuma Kiryu

Kazuma Kiryu, a pre-order bonus character, excels as a Squad Leader. His “Dragon of Dojima” trait boosts attack and speeds up the voltage gauge, enabling rapid team boosts to overpower enemy crews. Available via deluxe editions, he’s a game-changer for pre-order players.

Jason

Jason, recruited by the end of Chapter 1, is an early-game standout. His “Former Hunter’s Knowledge” trait enhances both attack and defense for the boarding party, helping you withstand tougher enemy crews in the initial stages of Pirate Coliseum battles.

Daigo Dojima

Daigo Dojima, a DLC character, brings the “Wisdom King’s Divine Protection” trait, speeding up health recovery and the heat gauge for Goro’s devastating attacks. His presence ensures faster victories in boarding combat, making him a valuable addition.

Ono Michio

Ono Michio, a mascot from previous Yakuza titles, is a DLC character with the “Idol of Onomichi” trait. It boosts attack and accelerates the madness gauge, enabling Goro’s powerful finishing moves. This makes the Goromaru a formidable force in the Coliseum.

Masaru

Masaru, the first recruit in Pirate Yakuza’s main story, is a solid second Squad Leader after Jason. His “Marine Cuisine” trait enhances boarding party attack, giving a slight edge in hand-to-hand combat during naval battles.

Taiga Saejima

Taiga Saejima, Goro’s sworn brother, joins in the second-to-last chapter. His “Veteran” trait boosts both attack and defense for the boarding party, making him a top Squad Leader. His durability excels in crowd control during intense Coliseum fights.

Top Support Squad Members for Pirate Yakuza Crews

While Support Squad members don’t fight, their abilities can turn the tide of battle. Here are the best picks for your crew:

Noah

Noah, the first Support Squad member, is essential with his “Rallying Cry” skill, providing medium health recovery. Keeping him in the lineup and leveling his skill ensures a stronger health boost, critical for tougher Pirate Coliseum battles.

Goro

Goro, Noah’s pet tiger, delivers the “Goro’s Mighty Roar” skill, a permanent fixture in your crew. Leveling him up enhances his ability to boost boarding party attack power, allowing you to swiftly defeat non-boss enemies in combat.

Nancy-Chan

Nancy-Chan, a crawfish from past Like a Dragon games, is a DLC character in the Ichiban pack. Her “Pincers of Pain” skill amplifies attack boosts, pairing with Goro’s Mighty Roar to make enemies fall in one hit, making her a powerful Support Squad addition.

These are the top crew formations for dominating 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.