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

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, mastering the Pirate Coliseum demands not just skill in naval combat but also strategic crew formation. Your success hinges on assembling the most effective team on the Goromaru. Here's a breakdown of the best crew formations to dominate the Pirate Coliseum.

Pirate Yakuza: Crew Formations, Explained

When setting up your crew on the Goromaru, focus on three pivotal roles, as the rest have minimal impact on your performance:

• First Mate: As Goro's second-in-command, the First Mate significantly enhances your ship's offensive or defensive capabilities during naval combat.
• Squad Leader: Leading a section of your boarding party, Squad Leaders provide specific boosts. You can upgrade to have up to four Squad Leaders, allowing for up to 20 crew members to board and fight alongside Goro in the second phase of the battle.
• Support Squad: These crew members don't engage in direct combat but offer crucial stat boosts or healing, potentially turning the tide of battle when activated.

The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Different battles may call for different strategies, so here are the top crewmates to consider for the First Mate position:

Daisaku Minami

Daisaku Minami, a lifelong friend of Goro Majima, joins your crew at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait boosts damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for high-difficulty Pirate Coliseum matches where quickly defeating the boss ship is critical.

Nishida

Recruited alongside Minami, Nishida enhances the Goromaru's durability by granting two additional repair uses, essential for surviving intense battles against multiple enemy ships.

Captain Beef

Despite his quirky nature, Captain Beef is an early-game recruit whose "Sink King Kiwami" trait significantly boosts naval combat damage, making him a valuable First Mate early on.

Misaki

Misaki, driven by vengeance, brings the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait, which provides extra smoke screen uses and the ability to launch surprise attacks, offering a strategic advantage in battles.

The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Squad Leaders are key to your success in hand-to-hand combat. Here are the best choices, with the possibility of up to four when fully upgraded:

Kazuma Kiryu

A pre-order bonus, Kazuma Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait significantly boosts attack and speeds up the voltage gauge, making him a formidable Squad Leader for those who have access to him.

Jason

Recruited early in the game, Jason's "Former Hunter's Knowledge" trait enhances both attack and defense, making him perfect for initial boarding encounters.

Daigo Dojima

A DLC character, Daigo Dojima's "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" trait accelerates health recovery and charges the heat gauge, enabling devastating attacks.

Ono Michio

Another DLC character, Ono Michio's "The Idol of Onomichi" trait boosts attack and charges the madness gauge, enhancing Goro's finishing moves.

Masaru

The first recruit in the main story, Masaru's "Marine Cuisine" trait slightly boosts the attack of his boarding party, giving you an edge in early fights.

Taiga Saejima

Joining in the second-to-last chapter, Taiga's "Veteran" trait enhances both attack and defense, making him a vital addition to your Squad Leaders.

The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Support Squad members, though not fighters, can dramatically influence the battle with their skills. Here are the best choices:

Noah

Noah's "Rallying Cry" provides medium health recovery, becoming increasingly effective as you level up his skill, making him a permanent fixture in your formation.

Goro

Noah's pet tiger, Goro, offers "Goro's Mighty Roar," which boosts attack damage significantly when leveled up, making him another essential support member.

Nancy-Chan

A DLC character, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" complements Goro's Mighty Roar, enabling one-hit kills on most non-boss enemies, making her a valuable addition to your support squad.

These are the best Pirate Coliseum crew formations in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* to ensure your dominance in naval combat and boarding fights.

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