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

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, mastering the Pirate Coliseum requires not just skill in naval combat but also strategic crew formations. To maximize your chances of success, here are the best crew formations tailored for the Pirate Coliseum.

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When selecting the positions for your crew aboard the Goromaru, three roles stand out as crucial, while the others have a lesser impact:

First Mate: As Goro's second-in-command, the First Mate provides either an offensive or defensive boost to your ship during naval combat.

Squad Leader: Leading a section of your boarding party, the Squad Leader boosts the team's performance. With upgrades, you can have up to four Squad Leaders, enabling up to 20 crew members to board and fight alongside Goro in the Pirate Coliseum's second phase.

Support Squad: These crew members don't engage in combat but offer powerful stat boosts that can turn the tide of battle. Their abilities include enhancing attack and defense or healing your team during fights.

The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

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

Daisaku Minami

Minami, a lifelong friend of Goro Majima, joins the Goro Pirates at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait significantly boosts damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for late-game Coliseum matches where taking down the boss ship quickly is key.

Nishida

Recruited alongside Minami, Nishida offers two additional repair uses for the Goromaru. His ability to increase the ship's repair capacity is vital for surviving intense battles against multiple enemy vessels.

Captain Beef

Available early in the story, Captain Beef's "Sink King Kiwami" trait, despite his lower stats in other roles, makes him an excellent choice for First Mate, especially for early naval combat.

Misaki

Misaki's "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait provides two additional smoke screen uses, allowing the Goromaru to hide and launch surprise attacks. This can be a strategic choice for players who prefer a more tactical approach.

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

The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Squad Leaders are crucial for success in hand-to-hand combat, and here are the best options you can assign up to four of, once your ship is fully upgraded:

Kazuma Kiryu

As a pre-order bonus, Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait significantly boosts attack and charges the voltage gauge faster, making him an excellent Squad Leader for quick and powerful assaults.

Jason

Recruited at the end of the first chapter, Jason's "Former Hunter's Knowledge" trait boosts both attack and defense, making him ideal for early boarding parties facing numerical disadvantages.

Daigo Dojima

Available as a DLC character, Daigo's "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" trait speeds up health recovery and charges the heat gauge, enhancing your boarding party's resilience and attack capabilities.

Ono Michio

This mascot character's "The Idol of Onomichi" trait boosts attack and charges the madness gauge, making him a valuable addition to any crew aiming for devastating attacks.

Masaru

As the first recruit in the main story, Masaru's "Marine Cuisine" trait enhances 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's "Veteran" trait boosts both attack and defense, making him a formidable Squad Leader with strong crowd control capabilities.

The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Support Squad members don't fight directly but their skills can dramatically alter the course of battle. Here are the top choices:

Noah

Noah's "Rallying Cry" skill provides medium health recovery, becoming increasingly effective as it levels up, making him a vital part of your crew formation.

Goro

Goro's pet tiger, also named Goro, offers "Goro's Mighty Roar," which significantly boosts the attack power of your boarding party, making him a permanent fixture in your crew.

Nancy-Chan

Available in the Ichiban DLC pack, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" skill complements Goro's Mighty Roar, creating a powerful attack synergy that can swiftly dispatch 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.