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. Here’s a detailed guide to the best crew formations to help you dominate the seas.

Recommended Videos: Pirate Yakuza: Crew Formations, Explained

When it comes to positioning your crew aboard the Goromaru, three roles stand out as pivotal for success:

First Mate: This role is crucial as Goro's second-in-command, providing either offensive or defensive boosts to your ship during naval battles.

Squad Leader: These leaders head up sections of your boarding party, each consisting of four members. They offer various boosts, and you can have up to four Squad Leaders by upgrading the Goromaru, allowing for 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 in combat directly but provide significant stat boosts that can turn the tide of battle. When activated, they can enhance attack and defense or heal your team.

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 to consider:

Daisaku Minami

Daisaku 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 significantly increases damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for late-game Pirate Coliseum matches with higher difficulties. When facing multiple enemy ships, having Daisaku as your First Mate can help you swiftly take down the boss ship.

Nishida

Nishida, another late-game recruit, enhances the Goromaru's durability by providing two additional repair uses. In intense naval combat scenarios, his ability to restore the ship's health twice more can be a game-changer, making him essential for battles against multiple vessels.

Captain Beef

Captain Beef is an early-game addition whose "Sink King Kiwami" trait, despite his lower stats in other roles, makes him an excellent choice for First Mate. He's perfect for maximizing damage early in your naval combat journey.

Misaki

Misaki, driven by a quest for revenge, brings the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait to the table, offering two more smoke screen uses. This allows the Goromaru to hide from enemies, recover, and launch surprise attacks. While a riskier choice, it's valuable for specific tactical scenarios.

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 play a critical role in hand-to-hand combat, and here are the top choices, with up to four slots available on a fully upgraded ship:

Kazuma Kiryu

Available as a pre-order bonus, Kazuma Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait significantly boosts attack and speeds up the voltage gauge, enabling swift and powerful team attacks.

Jason

Recruited early in Chapter 1, Jason's "Former Hunter’s Knowledge" trait enhances both attack and defense, making him a vital early-game Squad Leader for surviving outnumbered fights.

Daigo Dojima

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

Ono Michio

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

Masaru

Recruited early in the main story, Masaru's "Marine Cuisine" trait boosts the attack of his boarding party, providing an edge in hand-to-hand combat.

Taiga Saejima

Joining in the penultimate chapter, Taiga Saejima's "Veteran" trait 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 significantly influence the outcome of battles with their skills:

Noah

Noah's "Rallying Cry" skill offers medium health recovery, and leveling up this skill through repeated use can greatly enhance its effectiveness in tougher battles.

Goro

Goro, Noah's pet tiger, provides "Goro’s Mighty Roar," which boosts the attack of your boarding party. Keeping him in your crew formation and leveling him up will maximize his impact.

Nancy-Chan

A DLC character, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" skill complements Goro’s Mighty Roar, providing a significant attack boost that can make enemies fall with one 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.