The Pirate Coliseum in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* not only demands impressive naval combat skills but also strategic crew formations. To excel, you need to master the best Pirate Coliseum crew formations in *Pirate Yakuza*.
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When setting up your crew aboard the Goromaru, focus on the three most crucial positions, as the rest have minimal 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. Choosing the right First Mate is essential for success.
Squad Leader: This role leads a section of your boarding party, which consists of four other members. The Squad Leader offers a specific boost based on the chosen character. With upgrades, you can have up to four Squad Leaders, allowing up to 20 crew members to board enemy ships and fight alongside Goro in the Pirate Coliseum.
Support Squad: These crew members don't engage in combat but provide vital support by boosting attack, defense, or healing your team during battles. Their charged-up stats can turn the tide of battle in your favor.
The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
Different battles may call for different strategies, so here are the top crewmates for the First Mate position:
Daisaku Minami
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 boosts damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for late-game Pirate Coliseum matches where taking out the boss ship quickly is crucial.
Nishida
Nishida, recruited alongside Minami, enhances your ship's resilience by granting two additional repair uses. In intense naval battles, this can be a game-changer, allowing you to restore your ship's health more times and withstand prolonged engagements.
Captain Beef
Despite his quirky demeanor, Captain Beef is a valuable First Mate early in the game. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait, despite lower stats elsewhere, makes him a strong choice for maximizing damage in naval combat.
Misaki
Misaki, driven by a quest for revenge, brings the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait, offering two more smoke screen uses. This allows you to hide the Goromaru, recover, and launch surprise attacks, adding a strategic edge to your battles.
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 pivotal for hand-to-hand combat, and you can assign up to four when fully upgraded:
Kazuma Kiryu
Kiryu, a pre-order bonus character, significantly boosts attack and charges the voltage gauge faster with his "Dragon of Dojima" trait, making him an excellent Squad Leader for those who have him.
Jason
Recruited early in the game, Jason's "Former Hunter's Knowledge" trait enhances both attack and defense, making him a solid choice for your first Squad Leader.
Daigo Dojima
As a DLC character, Daigo's "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" trait accelerates health recovery and charges the heat gauge, enabling devastating attacks in boarding combat.
Ono Michio
Ono Michio, a beloved mascot from other Yakuza games, boosts attack and charges the madness gauge with "The Idol of Onomichi" trait, making him a valuable addition to your crew.
Masaru
As the first character you recruit, 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 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 turn battles in your favor with their skills:
Noah
Noah's "Rallying Cry" skill provides medium health recovery, making him a permanent fixture in your crew formation. As you level up his skill, it becomes even more effective in tough battles.
Goro
Noah's pet tiger, Goro, offers "Goro's Mighty Roar," a support skill that significantly boosts the attack power of your boarding party. Keeping him in the lineup ensures his skill becomes fully boosted over time.
Nancy-Chan
Available through the Ichiban DLC pack, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" skill complements Goro's Mighty Roar, enabling one-hit kills on 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.
