Top Pirate Coliseum Crew Setups 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 aboard the Goromaru. Here's a deep dive into the best crew formations to ensure your success in the Coliseum.

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When it comes to positioning your crew mates on the Goromaru, three roles stand out as pivotal:

First Mate: As Goro's second-in-command, the First Mate provides either an offensive or defensive boost during naval combat, making this role crucial for tailoring your strategy.

Squad Leader: This position leads a section of your boarding party, which can consist of up to four members. The Squad Leader's choice impacts the combat effectiveness of their group. With upgrades, you can have up to four Squad Leaders, allowing a total of 20 crew mates to board and fight alongside Goro.

Support Squad: These crew members don't engage in direct combat but offer vital stat boosts that can turn the tide of battle. Summoning them can enhance attack and defense or provide healing.

The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Different battles may call for different crew formations, so here are the top choices for your First Mate:

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 boosts damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for late-game Coliseum matches where quickly taking down the boss ship is key.

Nishida

Nishida, recruited alongside Minami, offers two additional repair uses as First Mate. This can be a game-changer in intense naval combat, allowing you to restore the Goromaru's health more times, thus bolstering your defense.

Captain Beef

Despite his quirky demeanor, Captain Beef is a valuable early-game asset with the "Sink King Kiwami" trait. He's a solid choice for First Mate if you aim to maximize damage early on.

Misaki

Misaki, driven by revenge, brings the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait, which grants two additional smoke screen uses. This can hide the Goromaru and launch surprise attacks, offering a strategic edge in certain scenarios.

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The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Squad Leaders play a critical role in hand-to-hand combat. Here are the best options, with up to four assignable positions once fully upgraded:

Kazuma Kiryu

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

Jason

Recruited at the end of the first chapter, Jason's "Former Hunter's Knowledge" trait enhances both attack and defense, making him a perfect initial Squad Leader.

Daigo Dojima

As a DLC character, Daigo Dojima's "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" trait accelerates health recovery and charges the heat gauge, offering a significant advantage in boarding fights.

Ono Michio

Another DLC character, Ono Michio's "The Idol of Onomichi" trait boosts attack and charges the madness gauge, enabling more devastating attacks from Goro.

Masaru

Recruited early in the game, Masaru's "Marine Cuisine" trait enhances the attack of his boarding party, providing a crucial edge in early combat.

Taiga Saejima

Joining in the second to last chapter, Taiga Saejima'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

While not directly involved in combat, the Support Squad can significantly influence the battle's outcome with their skills:

Noah

Noah's "Rallying Cry" skill provides medium health recovery, becoming more effective as you level him up. He's a must-have for sustained battles.

Goro

Noah's pet tiger, Goro, offers the "Goro's Mighty Roar" skill, which significantly boosts attack damage. Keeping him in your formation ensures continuous improvement.

Nancy-Chan

A DLC character, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" skill complements Goro's Mighty Roar, potentially turning your attacks into one-hit wonders.

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.