Best Pirate Coliseum Crew Formations in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

The Pirate Coliseum in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* is a thrilling arena that demands not only skillful naval combat but also strategic crew formation. To conquer the challenges within, mastering the best Pirate Coliseum crew formations is essential.

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When assembling your crew aboard the Goromaru, focus on three key positions that significantly impact your performance:

First Mate: This role is crucial as Goro’s second-in-command, providing either an offensive or defensive boost to your ship during naval combat. Your choice here can shape the outcome of your battles.

Squad Leader: Leading a section of your boarding party, a Squad Leader offers specific boosts depending on their traits. With the ability to upgrade your ship to accommodate up to four Squad Leaders, you can command a formidable force of up to 20 crew members during the second phase of combat in the Pirate Coliseum.

Support Squad: Members in this position don’t engage in combat but provide vital stat boosts that can turn the tide of battle. Summoning support from this squad can enhance your attack and defense or heal your team when needed.

The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Tailor your crew formation to the demands of different ship battles with these top First Mates:

Daisaku Minami

Daisaku Minami, a lifelong friend and self-proclaimed brother to Goro Majima, joins your crew at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait significantly boosts damage to enemy sterns, making him invaluable for late-game, high-star difficulty matches in the Pirate Coliseum. When facing multiple enemy ships, Daisaku's ability to swiftly take down the boss ship can be a game-changer.

Nishida

Nishida, another recruit from the end of Chapter 4, enhances the Goromaru's durability by granting two additional repair uses. In intense naval battles, his First Mate trait ensures your ship can withstand more damage, crucial when facing multiple adversaries in the Coliseum.

Captain Beef

Captain Beef, an early-game recruit, is an immediate asset as your First Mate. Despite his quirky nature, his "Sink King Kiwami" trait delivers powerful damage boosts during naval combat, making him a solid choice for early challenges in the Pirate Coliseum.

Misaki

Misaki, driven by a quest for vengeance, brings her "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait to the Goromaru. This ability provides additional smoke screen uses, allowing your ship to hide from enemies, recover, and launch surprise attacks. While riskier, it's a strategic option for those looking to diversify their combat 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

Maximize your hand-to-hand combat effectiveness by choosing the right Squad Leaders. With up to four positions available on a fully upgraded Goromaru, consider these top picks:

Kazuma Kiryu

As a pre-order bonus, Kazuma Kiryu isn't part of the main story but is a powerhouse as a Squad Leader. His "Dragon of Dojima" trait significantly boosts attack and accelerates the voltage gauge, enabling swift and devastating attacks against enemy crews.

Jason

Recruited early in the game, Jason's "Former Hunter’s Knowledge" trait enhances both attack and defense of your boarding squad. Ideal for early encounters, Jason helps you hold your ground against numerically superior foes.

Daigo Dojima

Available as DLC, Daigo Dojima's "Wisdom King’s Divine Protection" trait speeds up health recovery and charges the heat gauge, enabling more lethal attacks. His value makes the DLC a worthwhile investment.

Ono Michio

This amusing mascot from other Yakuza games, available as DLC, brings the "The Idol of Onomichi" trait, boosting attack and charging the madness gauge for devastating finishing moves. Ono Michio's abilities make him a valuable addition to your crew.

Masaru

As your first recruit, Masaru's "Marine Cuisine" trait enhances the attack of his boarding party, giving you an edge in early hand-to-hand combat encounters.

Taiga Saejima

Joining in the penultimate chapter, Taiga Saejima's "Veteran" trait boosts both attack and defense, making him an immediate choice for a Squad Leader role. His toughness is perfect for dealing with crowd control and tough opponents.

The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

While they don't fight directly, the Support Squad's abilities can decisively influence battle outcomes. Here are the best members to include in your crew formation:

Noah

Noah, your first Support Squad member, offers "Rallying Cry," providing medium health recovery. Keeping Noah in your formation and leveling his skill will enhance this recovery, proving invaluable in tougher battles.

Goro

Noah's pet tiger, Goro, brings "Goro’s Mighty Roar," a support skill that significantly boosts your boarding party's attack damage. Like Noah, maintaining Goro in your lineup will maximize his skill's impact.

Nancy-Chan

Available through the Ichiban DLC pack, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" complements Goro’s Mighty Roar, delivering a potent attack boost. This combination can turn most non-boss enemies into one-hit targets.

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.