The Pirate Coliseum in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* challenges players to excel in naval combat while strategically planning their crew formations. To dominate the Coliseum, mastering the best crew setups is essential. Let's dive into the key positions and the top crew members for each role.
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When assembling your crew on the Goromaru, focus on the three critical positions, as the rest have minimal impact on your performance:
First Mate: As Goro's second-in-command, the First Mate significantly influences your ship's performance in naval combat by providing either an offensive or defensive boost. The choice of First Mate can make a substantial difference in battle outcomes.
Squad Leader: This role leads a section of your boarding party and offers specific boosts based on the chosen member. With upgrades, you can have up to four Squad Leaders, enabling a boarding party of up to 20 crew members to engage the enemy ship alongside Goro.
Support Squad: These members don't fight but offer crucial stat boosts or healing during battles. Activating their skills at the right moment can turn the tide of combat in your favor.
The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
Depending on the battle, different First Mates can be advantageous. Here are the top choices for this crucial role:
Daisaku Minami
Minami, a lifelong friend and brother figure to Goro Majima, joins your crew at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait enhances damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for late-game Coliseum battles against multiple ships. With Minami as First Mate, taking down the boss ship quickly becomes more manageable.
Nishida
Nishida, another late-game recruit, adds two extra repair uses to the Goromaru when appointed as First Mate. This boost in repair capabilities is crucial for maintaining your ship's health in intense naval engagements, making Nishida a vital asset for battles against multiple opponents.
Captain Beef
Early in the game, Captain Beef becomes a valuable addition to your crew. Despite his quirky nature, his "Sink King Kiwami" trait is perfect for maximizing damage in naval combat, making him an excellent early-game choice for First Mate.
Misaki
Misaki, a young orphan seeking revenge, offers the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait. This trait provides additional smoke screen uses, allowing you to hide and launch surprise attacks. While riskier, Misaki's abilities are a strategic choice for players looking to outmaneuver their foes.
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The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
Squad Leaders play a pivotal role in hand-to-hand combat during boarding actions. Here are the top recommendations for Squad Leaders, with the possibility of having up to four with a fully upgraded ship:
Kazuma Kiryu
Available as a pre-order bonus, Kazuma Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait significantly boosts attack and accelerates the voltage gauge, enabling devastating team attacks. He's a powerful addition for those who have access to him.
Jason
Recruited early in the game, Jason's "Former Hunter's Knowledge" trait enhances both attack and defense of your boarding squad. His versatility makes him an excellent choice for early encounters.
Daigo Dojima
A DLC character, Daigo Dojima's "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" trait speeds up health recovery and charges the heat gauge, allowing for more potent attacks. His abilities make him a valuable asset, though exclusive to those who purchase the DLC.
Ono Michio
Another DLC character, Ono Michio's "The Idol of Onomichi" trait boosts attack and charges the madness gauge, facilitating more frequent use of finishing moves. His inclusion significantly enhances your crew's combat effectiveness.
Masaru
Masaru, the first character you recruit, should be your second Squad Leader after Jason. His "Marine Cuisine" trait increases the attack of his boarding party, giving you an edge in hand-to-hand combat.
Taiga Saejima
Joining late in the game, Taiga Saejima's "Veteran" trait boosts both attack and defense of your boarding party. His powerful stats and crowd control abilities make him a top choice for Squad Leader.
The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza
While not directly engaging in combat, the Support Squad can drastically influence battle outcomes with their abilities. Here are the best support squad members:
Noah
Noah, your first Support Squad member, offers the "Rallying Cry" skill, which provides medium health recovery. Keeping Noah in your formation and leveling up his skill will enhance its effectiveness, making it invaluable in tougher battles.
Goro
Goro, Noah's pet tiger, has the "Goro's Mighty Roar" skill, which boosts the damage of your boarding party's attacks. Leveling up Goro ensures that his skill becomes a game-changer, making most non-boss enemies fall quickly.
Nancy-Chan
A DLC character, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" skill enhances the attack boost from Goro's Mighty Roar, turning it into a one-hit knockout combo. She's a worthwhile addition for those willing to invest in the Ichiban DLC pack.
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.
