Optimal Crew Strategies for Pirate Coliseum in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza Hawaii

Mastering the Pirate Coliseum in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii demands sharp naval combat skills and strategic crew placement. Here are the top crew configurations to dominate the seas in Pirate Yakuza.

Understanding Crew Formations in Pirate Yakuza

When assigning roles aboard the Goromaru, three key positions shape your success in naval combat, while other roles have minimal impact:

First Mate: Acting as Goro’s deputy on the Goromaru, this role enhances your ship’s offensive or defensive capabilities during naval battles, depending on your choice.
Squad Leader: Leading a segment of your boarding party (up to four members), this role provides unique boosts based on the selected crew member. With upgrades to the Goromaru, you can appoint up to four Squad Leaders, allowing a team of 20 to board enemy ships alongside Goro in the Pirate Coliseum’s combat phase.
Support Squad: These crew members don’t fight but provide critical stat boosts or healing during battles, potentially shifting the outcome when timed correctly.

Top First Mates for Your Pirate Yakuza Crew

Different battles call for tailored crew setups. Below are the most effective First Mates for the Pirate Coliseum:

Daisaku Minami

Daisaku Minami, a loyal ally and sworn brother to Goro Majima, joins the Goro Pirates after Chapter 4. His First Mate trait, “Sink King Kiwami,” significantly boosts damage to enemy ship sterns, making him ideal for high-stakes Pirate Coliseum battles. When facing multiple enemy vessels, Minami’s ability to quickly neutralize the lead ship is invaluable.

Nishida

Recruited alongside Minami, Nishida bolsters the Goromaru’s durability by granting two extra repair uses as First Mate. In intense naval battles against multiple ships, these additional repairs can fully restore your ship’s health, greatly enhancing your defensive strategy in challenging Coliseum matchups.

Captain Beef

Captain Beef joins early in the story and should be appointed First Mate immediately. Despite quirky traits, his “Sink King Kiwami” ability amplifies naval combat damage, making him a strong choice for early-game Pirate Coliseum battles, though his boarding party stats are less impressive.

Misaki

Misaki, a young recruit driven by vengeance, joins the Goro Pirates with the “Master of Stealth Kiwami” trait. This grants two additional smoke screen uses, concealing the Goromaru from enemies to allow recovery or surprise attacks. It’s a tactical choice for players prioritizing strategy over raw power.

Related: How To Upgrade Cannons in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Top Squad Leaders for Your Pirate Yakuza Crew

Squad Leaders shape the outcome of close-quarters combat. Here are the best picks for up to four Squad Leader roles when your ship is fully upgraded:

Kazuma Kiryu

Available as a pre-order bonus, Kazuma Kiryu is a powerhouse Squad Leader. His “Dragon of Dojima” trait boosts attack and accelerates the voltage gauge, enabling rapid, devastating team boosts to overpower enemy crews in Pirate Coliseum battles.

Jason

Jason joins early, at the end of Chapter 1, and his “Former Hunter’s Knowledge” trait makes him an ideal early-game Squad Leader. By enhancing both attack and defense, he helps your boarding party withstand and outlast tougher enemy crews in initial Coliseum encounters.

Daigo Dojima

Daigo Dojima, a DLC character, brings the “Wisdom King’s Divine Protection” trait, speeding up health recovery and the heat gauge for Goro’s deadly attacks. This makes him a valuable Squad Leader for quickly eliminating enemy crews in boarding combat.

Ono Michio

Ono Michio, a fan-favorite mascot from previous Yakuza titles, is a DLC character with the “Idol of Onomichi” trait. It boosts attack and speeds up the madness gauge, enabling Goro to unleash powerful finishing moves, making the Goromaru a formidable force in the Coliseum.

Masaru

Masaru, the first recruit in Pirate Yakuza’s story, is a solid second Squad Leader after Jason. His “Marine Cuisine” trait enhances boarding party attack, giving a slight edge in hand-to-hand combat during naval battles.

Taiga Saejima

Taiga Saejima, Goro’s sworn brother, joins in the penultimate chapter with stats rivaling DLC characters. His “Veteran” trait boosts both attack and defense, making him an immediate Squad Leader choice for delivering powerful crowd-control attacks in boarding scenarios.

Key Support Squad Members for Your Pirate Yakuza Crew

While Support Squad members don’t engage in combat, their abilities can turn the tide of battle when used strategically. Here are the top Support Squad picks for your crew:

Noah

Noah, the first Support Squad member, is indispensable with his “Rallying Cry” skill, providing moderate health recovery. Keeping him in the role and leveling his skill enhances its effectiveness, proving vital in tougher Pirate Coliseum battles.

Goro

Goro, Noah’s pet tiger, delivers the “Goro’s Mighty Roar” skill, amplifying boarding party attack power. Retaining and leveling him ensures his boosts make most non-boss enemies fall quickly, cementing his place as a permanent Support Squad member.

Nancy-Chan

Nancy-Chan, a crawfish from the Ichiban DLC pack, enhances attacks with her “Pincers of Pain” skill, complementing Goro’s Mighty Roar for near-instant enemy takedowns. A valuable addition for those with the DLC, she strengthens your Support Squad significantly.

These are the top crew configurations for dominating the Pirate Coliseum in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.