Top Pirate Coliseum Crew Setups in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza Hawaii

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, mastering the Pirate Coliseum isn't just about brute force; it's a strategic dance of naval combat and crew positioning. The key to dominating the seas lies in optimizing your crew formation on the Goromaru. Here, we break down the most effective crew formations to give you the edge in the Pirate Coliseum.

Recommended Videos: Pirate Yakuza Crew Formations, Explained

When setting up your crew aboard the Goromaru, focus on these crucial positions:

• First Mate: Your First Mate acts as Goro's second-in-command, offering either an offensive or defensive boost to your ship during naval battles.
• Squad Leader: This position leads a section of your boarding party, consisting of four members. Each Squad Leader provides a unique boost, and you can have up to four by upgrading the Goromaru, allowing for a total of 20 crew members to board and fight alongside Goro.
• Support Squad: These crew members don't engage in combat but provide powerful stat boosts, like increased attack and defense or healing, which can turn the tide of battle.

The Best First Mates for Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Different battles may require different strategies, so here are the top First Mates for your crew formation:

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 invaluable for late-game Pirate Coliseum matches where taking out the boss ship quickly is crucial.

Nishida

Nishida, another late-game recruit, provides the Goromaru with two additional repair uses as First Mate. In intense naval battles, his ability to restore your ship's health twice more can be a game-changer, especially when facing multiple enemies.

Captain Beef

Captain Beef is an early-game recruit whose "Sink King Kiwami" trait makes him an excellent First Mate for maximizing damage in naval combat, despite his lower stats in other roles.

Misaki

Misaki, driven by a quest for revenge, brings the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait to the table. As First Mate, she grants two additional smoke screen uses, allowing the Goromaru to hide and strike unseen, which can be a strategic advantage in certain 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 vital for your hand-to-hand combat success. Here are the best options, with the potential to have up to four when fully upgrading your ship:

Kazuma Kiryu

Kazuma Kiryu, a pre-order bonus character, enhances your squad with his "Dragon of Dojima" trait, boosting attack and speeding up the voltage gauge for quicker team boosts.

Jason

Jason, one of your earliest recruits, has the "Former Hunter's Knowledge" trait, boosting both attack and defense of the boarding squad, crucial for early-game encounters.

Daigo Dojima

Daigo Dojima, a DLC character, accelerates health recovery and charges the heat gauge with his "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" trait, enabling more powerful attacks.

Ono Michio

Ono Michio, another DLC character, boosts attack and charges the madness gauge with his "The Idol of Onomichi" trait, enhancing Goro's devastating attacks.

Masaru

Masaru, the first recruit in the main story, boosts the attack of his boarding party with his "Marine Cuisine" trait, giving you an edge in hand-to-hand combat.

Taiga Saejima

Taiga Saejima, Goro's sworn brother, joins late in the game with his "Veteran" trait, boosting both attack and defense for powerful crowd control in boarding fights.

The Support Squad Members for Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Support Squad members don't fight but can significantly influence the outcome of battles with their abilities:

Noah

Noah, your first Support Squad member, offers the "Rallying Cry" skill, which provides medium health recovery. Keeping him in your formation and leveling up his skill enhances its effectiveness in tougher battles.

Goro

Goro, Noah's pet tiger, has the "Goro's Mighty Roar" skill, boosting the attack power of your boarding party. As with Noah, consistent use in battles will enhance this skill, making it a potent tool against non-boss enemies.

Nancy-Chan

Nancy-Chan, a DLC character, enhances Goro's Mighty Roar with her "Pincers of Pain" skill, making your attacks even more devastating. She's a valuable addition to your support squad if you choose to acquire her.

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.*