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

The Pirate Coliseum in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* not only demands exceptional skill in naval combat but also strategic planning with your crew formation. To maximize your success, here are the best crew formations for the Pirate Coliseum in *Pirate Yakuza*.

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When choosing positions for your crewmates aboard the Goromaru, three roles stand out as the most crucial, with the rest having minimal impact:

First Mate: This position is Goro’s second-in-command, providing either an offensive or defensive boost to your ship during naval combat. The choice of First Mate can significantly influence the outcome of your battles.

Squad Leader: As the leader of a boarding party section, this role provides a boost depending on the chosen character. You can have up to four Squad Leaders by upgrading the Goromaru, allowing up to 20 crewmates to board enemy ships and fight alongside Goro in the second phase of naval combat at the Pirate Coliseum.

Support Squad: These crewmates don't engage in combat but offer crucial stat boosts that can turn the tide of battle. When summoned, they enhance attack and defense or heal your team during fights.

The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Different ship battles may require different crew formations. Here are the most effective crewmates for the First Mate position:

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 First Mate trait, "Sink King Kiwami," dramatically increases damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for late-game Pirate Coliseum matches with higher star difficulties. When surrounded by multiple enemy ships, having Daisaku as your First Mate helps take out the boss ship quickly.

Nishida

Nishida, recruited at the same time as Minami, provides the Goromaru with two additional repair uses as First Mate. This is crucial in intense naval combat scenarios where the ship's health needs to be restored multiple times, significantly boosting your defense in battles against multiple vessels.

Captain Beef

Captain Beef joins your crew early in the game and should be immediately assigned as First Mate. Despite his quirky nature, he possesses the "Sink King Kiwami" trait, making him an excellent choice for dealing maximum damage in early naval combat.

Misaki

Misaki, an orphaned girl seeking revenge, has the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait. As First Mate, she provides two additional smoke screen uses, allowing the Goromaru to hide from enemy ships and launch surprise attacks. This can be a risky but rewarding strategy.

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The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Squad Leaders are vital for hand-to-hand combat outcomes. Here are the best options, with the potential for up to four Squad Leaders when your ship is fully upgraded:

Kazuma Kiryu

Kazuma Kiryu, a pre-order bonus character, is an exceptional Squad Leader. His "Dragon of Dojima" trait boosts attack and speeds up the voltage gauge charge, enabling more frequent team boosts to swiftly defeat enemy crews.

Jason

Jason, recruited at the end of the first chapter, is perfect for early game with his "Former Hunter’s Knowledge" trait. This boosts both attack and defense of the boarding squad, helping you withstand early enemy onslaughts.

Daigo Dojima

Daigo Dojima, a DLC character, offers the "Wisdom King’s Divine Protection" trait, which speeds up health recovery and charges the heat gauge for more powerful attacks, making him invaluable for boarding parties.

Ono Michio

Ono Michio, a mascot character from other Yakuza games, has the "The Idol of Onomichi" trait. This significantly boosts attack and charges the madness gauge, allowing Goro to unleash devastating attacks more frequently.

Masaru

Masaru, the first character you recruit, should be your second Squad Leader after Jason. His "Marine Cuisine" trait enhances the attack of his boarding party, giving you an edge in hand-to-hand combat.

Taiga Saejima

Taiga Saejima, joining in the second-to-last chapter, has the "Veteran" trait that boosts both attack and defense of the boarding party. His strength makes him ideal for crowd control and should be immediately placed as a Squad Leader.

The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Support Squad members don't fight but provide crucial boosts that can turn the tide of battle. Here are the best choices for your crew formation:

Noah

Noah, the first Support Squad member you acquire, should never be removed from your crew. His "Rallying Cry" skill provides medium health recovery, and as he levels up, this becomes even more effective in tougher battles.

Goro

Goro, Noah's pet tiger, has the "Goro’s Mighty Roar" skill, making him a permanent fixture in your crew. As he levels up, his support skill significantly boosts the damage of your boarding party's attacks.

Nancy-Chan

Nancy-chan, a DLC character from previous Like a Dragon games, offers the "Pincers of Pain" skill, which boosts attack when combined with Goro’s Mighty Roar, making enemies vulnerable to one-hit kills. She's a worthwhile addition if you acquire 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.