Home News Top Pirate Coliseum Crew Strategies in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza Hawaii

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

by Henry Apr 23,2025

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, mastering the Pirate Coliseum isn't just about your skills in naval combat; it's also about strategic crew formation. Here, we dive into the best crew formations to ensure your dominance in the Pirate Coliseum.

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The Crew Management System in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

When assembling your crew aboard the Goromaru, focus on the three most crucial positions: First Mate, Squad Leader, and Support Squad. The rest of the crew positions don't significantly impact your performance in the Pirate Coliseum.

First Mate: This role is pivotal as Goro's second-in-command. The First Mate can either boost your ship's offensive or defensive capabilities during naval combat, making this choice critical for your strategy.

Squad Leader: Leading a section of your boarding party, a Squad Leader provides specific boosts to your team. With upgrades, you can have up to four Squad Leaders, enabling up to 20 crew members to board enemy ships and fight alongside Goro.

Support Squad: These crew members don't engage in combat but offer powerful stat boosts. When called upon, they can enhance attack and defense or provide healing, potentially turning 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 crewmates to consider for the First Mate position:

Daisaku Minami

The Crew Formation stat screen for Minami in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Daisaku Minami, Goro Majima's lifelong friend, joins your crew at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait significantly boosts damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for high-difficulty Coliseum matches where quickly taking down the boss ship is essential.

Nishida

The Crew Formation stat screen for Nishida in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Nishida, recruited alongside Minami, provides the Goromaru with two additional repair uses as First Mate. This can be a lifesaver in intense battles against multiple ships, significantly enhancing your ship's defense.

Captain Beef

The Crew Formation stat screen for Captain Beef in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Captain Beef, an early-game recruit, possesses the "Sink King Kiwami" trait despite lower stats in other roles. He's an excellent choice for First Mate early on, maximizing your naval combat damage.

Misaki

The Crew Formation stat screen for Misaki in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Misaki, driven by a quest for revenge, brings the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait, granting two extra smoke screen uses. This allows for stealth attacks and recovery time, making her a strategic choice for varied combat scenarios.

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 crucial for your boarding party's success. Here are the top choices, with up to four slots available once your ship is fully upgraded:

Kazuma Kiryu

The Crew Formation stat screen for Kazuma Kiryu in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Kazuma Kiryu, a pre-order bonus, boosts attack and charges the voltage gauge faster with his "Dragon of Dojima" trait, making him an excellent Squad Leader for quick victories.

Jason

Jason, recruited early in the game, enhances both attack and defense with his "Former Hunter's Knowledge" trait, making him ideal for early boarding party formations.

Daigo Dojima

Daigo Dojima, a DLC character, speeds up health recovery and charges the heat gauge with his "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" trait, perfect for sustained combat effectiveness.

Ono Michio

The Crew Formation stat screen for Ono Michio in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

Ono Michio, another DLC character, boosts attack and charges the madness gauge with "The Idol of Onomichi" trait, enhancing your team's finishing moves.

Masaru

Masaru, your first recruit, boosts attack with his "Marine Cuisine" trait, making him a valuable second Squad Leader after Jason.

Taiga Saejima

Taiga Saejima, joining in the penultimate chapter, boosts both attack and defense with his "Veteran" trait, making him an immediate asset as a Squad Leader.

The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

While the Support Squad doesn't fight, their abilities can dramatically shift the battle's outcome. Here are the best choices:

Noah

Noah, your first Support Squad member, offers a medium health recovery with his "Rallying Cry" skill. Keeping him in your formation and leveling up his skill will significantly enhance this recovery, crucial for tougher battles.

Goro

Goro, Noah's pet tiger, boosts your boarding party's attack damage with his "Goro's Mighty Roar" skill. As you level him up, his effectiveness grows, making him a permanent fixture in your support lineup.

Nancy-Chan

Nancy-Chan, a DLC character from the Ichiban pack, amplifies attack with her "Pincers of Pain" skill. Combined with Goro's roar, this can make your attacks devastatingly effective.

These are the best Pirate Coliseum crew formations in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, designed to give you the edge in naval combat and boarding battles.

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