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

by Scarlett May 01,2025

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, mastering the Pirate Coliseum requires not just skill in naval combat but also strategic crew formations. Here are the best crew formations to ensure your success in the Pirate Coliseum.

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The Crew Management System in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiWhen it comes to positioning your crew aboard the Goromaru, three roles stand out as crucial for your success in naval combat:

First Mate: As Goro's second-in-command, the First Mate can significantly boost your ship's offensive or defensive capabilities during battles. The right choice here can make a world of difference.

Squad Leader: This role leads a section of your boarding party and provides a boost to your team, depending on who you select. With upgrades, you can have up to four Squad Leaders, allowing up to 20 crew members to join the fight on enemy ships.

Support Squad: These crew members don't engage in combat directly but provide vital stat boosts that can turn the tide of battle. They can enhance attack and defense or heal your team when summoned.

The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Different battles might require different strategies, so here are the top crewmates for the First Mate position:

Daisaku Minami

The Crew Formation stat screen for Minami in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiDaisaku Minami, a lifelong friend and self-proclaimed brother of Goro Majima, joins your crew at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait greatly increases damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for high-star difficulty matches in the Pirate Coliseum. When facing multiple enemy ships, having Daisaku as your First Mate helps you quickly eliminate the boss ship.

Nishida

The Crew Formation stat screen for Nishida in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiNishida, another late-game recruit, joins alongside Minami. As First Mate, he provides the Goromaru with two additional repair uses, crucial for maintaining your ship's health in intense battles. This defensive boost is essential when facing multiple enemy vessels in the Coliseum.

Captain Beef

The Crew Formation stat screen for Captain Beef in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiCaptain Beef is an early addition to your crew and an excellent First Mate choice. Despite his quirky nature, he also possesses the "Sink King Kiwami" trait, making him a strong offensive asset early in the game.

Misaki

The Crew Formation stat screen for Misaki in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiMisaki, a young orphan seeking revenge, joins your crew with the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait. This trait grants two extra smoke screen uses, allowing you to hide and launch surprise attacks. While riskier, it's a viable choice for those not focused on boosting attack or defense.

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 significantly influence your hand-to-hand combat outcomes. Here are the top choices for Squad Leaders, with up to four positions available on a fully upgraded ship:

Kazuma Kiryu

The Crew Formation stat screen for Kazuma Kiryu in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiAvailable as a pre-order bonus, Kazuma Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait boosts attack and charges the voltage gauge faster, making him an exceptional Squad Leader for those who have access to him.

Jason

Jason, one of your earliest recruits, has the "Former Hunter's Knowledge" trait, enhancing both attack and defense of your boarding squad. This makes him ideal for early encounters when you're outnumbered.

Daigo Dojima

Daigo Dojima, a DLC character, offers the "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" trait, speeding up health recovery and charging the heat gauge. His abilities make him a valuable Squad Leader, despite being a DLC addition.

Ono Michio

The Crew Formation stat screen for Ono Michio in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiOno Michio, a beloved mascot from the Yakuza series, comes with the "The Idol of Onomichi" trait, boosting attack and charging the madness gauge. This makes him a powerful Squad Leader, enhancing Goro's devastating attacks.

Masaru

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

Taiga Saejima

Taiga Saejima, Goro's sworn brother, joins late in the story with the "Veteran" trait, boosting both attack and defense. His formidable presence makes him an excellent choice for a Squad Leader, capable of delivering crowd control attacks.

The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

While not engaging in direct combat, the Support Squad's skills can significantly influence the battle's outcome. Here are the top choices for your Support Squad:

Noah

Noah, your first Support Squad member, offers the "Rallying Cry" skill, providing medium health recovery. Keeping Noah in your crew 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 attack damage. Keeping him in your crew and leveling up his skill will make your boarding party's attacks devastating against non-boss enemies.

Nancy-Chan

Nancy-chan, a DLC character from the Ichiban DLC pack, provides the "Pincers of Pain" skill, enhancing Goro's Mighty Roar. This combination can make your attacks one-hit wonders, making her a valuable addition to your Support Squad.

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.