In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, mastering the Pirate Coliseum isn't just about your prowess in naval combat; it's also about strategic crew formations. To dominate the seas, you'll need to carefully select and position your crew on the Goromaru. Here's a guide to the best crew formations for the Pirate Coliseum:
When assembling your crew aboard the Goromaru, focus on three pivotal roles: the First Mate, Squad Leaders, and the Support Squad. These positions are crucial for enhancing your performance in naval battles and boarding actions.
First Mate: This role is vital as Goro’s second-in-command. The First Mate you choose will boost your ship's offensive or defensive capabilities during naval combat, making them indispensable for success in the Pirate Coliseum.
Squad Leader: Leading sections of your boarding party, Squad Leaders can have up to four members under their command when the Goromaru is fully upgraded. Their role is to boost the effectiveness of their squad during hand-to-hand combat, significantly impacting the outcome of boarding fights.
Support Squad: These crew members don't engage in combat but provide crucial stat boosts or healing effects during battles. Activating their support skills at the right moment can turn the tide of battle in your favor.
Different battles may call for different strategies, so here are some of the top choices for the First Mate position:
Daisaku Minami, a lifelong friend of Goro Majima, joins the crew at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait significantly boosts damage to enemy sterns, making him an excellent choice for late-game Coliseum matches where you need to quickly take down boss ships amidst multiple foes.
Recruited alongside Minami, Nishida's "Repair Master" trait grants the Goromaru two additional repair uses, crucial for maintaining your ship's health during intense naval battles. His role becomes essential in scenarios where you're facing multiple enemy ships simultaneously.
Available early in the game, Captain Beef's "Sink King Kiwami" trait allows you to deal substantial damage in naval combat despite his quirky nature. He's an excellent First Mate choice, particularly in the early stages when you're looking to maximize your offensive power.
With her "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait, Misaki provides two additional smoke screen uses, allowing you to hide the Goromaru and launch surprise attacks. Her unique abilities offer a strategic advantage in battles where stealth and timing are key.
Related: How To Upgrade Cannons in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Squad Leaders play a critical role in hand-to-hand combat, and you can assign up to four when your ship is fully upgraded. Here are the best choices:
A pre-order bonus, Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait boosts attack and accelerates the voltage gauge, enhancing your boarding party's effectiveness and allowing you to quickly overpower enemy crews.
Recruited at the end of the first chapter, Jason's "Former Hunter's Knowledge" trait enhances both attack and defense, making him ideal for early encounters when your crew might be outnumbered.
A DLC character, Daigo's "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" trait speeds up health recovery and charges the heat gauge, enabling devastating attacks and quick recovery for your boarding party.
This mascot character's "The Idol of Onomichi" trait boosts attack and charges the madness gauge, allowing Goro to unleash powerful finishing moves more frequently.
The first character you recruit in the main story, Masaru's "Marine Cuisine" trait enhances the attack of his boarding party, giving you an edge in early hand-to-hand combat.
Joining in the second-to-last chapter, Taiga's "Veteran" trait boosts both attack and defense, making him a formidable Squad Leader capable of dealing crowd control attacks effectively.
While they don't engage in combat, Support Squad members can significantly influence the outcome of battles with their support skills:
Noah's "Rallying Cry" skill provides medium health recovery, becoming more effective as you level up his skill. Keeping him in your crew formation ensures sustained health boosts during battles.
Noah's pet tiger, Goro's "Mighty Roar" skill boosts the damage of your boarding party's attacks, making him a permanent fixture in your Support Squad for high-damage output.
Available through the Ichiban DLC pack, Nancy-chan's "Pincers of Pain" skill complements Goro's Mighty Roar, enabling one-hit kills against non-boss enemies. She's a valuable addition for those seeking to maximize their damage potential.
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.
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