In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, mastering the Pirate Coliseum requires not only skill in naval combat but also strategic crew formations. To help you dominate the seas, here are the best crew formations for the Pirate Coliseum.

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When organizing your crew aboard the Goromaru, three key positions stand out as pivotal to your success:

First Mate: This role is crucial as Goro’s second-in-command, providing either an offensive or defensive boost during naval combat. Your choice here can significantly impact your strategy.

Squad Leader: Leading a section of your boarding party, this position offers various boosts depending on the crewmate you select. You can upgrade to have up to four Squad Leaders, allowing a total of 20 crew members to board the enemy ship and fight alongside Goro.

Support Squad: These crewmates don't engage in combat but offer crucial stat boosts or healing, which can turn the tide of battle. Activating their support skills at the right time can be game-changing.

The Best First Mates For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Different battles may call for different strategies, so here are the top crewmates to consider for the First Mate position:

Daisaku Minami

Daisaku Minami, a lifelong friend and brother to Goro Majima, joins the Goro Pirates at the end of Chapter 4. His "Sink King Kiwami" trait boosts damage to enemy sterns, making him ideal for late-game Pirate Coliseum matches where speed is crucial.

Nishida

Nishida, recruited alongside Minami, enhances your ship's durability by providing two additional repair uses. This is invaluable in intense battles where maintaining your ship's health is critical.

Captain Beef

Captain Beef, an early recruit, also possesses the "Sink King Kiwami" trait. Despite lower stats in other roles, his early-game damage boost makes him a solid First Mate choice.

Misaki

Misaki, driven by revenge, offers the "Master of Stealth Kiwami" trait, granting extra smoke screen uses. This can be a strategic advantage for stealthy attacks and recovery.

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The Best Squad Leaders For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

Squad Leaders are crucial for hand-to-hand combat. Here are the best options, with up to four slots available on a fully upgraded ship:

Kazuma Kiryu

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

Jason

Jason, recruited early, enhances both attack and defense with his "Former Hunter’s Knowledge" trait, making him a great initial Squad Leader choice.

Daigo Dojima

Daigo Dojima, a DLC character, speeds up health recovery and charges the heat gauge with his "Wisdom King’s Divine Protection" trait, offering a significant advantage.

Ono Michio

Ono Michio, a mascot from previous Yakuza games, boosts attack and charges the madness gauge with "The Idol of Onomichi" trait, enhancing your combat effectiveness.

Masaru

Masaru, your first recruit, provides an attack boost with his "Marine Cuisine" trait, making him an excellent second Squad Leader after Jason.

Taiga Saejima

Taiga Saejima, joining late in the story, boosts both attack and defense with his "Veteran" trait, making him a formidable Squad Leader.

The Support Squad Members For Your Crew Formation in Pirate Yakuza

While not directly engaging in combat, Support Squad members can significantly impact the outcome of battles:

Noah

Noah, your first Support Squad member, offers medium health recovery with his "Rallying Cry" skill. Keeping him in your formation and leveling him up enhances this crucial support.

Goro

Goro, Noah’s pet tiger, provides a powerful attack boost with his "Goro’s Mighty Roar" skill. Leveling him up maximizes this boost, making him a permanent fixture in your formation.

Nancy-Chan

Nancy-Chan, a DLC character, enhances Goro’s attack with her "Pincers of Pain" skill, creating a devastating combo with Goro’s Mighty Roar.

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.