Dragon Gaiden: Optimal Pirate Crew Formations

Mastering the Pirate Coliseum in *Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name* requires more than just naval combat prowess; strategic crew formation is key. This guide outlines the optimal crew setups for conquering the Coliseum's challenges.

While the *Goromaru* offers numerous crew positions, three roles significantly impact combat: First Mate, Squad Leader, and Support Squad. Other positions have minimal effect.

First Mate: Your second-in-command, influencing offensive or defensive ship capabilities during naval combat.

Squad Leader: Leads a boarding party (up to four squads with upgrades), providing various boosts.

Support Squad: These crew members don't directly fight, but their abilities significantly impact the battle, offering attack/defense boosts or healing.

Optimal First Mates for Your Crew

The best First Mate choice often depends on the specific battle. Here are top contenders:

Daisaku Minami

Minami's "Sink King Kiwami" trait massively increases damage to enemy sterns, crucial for quickly eliminating boss ships in challenging Coliseum matches.

Nishida

Nishida provides two extra ship repairs, invaluable in intense multi-ship battles where maintaining your vessel's health is paramount.

Captain Beef

Despite lower overall stats, Captain Beef's early availability and "Sink King Kiwami" trait make him an excellent early-game First Mate for maximizing damage.

Misaki

Misaki's "Master of Stealth Kiwami" provides extra smoke screen uses, offering tactical advantages through evasion and surprise attacks.

Top Squad Leaders for Your Crew

Your Squad Leaders directly influence hand-to-hand combat effectiveness. Here are some excellent choices:

Kazuma Kiryu

(Pre-order bonus) Kiryu's "Dragon of Dojima" trait significantly boosts attack and voltage gauge charging, enabling devastating combos.

Jason

Jason's "Former Hunter's Knowledge" boosts attack and defense, ideal for early-game boarding encounters where you'll likely be outnumbered.

Daigo Dojima

(DLC) Daigo's "Wisdom King's Divine Protection" accelerates health recovery and heat gauge charging for powerful attacks.

Ono Michio

(DLC) Ono Michio's "The Idol of Onomichi" trait significantly boosts attack and madness gauge charging.

Masaru

Masaru's "Marine Cuisine" boosts boarding party attack, providing a consistent offensive edge.

Taiga Saejima

Saejima's "Veteran" trait significantly boosts both attack and defense, making him a powerful and resilient Squad Leader.

Essential Support Squad Members

While not directly involved in combat, the Support Squad significantly impacts the battle's outcome:

Noah

Noah's "Rallying Cry" provides crucial health recovery, becoming increasingly effective as his skill levels up.

Goro

Goro's "Goro's Mighty Roar" support skill, when fully leveled, significantly boosts boarding party attack, often one-shotting weaker enemies.

Nancy-Chan

(DLC) Nancy-Chan's "Pincers of Pain" synergizes with Goro's Roar, creating a devastating combo.

By strategically combining these crew members, you'll significantly increase your chances of success in the *Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name* Pirate Coliseum.

Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.