In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, building the best Pirate crew is crucial for advancing through the game's story efficiently. During Chapter 2, as Goro and his small crew enter Madlantis—a Pirate Sanctuary hosting Naval Colosseum battles—you learn more about Jason and Masaru, whose crew was disbanded following a betrayal. This sets the stage for Goro to upgrade his ship and recruit additional crew members to compete in the arena. However, to progress, you must earn $10,000 to repair your ship and recruit five new crew members. Here are the best early-game recruits to help you move forward quickly.
Nickelle Kidman
Inspired by Nicole Kidman, Nickelle is an actor you'll find near Honolulu's beach. To recruit her, your crew needs a two-star rating, which you should already have by completing the main story missions up to this point. If not, you can quickly earn it by finding treasure, fighting thugs, or engaging in naval battles.
Hammerhead
Located on the second floor of the shopping center in Honolulu, Hammerhead can be recruited by defeating him in combat. This method is fast and effective, making it ideal for quickly assembling your crew. Hammerhead's relatively low health makes him an easy target.
Kenzo
Found at the dock area of Honolulu's beach, Kenzo can be recruited by either giving him raw materials you collect during your journey or paying him a few thousand dollars. Given that you'll have amassed plenty of materials and money by this point, Kenzo is a swift and valuable addition to your team.
Lucas
In Madlantis, Lucas can be recruited through a fistfight. Despite his temper and the use of a melee weapon, the fight is manageable, especially after the boss battles you've faced in previous chapters.
Obispo
To recruit Obispo, visit his restaurant in Honolulu and eat there after engaging in nearby battles to lower your health. Repeat this process five times, and Obispo will join your crew. While slightly more time-consuming, this method is still easier than recruiting others with more demanding requirements.
These five crew members are the quickest to recruit in the early game, enabling you to progress through *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii* efficiently. As the game progresses and battles become more challenging, you can focus on recruiting crew members with higher stats, which may require more effort.
*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*
