Top Early Upgrades for Goro in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, players step into the shoes of Goro Majima, the iconic Mad Dog of Shimano. Starting the game as an amnesiac ex-yakuza, Goro initially has access to one fighting style. As you delve deeper into the narrative, you'll unlock new weapons and the thrilling Sea Dog fighting style, each with its own unique upgrade tree. The game features four distinct skill trees: Overall Stats, Shared Abilities, Mad Dog, and Sea Dog. Here are the best early upgrades to prioritize for Goro to enhance your gameplay experience without breaking the bank.

Max Health Boost (Overall Stats)

The Max Health Boost should be your first purchase. Boss fights in *Pirate Yakuza* often come with waves of henchmen, and a robust health bar is crucial for effective crowd control. This upgrade ensures Goro can withstand more hits, allowing you to outlast and overpower your adversaries in crucial battles.

Attack Boost (Overall Stats)

Next up, the Attack Boost is a must-have. With *Pirate Yakuza* reverting to the classic real-time combat of the *Yakuza* series, boosting your melee damage is essential for both the main storyline and side content. Consider investing in the Attack Boost Plus later on for even smoother playthroughs.

Knockdown Evasion (Shared Abilities)

In the chaos of multi-enemy encounters, Knockdown Evasion is a game-changer. This upgrade enables Goro to quickly recover from heavy attacks or melee weapon hits, allowing you to swiftly return to an offensive stance and maintain control of the fight.

Quickstep Strike (Shared Abilities)

The Quickstep Strike upgrade is vital for turning defensive moves into offensive opportunities. By allowing Goro to attack immediately after dodging, this skill significantly eases all combat scenarios, including early boss fights, and helps in building up the heat gauge for powerful attacks.

Grapple Counter (Shared Abilities)

For managing crowds effectively, the Grapple Counter is invaluable. It not only prevents damage from grab attacks but also lets you counter with your own attack, turning a defensive situation into an offensive advantage.

Serpent Trick (Mad Dog)

The Mad Dog style, Goro's pirate-inspired fighting technique, equips him with dual swords, a flintlock pistol, and a grappling hook. The Serpent Trick is an excellent early upgrade within this style, enabling Goro to launch enemies into the air for devastating aerial combos, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks.

Frenzy Trick (Mad Dog)

Another crowd-control gem in the Mad Dog style is the Frenzy Trick. This spinning attack knocks down multiple enemies, making it particularly useful in the naval combat side quests where you face large groups of pirates.

Catch ‘n’ Slash (Sea Dog)

The Catch ‘n’ Slash, available from the start of the Sea Dog style, becomes even more potent with its upgrade. This enhancement extends the duration of the throw and allows for immediate follow-up attacks, enabling longer and more effective combos.

Charge ‘n’ Shoot (Sea Dog)

The flintlock pistol in the Mad Dog style can be a double-edged sword due to its slow charge time. However, the Charge ‘n’ Shoot upgrade transforms it into a formidable tool, allowing Goro to shoot multiple enemies at once and send them flying, making it a practical choice for early upgrades.

These are the top early upgrades for Goro Majima in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, designed to enhance your combat prowess and make your journey through the game more enjoyable and efficient.

*Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.*