In *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, players step into the shoes of Goro Majima, the iconic Mad Dog of Shimano. This game introduces a variety of skills and tricks for Goro to master, and here are the top early upgrades to consider for enhancing your gameplay experience in *Pirate Yakuza*.

Goro Majima Upgrades in Pirate Yakuza, Explained

Goro Majima, known for his aggressive style, begins *Pirate Yakuza* with a single fighting style in the game's first chapter. As you progress through the main storyline, Goro unlocks new weapons and the Sea Dog fighting style, which introduces a new upgrade tree. The game features four distinct skill trees:

• Overall Stats
• Shared Abilities
• Mad Dog
• Sea Dog

Here are the recommended early upgrades for Goro that will enhance your performance in battles and quests without requiring excessive resources.

Max Health Boost (Overall Stats)

The first upgrade you should consider is the Max Health Boost. Boss fights in *Pirate Yakuza* often involve numerous henchmen, and having a high health bar is crucial for effective crowd control. This upgrade ensures Goro can withstand more hits, making it essential for outlasting opponents and dealing significant damage in key battles.

Attack Boost (Overall Stats)

Another vital early upgrade is the Attack Boost, which increases the damage output of Goro's base attacks. With *Pirate Yakuza* returning to the series' roots of real-time combat, melee attacks are crucial for progressing through the story and side content. While it may be costly, the Attack Boost Plus upgrade can further simplify future playthroughs.

Knockdown Evasion (Shared Abilities)

When facing multiple enemies, Knockdown Evasion becomes a game-changer. This upgrade allows Goro to quickly recover after being hit by heavy attacks or melee weapons, enabling him to swiftly return to an offensive stance.

Quickstep Strike (Shared Abilities)

The Quickstep Strike upgrade enhances Goro's ability to attack immediately after dodging, making every fight more manageable. This upgrade is particularly useful in early boss fights, as it provides another way to trigger Goro's heat gauge attack.

Grapple Counter (Shared Abilities)

The Grapple Counter upgrade is excellent for managing crowds, as it allows Goro to counter grab attacks and avoid damage. Successfully executing this counter also enables Goro to launch a counterattack, adding to his offensive capabilities.

Serpent Trick (Mad Dog)

The Mad Dog Style, Goro's pirate-inspired fighting technique, utilizes dual swords, a flintlock pistol, and a grappling hook. The Serpent Trick is a crucial early upgrade in this style, allowing Goro to launch enemies into the air for devastating aerial combos, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks.

Frenzy Trick (Mad Dog)

The Frenzy Trick in the Mad Dog style is perfect for crowd control, as Goro spins like a top, knocking down enemies in his path. This move is particularly useful in naval combat side quests, where you face waves of pirates, making it easier to handle large groups.

Catch ‘n’ Slash (Sea Dog)

The Catch 'n' Slash upgrade enhances the projectile-based combat technique available from the start of the Sea Dog style. This upgrade 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 powerful ranged weapon, but it often takes too long to charge, leaving Goro vulnerable. The Charge 'n' Shoot upgrade makes the pistol more practical by allowing it to shoot multiple enemies at once, sending them flying and enhancing its utility in combat.

These are the best early upgrades for Goro Majima in *Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii*, designed to optimize your gameplay and make your journey through the game more enjoyable and effective.

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