The combat system in Yakuza: Like A Dragon differs from what we've seen in other games of the series. It more closely resembles what we're used to seeing in a typical party-based JRPG. There's a significant focus on weapons and skills. In this guide, we will talk about the best weapons in the game and how to obtain them.
Before we dive into the topic, here are a few useful tips that will slightly ease the inevitable grind for fully upgrading your weapons:
Weapons are divided by job classes, so there will be a specific one for each job. Moreover, some items can be bought with yen, but not all. Part of the weapons is sold for points, tags, or Clan Crests.
Self-proclaimed Hero's Bat. Upgraded version — Legendary Hero's Bat EX EX.
The first version of the weapon can be unlocked at the beginning of the game. To upgrade the bat to its final form, you'll need the Dragon Soul Bat, which is a reward for completing level 30 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena, or can be bought at Le Marche.
Rusted Hammer. Upgraded version — Heaven and Earth Hammer EX EX. Can be bought at the Batting Cages in Northwest Ijincho for 500 points. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you'll need the Starcrusher, which can also be bought at Le Marche.
Table Sparkling. Upgraded version — Snow Sapphire Wine EX EX. Can be purchased in the Gambling Hall for 50 wooden tags or obtained as a reward for completing one of the Part-time Hero quest Takedowns: Musclehead. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you'll need prestige, which is an additional reward for completing level 15 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena.
Carbon Police Baton. Upgraded version — Chromium Alloy Club EX EX. Can be found in a silver safe in the alley of the eastern part of the Ijincho Red Light District, in the Yokohama Underground Dungeon, or simply purchased at Maruhan in Kamurocho for 250 points. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you'll need the Club of Holy Might, which is a reward for completing level 20 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena, or it can be purchased in Kamurocho at Le Marche.
Rugged Cane. Upgraded version — Amenohoakari no Mikoto EX EX. Can be purchased at Love Magic in the Ijincho Red Light District for 2000 yen. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you'll need the Staff of the Five Wisdoms, which is a reward for completing level 25 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena, or it can be purchased in Kamurocho at Le Marche.
Casual Bag. Upgraded version — Jeweled Bag EX EX. Can be purchased at the Hustle Boutique near the Survive Bar for 2500 yen. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you'll need the Leaden Bag, which is a reward for completing level 15 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena, or it can be purchased in Kamurocho at Le Marche.
Inlaid Gloves. Upgraded version — Darksilver Fists EX EX. Can be purchased at the Casino in Chinatown in Ijincho for 500 points. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need Dragon Knuckles, which are a reward for completing level 10 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena, or they can be bought in Kamurocho at Le Marche.
Anti-corrosion Boxcutter. Upgraded version — Super High Frequency Ruler EX EX. Can be bought as a prize in the Gambling Hall or found in the Yokohama Underground Dungeon. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need a Ceramic Boxcutter, which is a reward for achieving the rank of Executive Hero in the Part-time Hero quest, or can be purchased at Le Marche in Kamurocho.
Nameless Katana. Upgraded version — Demon Blade Muramasa EX EX. Can be purchased at the Shogi shop for 500 points. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need Sakura Storm, which you can buy from Kamulop for 50 Tojo Clan Crests at Grande Blu Marino in the northeast of Ijincho or at Le Marche in Kamurocho.
Master's Saber. Upgraded version — Curved Crystal Sabre EX EX. Can be bought at the Kai Xin Specialty Store in Ijincho's Chinatown for 230,000 yen. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need Liu Chinese Saber, which is a reward for completing level 5 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena, or it can be bought in Kamurocho at Le Marche.
Vintage Guitar. Upgraded version — Symphonic EX EX. Can be purchased at the Can Quest shop for 3000 points, or as a reward for completing one of the Part-time Hero quest Takedowns: Assassin. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need a Violence Guitar, which is an additional reward for completing level 20 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena.
Wooden Flipper. Upgraded version — Scorching Spatula EX EX. Can be purchased at the Dragon Kart Prize Shop for 100 yen, or earned in one of the Part-time Hero quest Takedowns: Technomancer. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need a Damascus Ladle, which is an additional reward for completing level 10 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena or can be purchased at the Dragon Kart Prize Shop for 4000 yen.
Pretty Microphone. Upgraded version — Celestial Microphone EX EX. Can be purchased at the Dragon Kart Prize Shop for 200 points or earned in the Part-time Hero quest Takedown: Chinese Mafioso. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need a Revival Microphone, which is an additional reward for completing level 24 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena.
Cotton Pouch. Upgraded version — Shining Pouch EX EX. Can be obtained from a silver safe in the PIA building or randomly found in the Yokohama dungeon. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need an Elegant Pouch, which can be purchased at the Can Quest shop for 500,000 points, or acquired in Kamurocho at Le Marche.
Stone Orb. Upgraded version — Diamond Orbuculum EX EX. Can be purchased in the Game Hall for 300 tokens. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need a Pure Gold Ball, which can be bought in the Game Hall for 150,000 tokens, or acquired in Kamurocho at Le Marche.
Sadistic Whip. Upgraded version — Whip of Pleasure EX EX. Can be purchased at Love Magic for 500,000 yen. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need an Electric Whip, which is an additional reward for completing level 26 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena.
Bulletproof Shield. Upgraded version — Special Ops Riot Shield EX EX. Can be bought in the Game Hall for 500 points. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need an Absolute Shield, which you can buy in the Shogi prize shop for 150,000 points or acquire in Kamurocho at Le Marche.
Tarot Cards. Upgraded version — Fake Ace EX EX. Can be bought in the Casino in Chinatown for 500 points or earned in a Part-time Hero quest Bento and Bonsai Delivery. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need a Royal Joker Card, which you can buy in the Casino for 100,000 points or acquire in Kamurocho at Le Marche.
Red Anklet. Upgraded version — Soul Anklet EX EX. Can be bought at the Batting Cages in Northwest Ijincho for 500 points. To upgrade the weapon to its final form, you will need a Beat Anklet, which is an additional reward for completing level 22 of the Sotenbori Battle Arena.
Thrallmaster's Axe. Upgraded version — Infernal Crasher EX EX. Can be purchased at Chau Ka Long's Armory for 2,980,000 yen. No additional weapon needed for maximum upgrade.
Lady's Naginata. Upgraded version — Green Dragon Crescent Blade EX EX. Can be purchased at Chau Ka Long's Armory for 3,500,000 yen. No additional weapon needed for maximum upgrade.
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This is all the most powerful weaponry in the game. Even if it does not seem useful in the early stages, do not hesitate to upgrade each one to its final form.