The Yakuza games always feature a variety of different fighting styles, and Like a Dragon: Ishin is no exception. There are four fighting styles, so you might be wondering which is the best fighting style in Like a Dragon: Ishin to upgrade and invest the orbs in.
The story in Like A Dragon: Ishin includes quite a lot of combat. Not only will you have to fight main characters, but you'll also come across a lot of random encounters while you're exploring the world. That's not to say that the entire game revolves around this mechanic. There are plenty of the classic Yakuza mini-games and side stories to get lost in.
For more on the game, check out how to complete Death of an Author in Like a Dragon: Ishin. We've also got a look at how to redeem Deluxe Edition DLC, and some details on how to get Virtue in Like a Dragon: Ishin.
Best fighting styles in Like a Dragon: Ishin
There are four unique fighting styles in Like a Dragon Ishin: Brawler, Swordsman, Gunman, and Wild Dancer. Each of them have their own unique features and abilities, and you can switch between them during combat.
When you use each of the styles in combat, you'll earn either an orb for that specific style, or a general training orb. For example, if you use Brawler in a battle, you'll earn a red orb that can only be used to upgrade the Brawler style. You can use the training orbs on any of the styles without any restrictions. You can even use a coloured orb to replace these, and get them back to spend elsewhere.
You'll have the opportunity to unlock special abilities and heat actions through this upgrade system too. Sometimes you'll need to visit a certain training dojo in order to unlock it, though.
What is the best fighting style in Like a Dragon: Ishin?
This will completely depend on which of the fighting styles you prefer. Brawler is best if you like classic fighting-style games, while Gunman is a good choice if you want to keep your enemies at a distance. There is one style that incorporates the best of each of the styles in one, and that is Wild Dancer.
With Wild Dancer, you wield both a sword and a gun. This means that you can fire at enemies, as well as take them on at close range. Importantly, this comes with a skill that will fire off rounds around you while you spin. This is particularly great for crowd control!
However, it's probably best that you don't invest all of your orbs into Wild Dancer. This is for a few different reasons. First of all, each of the styles gets health upgrades through their tracks. These are particularly important to get, especially as the game increases in difficulty.
The second reason why you should balance your fighting upgrades is that at certain points in the story, you'll be locked into one style for a fight. There are times when you won't have your weapons, and you'll need to rely on Brawler. Alternatively, there are certain boss fights that will lend themselves to some styles over others.
Brawler style explained
Brawler is the hand-to-hand combat style that has you wield your fists as your primary weapon. This is the most nimble out of all of the fighting styles, and is the best for countering enemy attacks. You can also pick up furniture from the world and use it to fight with.
Some of the upgrades are optional and branch off from the main track. In order to make it easier to plan how many orbs you may need to reach certain upgrades, they have been listed as x.1 in the table.
Upgrade Position | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | Health Increase 1 | Extends your Health Gauge beyond what a level-up would give you. |
2 | Brawler Rank 1 | Strengthens the power of basic attacks, Finishing Blows and Heat Actions in Brawler style. |
3 | Rush Combo Extension | Increases the number of attacks in the Brawler style Rush Combo. Learn Greater Finishing Blow to follow up. |
4 | Greater Finishing Blow | Execute a Finishing Blow after the fourth attack in the Brawler Style Rush Combo. |
5 | Health Increase 2 | Extends your Health Gauge beyond what a level-up would give you. |
6 | Health Increase 3 | Extends your Health Gauge beyond what a level-up would give you. |
6.1 | Attack Speed Boost | Increases the speed of Rush Combo attacks in Brawler style, giving your enemies fewer chances to strike back. |
7 | Paper Lantern Voyage | Honor the dead with a ceremonious running knee. Useful against distant enemies. |
8 | Brawler Rank 2 | Strengthens the power of basic attacks, Finishing Blows and Heat Actions in Brawler style. |
8.1 | Essence of Mikan | A novel technique to place a mandarin in the mouth of an enemy, then make fresh orange juice. Consumes Heat. |
Swordsman style explained
Swordsman is where you fight with a single sword in combat. Out of all the styles, this one does the most damage. You can use a charged, strong attack during a combo, and defend yourself from enemy weapons.
Upgrade Position | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | Rush Combo Storm | Increases the damage from a charged Finishing Blow. |
2 | Rush Combo Extension | Increases the number of attacks in the Rush Combo. The Finishing Blow after four strikes is very strong. |
3 | Swordsman Rank 1 | Strengthens the power of basic attacks, Finishing Blows and Heat Actions in Swordsman style. |
4 | Rush Combo Tempest | Perform a stronger Finishing Blow after a combo. Consumes Heat. |
5 | Health Increase 1 | Extends your Health Gauge beyond what a level-up would give you. |
6 | Swordplay: Grinning Wolf | Charge forward and lunge. |
7 | Greater Finishing Blow | Perform an additional jumping slash after the four-strike combo Finishing Blow. Can be difficult to land, but powerful. |
8 | Swordplay: Brief Slumber | A spinning slash while running. An effective way to engage a group of enemies. |
8.1 | Swordplay: Grim Walking | Perform a stronger slash following Brief Slumber. Consumes Heat. |
9 | Serene Heat | Regain your guard after it's broken. |
Gunman style explained
The Gunman style is all about maintaining distance from your enemies, and inflicting damage in a way that makes it difficult for them to counter. You can use special bullet types, such as flame and lightning rounds in order to stun enemies for more damage. Finally, you can forcefully disarm your foes with later Gunman upgrades.
Upgrade Position | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | Gunman Rank 1 | Strengthens the power of basic attacks, Finishing Blows and Heat Actions in Gunman style. |
2 | Jumping Shots | Fire off some shots while approaching an enemy with a leaping knee strike. Switching up your distance is very effective. |
3 | Gunman Rank 2 | Strengthens the power of basic attacks, Finishing Blows and Heat Actions in Gunman style. |
4 | Heat Enhancement | Quickens the rate at which you gain Heat. Remember, the higher the Heat Gauge goes, the slower is accumulates. |
5 | Essence of Finishing Shots | Hold an enemy down beneath your heel and unload on them. Consumes Heat. |
5.1 | Essence of Oh-Be-Joyful | Rush headlong towards an enemy, knock him into the air and give him a reason to drink. Consumes Heat. |
6 | Gunman Rank 3 | Strengthens the power of basic attacks, Finishing Blows and Heat Actions in Gunman style. |
6.1 | Bellowing Fusillade | Follow up Roaring Fusillade with another, wider spread of shots. Good for when the enemies are spread apart. |
6.2 | Shrieking Fusillade | Follow up Bellowing Fusillade with yet another spread of shots. |
7 | Cavity Kill | Press the barrel into a grabbed enemy's chest and unload. Remember, guns can be weak in close range. |
Wild Dancer style explained
Wild Dancer is where you wield both a sword and pistol, and use them both together in combat. It is the fastest attack out of all the styles, but you cannot defend easily. However, you can use spinning attacks to help with crowd control.
Upgrade Position | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
1 | Wild Dancer Rank 1 | |
2 | Essence of Finishing | Two ages of warfare coalesce as you stab and shoot a downed enemy. Consumes Heat. |
3 | Health Increase 1 | Extends your Health Gauge beyond what a level-up would give you. |
3.1 | Phoenix Clash | Increases the speed of Phoenix Frenzy. With faster attacks, you can keep combos going even longer. |
3.2 | Phoenix Blessing | Increases the amount of experience you gain from defeating enemies with Phoenix Frenzy. |
3.3 | Phoenix Battle | Further increase the speed of Phoenix Frenzy. Narrow your openings, and keep attacking. |
3.4 | Phoenix War | Maximises the speed of Phoenix Frenzy. The third attack leaves you open, so use Remnant Silhouette to transition. |
4 | Wild Strikes Extension | Increases the number of sword attacks in Wild Dancer style Rush Combo. After five attacks, be sure to use Remnant Silhouette to stay graceful. |
5 | Wild Shots Boost | Increases the rate of fire with guns in Wild Dancer style. Your guns are less powerful than in Gunman, but they make a good Finishing Blow. |
5.1 | Luxury and Splendor | A dazzling series of attacks which can last as long as you find openings. Consumes Heat. |
Those are all the fighting styles in Like a Dragon: Ishin! For more on the game, check out whether it's on Game Pass, as well as our Like a Dragon 8 release date hub.