Poundmate Abilities & Costs
In Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the Poundmates system allows Ichiban Kasuga to call upon a diverse roster of allies to aid him in battle. These summoned characters, known as Poundmates, offer powerful support, offensive capabilities, or unique utility that can turn the tide of a difficult fight. Each Poundmate has a specific ability and an associated cost, usually in the form of money.
Summoning a Poundmate is a strategic decision. Their abilities can range from dealing massive damage to a group of enemies, healing your party, or inflicting debilitating status effects. Understanding the strengths of each Poundmate and when to deploy them is crucial for efficient combat. Their costs can vary sificantly, so managing your finances is also important when planning to use these powerful allies.
How to Summon Poundmates:
- Poundmates Menu: During combat, access the "Poundmates" option from the main action menu.
- Selection: Choose the desired Poundmate from your unlocked roster.
- Cost: Pay the required monetary cost.
- Effect: The summoned Poundmate will perform their unique action.
Notable Poundmates and Their Abilities:
| Poundmate | Ability | Cost | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary "The Crusher" Buster | Deals heavy blunt damage to all enemies. | ¥1,000 | AoE Damage |
| Tendo "The Doctor" | Heals all allies for a moderate amount. | ¥800 | Healing |
| Joon-gi Han | Inflicts poison on a single enemy. | ¥600 | Debuff/Damage over Time |
| Shumirak | Inflicts paralysis on a single enemy. | ¥700 | Crowd Control |
| Yuu | Deals moderate fire damage to all enemies. | ¥900 | AoE Damage (Elemental) |
Strategic Use of Poundmates:
- Boss Fights: Poundmates are invaluable for boss battles, providing burst damage or crucial healing when needed most.
- Crowd Control: Use Poundmates that inflict status effects like paralysis or poison to manage large groups of enemies.
- Resource Management: Be mindful of the costs. Only summon Poundmates when the benefit outweighs the expense, especially if money is tight.
- Unlocking New Poundmates: New Poundmates are unlocked through substories, completing certain challenges, or by finding them in the world.
Mastering the Poundmates system adds a sificant layer of strategic depth to combat, allowing you to call upon powerful allies to overcome any obstacle in Ijincho.