Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Male Job Guide

All the party members in Yakuza: Like a Dragon come with their own signature jobs that are unique to them. The five guys in the party, however, can switch to one of eight jobs that they all share. They might not feel as special as the signature jobs, but they have their own benefits that are worth exploring.

Of course, you don’t have to explore all these jobs. You can beat the game with Kasuga staying as a Hero (or Freelancer) while Nanba stays forever the Homeless Guy. If you want more information on these signature jobs—including Saeko’s five special jobs—check out our other guide.

Each Job Skill with an asterisk next to it denotes that it’s also a Character Skill. After they’re unlocked, party members retain access to these skills, even after switching jobs.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Bodyguard

The Bodyguard is like the modern-day samurai. You use a katana to fight, making this job excel at blade attacks. It even has attacks that do more damage at the cost of the user’s HP, while other skills do more damage when the user has lower health.

Overall, this job has a very Bushido vibe to it. The Bodyguard can dish out a lot of damage, with the added bonus of most attacks having a chance at causing the Bleed effect. You’ll seal the deal with damage over time, hard-hitting attacks, and abilities that play fast and loose with your health pool. Having a dedicated healer in the party is highly recommended.

Excels at: Blade Attacks, Causing Bleed

Stat Boosts: Dexterity (+70 at Rank 99), Attack (+60 at Rank 99)

Bodyguard Job Skills

• Fiendish Slash - Unlocks at Rank 1. Single-target blade attack. May cause bleeding.
• Thoughtless Skewer - Unlocks at Rank 1. Single-target blade attack that also damages the user. Does greater damage the lower the user’s MP is.
• Berserker Spirit* - Unlocks at Rank 4. Greatly boost your attack on your next turn.
• Haywire Havoc - Unlocks at Rank 6. Single-target blade attack with lower accuracy. If it hits, it crits.
• Smack Talk - Unlocks at Rank 10. Single-target, chance to enrage an enemy.
• Nightmare Glare - Unlocks at Rank 12. Single-target, chance to fear an enemy.
• Diehard Skewer* - Unlocks at Rank 16. SIngle-target blade attack that also damages the user. Does greater damage the lower the user’s HP is.
• Devilish Slash - Unlocks at Rank 18. Single-target blade attack. May cause bleeding.
• Essence of Lightning Rod - Unlocks at Rank 24. Single-target blade attack that also damages the user. Does greater damage the lower the user’s HP and MP is. Plays a cutscene.
• Essence of Diabolic Slash - Unlocks at Rank 28. Single-target blade attack. May cause bleeding. Plays a cutscene.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Host

You don’t have to have a pretty face to be a Host in Yakuza: Like a Dragon; Adachi’s proof of that. The Host plays a lot like Saeko’s Hostess job, with the added bonus of doing fire damage along with ice. In general JRPG terms, the Host is a lot like a Black Mage, with most ice and fire attacks having a chance of leaving enemies with a status ailment of some kind.

However, it’s worth noting that its stat boosts can feel a little misguided. Boosting the user’s Healing sounds nice, but its skills don’t really complement the stat. Secret Cocktail only heals the user, which is pretty selfish and lacks versatility.

Excels at: Ice Damage, Fire Damage, Ailments

Stat Boosts: Magic (+70 at Rank 99), Healing (+70 at Rank 99)

Host Job Skills

• Sparkling Splash - Rank 1. Single-target ice attack. May give the enemy a cold or make them drunk.
• Hyper Shout - Rank 1. Single-target ally Attack boost.
• Golden Finger - Rank 1. May steal an item from an enemy.
• Rose Stinger - Rank 4. Single-target fire attack. May leave the enemy charmed or burned.
• Birthday Bash - Rank 6. Single-target blunt attack. May lower an enemy’s Attack.
• Ice Spreader* - Rank 10. Single-target ice attack. Enemy and nearby enemies might get a cold.
• Birthday Bonanza - Rank 12. Single-target blunt attack. May leave the enemy silenced.
• Platinum Finger - Rank 16. May steal an item from an enemy, with a higher chance for a rare item.
• Secret Cocktail* - Rank 18. Self-target heal, with a chance to cause drunkenness.
• Essence of Rose Typhoon - Rank 22. All-enemy fire attack. May leave enemies charmed or burned. Plays a cutscene.
• Coercive Shout - Rank 24. Single-target ally Magic boost.
• Essence of Champagne Wave - Rank 28. All-enemy ice attack. May leave the enemies with a cold or drunk. Plays a cutscene.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Breaker

Looking to stunt on those punks on the street? Then the Breaker job is everything you’ve dreamed of. This job in Yakuza: Like a Dragon boasts a lot of unblockable blunt attacks, which can come in handy during certain boss fights especially. You can block attacks, but so can your enemies. The Breaker solves that problem, and with the heightened Agility, it can attack more often in fights.

The Breaker job also has an element of luck to it. Lots of its skills have a chance to provide all sorts of boons, like stat boosts or HP/MP recovery. It’s not exactly reliable, but that’s the thing about luck: it really comes in handy when it comes through.

Excels at: Unblockable Blunt Attacks, Buffs

Stat Boosts: Attack (+70 at Rank 99), Agility (+70 at Rank 99)

Breaker Job Skills

• Maximum Flair - Rank 1. Single-target unblockable blunt attack. May boost user’s Defense.
• Rolling Thrash - Rank 1. Single-target blunt attack. May recover MP.
• Accel Step - Rank 1. Self-target Evasion boost.
• Collapsing Chair - Rank 4. Single-target unblockable blunt attack. May boost user’s Attack.
• Windmill - Rank 6. Multi-hit blunt attack on an enemy and nearby enemies.
• Atlas Hold* - Rank 10. Single-target unblockable blunt attack. May boost user’s Defense.
• Goblin Swipe - Rank 12. Multi-hit single-target blunt attack.
• Spin Sweeper - Rank 16. Multi-hit blunt attack on an enemy and nearby enemies. May boost user’s Attack.
• Hangman Twist - Rank 18. Single-target blunt attack. May raise all allies’ Attack.
• Double Hatchet* - Rank 22. Multi-hit single-target blunt attack. May boost user’s Magic.
• Essence of Rolling Mixer - Rank 24. Single-target blunt damage. May remove all user’s debuffs.
• Essence of Breakdance Delight - Rank 28. All-enemy blunt damage. May restore all allies’ HP.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Foreman

The Foreman is all about big, heavy attacks. Wielding a sledgehammer and dynamite, this job dishes out the blunt and fire damage fairly well. With its high HP and MP pool, you can take a lot of hits while slinging your skills all around.

Excels at: Blunt Attacks, Fire Attacks, Buffs

Stat Boosts: Max MP (+120 at Rank 99), Max HP (+120 at Rank 99)

Foreman Job Skills

• Exploration Ability: Demolish - Rank 1. Destroy barricades throughout the city when you find a shiny spot on a wall.
• Boss Hammer - Rank 1. Single-target heavy blunt attack. Charges up on the first turn, then attacks on the next.
• Healthy Routine - Rank 1. Reduce the ailment chance for all allies.
• Hammer Swing - Rank 4. Single-target blunt attack that also damages nearby enemies.
• Get Pumped - Rank 6. Self-target Defense boost.
• Explosive Throw - Rank 10. Area-target fire attack. May cause burns.
• Master Hammer - Rank 12. Single-target heavy blunt attack. Charges up on the first turn, then attacks on the next.
• Ocular Assessment* - Rank 16. Self-target Accuracy boost.
• Upswing Smash - Rank 18. Single-target blunt attack.
• Essence of Labor Parade - Rank 22. All-target blunt attack. Plays a cutscene.
• Megaton Throw* - Rank 24. Area-target fire attack. May cause burns.
• Essence of Wrecking Ball - Rank 28. All-target blunt attack. Plays a cutscene.

Another benefit of having a Foreman in your party is for its Exploration Ability, Demolish. This lets you find secrets around the city, which could help you gather much-needed recovery items. Of course, this isn’t crucial, and you can likely survive without finding these hidden treasures.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Musician

If you’ve played Dungeons & Dragons before, you’ll notice that this job sounds a lot like the Bard class.

Excels at: Buffs, Debuffs

Stat Boosts: Max MP (+100 at Rank 99), Dexterity (+70 at Rank 99)

Musician Job Skills

• Guitar Crush - Rank 1. Single-target blunt attack. Damage scales with your Voltage.
• Album Drop - Rank 1. Single-target blade attack. Damage scales with number of Musicians in your party.
• “We Are the Globe” - Rank 2. All-enemy Attack debuff. May raise your Voltage.
• “Endless Desire”* - Rank 4. Gradually recover all allies’ HP. May raise your Voltage.
• “Scar Me” - Rank 6. Single-enemy magic attack that also damages nearby enemies. May raise your Voltage.
• “Relax” - Rank 10. All-enemy Defense debuff. May raise your Voltage.
• “Those Who Protect” - Rank 12. All-ally Defense buff. May raise your Voltage.
• “Be My Shelter”* - Rank 16. Absorb MP from a single target. May raise your Voltage.
• “Your Wackiest Dreams” - Rank 18. All-enemy chance to cause sleep. May raise your Voltage.
• Feel the Crowd - Rank 22. Until your next turn, counterattack any close-range attacks with blunt damage. Each counter attack raises your Voltage.
• Essence of Surprise Concert - Rank 24. All-enemy blunt attack. Uses up all your Voltage to do bonus damage. Plays a cutscene.
• Encore - Rank 28. Increase the effectiveness of all your song skills for 3 turns.

The Musician is all about buffing your teammates and debuffing your opponents. The Voltage mechanic is a reliable source for damage too, especially in longer boss fights. Storing up a lot of Voltage and unleashing it with Essence of Surprise Concert can really turn the tide.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Chef

The Chef job is all about playing with fire and knives, so don’t try some of these skills at home. Blade and fire attacks are the bread and butter here, although your fire attacks will hit harder because of the boost in Magic. With some added Agility, the Chef is also more likely to go first and more often in the turn order.

Considering that your base party in the first dozen hours of the game will be lacking in blade damage, the Chef (or Bodyguard) is a decent alternative for someone. Just remember that Nanba’s Homeless Guy job will already have fire damage covered pretty well, and his Magic stat is nothing to sneeze at.

Excels at: Blade Attacks, Fire Attacks

Stat Boosts: Magic (+70 at Rank 99), Agility (+70 at Rank 99)

Chef Job Skills

• Flattening Pan - Rank 1. Single-target blunt attack. Does more damage to stunned enemies.
• Medium Well - Rank 1. Area-target fire attack. May leave enemies burned.
• Saucer Discus - Rank 1. Single-target blade attack. Hits other enemies in the projectile path.
• Sashimi Slice - Rank 4. Single-target multi-hit blade attack. May cause bleeding.
• Cutlery Crash - Rank 6. Single-target multi-hit blade attack. May cause bleeding.
• Peppermill Blow* - Rank 10. Single-target blunt attack. May lower enemy Accuracy.
• Wound Opener - Rank 12. Single-target blade attack. Does more damage to bleeding enemies.
• Well Done - Rank 16. Area-target fire attack. May leave enemies burned.
• Vanquishing Pan* - Rank 18. Single-target blunt attack. Does more damage to stunned enemies.
• Essence of Human Grating - Rank 22. Single-target blade attack. Plays a cutscene.
• Pressure Cooker Slam - Rank 24. Area-target blunt attack. May leave enemies stunned.
• Essence of Searing - Rank 28. SIngle-target fire attack. May cause burns. Plays a cutscene.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Enforcer

The Enforcer is hands-down one of the best tanking jobs in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Providing some serious gains in Max HP and Defense, this is a great alternative to Adachi’s Detective job.

Excels at: Blunt Attacks, Defense

Stat Boosts: Max HP (+110 at Rank 99), Defense (+55 at Rank 99)

Enforcer Job Skills

• Strike Down - Rank 1. Single-target blunt attack. May leave enemy enraged.
• Transfer Shield - Rank 1. Reduce damage an ally receives while lowering user’s Defense.
• Shield Blast* - Rank 4. Single-target blunt attack.
• Paralysis Prongs - Rank 6. Single-target blunt and electric attack. May cause paralysis.
• Shield Bash - Rank 10. Single-target blunt attack. May leave enemy enraged.
• Sleep Grenade - Rank 12. Area-target projectile that may cause sleep.
• Power Lift* - Rank 18. Single-target blunt attack. May leave enemy enraged.
• Essence of Shield Rupture - Rank 22. All-target blunt damage. Does greater damage to enraged enemies.
• Essence of Electromagnetic Storm - All-target electric attack. May cause paralysis.

The blunt damage has a chance to enrage enemies, making them attack the user. This frees up the rest of your party to take more risks and do some serious damage. If you need more insurance for a squishy ally, Transfer Shield works wonders.

Finally, Paralysis Prongs has proven to be an extremely reliable skill that can do wonders against bosses. The chance to paralyze, the added electric affinity, and the insane 1,000+ damage this attack can do really makes short work of certain bosses.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon - Fortuneteller

While Saeko’s Idol job might be the best healing job, the Fortuneteller can be a useful supplement to her abilities. While this class doesn’t out-right heal allies, it gets an extremely useful revival skill early in its tree. By level 22, you’ll have a powerful party revive that comes in handy.

Paired with Nanba’s Character Skills, which are all about healing, the Fortuneteller is a good option for him, if you want him to play more of a supportive role. The slew of ailments give him a lot of options too.

Excels at: Healing, Ailments

Stat Boosts: Healing (+55 at Rank 99), Magic (+55 at Rank 99)

Fortuneteller Job Skills

• Directional Doom - Rank 1. Single-target blunt attack. May cause brainwashing.
• Holy Water - Rank 1. Single-target ally status ailment removal.
• Soul Tether* - Rank 4. Single-target ally revival.
• Leyline Logarithm - Rank 6.  Single-target blunt attack. May cause brainwashing.
• Pulsa Denoura - Rank 10. Chance to cause fear, brainwash, charm, rage, or silence on one enemy.
• Auric Insight - Rank 12. All-ally Attack boost.
• Bad Omen - Rank 16. Chance to cause brainwash or silence on one enemy.
• Fulminating Forecast* - Rank 18. Area-target electric attack. May cause paralysis.
• Essence of Spirit Bonding - Rank 22. Revive all allies.
• Essence of Divine Punishment - Rank 28. Single-target magic damage. May cause fear.

That covers all the general jobs that the men can choose in Yakuza: Like a Dragon. If you’re looking to hone in on each character’s signature job, check out our guide on each party member.