Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is RGG Studio's turn-based JRPG sequel set across Yokohama and Honolulu, Hawaii. You alternate between Ichiban Kasuga (the eternal optimist) and Kazuma Kiryu (legendary yakuza) in a story spanning two countries. The Job system lets characters switch between 20+ classes like Samurai, Desperado, and Geodancer for deep build customization. Side content includes Dondoko Island (Animal Crossing-style island building), Sujimon battles (Pokemon-style creature collecting), and dozens of substories. With 60-100+ hours of content, it's the biggest entry in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise.
Combat in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works — and how they interact — is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. job system
Characters can switch between 20+ Jobs (classes) at Hello Work employment agencies. Each Job has unique skills and stat growths. Crucially, learned Job skills can be equipped regardless of current Job — a Samurai who leveled Healer can equip healing spells. This creates deep hybrid build potential.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. Sujimon battles
A Pokemon-style subsystem where you recruit and battle 'Sujimon' (enemies encountered throughout the game). Sujimon have types, levels, and abilities. The Sujimon League has increasingly difficult trainers. Reaching high ranks rewards some of the best equipment in the game.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. Dondoko Island
An island resort management minigame where Ichiban cleans up trash, builds facilities, and attracts tourists for income. Fully developed, it generates millions of yen — the most effective money source. Features its own boss fights against resort-sabotaging pirates. Surprisingly deep for a minigame.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. bond stories
Side stories for each party member that unlock their ultimate abilities and emotional character arcs. Advancing bonds requires specific activities (karaoke, drinks, shared meals) and story progression. Maxed bonds provide the strongest Job skills in the game.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. tag-team combat
Characters positioned near allies can trigger tag-team attacks for bonus damage. Knocking enemies into other party members triggers follow-up hits. Environmental positioning (traffic, walls, objects) adds physics-based bonus damage. Movement during your turn affects which tag-team and environmental attacks are available.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
Mechanic Synergies
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
job system + Sujimon battles
Characters can switch between 20+ Jobs (classes) at Hello Work employment agencies. When combined with Sujimon battles, a pokemon-style subsystem where you recruit and battle 'sujimon' (enemies encountered throughout the game). This combination is the core of every effective build.
Dondoko Island + bond stories
An island resort management minigame where Ichiban cleans up trash, builds facilities, and attracts tourists for income. Paired with bond stories, side stories for each party member that unlock their ultimate abilities and emotional character arcs. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
tag-team combat as a Multiplier
Characters positioned near allies can trigger tag-team attacks for bonus damage. Knocking enemies into other party members triggers follow-up hits. Environmental positioning (traffic, walls, objects) adds physics-based bonus damage. Movement during your turn affects which tag-team and environmental attacks are available. This system amplifies everything else — the better your tag-team combat optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Build
Each build approaches combat differently:
Hero (Ichiban) (S-Tier)
Combat approach: Main character powerhouse whose damage scales with social stats and party bonds. Key equipment: Hero's Bat Primary mechanic: job system
Ichiban's exclusive Job with balanced stats and the powerful Peerless Resolve ultimate that grants party-wide buffs. Full setup in our builds guide.
Dragon of Dojima (Kiryu) (S-Tier)
Combat approach: Counter-fighting legend who waits for enemy attacks then punishes with Tiger Drop. Key equipment: Dragon's Fists Primary mechanic: Sujimon battles
Kiryu's exclusive Job channeling his legendary fighting style. Full setup in our builds guide.
Desperado (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Ranged DPS who stays back and picks off enemies with gun skills. Key equipment: Desperado's Dual Guns Primary mechanic: Dondoko Island
A dual-wielding gunner Job available to both protagonists' parties. Full setup in our builds guide.
Samurai (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Melee damage dealer who cuts down single targets and sweeps groups with katana techniques. Key equipment: Samurai Katana Primary mechanic: bond stories
A melee Job with high single-target damage through katana skills. Full setup in our builds guide.
Geodancer (S-Tier)
Combat approach: Support dancer who buffs the party, debuffs enemies, and contributes magic AoE damage. Key equipment: Geodancer's Fans Primary mechanic: tag-team combat
A unique support/DPS hybrid Job using dance-based attacks. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities
- Exploit job system for maximum damage windows
- Chain Sujimon battles and Dondoko Island for combo damage
- Use bond stories to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- Level Ichiban's personality stats (Passion, Confidence, Style, etc.) through substories — Hero Job damage scales directly with them
- Position using job system to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness — Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression — One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation — Swap gear and equipment for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing — Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring Sujimon battles — This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong equipment for the situation — Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths — Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting — Trading hits works in Honolulu Hawaii but will get you killed in Anaconda Shopping Street.
More Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Guides
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Overview
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Best Builds
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Tier List
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Walkthrough
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Beginner's Guide
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Tips & Tricks
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Weapons Guide
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Boss Guide
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Maps & Locations
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Crafting Guide
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, check out these related guides:
- Elden Ring Combat Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Baldur's Gate 3 Combat Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
- Cyberpunk 2077 Combat Guide — rpg game with similar mechanics
