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OP-18 Franky Deck List: Best Early Cards, Combos & Build Ideas

Writer: Gregory Thornberry
Gregory Thornberry
1 hour ago
3 min read

Looking to build an OP-18 Franky deck list? Franky (OP18-021) finally gets his first Leader card in The Dominance of God, releasing November 20, 2026, and brings a completely different strategy to the One Piece Card Game.


Franky turns Stage cards into powerful defensive Counters while using his Leader ability to play expensive Stages without paying their normal cost. The challenge is finding enough offensive firepower to turn that advantage into wins.


Here's our look at the best cards and combos for an early OP-18 Franky deck. This is a pre-release theorycrafting guide, not a finalized 50-card list. We'll update it as more testing and tournament results become available.



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How Does OP-18 Franky (OP18-021) Work?



Franky (OP18-021) is a Green/Purple Leader with 5,000 power and four Life who turns Stage cards into valuable resources.


His abilities give Stages in hand +3,000 Counter and let him play a Stage costing five or less by returning one DON!!.


Cards like Mini-Merry and Shark Submerge 3 help offset that cost by drawing a card and adding a rested DON!!. This allows Franky to strengthen his defense while building a board capable of winning games.


Best Cards for an OP-18 Franky Deck List


These 12 cards are our top candidates for an early Franky build.



Our favorites are Iceburg, six-cost Franky, Nico Robin, Mini-Merry, and Shark Submerge 3. Those five cards offer a promising foundation for the deck's search, development, and defensive strategy.


The two Nami searchers add consistency, while Luffy and the more aggressive Stages give Franky potential ways to finish games.


Iceburg and Six-Cost Franky Turn the Deck On


Iceburg (OP18-061) is one of Franky's best searchers, finding up to two Stage or Water Seven cards from the top five cards of your deck.


Franky (OP18-034) provides the offense. This six-cost, 7,000-power Character can play a qualifying card costing five or less from your hand, including Straw Hat Crew Stages. With a five-cost Stage in play, he can also rest an opposing Character costing six or less.


Together, they provide the consistency and board development Franky needs.



The New Stages Give Franky Different Ways to Play


Mini-Merry (OP18-078) turns up to four rested DON!! into additional attacking power, while Shark Submerge 3 (OP18-076) strengthens your Leader and up to two Characters by +1,000 during an opponent's attack.


Thousand Sunny (OP18-075) offers additional attacks by reactivating eligible Straw Hat Crew Characters. White Hobby Horse 1 (OP18-077) grants Rush: Character, allowing newly played Characters to attack opposing Characters, but not the Leader.


OP-18 Green Luffy Deck List: Best Early Cards, Combos & Build Ideas

Best OP-18 Franky Deck List Combos


Franky + Mini-Merry: A Five-Cost Stage on Turn One?


Franky can use his starting DON!! to play Mini-Merry through his Leader ability. Mini-Merry then draws a card and adds a rested DON!!, establishing a powerful Stage on the opening turn.


Six-Cost Franky + Shark Submerge 3: Develop and Defend


Franky (OP18-034) can play Shark Submerge 3 from your hand, drawing a card and adding a rested DON!!. Franky can also rest an opposing Character costing six or less, giving you offensive pressure and defensive protection in one play.


Nico Robin + Franky: Keep Your Attackers Standing


Nico Robin (OP18-031) can reactivate a Water Seven card and one DON!! at the end of your turn. This lets six-cost Franky attack and become active again while recovering DON!! for defensive Events like Gum-Gum Giant.


What Should an OP-18 Franky Deck List Focus On?


Our early build would prioritize three things:


  1. Consistency: Iceburg and Nami searchers find important Stages and Characters.

  2. Board development: Six-cost Franky and Nico Robin establish and protect attackers.

  3. Finishing power: EB02-061 Luffy and offensive Stages provide ways to close games.


The challenge is balancing Stage cards with enough Characters to apply pressure. Zambai, Kiwi & Mozu, and Sanji & Pudding are also worth experimenting with.



Is OP-18 Franky Going to Be Good?


Franky's +3,000 Stage Counters and efficient DON!! management give him excellent defensive potential, but his finishing power remains unproven.


We favor building around Iceburg, six-cost Franky, Nico Robin, and the strongest Stages while experimenting with offensive options like EB02-061 Luffy.


We'll update this guide with a complete 50-card decklist once meaningful testing and tournament results become available.





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