Ranking the New One Piece Starter Decks (ST-31 to ST-36): Best to Worst
- Gregory Thornberry
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Not all six of the new One Piece Starter Decks (ST-31 to ST-36) offer the same experience. Some are perfect for brand-new players, while others reward experienced competitors willing to master more technical strategies.
To create this ranking, we considered ease of learning, overall value, upgrade potential, and long-term playability. Whether you're buying your first Starter Deck or adding another Leader to your collection, here's how the newest wave stacks up.
Last Updated: August 2026
New One Piece Starter Decks At a Glance
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1. ST-31 Monkey D. Luffy - Best Overall ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Leader: Monkey D. Luffy
Color: Red
ST-31 earns the top spot because it does exactly what a great Starter Deck should do. It introduces new players to the game's core mechanics without overwhelming them, while still leaving plenty of room for future upgrades.
The deck rewards straightforward, aggressive play and teaches fundamental skills like DON!! management, attacking efficiently, and developing your board. Those fundamentals translate well into almost every other deck in the One Piece Card Game.
Another reason ST-31 stands out is its upgrade potential. As your collection grows, it's easy to improve the deck with powerful singles while keeping the same overall strategy. That makes it an excellent long-term investment rather than a product you'll quickly outgrow.
Best For: Beginners, returning players, and anyone looking for the safest purchase.
2. ST-35 Sabo - Best Upgrade Potential ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Leader: Sabo
Color: Red/Black
Sabo combines aggressive pressure with removal and board control, creating one of the most balanced decks in this release.
While it's slightly more difficult to learn than Luffy, players willing to invest time into the deck will find plenty of opportunities to improve it with future releases. The dual-color strategy also opens the door to several competitive upgrade paths.
If you enjoy refining a deck over time, ST-35 is one of the strongest long-term choices.
Best For: Players who enjoy balanced strategies and future upgrades.
3. ST-32 Roronoa Zoro - Best Aggressive Deck ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Leader: Roronoa Zoro
Color: Green
Zoro rewards players who enjoy putting constant pressure on their opponents while carefully managing combat.
Although the strategy is easy to understand, experienced players can still squeeze a surprising amount of value from efficient attacks and smart positioning. That balance between accessibility and depth makes Zoro one of the most enjoyable Starter Decks in the lineup.
Best For: Players who enjoy tempo and aggressive gameplay.
4. ST-33 Kuzan - Best Control Deck ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Leader: Kuzan
Color: Blue
Kuzan slows the game down and rewards thoughtful decision-making. Rather than racing your opponent, the deck focuses on controlling the pace of the match and gaining incremental advantages.
Its higher learning curve keeps it out of the top three, but experienced players who enjoy technical gameplay will appreciate everything Kuzan has to offer.
Best For: Control players and experienced competitors.
5. ST-34 Charlotte Katakuri ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Leader: Charlotte Katakuri
Color: Purple
Katakuri emphasizes careful planning and resource management, making it one of the more strategic Starter Decks in the wave.
Players who enjoy thinking several turns ahead will appreciate its depth, but newer players may find the deck less forgiving than Luffy or Zoro. For that reason, it lands just outside the top tier.
Best For: Intermediate players who enjoy strategic gameplay.
6. ST-36 Eustass "Captain" Kid - Biggest Challenge
⭐⭐☆☆☆
Leader: Eustass "Captain" Kid
Color: Yellow
Kid finishes sixth, not because it's a weak deck, but because it demands the most from its pilot.
The strategy requires experience, careful resource management, and a strong understanding of game flow. In the hands of an experienced player, the deck can be rewarding, but beginners will likely have an easier time learning the game with one of the higher-ranked Starter Decks.
Best For: Advanced players looking for a challenge.
Final Rankings
Which Starter Deck Wins?
For most players, ST-31 Monkey D. Luffy is the clear winner. It offers the best combination of accessibility, fun gameplay, and long-term upgrade potential, making it the easiest recommendation for both new and returning players.
If you're looking for a more technical experience, ST-35 Sabo, ST-33 Kuzan, and ST-34 Charlotte Katakuri all provide rewarding strategies that grow with your skill level. No matter which deck you choose, the ST-31 through ST-36 lineup offers an excellent starting point for exploring the One Piece Card Game and building toward more competitive decks.
I think this version is stronger because it gets readers to the answer immediately with the recommendation table, uses keyword-rich headings, gives the #1 deck more attention than the rest, and ends with a concise conclusion instead of repeating the introduction. It should also be easier for readers to scan quickly while still providing enough context to justify each ranking.
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