If you’ve ever browsed the world of TCG One Piece, you know how overwhelming it can be. With so many decks, characters, and strategies to choose from, picking the right one can feel like navigating the Grand Line without a map. Whether you’re a newcomer looking for an easy entry point or a fan searching for a deck that matches your play style, making the right choice can be tricky. Let’s break down some helpful tips to simplify the process, so you can find a starter deck that’s fun, effective, and perfect for your next adventure.
What makes character-driven One Piece cards so exciting is that they feel like a little snapshot of the world Eiichiro Oda created. They bring your favourite pirates, marines, and villains to life. The designs capture the unique personalities of the characters, whether it’s Luffy’s playful energy, Zoro’s determined grit, or Nami’s clever charm. Fans love the thrill of pulling a rare card, but even the more common ones are full of vibrant art that makes them worth keeping. For many, these items are just as much about the fun of collecting as they are about playing. For beginners, it’s best to start with the following ten decks.
10. Green Jewelry Bonney
Starting the list at number ten is the Green Jewelry Bonney starter deck, a fun introduction to what green decks can do in the One Piece Card Game. This deck gives newcomers a taste of the colour’s unique strategies. You can experiment with resource management and timing. While it leans on strong green staples, some of the new support cards feel better suited for other leaders, which can make the deck feel a bit scattered at first. Still, it’s a solid way to get familiar with Green’s playstyle, and collectors will especially appreciate the inclusion of options like Kid & Killer and Law & Bepo.
09. Black Smoker
The Black Smoker starter deck from the One Piece TCG is a surprisingly strong choice for anyone diving into mono-black strategies. While mono-black leaders don’t always shine out of the box, this deck has proven its potential once fully upgraded, much like some of the other tournament favourites. It includes key Navy pieces, so it’s a smart pick for players looking to build a competitive Navy-themed setup down the line.
08. Ace and Newgate
The Ace and Newgate starter deck is a solid choice for fans of blue leaders. These One Piece cards are packed with utility, strong combos, and plenty of draw power. The deck leans heavily on Whitebeard Pirate synergies, which makes for some exciting plays, though it does try to cram a lot of different strategies into one. Signature moves like I Am Whitebeard!! hit hard, but don’t always line up perfectly with other finishers.
07. Blue Buggy
Coming in at number seven, the Blue Buggy starter deck turns things around for our favourite chaotic trickster. ST25 fixes the issues that held him back in the past and turns him into a surprisingly strong contender. With standout support like Crocodile & Mihawk, the deck is fun right out of the box and upgrades smoothly for more competitive play.
06. Purple Black Luffy
Landing at number six, the Purple Black Luffy deck is a treat for players who love pushing powerful moves while letting their leader cover the risks. Packed with key cards like Gum-Gum Giant, Roronoa Zoro, and the new Monkey D. Luffy, it sets you up well for future upgrades.
05. Black Marshall D. Teach
Coming in at number five, the Black Marshall D. Teach is neck-and-neck with Purple Black Luffy, but I give it the nod because of the leader’s sheer menace. Blackbeard has a presence that’s likely to stay at the centre of the One Piece TCG scene for a while, and this deck is the only way to grab Marshall D. Teach himself. If you enjoy dominating the board and keeping your opponent on their toes, this deck is an absolute blast to play.
04. Green Yellow Yamato
In this deck of One Piece collectible cards, the new support makes the leader shine, which gives Yamato fresh ways to push through blockers and dominate the field. Key allies like Kin’emon, Kouzuki Momonosuke, and Izo all feel like essential plays, perfectly complementing the DON!! movement effect. It’s a deck that rewards smart, aggressive strategies while still being approachable for newcomers. The only reason it doesn’t climb higher is that Edward Newgate from ST15 offers a simpler, aggressive setup with more long-term flexibility if you eventually switch leaders.
03. Edward Newgate
Back in the day, this deck dominated tournaments like no other, and even though the Whitebeard Pirates aren’t the top force right now, this deck still packs a punch. It’s the perfect introduction for someone completely new to trading card games. It’s straightforward, powerful, and incredibly rewarding. It offers a smooth learning curve while still giving you a taste of high-level strategy without feeling overwhelming.
02. Donquixote Doflamingo
This deck takes a leader from the very first set and turns it into a powerhouse with the help of fresh support. Buggy, Marshall D. Teach, Trafalgar Law, and Boa Hancock all work together to elevate Doflamingo. This gives the deck both a low floor for beginners and a surprisingly high ceiling for more competitive play. It’s a fantastic choice if you want to focus on a single leader and get to know their strengths inside and out.
01. Monkey D. Luffy
So, what’s the best One Piece starter deck? Topping the list is the Monkey. D. Luffy starter deck, and it’s easy to see why. This deck brought a surge of support that’s transformed purple Luffy leaders into serious contenders. Standout additions like Uso-Hachi, Zoro-Juurou, O-Nami, and San-Gorou completely reshaped the strategy, and these pieces are exclusive to this set. Even if Luffy isn’t your main pick, the deck holds significant value thanks to these rare additions. It might take a little practice to master the nuances, but the deck is endlessly fun and has great longevity.
