10 best sword-based attacks in One Piece so far, ranked

In One Piece, various characters use swords to execute incredible attacks during the many fights that occur throughout the series. These techniques range from traditional sword fighting to a combination of devil fruit powers and swordsmanship, providing viewers with a multitude of impressive and unforgettable techniques.

In One Piece, swordsmanship is not solely reliant on physical strength; it also encompasses one’s spirit and mentality. This is exemplified by Roronoa Zoro, widely regarded as the most skilled swordsman among the Straw Hat Pirates, and his adversary Dracule Mihawk, known as the strongest swordsman in the world.

Top 10 Sword-Based Attacks in One Piece

Divine Departure: The Legacy of Gol D. Roger

Divine Departure (Image via Toei Animation)
Divine Departure (Image via Toei Animation)

As the King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger was known for his unmatched strength. One of his signature moves was the “Divine Departure,”a slash technique that utilized his renowned sword Ace to create a devastating shock wave capable of defeating any enemies in its way.

To execute his Haki-enhanced horizontal slash, Roger wields his sword with his right hand and infuses it with Haoshoku Haki. He first demonstrated this technique in One Piece when he faced off against Kozuki Oden, who retaliated with a fierce burst of dark energy that struck the samurai in the abdomen, resulting in a powerful force that sent him flying backwards despite his attempt to defend himself with both swords.

2) Character Profile: Togen Totsuka (Kozuki Oden)

Togen Totsuka (Image via Toei Animation)
Togen Totsuka (Image via Toei Animation)

Kozuki Oden, a legendary swordsman from the Wano Country in the One Piece series, was renowned for his incredible strength. His two swords, Ame no Habakiri and Enma, were said to be able to cut through anything. His signature move, “Togen Totsuka,”involved using an advanced form of Ryuo to harden both blades before leaping towards his opponent and delivering a powerful “X”-shaped slash.

Despite being a Mythical Zoan with impenetrable skin, Kaido was left reeling from the intensity of the blow, which inflicted massive damage and caused him to scream in agony. The force of the attack was enough to knock him down and leave a permanent scar.

Big Mom & Kaido’s Destruction

Big Mom & Kaido use Hakai (Image via Shueisha)
Big Mom & Kaido use Hakai (Image via Shueisha)

In One Piece’s Wano arc, the infamous Yonko, Kaido and Big Mom, formed an alliance to confront Monkey D. Luffy, Trafalgar D. Water Law, and Eustass “Captain”Kidd. Their formidable combination of weapons and brute strength resulted in the devastating technique known as Hakai, capable of unleashing a destructive wave that can annihilate anything in its wake.

Despite not being a conventional sword attack, Big Mom was able to enhance the power of her attack by stabbing Napoleon through Zeus’ thunder cloud while also infusing it with Prometheus’ flames. This was further amplified by her Haoshoku Haki ability, resulting in even greater destructive capability. In contrast, Kaido utilized the Hassaikai club during this attack.

King of Hell, Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation (Roronoa Zoro)

King of Hell, Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation (Image via Shueisha)
King of Hell, Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation (Image via Shueisha)

Roronoa Zoro from One Piece is a master of the three-sword style, allowing him to wield three katanas at once during battle. His technique “King of Hell, Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation”is known to be one of his most formidable moves. It involves him rushing towards his opponent while infusing his swords with both Haoshoku and Busoshoku Haki.

He leaps into the air and positions a blade in his mouth while holding the other two swords in his hands. As he brings the blades down, he unleashes his haki towards his opponent, resulting in a wide slash that resembles a fiery dragon. The attack is incredibly powerful and can reach faraway enemies, making it a deadly move.

Puncture Willie (Trafalgar D. Water Law)

Puncture Willie (Image via Toei Animation)
Puncture Willie (Image via Toei Animation)

In the Wano Country arc of One Piece, Trafalgar D. Law showcased the full extent of his Devil Fruit abilities by utilizing the Ope Ope no Mi in a battle against Big Mom. During the encounter, he uses Kikoku to pierce and immobilize the Yonko, and then the sword’s length continues to expand, cutting through anything in its path.

Despite its immense power and ability to cause massive destruction, Law’s Puncture Willie has a depth limit that it can reach. Once it reaches this limit, Law is able to release a shock wave from the blade that is incredibly powerful. This shock wave is capable of causing tremendous damage to anything in its vicinity, as demonstrated when it created a massive crater near the Flower Capital in Wano Country.

6) Asura Sword-Drawing: Jest of the Dead by Roronoa Zoro

Asura Sword-Drawing: Jest of the Dead (Image via Shueisha
Asura Sword-Drawing: Jest of the Dead (Image via Shueisha

One of Zoro’s most iconic and powerful techniques in the One Piece series is Asura Sword-Drawing: Jest of the Dead. This move allows him to summon a spectral illusion of three heads and six arms, effectively wielding nine swords at once. Zoro used this technique against Kaidou, who was in his human-dragon form, and managed to clash with him, leaving a deep, bloody gash across his chest.

Moreover, it was noted by the astonished Emperor that this attack was also imbued with Haoshoku Haki, despite Zoro’s own confusion as he was unaware of possessing such a power. Despite sustaining severe injuries, he acknowledged that this strike would leave a lasting scar, making it the second attack after Oden’s Togen Totsuka to achieve this.

7) Dracule Mihawk’s Black Blade Slash

Renowned as the greatest swordsman in the One Piece universe, Dracule Mihawk wields Yoru, one of the twelve Supreme Grade swords. His unparalleled expertise and power allow him to imbue Haki into Yoru and unleash a powerful, long-range slash capable of slicing through ships and mountains from a distance.

The attack consists of Mihawk performing a downward slash with Yoru in front, unleashing a massive curved wave that effortlessly sliced through a large sheet of ice. During a confrontation with Whitebeard, Mihawk attempted this move, but “Diamond”Jozu intervened and was pushed back a considerable distance. Despite Jozu’s efforts to redirect the attack upwards, it eventually dissipated on its own.

Fujitora’s Gravity Blade

Gravity Blade (Image via Toei Animation)
Gravity Blade (Image via Toei Animation)

Fujitora utilizes his blade to control gravity, using it to direct gravitational forces in various directions with a simple swing or movement. These forces can be directed upwards, downwards, or sideways, typically one at a time.

During his encounter with some Donquixote Pirates lackeys, he initially utilized an unnamed attack that resulted in creating massive craters in the ground due to the intense downward force of gravity. It wasn’t until his battle with Sabo that he disclosed the name of this technique.

9) Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: 3000 Worlds

Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: 3000 Worlds (Image via Toei Animation)
Three-Sword Style Secret Technique: 3000 Worlds (Image via Toei Animation)

Zoro’s signature move in One Piece is the 3000 Worlds attack, also known as Santoryu Ogi: Sanzen Sekai. By rapidly spinning his swords, Zoro is able to effortlessly cut through even the toughest of enemies with this technique.

The initial purpose of this technique was to defeat Dracule Mihawk. It is known as the most potent secret technique in the Three Sword Style and was only witnessed in action after 429 chapters since its introduction in the story. During this encounter, Oars was the target and was struck by three colossal slashes unleashed by the technique.

After the time skip, Zoro has perfected his use of this technique to the extent that he can now execute it while airborne and in motion, while also imbuing all three of his swords with Busoshoku Haki simultaneously. He first demonstrated this elevated level of ability during his battle with Pica, which took place after the two-year time skip.

Flying Dragon Blaze (Roronoa Zoro)

The fencing slash technique known as the Flying Dragon Blaze is utilized by Roronoa Zoro. With his left hand holding one sword and his right hand gripping either the hilt or his wrist, Zoro leaps into the air and delivers a powerful downward strike to his opponent, resulting in a fiery or scorched effect.

Upon striking the ground, flames will erupt from the point of impact. Zoro originally utilized this technique against Ryuma while on Thriller Bark. However, while on Onigashima, he utilized an even more powerful variation in combination with Enma, which had been bolstered by the use of Busoshoku Haki.

Final Thoughts

Swordsmanship is a fundamental aspect of One Piece that showcases the physical strength, skill, and determination of the characters in the series. From Trafalgar D. Law’s precise Puncture Willie to Gol D. Roger’s majestic Divine Departure, Oda’s world-building is highlighted by the diverse and innovative techniques utilized. Each strike not only displays the attacker’s strength, but also plays a crucial role in storytelling and in the intense battles of the series.

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