Just a few days ago, I was discussing with my friend who would win between Beast Pirates and Straw Hat Pirates post-Wano. Ultimately, we concluded that whether it’s top guys vs. top guys or the entire fleet vs. the entire fleet, Straw Hats will emerge as the victors.
And just today, I was reading the raw scans for One Piece’s latest chapter and thought, “Huh, BB pirates aren’t as strong as I had hoped.” I did some digging, one thing led to another, and here we are.
Since I’m doing all this research why not list the top 15 active pirate crews – weakest to strongest. Most of us never talk about it, but the days of Whitebeard and Roger are long gone.
It’s time to see who’s the most notorious pirate captain in the Grand Line. So, hoist your jolly rogers and prepare for a whirlwind adventure as I count down the strongest active pirate crews in One Piece.
Quick Note: Before you start hating on me – I’ve not included Kid Pirates, as their status is currently unknown.
Moreover, for the worst generation, I have ranked the crew’s strength based on the strength of their captain because most of the crew is fodder in these groups.
15. Barto Club
- Captain: Bartolomeo
- Notable Members: Gambia and Cannone
The Barto Club, led by the charismatic captain Bartolomeo, is a pirate crew known for their unwavering devotion and fierce loyalty towards the Straw Hat Pirates.
The captain and self-proclaimed biggest fan of Luffy, Bartolomeo, possesses the impenetrable Devil Fruit – Bari Bari no Mi. This power allows him to create barriers of various shapes and sizes, providing both defensive and offensive capabilities.
Regarding feats, the Barto Club has demonstrated its combat prowess during the Dressrosa arc. Bartolomeo fought against Gladius of the Donquixote Pirates, effectively utilizing his barrier to protect his crew and launch devastating counterattacks. Their combined efforts played a vital role in supporting the Straw Hat Pirates and their allies in their fight against the forces of the “Joker,” Donquixote Doflamingo.
Additionally, the Barto Club’s undying admiration for the Straw Hat Pirates has earned them a place in the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. This alliance further amplifies their strength and influence throughout the Grand Line and New World.
Side Note: Barto Club is most likely the second strongest pirate crew in the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, only second to the New Giant Warrior Pirates.
14. On Air Pirates
- Captain: Scratchmen Apoo
- Notable Members: TBD
The On Air Pirates, under the captaincy of Scratchmen Apoo, have earned their place at the 14th spot on my list.
Apoo possesses the Oto Oto no Mi Devil Fruit, which grants him the power to transform his body into musical instruments and manipulate sound waves. This unique ability allows him to unleash devastating sound-based attacks, making him a formidable combatant.
His explosive sound waves have been witnessed in battles, leaving a lasting impact on his adversaries.
While any members of the On Air Pirates are currently unspecified, their inclusion in this ranking signifies their potential and influence within the One Piece universe.
13. Hawkins Pirates
- Captain: Basil Hawkins
- Notable Members: Faithful Followers (various unnamed crew members)
Honestly, #13, #14, and #15 are the worst matchups since strength progression in One Piece doesn’t follow a set formula. While Hawkins is stronger than Apoo, I doubt he could do anything if Bartolomeo traps him in a barrier.
Conversely, Apoo should be able to counter Bartolomeo easily, provided the sound waves can pass through the barrier. Nonetheless, Hawkins Pirates deserve the #13 position, given their accomplishments.
Known for his enigmatic personality and fortune-telling abilities, Hawkins has made a name for himself as a member of the Worst Generation.
Hawkins possesses the Wara Wara no Mi Devil Fruit, enabling him to manipulate straw and employ it in divination. This unique power allows him to predict future events and use them strategically.
Coupled with his tactical acumen, Hawkins has proven himself a formidable battle opponent. The Hawkins Pirates are supported by their loyal and faithful followers, who assist their captains in various endeavors.
12. Fire Tank Pirates
- Captain: Capone “Gang” Bege
- Notable Members: Vito and Gotti
The Fire Tank Pirates, helmed by the notorious Capone “Gang” Bege, are known for their mafia-inspired approach to piracy.
Bege possesses the Shiro Shiro no Mi Devil Fruit, which allows him to transform into a massive fortress-like structure known as “Big Father.” This unique ability provides both offensive and defensive advantages, making him a formidable force on the battlefield.
One of the notable feats of the Fire Tank Pirates was their involvement in the assassination plot against Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors. This daring plan demonstrated their meticulous planning and willingness to take on high-stakes missions.
Notable crew members like Vito and Gotti have showcased their combat prowess and loyalty to Captain Bege, further solidifying their position among the formidable pirate forces.
11. Fallen Monk Pirates
- Captain: “Mad Monk” Urouge
- Notable Members: TBD
The Fallen Monk Pirates, led by the enigmatic “Mad Monk” Urouge, are one of One Piece’s most mysterious pirate crews, as we hardly know anything about them.
They hail from one of the many Sky Islands, and their captain is built like a tank. Urouge possesses an unknown Devil Fruit power that enables him to increase his size and physical capabilities. His ability to absorb and convert damage into strength adds to his resilience and fighting prowess.
So far, they only have two feats that made them deserving of #11:
- Fallen Monk Pirates are parts of the Worst Generation, like Straw Hat Pirates and Heart Pirates.
- Their captain, Urouge, single-handedly defeated one of Big Mom’s former Sweet Commander, Charlotte Snack, with minor injuries.
10. Heart Pirates
- Captain: Trafalgar D. Water Law
- Notable Members: Bepo, Jean Bart, Shachi, and Penguin
The Heart Pirates, led by the brilliant surgeon Trafalgar D. Water Law, claim the 10th spot on my list. Renowned for their exceptional medical expertise and unwavering loyalty, this crew has significantly contributed to the ever-evolving pirate world.
With the power to manipulate spatial boundaries, Law can create an operating room known as “Room” to perform intricate surgical procedures and manipulate objects within a designated area.
As for the crew members, Bepo, a polar bear mink, is Law’s loyal first mate. So you know Bepo’s raising some hell in the moonlight with his Sulong form. Law also has Jean Bart, a former slave with incredible physical strength and skilled hand-to-hand combat.
While the whereabouts of the Heart Pirates remain unknown since their encounter with BB pirates, I hope they aren’t destroyed like the Kid Pirates.
9. New Giant Warrior Pirates
- Captain: Hajrudin
- Notable Members: Stansen, Road, Goldberg, and Gerth
Hajrudin, known as the “Pirate Mercenary,” hails from the warrior race of giants. Inspired by the noble ideals of the legendary pirate Monkey D. Luffy, Hajrudin and his crew set out on a quest to create a land where giants can live with freedom and dignity.
Currently, the New Giant Warrior Pirates are the strongest crew under Straw Hats in the Grand Fleet. While these kids have a long way to go before the original Giant Warrior Pirates led by the legendary duo Dory and Broggy, they’re not to be underestimated.
Stansen, known for his fiery spirit, wields a massive sword. Road is a giant with insane agility. With his incredible durability and immense size, Goldberg is an unstoppable force in battle. Gerth, a female giant, exhibits exceptional combat skills.
8. Kuja Pirates
- Captain: Boa Hancock
- Notable Members: Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold
This all-female crew hails from Amazon Lily, a secluded island inhabited by powerful warrior women known as the Kuja.
Boa Hancock, also known as the “Pirate Empress,” is a formidable force in the pirate world. With her Devil Fruit ability, the Mero Mero no Mi, she can turn anyone who harbors impure thoughts towards her into stone.
As for the crew members, they’re not fodder, either.
Boa Sandersonia possesses the Snake-Snake Fruit, Anaconda Model, granting her incredible strength and the ability to transform into a massive anaconda. Boa Marigold, on the other hand, is a master archer, skilled in the art of archery, and a deadly marksman.
Notably, most of their crew members are Haki users, which sets them further apart from the previous entries on this list.
7. The Cross Guild (formerly Buggy Pirates)
- Captain: Buggy
- Real Captains: Crocodile and Dracule Mihawk
- Notable Members: Daz Bonez, Galdino, Alvida, Mohji, Richie, Cabaji
I can legit write a whole article on The Cross Guild. It’s easily my favorite pirate crew after the Strawhats. If you thought the story for Impel Down leftovers couldn’t get interesting, you seriously underestimated the genius of Eiichiro Oda.
Led by the charismatic and infamous Buggy, this unique crew comprises former members of the Seven Warlords of the Sea: Crocodile and Dracule Mihawk. In a few short chapters, The Cross Guild accomplished what no other crew could – THEY PUT A BOUNTY ON MARINES.
If that’s not the best Uno Reverse ever, I don’t know what is.
Originally founded by Crocodile and Mihawk, the Cross Guild’s formation took an unexpected turn when Buggy accidentally assumed the role of the figurehead leader. This misconception led the World Government to recognize him as one of the new Four Emperors.
Their primary objective is to serve as a military force and hunt down Marines for bounties, a mission made possible through their battle prowess and political influence.
Additionally, the crew benefits from integrating Buggy’s previous organization, Buggy’s Delivery, which provides the necessary infrastructure and manpower to run the Cross Guild efficiently.
6. Golden Lion Pirates
- Captain: Shiki the Golden Lion
- Notable Members: Dr. Indigo and Scarlet
The notorious Golden Lion Pirates, led by the enigmatic and formidable captain Shiki the Golden Lion, claim the 6th spot on this list.
Shiki the Golden Lion, once an infamous prisoner of Impel Down, possesses incredible strength and a unique Devil Fruit power, the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, that allows him to manipulate gravity.
The Golden Lion Pirates were known to have clashed with the Roger Pirates during the legendary Battle of Edd War, a testament to their power and ambition. Despite being imprisoned for over 20 years, Shiki’s influence and legacy inspire fear and curiosity among pirates and the World Government.
The crew includes notable members such as Dr. Indigo, a skilled scientist and strategist who aids Shiki with his vast knowledge, and Scarlet, a strong and loyal member who acts as Shiki’s right-hand woman.
5. Blackbeard Pirates
- Captain: “Blackbeard” Marshall D. Teach
- Notable Members: Ten Titanic Captains (Jesus Burgess, Shiryu, Van Augur, Avalo Pizarro, Laffitte, Catarina Devon, Sanjuan Wolf, Vasco Shot, Doc Q, and Kuzan)
I put Blackbeard Pirates at #3 in my original article, just below Shank’s and Kaido’s crew. But boy, have they disappointed us in the recent chapters.
Blackbeard Pirates, led by the infamous Mashall D. Teach, are one of the five most notorious pirate fleets in One Piece. Their organizational structure is similar to Teach’s previous boss – Edward “Whitebeard” Newgate.
You’ve got ten titanic characters – 9 of whom are some of the most dangerous criminals taken from Level 6 of Impel Down Prison, and the last is former Marine Admiral Aokiji. Their captain, Blackbeard, is the only man in the world to have two Devil Fruits and the guy who “ended” Whitebeard, the strongest man in the world.
On paper, this is a great setup for a deadly crew – after all, they wreaked a lot of havoc in the Paramount War and defeated the remnants of Whitebard’s crew led by Marco. Teach also defeated Ace and fought with Shanks, which is quite a rare feat. However…
Blackbeard Pirate’s performance in the upper echelon has been lackluster at best. It took a lot of their crew to rein in Law. For some reason, it’s also taking over half of the crew to fight an old worn-out Garp. And let’s not talk about how Aokiji almost low-diffed the entire crew during their first encounter.
Teach may be a powerhouse, but Titanic Captains have only been a disappointment.
4. Big Mom Pirates
- Captain: “Big Mom” Charlotte Linlin
- Notable Members: Charlotte Katakuri, Charlotte Smoothie, Charlotte Cracker, and Charlotte Snack
Big Mom is a terrifying antagonist, but somehow, that never overshadowed how amazingly creative her crew is. Big Mom pirates, led by Charlotte Linlin, are based in the nation of Totto Land in the New World. Naturally, Linlin is the Queen of this nation.
Interestingly, Big Mom Pirates are mostly made up of the members of the Charlotte Family since Linlin had children with many different pirates and “strong men” to further her family’s prowess.
Despite their fun food-related gimmicks, their crew is incredibly strong, with many interesting characters like Katakuri, Cracker, and Perospero. Luffy’s iconic fight with Katakuri speaks volumes about the strength of this crew – if you haven’t seen it yet, you must.
At the top, Big Mom showed she’s a pirate not to be trifled with – since Linlin was once stronger than Kaido. And her Conqueror Haki can still go toe-to-toe with the General of Beast Pirates. She’s also one of the few antagonists Luffy decided to run away from.
3. Beast Pirates
- Captain: “Strongest Creature” Kaido of the Beast
- Notable Members: King, Queen, and Jack
Led by the former Emperor, Kaido, Beast Pirates are one of the strongest and biggest pirate fleets in One Piece, with over 30,0000 members. Directly under him, Kaido has the three All-Stars: King, Queen, and Jack – all powerhouses in their own right.
As much as I hate to say it, Beast Pirates might be the biggest failure of Oda in One Piece, possibly next to the bad build-up that Eustass Kid got.
These guys got an amazing storyline and push in the manga since Wano was the biggest arc of One Piece. All of this led to the Onigashima War, which turned out to be underwhelming given the number of characters and storylines Oda had to work with and wrap up.
Nonetheless, Beast Pirates deserve to be on #3 of this list since Jack (the fourth strongest person in the crew) has more feats than Blackbeard and Big Mom’s entire crew. He once sunk 2 Marine battleships that carried the former fleet admiral Sengoku, admiral Fujitora, and vice-admirals Tsuru, Bastille, and Maynard.
2. Straw Hat Pirates
- Captain: “Straw Hat” Monkey D. Luffy
- Notable Members: Zoro, Usopp, Sanji, Nami, Chopper, Franky, Robin, Brook, Jinbe
Straw Hat Pirates and Straw Hat Grand Fleet, led by our protagonist Luffy, is currently the second-strongest pirate fleet in One Piece. The primary crew of 10 people has shown exponential growth over the past 2 years.
Almost everyone except Zoro and Luffy was an underdog, but they showed their dedication and capabilities, especially in the Onigashima War. Whatever strength they may have had before, right now, Straw Hat Pirates are a Yonkou / Emperor crew, and deservedly so.
Recently, Zoro and Sanji overcame King and Queen to reclaim their status in the monster trio of Straw Hat Pirates, which changed after the inclusion of Jinbe. Speaking of whom, Jinbe himself is a Shichibukai and former captain of one of the strongest pirate crews in One Piece.
Usopp will surpass his father Yasopp as the world’s greatest marksman and Frankly may even become a future Vegapunk. Robin, Brook, and Chopper, too, showed immense growth by the end of the Onigashima War.
As for their captain, Luffy is clearly in the best shape of his pirate career, with Gear 5 making him a literal god.
1. Red Hair Pirates
- Captain: “Red-Haired” Shanks
- Notable Members: Benn Beckman, Lucky Roux, Yasopp, Limejuice, Bonk Punch, Monster, Building Snake, Hongo, and Gab
Red Hair Pirates, led by Shanks, is currently One Piece’s strongest active pirate crew, surpassing all other fleets by leaps and bounds. They single-handedly concluded the Paramount War between Marines, Blackbeard, and Whitebeard. Despite the lack of feats, Oda had ensured their insurmountable strength.
Truly, it was a sight to behold and one of my favorite moments in One Piece when Akainu is about to kill Koby but Shanks steps in. Due to Shanks’ presence, former Fleet Admiral Sengoku agreed to end the war. Their first-mate, Benn Beckman, easily put Kizaru in a stalemate position, allowing Luffy to escape.
Shanks has also been seen going in and out of Mariejoin with ease, which shows how revered he is in One Piece.
As for their fleet strength, the list of their territories includes Elbaf – the NATION OF GIANTS!
Phew! That was a long list but a fun one too. What are your thoughts, did I miss someone who you think is deserving to be on this list? Let me know in the comments below.
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