One Piece: Zoro’s 10 Best Moves, Ranked According To Strength
Roronoa Zoro is one of the members of the Straw Hat Pirates and easily one of their strongest members, here are his 10 best moves.
As the right hand to Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro is easily one of the strongest members of One Piece‘s Straw Hat Pirates. Zoro was the first person to join the Straw Hat Pirates’ captain, beginning his journey with the crew all the way back to Shells Town. He holds the singular goal of becoming the “Strongest Swordsman in the World” — something that can only be accomplished by defeating Dracule Mihawk.
Over One Piece‘s many narrative arcs, Zoro has gradually inched closer to his goal. His clashes with the Grand Line’s strongest fighters have led him to grow much stronger physically and mentally, and as a result, his repertoire of attacks is more lethal than ever. As of the Wano Arc, Zoro has become strong enough to challenge the most powerful characters in One Piece, all thanks to his litany of special moves.
Updated on February 23, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: With One Piece now in its Final Saga, there aren’t going to be that many battles left. That said, it’s almost certain that Roronoa Zoro will get the opportunity to grow even stronger before the story comes to a close. As such, we’ve updated this list with some more information about Zoro’s best attacks.
10Ashura Triples Zoro’s Potential By Unlocking The Nine Sword Style
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Also known as Kiki Kyutoryu: Ashura
A “three-faced, six-armed demon god” appears behind Zoro
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Ashura is a technique that Zoro first wielded during the Enies Lobby arc prior to One Piece‘s two-year time skip. When the Cipher Pol assassination branch targeted Nico Robin and the Straw Hat Pirates, Zoro eventually found himself in combat against Kaku, the user of the Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Giraffe. After Zoro calms his mind during the fight against Kaku, he can use the Ashura technique for the first time.
The skilled swordsman unlocks Nine Sword Style and effectively triples his offensive potential by creating an illusion of two extra heads and four extra arms. This is arguably one of the best moves in Zoro’s arsenal, as even the dangerous Kaku failed to overcome the Nine Sword Style. Since then, however, Zoro has already developed a special version of this technique, which is why Ashura has the lowest ranking on this list.
9Great Dragon Shock Is Performed By Swinging Shusui Downwards
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Also known as Daishinkan
Only one sword has been used for this technique
Great Dragon Shock is a One Sword Style attack that Zoro first employs against Monet of the Donquixote Pirates during the Punk Hazard arc of One Piece. This technique is performed by swinging Shusui, one of the 21 Great Grade swords in One Piece, in a lightning-fast, downward motion. Shusui’s greatest attack, appropriately named Great Dragon Shock, sends a massive shockwave that cuts through whatever is in its path.
When Zoro uses it against Monet, the attack tears through her Logia form without any Haki on the blade. Since Shusui is no longer in Roronoa Zoro’s possession, it will be interesting to see if he can still wield this technique. That said, it should be theoretically possible since Zoro got an upgrade by exchanging Shusui for Enma.
8720 Pound Phoenix Generates Two Powerful Wind Columns
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Also known as Nanahyakuniju Pound Ho
Advanced variant of the 72 Pound Phoenix
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The 720 Pound Phoenix is a Two Sword Style technique first utilized by Zoro during the Wano Country arc. By spinning each of the swords in his hands, Zoro generates two extremely powerful columns of wind that he can launch toward opponents. Originally based on the Nanajuni Pound Ho, the 720 Pound Phoenix is nevertheless a dangerous technique.
When Roronoa Zoro debuts this technique against Kurozumi Orochi in the Wano arc, he nearly takes out the sitting shogun of the island in the blink of an eye. However, considering that Kyoshiro deflects this attack, it is far from the strongest in the former bounty hunter’s arsenal. Besides, Zoro can always add a third sword to take the 720 Pound Phoenix to the next level.
71080 Pound Phoenix Requires Zoro To Spin All Three Blades
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Also known as Senhachiju Pound Ho
Can cut through almost anything
Throughout One Piece, Roronoa Zoro hones and transforms his 36 Pound Phoenix attack. By the time of the Dressrosa arc, he unlocks the 1080 Pound Phoenix — a ranged ability capable of cleaving straight through Pica’s massive stone body. Whereas the 720 Pound Phoenix only relies on two of Zoro’s swords, 1080 Pound Phoenix taps into his full potential.
By rapidly spinning his three blades, the green-haired swordsman launches three devastating projectiles at his opponent that can tear through even the strongest of substances. Despite its clearly formidable attack potency, the 1080 Pound Phoenix fails to take Pica out of the equation. To do that, Zoro needs to employ a technique far stronger than this one.
6Lion’s Song Effortless Carves Through Pica’s Enormous Stone Body
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Also known as Ittoryu Iai: Shishi Sonson
Originally used to be called Lion’s Strike
During the Straw Hat Pirates’ liberation of Alabasta Kingdom, Roronoa Zoro finds himself up against his toughest opponent to date: Mr. 1. The Baroque Works agent can transform his body into steel thanks to his Devil Fruit, forcing the Straw Hat swordsman to unlock an attack that can even cut through metal. In the nick of time, Zoro takes down Mr. 1 with this technique — first known as Lion’s Strike.
The name of the technique was later changed. Now titled Lion’s Song, this One Sword Style ability carved through Pica of the Donquixote Pirates, as well as negated the Tekkai ability used by Kaku. Although it didn’t have much effect on King the Conflagration, it’s still an extremely lethal tool. That said, even Lion’s Song pales in comparison to the other Zoro moves on this list.
5Flame Rend: Crossing The Six Paths Is Used Against Prometheus
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Also known as Homura Saki: Rokudo no Tsuji
Advanced variant of the Crossroad of Six Paths
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The Crossing the Six Paths attack is one of Roronoa Zoro’s Three Sword Style techniques. It is first used by Zoro against Surume the Kraken, on the way to Fishman Island. However, during the Raid on Onigashima, he displays an evolved form of the technique known as Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths, which is clearly stronger than its prior incarnations.
As expected of Roronoa Zoro’s post-time-skip abilities, the Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths technique is exceptionally powerful. Zoro only uses the attack against Prometheus, the burning sun who’s Big Mom’s homie. Even Prometheus was greatly exhausted after experiencing this technique, proving that Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths can be a threat against any opponent.
4Billion-Fold World Trichiliocosm Uses Armament Haki To Increase Its Potency
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Also known as Santoryu Ogi: Ichidai Sanzen Daisen Sekai
Trichiliocosm is a notion borrowed from Buddhist cosmology
The strongest technique that Roronoa Zoro uses in the Dressrosa arc is a Three Sword Style ability known as the Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm. It serves as the penultimate attack in the swordsman’s fight against Pica. Considering Zoro’s growth during the Wano Country arc, it is likely even more devastating than it used to be.
Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm is an enhanced version of the Three Thousand Worlds technique that uses Armament Haki to strengthen its offensive potency. While the attack doesn’t appear in the Wano Country arc, it’s still a major asset for Roronoa Zoro against larger opponents. Interestingly, Zoro chants a mathematical mantra before performing the Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm, but the specific words probably don’t affect the outcome.
3The Purgatory Oni Giri Is One Of Zoro’s Swordfighting Staples
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Also known as Rengoku Oni Giri
Uses both Conqueror’s and Armament Haki
The original Oni Giri attack is one of Zoro’s classic staples, like this sense of style. The three-sword user has used the technique since the East Blue, and as time goes on, it only becomes more dangerous. By the end of the Raid on Onigashima, Zoro can infuse the attack with Armament and Conqueror’s Haki. This results in a new attack that he calls Purgatory Oni Giri, making him considerably more powerful.
Although Purgatory Oni Giri isn’t what takes down King the Conflagration, Zoro forces the Beasts Pirates’ All-Star to avoid the attack several times. Given the technique’s association with the Straw Hat Pirates’ second-in-command, it’s safe to assume that Zoro will continue to refine and develop Purgatory Oni Giri as time goes on.
2Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man’s Game Permanently Scars Kaido
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Also known as Ashura Bakkei: Moja no Tawamure
Leaves a scar on Kaidou’s body
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When Roronoa Zoro originally uses his Ashura technique against CP9’s Kaku, it immediately becomes one of his most effective weapons. However, this completely changes when the ability — now titled Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man’s Game — resurfaces during a clash with Kaido. Interestingly, this is when Zoro discovers his ability to manifest Conqueror’s Haki for the first time.
Any attack that leaves a mark on Kaido is noteworthy, so the fact that Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man’s Game permanently scars the Emperor of the Sea speaks to its unbelievable power. In fact, Kozuki Oden had been the only warrior to have left a scar on Kaidou’s body at that time. Additionally, Kaido comments that the ability draws upon Zoro’s Conqueror’s Haki, making it a surefire way to damage virtually any opponent.
1Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation Defeats King The Conflagration
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Also known as En-O Santoryu: Ippyakusanjo Hiryu Jigoku
Generates a gargantuan dragon made of fire
Roronoa Zoro’s power grows exponentially during the Raid on Onigashima, due in large part to his ever-increasing ability to weaponize Conqueror’s Haki. This eventually culminates in a clash against King the Conflagration, where Roronoa Zoro debuts his brand-new King of Hell style. This technique is one of the pinnacles of achievement for someone who wants to be the world’s greatest swordsman like Zoro does.
The King of Hell Style allows Zoro to imbue all three of his swords with Armament and Conqueror’s Haki, nearly elevating his offensive output to that of an Emperor of the Sea. The feature attack of this style, Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation, cut down King the Conflagration in a single strike and firmly established Zoro among the New World’s upper echelon. This is by far the most powerful Zoro move seen to date.
