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One Piece: Zoro’s 20 Best Moves, Ranked by Strength

One Piece Zoro's 20 Best Moves, Ranked by Strength

As Luffy’s right hand, Roronoa Zoro is one of the strongest Straw Hat Pirates. He was the first to join the crew, and he has a single dream: becoming the world’s greatest swordsman, which means beating Dracule Mihawk. Along the way, Zoro has fought some of the Grand Line’s toughest opponents, and his arsenal has grown deadlier with every clash. By the Wano Country arc, he could stand toe to toe with fighters like King the Conflagration and even Kaido. Here are his 20 best moves, ranked from weakest to strongest.

20. Dragon Twister

One Piece's Roronoa Zoro is using Dragon Twister with his No Sword Style.

Part of Zoro’s No Sword Style from https://luby.id, the basic version spins his body to whip up a vortex that clears space or splits up groups of enemies. The Three Sword Style version is far more dangerous, producing a huge tornado and a dragon-shaped aura that took down Hatchan and shattered Kaku’s Tekkai. It still ranks last because Zoro’s other techniques do much more than blow opponents back.

19. Nigiri: Toro Samon

Zoro using his Nigiri Toro Samon in the Wano arc

Also called Two Cutter: Climbing Tower Sand Drawing, this Two Sword Style move sends out a gust of air strong enough to split Basil Hawkins’ straw monster in half. Hawkins simply redirected the damage, though, and Zoro has only used it once. Adding Conqueror’s Haki could make it far more dangerous.

18. Two-Strong Strength Slash

Zoro using his Ichi Gorilla Ni Gorilla ability in One Piece

Zoro flexes his biceps with Ichi Gorilla and Ni Gorilla, then brings all three swords together at the tips for a huge strength-boosted strike. He used it in his decisive fight with Kaku, where it overpowered Kaku’s Rokushiki attack, and a ghostly blue gorilla appears behind him as he swings.

17. Clear Lance

Roronoa Zoro is using Clear Lance in One Piece's Wano Arc in order to avoid falling off of Onigashima.

This isn’t Zoro’s most powerful move, but it generates a strong shockwave, and it saved his life. After King knocked him off the edge of Onigashima, Zoro used a downward two-sword slash to launch himself back up. It also hints at future mobility options, since it works a bit like a sky-walking technique.

16. Great Dragon ShockRoronoa Zoro from One Piece is using his Great Dragon Shock attack during the Punk Hazard arc.

A One Sword Style attack first used against Monet at Punk Hazard. Zoro swings Shusui downward at lightning speed, sending a massive shockwave that cut through her Logia body even without Haki. He no longer owns Shusui, but wielding Enma should let him push the technique even further.

15. Ashura (Nine Sword Style)

Zoro reveals Ashura while fighting Kaku.

Zoro debuted Ashura at Enies Lobby against Kaku. By creating the illusion of a demon with three heads and six arms, he effectively triples his offensive output, and even Kaku couldn’t beat it. Zoro has since developed an upgraded version, which is why the original sits at #15.

14. Horse Ogre

Roronoa Zoro is preparing to use Horse Ogre against Pica of the Donquixote family in One Piece's Dressrossa Arc.

Also known as Demon Horse, this vertical slash is similar to Great Dragon Shock but trades damage for speed. It can cut through solid stone, and Zoro used it to slice in half the giant stone head Pica created to bite him, stopping the attack before it landed.

13. 720 Pound Phoenix

One Piece's Roronoa Zoro unleashes the 720 Pound Phoenix in the Wano Arc.

A Two Sword Style technique first seen in Wano, based on the older 36 Pound Phoenix. Spinning both blades produces two powerful wind columns that fly toward the target. Zoro nearly took out Orochi with it, and while it isn’t among his strongest attacks, a third sword can push it higher.

12. 1080 Pound Phoenix

Roronoa Zoro is using his 1080 Pound Phoenix technique against Pica in One Piece's Dressrossa Arc.

By Dressrosa, Zoro had unlocked this ranged upgrade. Flicking all three blades launches three heavy projectiles that can cut through stone, including Pica’s massive body. Pica survived it, which shows Zoro needed something much stronger, plus Armament Haki on every sword, to finish him.

11. Lion’s Song

Roronoa Zoro is preparing to use Lion's Song during the Wano Arc in One Piece.

Originally called Lion’s Strike, this One Sword Style draw was how Zoro defeated Mr. 1 in Alabasta by cutting through his steel body. Renamed Lion’s Song, it carved through Pica and negated Kaku’s Tekkai. It barely scratched King the Conflagration, but it remains lethal, and it was strong enough to behead a dragon at Punk Hazard.

10. Blade Wolf Stream

Roronoa Zoro is using Blade Wolf Stream against Hactchan during One Piece's Arlong Park arc.

A defensive Two Sword Style move that deflects incoming attacks. Zoro used it against Hatchan’s eight swords at Arlong Park, and he also pulled it off in midair against Bartholomew Kuma at Thriller Bark. It’s useful and versatile but sits low on the list because it lacks the raw power of his best attacks.

9. Three Thousand Worlds

Zoro uses his Three Thousand World technique in One Piece

A Three Sword Style signature. Zoro spins two swords at high speed and dashes in with a triple-sword strike. It first appeared in his fight with Mihawk, and he later used it to injure the resurrected Oars at Thriller Bark, then with Armament Haki against Pica. It’s arguably his strongest basic Three Sword Style technique and also appears in video games.

8. Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths

A close up of Roronoa Zoro from One Piece depicts him with a sword in his mouth while he prepares to use Rokudo no Tsuji.

Zoro first used Crossing the Six Paths against the Kraken on the way to Fish-Man Island. After watching Kin’emon’s Flame Split, he created this stronger, fire-infused version during the Raid on Onigashima. He used it against Prometheus, one of Big Mom’s strongest homies, and even Prometheus was badly worn out afterward.

7. Huhuva Speckles Hunt

Roronoa Zoro has just used his Huhuva Speckles Hunt attack against Rob Lucci in One Piece's Egghead Island Arc.

This move shows how far Zoro has come since Enies Lobby. Using all three swords with Armament Haki, he faced Rob Lucci at Egghead, and Lucci was much stronger than the version Luffy beat, with an Awakened Devil Fruit. Zoro defeated him, a sign that he is moving closer to the title of the world’s strongest swordsman.

6. Kalasutra Great Dragon Twister

Roronoa Zoro is using Kalasutra Great Dragon Twister against King the Conflagration in One Piece's Wano Arc.

An upgraded version of Zoro’s basic Dragon Twister, with far more cutting power. The name refers to one of the eight hells in Buddhism, which suits its force. Combined with Enma, it was strong enough to cut Kaido, a man famous for his tough skin.

5. Billion-Fold World Trichiliocosm

One Piece's Roronoa Zoro is preparing to use the Trichiliocosm.

The strongest technique Zoro used in Dressrosa, this enhanced Three Thousand Worlds uses Armament Haki and was the beginning of the end for Pica. Zoro even chants a mathematical mantra beforehand, though the words likely just help him focus. Four moves are still stronger.

4. Purgatory Oni Giri

Roronoa Zoro uses Purgatory Onigiri against Killer during One Piece's Wano Country Arc.

The original Oni Giri has been part of Zoro’s fighting style since the East Blue, as iconic as his green haramaki. By the end of the Raid on Onigashima, he could infuse it with both Armament and Conqueror’s Haki, creating the far more powerful Purgatory Oni Giri. It didn’t take down King, who was only forced to dodge it several times, but Zoro will likely keep refining it.

3. Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man’s Game

Roronoa Zoro is preparing to use Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man's Game against Kaido in One Piece's Wano Arc.

Zoro’s Ashura evolves in his clash with Kaido, and this is when he unconsciously manifests Conqueror’s Haki for the first time. The attack left a permanent scar on Kaido, a huge feat, since only Kozuki Oden had marked his body before the Raid on Onigashima. Kaido himself noted that the technique draws on Zoro’s Conqueror’s Haki.

2. Gokuraku Anyo Rashomon

Zoro using Gokuraku Anyo Rashomon against Nusjuro in One Piece

Zoro’s original Rashomon is a Two Sword Style move that was strong enough to break buildings or boulders, and he used it back in Water 7 to split train carriages. His latest modification is Gokuraku Anyo Rashomon, which he used against Five Elder Nusjuro, who is arguably one of the strongest swordsmen in the series. Zoro blocked Nusjuro’s attempt to destroy the Thousand Sunny, helped a little by Jinbe.

1. Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation

Roronoa Zoro uses Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation against King the Conflagration in One Piece

Zoro’s power grew quickly during the Raid on Onigashima, largely thanks to his growing control of Conqueror’s Haki. That peaked in his clash with King, where he debuted his new King of Hell Style. The style lets him infuse all three swords with Armament and Conqueror’s Haki, and its signature attack, 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation, took down King in one strike. It is easily the most powerful move Zoro has shown so far.

Final Thoughts

Zoro’s best techniques map his growth from the Enies Lobby arc to the Wano Country arc and beyond. With One Piece in its final saga, there’s every chance he’ll get more chances to grow even stronger before the story ends.

FAQ

What is Zoro’s strongest move in One Piece?

Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation, the signature attack of King of Hell Style, which defeated King the Conflagration.

Can Zoro use Conqueror’s Haki?

Yes. He first showed it unconsciously during his clash with Kaido, and later infused his swords with both Armament and Conqueror’s Haki.

Did Zoro ever hurt Kaido?

Yes. Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man’s Game left a permanent scar on Kaido, which was a remarkable feat given his toughness.

What is Ashura in One Piece?

Ashura is Zoro’s Nine Sword Style, which creates the illusion of a demon with three heads and six arms and effectively triples his offensive power.

Who did Zoro defeat at Egghead?

Rob Lucci, using Huhuva Speckles Hunt.