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Full OP10 Shanks Guide
🕑 Added 2025-04-19 21:39:35 +0000 UTC
Introduction
With the the release of OP10 and the ST21 Starter Deck, Red Shanks has undergone a significant evolution in the metagame. Once criticized for its weak early game, Shanks now benefits from a more versatile and proactive start thanks to new card additions that offer better tempo plays and board presence from Turn 1. These upgrades have not only shored up its early weaknesses but also expanded its deckbuilding potential.
Currently, two main variants of Shanks are emerging in the OP10 format: a midrange build that leans on value and board control, and an aggressive version that leverages the Straw Hat engine to apply pressure from the get-go. Both styles maintain the deck’s core identity—pushing the pace with rush characters and finishing strong with dominant late-game threats—while offering different ways to navigate the early and mid-game.
This guide covers the deck’s key components, turn-by-turn strategies, and how to build a solid opening. For competitive players seeking to refine their play, the full guide includes advanced metrics, matchup breakdowns, and tech choices—exclusively for Yonko subscribers.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Excels in longer games by deploying powerful late-game finishers.
Performs well against decks built around mid-sized characters, thanks to power reduction effects and efficient removal tools.
Can control the board tempo with rush units and targeted KOs, especially in mid-to-late turns.
Weaknesses:
Vulnerable to aggressive strategies that flood the board early and apply fast pressure.
Relies heavily on hitting key curve points to maintain momentum and board control—missing a beat can quickly swing the game.
Decklists
Please note that metagame decklists can shift from week to week as the format evolves. To stay up to date with the latest winning Shanks builds and other top-performing decks, be sure to check our live stats at https://stats.tcgmatchmaking.com/.
With the release of OP10 and the ST21 Starter Deck, Shanks now has access to a wider card pool that supports both midrange and aggressive builds. In this section, we’ll showcase a variety of decklists that highlight the two primary approaches in the current meta: a traditional midrange variant focused on value and board control, and a more aggressive build leveraging the Straw Hat engine to push early pressure.
Each version brings its own strengths and tech options tailored for different matchups. For instance, midrange lists often include cards like Lucky Roux to swing the tempo against decks like Purple Luffy, while aggressive variants may opt for Straw Hat synergy and rush-heavy lineups to punish slower strategies.
As the OP10 meta continues to evolve, adaptability is key. We've included several proven decklists below to give you a strong foundation for your own builds. Later in the guide, we’ll also compare how these variants perform in key matchups—helping you choose the right version of Shanks for your local meta or upcoming tournament.
Decklist 1: Straw Hat Hybrid
This decklist has been performing exceptionally well on the online ranked ladder, thanks to its balanced hybrid approach. It combines the explosive tempo of Straw Hat-type cards with the tried-and-true late-game power of Rayleigh and Rush Shanks, giving it strong play potential at all stages of the game.
One notable inclusion is Red-Hawk—a card that was initially cut from many early OP10 lists. However, with aggressive decks like Zoro and tempo-focused builds like Doflamingo holding a strong presence in the meta, Red-Hawk has found renewed relevance. Its ability to simultaneously remove a small attacker and reduce the power of a key threat makes it a crucial defensive option, especially when trying to survive the early-game flood from wide board strategies. The addition of 1 Rush (unblockable) Luffy is there to help close out games against Blackbeard.
This list showcases how Shanks can thrive in the OP10 environment by blending early pressure tools with game-ending threats, without committing fully to either the midrange or aggressive path. It's flexible, a build that rewards smart sequencing and reactive play.
Decklist 2: Midrange Control (Classic Core with OP10 Enhancements)
This second list leans more into the traditional midrange strategy that defined Shanks during the OP09 era, but with meaningful OP10 upgrades that enhance its board control and defensive play. The deck focuses on stabilizing the early game, leveraging value trades, and transitioning into a dominant late-game.
A standout addition here is 5-cost Marco, whose synergy with Building Snake creates a reliable way to clear 6000-power threats efficiently—something that’s especially useful against decks that aim to stick high-value characters early. This interaction gives the deck a strong tempo swing tool without overcommitting to rush-heavy plays.
The inclusion of Lucky Roux also helps mitigate pressure in matchups like Purple Luffy, offering a powerful tempo unit that can turn the tide when you're on the back foot.
Overall, this list is a testament to the flexibility of Shanks in OP10. While it maintains a slower, more control-oriented game plan, it still keeps pace with modern threats and adapts well to the current meta. It’s a great choice for players who prefer a methodical, board-focused playstyle while still having access to explosive closers.
Decklist 3: Tournament Tech (Top 4 at London Regional)
This third list recently earned a Top 4 finish at the London Regional, showcasing a refined and competitive build tailored for high-level play. It takes a slightly more control-oriented approach while integrating several unique tech choices that give it an edge in the OP10 metagame.
A key inclusion is Uta, which functions both as an early-game searcher and a way to clean up problematic low-power units like Laffitte or Bonney. This allows the deck to stabilize early without compromising board presence.
Another tech choice is Yasopp, which boosts your leader to 6K the turn he enters play. This can be crucial for minimizing chip damage and forcing your opponent to commit more resources to connect, especially in aggressive matchups where every life matters.
Finally, this list includes 10-cost Shanks, a board-sweeping bomb that can decisively swing the game in your favor. In slower or grindy matchups, this card offers a massive tempo swing and forces immediate answers, often leaving your opponent without a strong follow-up.
This build highlights how diverse Shanks decks can be—even at the highest level of competition. With solid early-game tools, defensive tech, and late-game power, it’s a well-rounded deck that can adapt to a wide range of matchups in OP10.
Starting Turns & Early Game Curve
In most matchups, we recommend choosing to go first. This allows you to execute a smoother curve, secure early board control, and set the pace of the game. Many top-tier decks in OP10 also prefer going first, so taking the initiative not only helps you build tempo—it denies your opponent the same advantage.
We’ll cover matchup-specific nuances later in the guide, but here’s a general look at how your curve can play out depending on turn order:
Example Curve – Going First:
1 DON: Pass / Searcher
3 DON: 5K Leader Attack → Play 3-cost character or hold 2 DON for Red-Hawk
5 DON: Leader Swing → Play 5-cost character
7 DON: Sequence attacks → Play Benn Beckman
9 DON: Sequence attacks → Play Rayleigh, Dragon, or another Benn Beckman
10 DON: Push pressure with Leader + Characters → Deploy Rayleigh, Dragon, Rush Shanks, or 10-cost Shanks
Example Curve – Going Second:
2 DON: Pass / Searcher
4 DON: Leader Attack → Play Lucky Roux or 3-cost unit
6 DON: Use Leader/Character swings + Don!! → Play 5-cost unit
8 DON: Attack board/life → Play Rayleigh, Benn Beckman, or Dragon
10 DON: Pressure with attacks → Play high-impact units like 10-cost Shanks
These curves offer a general framework, but rigid play patterns are not optimal. Shanks thrives as a flexible midrange deck, balancing aggression and control depending on the matchup. Knowing when to pivot from attacking life to clearing the board is a skill that will define your win rate.
Key Early Game Principles
Manage Board First, Life Second: Use tools like Otama and Hongo to reduce power, enabling efficient trades with Marco, Benn Beckman, or Rayleigh. These combos let you control the board while developing your own threats.
Watch the 7/8-DON Pivot: This is when board states typically get more complex. Decide if you're shifting into defense or pushing for lethal. Misplaying this turn can cost you the game—read the board carefully.
Efficient Attacking Order: Always attack with existing characters before playing new ones. This avoids them being removed by trigger effects. Against decks like Blackbeard, it prevents key threats from being picked off by cards like Liberation or Finger Pistol.
Maximize Dragon’s Value: When playing Dragon on curve, lead with him first to maximize his effect—ideal for setting up additional strong attacks.
Early Red-Hawk Usage: Don’t save Red-Hawk just for late-game insurance. In OP10, early use can KO searchers or early threats, helping you stabilize into your stronger turns.
By focusing on early stability and adapting your curve to the game state, Shanks can smoothly transition into its devastating mid- and late-game power turns. Mastering your early decisions—and when to break from the “ideal” curve—is key to piloting this deck at a high level.
Shanks Matchup Guide – OP10 Metagame
In this section, we’ll explore how to navigate the most relevant matchups in the current OP10 metagame using both the midrange and aggressive variants of Shanks. You’ll gain insight into how to adapt your game plan depending on your opponent’s strategy, tempo, and power spikes.
We’ll walk through key fundamentals, turn-by-turn tactics, and how to shift your focus between board control and life pressure. Whether you’re piloting a control-heavy list or a rush-oriented build, understanding how to adjust your approach in different matchups is essential to finding consistent success.
🔒 This detailed breakdown is available exclusively to Yonko-tier Patreon subscribers or those who have purchased the Complete Shanks Guide. Unlock advanced strategy insights and take your gameplay to the next level.
Blackbeard Matchup – OP10
The Blackbeard matchup is one of the more challenging opponents for midrange Shanks, especially the purely control-oriented variants. While Blackbeard may appear slow on paper, its ability to stabilize the early game and match our late-game threats makes it difficult to close out without consistent pressure. If your deck lacks early aggression or rush tools, they will often outpace you with efficient removal, strong blockers, and their own high-end finishers.
This is where aggressive Shanks variants shine. Decks that include ST21 Rush Luffy and Unblockable Luffy are far better equipped to handle Blackbeard. These units let us apply meaningful pressure early and give us ways to push damage even when their 10-cost blockers hit the board. In particular, Unblockable Luffy is a standout tech card in this matchup—it allows you to swing over their late-game walls and threaten lethal through otherwise safe positions.
General Strategy
Go First (1st if aggressive version - 2nd if pure control variant): This may feel counterintuitive against a slower deck, but going first gives you the tempo to control the board and protect your life total before they start applying pressure. If Blackbeard goes first, they’ll be able to swing for 6K earlier and more often, forcing you to burn key counters and fall behind.
Early Game Focus: Your first priority is to remove Laffitte on sight—whether with a Leader swing, Marco, or rush unit. If left unchecked, Laffitte digs them into answers and accelerates their game plan. Any delay in shutting that down gives Blackbeard a dangerous resource edge.
Watch for Burgess: Jesus Burgess is their main midgame pressure card, often swinging at 7K–9K consistently. Keeping your life high before he drops is crucial, which further reinforces why going first is the optimal strategy.
Play Curve Efficiently: Even if they get to their 10-drop Blackbeard first, you should still deploy your most powerful characters (Dragon, Rayleigh, Benn Beckman, etc.) on curve. Make them respond to your threats while keeping their hand under pressure.
Late Game
Once both players are dropping their bombs, the game often becomes a slugfest between your Shanks, Dragon, and Roger, and their 10-cost Blackbeard blockers. This is where Unblockable Luffy and Roger are critical—they give you clean outs to lethal even when the board is locked down. If you’ve managed your early turns well and reach this stage with 3–4 life and a solid hand, you can often push through to victory while they struggle to maintain enough hand to defend.
Key Tech Tips
Include Rush Units: ST21 Rush Luffy keeps pressure on when they try to stabilize with blockers.
Unblockable Luffy: Essential for closing games and bypassing late-game walls like 10-cost Blackbeard.
Early Red-Hawk: Don’t hesitate to use Red-Hawk early to KO searchers and swing tempo. The earlier you stabilize, the harder it is for them to claw back.
In summary, while Blackbeard can be tough for slower Shanks builds, aggressive and hybrid variants can turn this into a winnable matchup. The key lies in disrupting their setup, keeping the pressure high, and preparing finishers that bypass their late-game defenses.
Doflamingo Matchup – OP10
The Doflamingo matchup, while still requiring careful play, has become noticeably easier to navigate in the OP10 format. With the ban of Jinbe, Doflamingo has lost a key engine piece that previously enabled early game tempo swings and overwhelming board pressure. While the core strategy remains the same, the absence of Jinbe has created more breathing room for Shanks to stabilize and execute its game plan.
That said, most Doflamingo lists have adapted by including more copies of Red-Roc, giving them a reliable way to answer high-impact characters. Fortunately for us, many of our top-end units—Rayleigh, Rush Shanks, Dragon—either have on-play effects or rush, meaning we've already extracted value from them before Red-Roc hits. This greatly diminishes the impact of their removal.
Turn Order Strategy
While going second gives us the chance to hold Red-Hawk when they activate their Leader ability at 3 DON and also lets us play Rayleigh on curve, going first remains a viable and solid option. Both lines can succeed depending on hand quality and curve.
Key Game Tactics
Red-Hawk Timing: Use your Leader’s -1K power reduction in combination with Red-Hawk to KO units that enter via Doflamingo’s Leader effect. This two-card combo can cleanly answer key threats like 5K attackers and maintain board parity.
Deny Early Snowballing: Without Jinbe, their early pressure is less explosive, but don’t get complacent. Prioritize controlling their board over pushing life early. Keep the field clear so they can’t capitalize on wide setups.
Rayleigh is your MVP in this matchup. His on-play effect can both KO a character and reduce the power of another, often giving you a two-for-one swing in tempo. How many times you’re able to deploy Rayleigh will often dictate how well you can manage their threats in the mid-game.
Key Tactical Considerations
Manage Hand Size: Always be mindful of your hand count. Keeping five cards or fewer is essential to play around Pudding, preventing your hand from being forcefully reset.
Life Total Discipline: Try not to fall to zero life, especially if you’re relying on a single blocker. Perfume Feur can bypass blockers and end the game outright if your life is too low. Counter aggressively to preserve your options.
Board First, Leader Second: Only swing at their Leader when their board is clear. Controlling the field takes priority, especially when they're trying to establish multiple bodies per turn.
Summary
With Jinbe banned, the Doflamingo matchup is no longer as oppressive, but it still requires precision. Focus on early defense with Red-Hawk, manage their board with Rayleigh, and preserve your life total to stay safe from burst finishers. Techs like Rush Luffy and Unblockable Luffy are less central here but can still help pressure a clean board late game. If you stabilize early and deny them value, you’ll find yourself in a strong position to close things out in the late game.
Purple Luffy Matchup - OP10
The Purple Luffy matchup in OP10 remains a difficult one for Shanks, largely because it combines some of the challenges presented by decks like Doflamingo with additional layers of threat and consistency. Like Doflamingo, Luffy can deploy multiple characters per turn, but their threats tend to be bulkier, often sitting at 6000 power or more, which makes them significantly harder to remove efficiently. Cards like Luffytaro, Zoro, and Sanji give Luffy a strong mid-game presence, and the looming threat of Gum-Gum Giant in the late game can make it nearly impossible to push damage if you’ve fallen behind. While Shanks usually thrives in the late game, Luffy’s ability to match that power curve—and even pull ahead—forces us to adopt a more aggressive and tempo-oriented strategy from the start.
Going first in this matchup is highly recommended. Denying Luffy their preferred tempo early on can go a long way toward disrupting their mid-game power spike. The key to this matchup is to apply pressure as early as possible while our resources are still plentiful and their setup is still developing. Defensively, we want to counter early 5K and 6K swings to preserve our life total while it’s still manageable to do so. Once Luffytaro comes down, their attacks become much harder to block efficiently, so it’s important to minimize damage in the first few turns while we still have the hand size to absorb it. In terms of board control, we shouldn’t aim to clear every character they play—instead, we want to race. Their characters are often harder to remove than their life is to pressure, so unless we can answer threats cleanly with cards like Rayleigh or Benn Beckman, it’s better to go face and force them to react.
Thanks to OP10, we now have better tools for this matchup. Lucky Roux is an excellent tempo play that can trade up and help contest their early curve, while the synergy between Building Snake and Marco gives us a reliable way to deal with their many 6000 power threats. This helps close the gap in board control, making it less punishing to pivot to removal when necessary. Overall, the strategy is to push life early, protect your own life aggressively, and only contest the board when it’s efficient. If we can pressure them fast enough and maintain momentum into the late game, we can use finishers like Rush Shanks or Unblockable Luffy to bypass their final blockers and close the game before they stabilize. The matchup remains challenging, but with early pressure and the right tech, it’s far from unwinnable.
Shanks Mirror - OP10
Go Second!
The Shanks mirror match in OP10 is a battle of endurance and precision, where both players are looking to apply steady pressure while preserving enough resources to outlast the other. In this matchup, opting to go second is often advantageous, as it allows you to deploy powerful mid-game threats like Rayleigh or Benn Beckman just ahead of your opponent. This small timing edge can create a critical tempo swing, especially when both players are working with similar curves and value-based plays.
Success in the mirror typically comes down to who can more effectively manage their counters, DON usage, and key plays over the course of the game. Cards like Rayleigh, Dragon, and Rush Shanks play a central role, each offering impactful board presence and the ability to pressure or stabilize at crucial moments. Rayleigh is especially important for board control, as his on-play effect often gives you a two-for-one advantage by removing one threat and weakening another. Meanwhile, Dragon and Shanks provide the necessary firepower to close the game once your board is established or your opponent starts to run out of gas.
In the OP10 format, the specific variant of Shanks you're running becomes a defining factor in the mirror. While aggressive builds may take an early lead, they often struggle to maintain momentum once the opponent stabilizes. In contrast, the control version of Shanks tends to have the upper hand in prolonged games, thanks to its access to higher-value cards and stronger mid-to-late-game plays. The player who can balance early defense with consistent, calculated aggression—and who knows when to commit their major threats—will usually come out on top.
Zoro Matchup - OP10
In the OP10 format, Zoro has made a strong return to the meta, and the matchup demands a disciplined approach from Shanks players. In general, it's advantageous to go second in this matchup, as it allows us to play key threats like Marco, Rayleigh, or Benn Beckman on curve and better respond to Zoro’s early aggression. Zoro excels at flooding the board with low-cost threats, often starting with Chopper to cheat out additional characters. In these early turns, our primary focus should be on board control—not attacking life. Cards like Marco, or well-timed removal tools, are crucial in neutralizing their tempo and denying value from their wide setups. The strategy here mirrors the approach used against Doflamingo: clear the board first, and only swing at life once you're no longer facing multiple active threats.
One key detail to recognize in the early game is Zoro's setup when they pass with DON up and no characters on board. This is often a signal that they’re holding "Shut Up and Come With Us!", an event that allows them to punish you during your turn by deploying multiple characters after you swing. In these situations, it’s better to pass rather than overextend into their trap. We don’t need to force aggression if we’re not in a favorable position—we can simply stick to our curve and maintain control until a better opportunity presents itself.
As the game progresses and we reach turns where we can drop Rayleigh or 10-cost Shanks, the momentum often shifts in our favor. By this point, Zoro will typically be running low on hand size or board presence, giving us the space to close the game with our high-value finishers. That said, the matchup becomes significantly more difficult if Zoro goes second, as they can disrupt our curve and build tempo early enough to destabilize our setup. However, with smart decision-making and a strong opening hand, it’s still very possible to win. The key is to stay focused on controlling their board, avoid falling into event-based traps, and only shift to targeting life when you’ve truly stabilized. If executed correctly, this strategy allows Shanks to outlast Zoro and dominate the late game.
Shanks vs. Lim — Favored Matchup
Shanks is heavily favored into Lim. The key to success is taking first whenever possible, as this disrupts Lim’s ideal curve and puts them on the back foot from the start.
From there, the game is usually very linear for Shanks. Focus on deploying key threats like Ben Beckmann and Rayleigh to control their board. Both cards hit a wide range of Lim’s key units and are difficult for them to cleanly answer. Since Lim starts at 4 life, aggressive swings into life are encouraged—this pressure snowballs quickly and limits their ability to stabilize.
As the game transitions into the late-game, chaining 10-cost Shanks will lock them out. Lim has almost no meaningful answers to a repeated stream of Shanks swings.
The main thing to watch for is Mihawk restand shenanigans—don’t get caught off guard by a surprise double swing. Track it and plan accordingly.
Conclusion
With the release of OP10 and the ST21 Starter Deck, Shanks has firmly reestablished itself as a competitive and versatile force in the metagame. What was once a deck hindered by a weak early game has now evolved into a dynamic archetype with two viable identities—midrange control and aggressive rush—each capable of adapting to the evolving threats of the format. Whether you're methodically grinding down your opponents with high-value removals or applying relentless pressure from the outset, Shanks offers flexible tools to suit your preferred style.
Across this guide, we’ve explored the deck’s upgraded curve potential, its matchup-specific gameplans, and how to make the most of powerful inclusions like Rayleigh, Marco, Rush Shanks, and Unblockable Luffy. The key to mastering Shanks lies in understanding when to pivot between board control and pressure, and how to adjust your lines based on variant matchups, tempo shifts, and DON efficiency.
The OP10 metagame is as fast-moving and reactive as ever. Decklists shift weekly, new tech choices emerge, and player preferences evolve. By building a strong foundation in Shanks’ mechanics and staying adaptable in both deckbuilding and in-game decision-making, you'll be well-positioned to remain competitive across local tournaments, online play, and high-level events.
Thank you for reading the Complete OP10 Shanks Guide. For the most up-to-date decklists and win-rate data, be sure to check our live stats at https://stats.tcgmatchmaking.com/, and for in-depth strategy content, matchup breakdowns, and tech updates, join us as a Yonko-tier subscriber.
See you on the ladder—and may your top-end always come on curve.
Comments
Dino
Great insight!
