10 strongest pirate crews in One Piece

The world of One Piece is vast, teeming with powerful pirate crews that each vie for dominance over the seas. These crews, whether from the legendary past or the current rulers of the New World, are often defined by the sheer strength of their members, the leadership of their captains, and their influence across the Grand Line.

In this competitive landscape, only the most formidable crews rise to the top. When they do, they have the whole world watching their every move. Here’s a look at ten pirate crews that achieved exactly that.

Giant Warrior Pirates

As its name suggests, the Giant Warrior Pirates consists of Giant crew members, making them a terrifying force to face. Since its members are literal behemoths, their ship easily makes the Marines’ battleships cute in comparison. Furthermore, their race alone makes every Giant Warrior Pirate a formidable foe on the battlefield.

The Giant Warrior Pirates also have a long pirating history. Long before, they were headed by Jorul and Jarul, though the captaincy was eventually handed down to Dorry and Broggy. These two Giants were the ones who the Straw Hat Pirates met in Little Garden. But due to their continuous disputes, the pirate crew once disbanded over a century ago.

Prior to their disbandment, they were infamous for having terrorized the world. They even inspired younger giants like Hajrudin to form a newer version of the pirate group. However, the Giant Warrior Pirates are finally having a resurgence as they come to the Straw Hat Pirates’ aid during the Egghead Arc. Their help is certainly appreciated, especially since a single combined attack from Dorry and Broggy is enough to sink the Kid Pirates’ ship.

Cross Guild

Cross Guild’s inclusion as part of the Four Emperor crews has certainly caught many by surprise, both in the world of One Piece and in the real world. Buggy’s fighting ability is certainly far from the likes of Shanks, Luffy, Kaido, Big Mom, and Blackbeard, and he only has luck going for him. But upon closer inspection, Cross Guild’s force isn’t something to scoff at.

Cross Guild is one of the rare cases wherein the crew’s captain is likely weaker than most of its members. Casting the original members of Buggy Pirates aside, most of Cross Guild are freed inmates of Impel Down. It’s important to note that only the most notorious of criminals are sent to the said prison, and Cross Guild has inmates from different levels. Furthermore, Cross Guild expanded its combat force during Buggy’s stint as a Warlord.

Its mightiest members, however, are the two who have recently joined the group — Crocodile and Dracule Mihawk. Crocodile, as a former Warlord, can easily hold his ground against the strongest of opponents. Mihawk, on the other hand, is in a league of his own. It may not be an exaggeration to say that he is an Emperor-level powerhouse. After all, he and Shanks consider themselves as equals when the latter still had two arms.

Big Mom Pirates

From this point on, there isn’t much justification needed. As a crew of a former Emperor, Big Mom Pirates’ title speaks for itself. The pirate crew is primarily made up of Big Mom and her children. She has a thing for creating a big family of different races, so her children are mostly biracial.

Big Mom alone is strong enough to obliterate an island. The moment she goes on a rampage, even her plentiful children find it hard to stop her. In fact, she can easily kill her opponent by stealing their life force. She also has her Sweet Commanders, who are formidable in their own right. Cracker was able to push Luffy to the limit, forcing the latter to use his Gear Four. Smoothie was second only to Katakuri, who was as strong or even stronger than Gear Four Luffy. In addition to them, there are also the other children and the vast network the Big Mom Pirates built over the years.

Animal Kingdom Pirates

Similarly, Kaido’s Animal Kingdom Pirates possess terrifying military might. Ever since taking over the Wano Country, the former Emperor continuously strengthened his force by recruiting strong Zoan Devil Fruit users, as well as feeding his weaker crew members with SMILES.

Kaido alone was dubbed as the “World’s Strongest Creature,” while his powerful All-Stars are almost as powerful. Jack terrorized Zou for days, almost obliterating the Minks. Queen was a member of MADS and was renowned for his self-modifications. Finally, there’s King, who is the last Lunarian. There are also the elite Tobi Roppo and Headliners.

Whitebeard Pirates

The Whitebeard Pirates, once led by the legendary Edward Newgate, was one of the most powerful pirate crews in existence. Whitebeard was renowned as the “Strongest Man in the World,” and he held this title until his death.

Under Whitebeard’s leadership, the crew dominated the seas, with top commanders like Marco the Phoenix, Jozu, and Vista holding their own against the strongest of opponents. In fact, the Whitebeard Pirates and its allies are strong enough to face off with the Marines, as evidenced by the Summit War at Marineford. If not for Whitebeard getting weaker due to old age, his pirate crew may still be heralded as one of the mightiest forces in the seas of One Piece.

Red-Hair Pirates

Despite the pirate group’s popularity, little action is seen from the Red-Hair Pirates. Nonetheless, they are certainly a force to be reckoned with. For one, the Red-Hair Pirates are the only members of the original Four Emperors left, and their presence alone was enough to make the Marines halt the Summit War after Whitebeard’s death.

Despite their little screen time, it’s widely known how crazily strong its members are. Red-Hair Shanks’ Color of Observation Haki is so strong that he can see into the future. Furthermore, he is strong enough to easily beat Eustass Kid with a single attack. Not only that, he also seems to have a position that can grant him an audience with the arrogant Five Elders. Other notable members of the crew are Benn Beckman — who is said to have the highest IQ in the East Blue, Yasopp — a sharpshooter of unmatched skill, and Lucky Roo — who is known for his speed and agility.

Blackbeard Pirates

A pirate crew that has skyrocketed in notoriety in just a few years is the Blackbeard Pirates. Originally part of the Whitebeard Pirates, Marshall D. Teech betrayed the group by killing Division Commander Thatch and stealing his Dark-Dark Fruit. He formed his own pirate crew, became part of the Worst Generation, then a Warlord, and ultimately an Emperor.

During that process, he bolstered his crew’s strength by freeing and recruiting the worst criminal at Impel Down. He then claimed Fullalead Island and turned it into a paradise of pirates, further boosting his military might. With each major member of his crew possessing a Devil Fruit ability and Teech himself possessing two, the Blackbeard Pirates certainly deserve its spot on this list.

Straw Hat Pirates

Another pirate crew that shot up in infamy in recent years is the Straw Hat Pirates. Similar to Blackbeard, Luffy’s trajectory to stardom was rapid. He was declared part of the Worst Generation prior to the time skip, then an Emperor after the time skip.

Luffy himself has already become strong enough to defeat other Emperors after achieving Gear Five, while his crew members are capable enough to match other high-ranking individuals. While the Straw Hat Pirates’ main ship only includes a couple of people, their full military might is far stronger than that. Luffy already has his own Grand Fleet consisting of 5650 people, and there are also the Straw Hat Pirates’ alliances, which include the Giant Warriors Pirates.

Rocks Pirates

The Rocks Pirates were a legendary crew that terrorized the seas long before the era of Gol D. Roger. Led by the infamous Rocks D. Xebec, this crew was composed of some of the most powerful individuals in history, including future Emperors such as Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido.

The Rocks Pirates were known for their internal strife and chaotic nature, with their members often clashing with each other despite being part of the same crew. Their downfall came at the hands of a combined effort from Gol D. Roger and Monkey D. Garp during the legendary Battle of God Valley.

Roger Pirates

Led by the Pirate King himself, the Roger Pirates is undeniably the most powerful pirate crew that ever sailed the seas of One Piece. At least, that title is yet to be earned by any other pirate crew.

Gol D. Roger alone was strong enough to at least take a major role in the Rocks Pirates’ downfall. Furthermore, he has never been defeated by anybody. His so-called execution wouldn’t have even happened if he hadn’t surrendered to the Marines. Other notable members of the group are Silvers Rayleigh (Luffy’s Master), Crocus (Laboon’s caregiver), Kozuki Oden (Wano’s rightful heir), and young Shanks and Buggy (now Emperors).