The OP11 Red Black Koby deck blends Navy and SWORD-type cards, focusing on board control through Koby’s pseudo-rush ability. This strategy aims to KO threats or at least force opponents to use their Counter cards. Koby‘s loyalty to the Navy means he’ll do everything he can to keep them on the field.
Like many Black decks, the trash plays a key role here, as several effects activate through interactions with trashed cards. This deck can be complicated to play if you’re still new to the One Piece card game, but once you get the correct sequencing of effects/attacks, you’ll get the most out of your Characters and Leader.
There are multiple ways to build Red Black Koby since it has access to two colors, both offering strong synergy with its game plan. The list we’ll cover prioritizes filling the trash early to ensure late-game Characters provide value, we also have multiple {Sword} type Characters to trigger our Leader’s effect.
Leader
Red Black Koby is a 4-Life Leader with two effects that help maintain control of the field. Koby synergizes with {Sword} type Characters, allowing them to attack the turn they’re played. However, they can only attack your opponent’s Characters on that turn. While this doesn’t directly pressure your opponent’s Life, it still lets you target rested Characters to try and KO them.
Some cards in this list also allow you to attack Active Characters. When combined with Leader Koby’s effect, this lets a newly played {Sword} type Character attack an Active Character immediately. Key {Sword} type Characters in this deck include Hibari, Helmeppo, 7-cost Koby, and 8-cost Koby, all of whom can swing the turn they enter play.
Koby‘s second effect triggers once per turn when your opponent tries to remove a {Navy} type Character with an original Power of 7,000 or less through an effect. Instead of being removed, you can place 3 cards from your trash at the bottom of your deck to keep that Character in play. Since this deck includes many {Navy} type Characters with 7,000 Power or less, Koby’s effect helps them stay on the field and continue finding use as part of your strategy.
This deck is trying to control the field through sheer attacks, eventually, your opponent won’t have the Counter cards to protect their Characters and will have to watch them get KO’d.
Red Black Koby Decklist
How to Play
Early Draw Characters
Peacock and Brannew are both {Navy} searchers. Peacock looks at the top 5 cards, while Brannew looks at the top 3, and each lets you add one {Navy} type card to your hand. Peacock has a higher chance of finding the card you need, but Brannew helps your strategy by sending the other two cards to the trash instead of placing them at the bottom of the deck, fueling your effects that interact with the trash.
Sengoku isn’t a searcher, but he helps with adding cards to your trash. When played, you must trash 2 {Navy} type cards from your hand to draw 3 cards. This allows you to discard cards you don’t need or ones that can later be played through Gecko Moria. Sengoku is adding more cards to your trash to activate your effects, and can draw you better cards to add to your hand.
Blockers
This deck has two blockers, Ripper and Dolly, that will play a huge role in protecting your Leader and Characters from your opponent’s attackers. They only have 1,000 Power, so usually they’d be vulnerable to removal effects, especially Ripper, being a 1-cost Character. However, since they’re {Navy} type Characters, Leader Koby can protect them from removal plays, keeping them in play to block an opponent’s attack.
1-cost Ripper is an easy Character to play, especially in the late game when you’re playing one of your high-cost Characters, you can still drop a Ripper on the field to have him as a blocker, protecting your Leader if your opponent is trying to win the game.
Dolly’s On Play effect requires you to trash a card to activate it, reducing an opponent’s Character’s Power by 6,000. This massive Power reduction makes it easier for your attackers to secure a KO. In most cases, your opponent will let that Character go, as protecting it against such a steep reduction would require too many resources.
Sometimes, you’ll play Dolly just for her Blocker keyword without activating her Power reduction effect, especially if there’s no worthwhile target. This preserves your hand while still keeping Dolly on the field as a Blocker. You’ll often play Dolly from the trash through Gecko Moria, giving you an extra Blocker and the option to use her Power reduction when needed.
Attack Active Characters
These cards let you attack Active Characters, helping you maintain control of the field. The Character you choose for the attack depends on your opponent’s board. If they have a high-power Character that needs to be removed, you can grant the effect to your strongest attacker. However, if they have a low-power Blocker like 4-cost Rebecca, you can give the effect to a weaker Character like Brannew to clear the Blocker, ensuring your other attacks go through uninterrupted.
4-cost Kuzan trashes the top 3 cards of your deck On Play, helping to fuel effects that interact with the trash. He’s a 5,000 Power Character with an “When Attacking” effect that allows one of your {Navy} type Leaders or Characters to attack an Active Character. This lets you choose the best attacker to KO an Active Character.
Hibari‘s On Play effect reduces the Power of one of the opponent’s Characters by -2,000, making them more vulnerable to your attacks. When she attacks, Hibari gains +1,000 Power and allows your Leader to attack an Active Character, which we can target with the Power reduction for our Leader Koby to attack and try to KO afterward.
Since Hibari is a Sword type Character, we’re activating her “When Attacking” effect on the turn she’s played, enabling you to control the early state of the game through the Power reduction + Leader attacking an Active Character. She’s a 5-cost Character, so, if you’re going first, you’ll often target a 4-cost Character to try and KO with your Leader’s attack.
8-cost Koby is one of your strongest plays, boasting 9,000 Power and triggering your Leader’s effect, allowing him to attack a Character the turn he’s played. Additionally, he enables one of your Characters—not just {Navy}—to attack an Active Character, meaning even Gecko Moria can benefit.
When attacking, 8-cost Koby returns two cards from your trash to the bottom of your deck to give your Leader or a Character +1,000 Power until the end of your opponent’s turn. This bonus Power adds extra pressure to your attack, making it harder for your opponent to Counter, while also serving a defensive role by helping protect a Character or your Leader from incoming attacks.
You’ll often use this effect on Leader Koby, turning him into a 6,000 Power Leader. If 8-cost Koby stays on the field, you can reactivate this effect on your upcoming turn, maintaining the extra +1,000 Power every turn.
Other Sword Characters
Helmeppo and 7-cost Koby are Sword type Characters that can attack a rested Character on the turn they’re played. They also aren’t above 7,000 Power, so your Leader can protect them from a removal effect once per turn.
Helmeppo enables an explosive turn 3/4 play by letting you cheat out a {SWORD} type Character with a cost of 8 or less from your trash for one turn.
On Play, Helmeppo lets you trash a card from your hand, then draw a card, after which you must select a {SWORD} type Character with a cost of 8 or less from your trash and play it. The best targets are 7-cost and 8-cost Koby, both of whom can attack immediately and activate their effects for added value. 8-cost Koby can even grant Helmeppo the ability to attack an Active Character, making the play even stronger.
If you don’t have a Koby in your trash, Helmeppo allows you to trash a card from your hand. Thus, you can trash a Koby from your hand and then cheat it out on the field.
At the end of the turn, the Character played through Helmeppo is placed at the bottom of your deck. While you don’t get to keep it on the field, you still get an attack and its effect, ensuring you gain value before it leaves.
As for 7-cost Koby, when he attacks, your Leader’s base power becomes 7000 until the end of your opponent’s next turn. So you can go for heavy attack with Leader Koby and your opponent will have a rough time trying to get their attacks through.
Additionally, during your opponent’s turn, 7-cost Koby loses 3,000 Power, becoming a 4,000 Power Character, vulnerable to your opponent’s attacks. It’s worth protecting him if your opponent doesn’t have multiple attackers lined up and you have a Blocker like Ripper to take a hit for the team.
Gecko Moria Play
Gecko Moria is a strong value play, allowing you to cheat out a 4-cost or less and a 2-cost or less Character from your trash.
For the 4-cost Character, you can bring back Kuzan for his When Attacking control effect or Doll for her Blocker keyword and Power reduction. For the 2-cost or less Character, a great option is Brannew, which lets you search for a {Navy} card and add it to your hand.
With 9,000 Power, Gecko Moria is a heavy hitter that’s difficult for opponents to counter. The ability to develop multiple Characters in a single turn provides strong board presence and can quickly put you ahead in the game.
+2,000 Counters
Aramaki is primarily a +2,000 Counter, but in certain situations, you may need to play him for his effect, enabling a {Navy} type Character to attack an Active Character.
You’ll never play Vergo unless you have the worst hand imaginable. He’s mostly just a {Navy} type +2,000 Counter who can be searched.
Mulligan
- Early draw card Brannew, Peacock, or Sengoku.
- Going first, you want Hibari for turn 3 and Helmeppo is still a good play for turn 4.
Going Second, you want Kuzan for turn 2 and Helmeppo for turn 3. - You can’t search for Gecko Moria, so having him in hand at least guarantees a strong value play.
Turn-Based Gameplay
Going First
- Turn 1 (1 Don): Peacock, Sengoku, or Ripper.
- Turn 2 (3 Don): Brannew + 1-cost Character.
- Turn 3 (5 Don): Hibari + attack with your Leader. Or you can play Kuzan.
- Turn 4 (7 Don): Helmeppo + 8-cost Koby. OR you can play 7-cost Koby.
- Turn 5 (9 Don): 8-cost Gecko Moria or 8-cost Koby.+ Ripper if you need the blocker.
- Turn 6 (10 Don): 8-cost Gecko Moria or 8-cost Koby. + Ripper if you need the blocker.
Going Second
- Turn 1 (2 Don): Peacock, Sengoku, or Brannew.
- Turn 2 (4 Don): Kuzan.
- Turn 3 (6 Don): Helmeppo + 8-cost Koby.
- Turn 4 (8 Don): 8-cost Gecko Moria or 8-cost Koby.
- Turn 5 (10 Don): 8-cost Gecko Moria or 8-cost Koby. + Ripper if you need the blocker.
Other Cards to Include
- You can rest Borsalino to activate his effect, letting you attack an opponent’s Active Character with your {Navy} type Leader or Characters.
- Honesty Impact is a control card that gives an opponent’s Character -4,000 Power then it KO’s a Character with 6,000 Power or less. You can target one Character with the Power reduction and then KO it, or you can target two Characters if the KO target isn’t above 6,000 Power. This makes it easier for you to attack the other Character after you’ve reduced its Power by 4,000.
