It's December 2023, and like any treasure-loving pirate, we are eagerly awaiting our box of One Piece TCG Set 5 to arrive at our doorstep or local game store. I recall how I managed to snag a box from my LGS and then had to wait a few more days for another to arrive by mail. I was enamored with the cards from this set and was determined to secure the right ones for my deck. Having spent over 12 years playing Magic: The Gathering, where I had found my niche in Dimir Control, I was thrilled that Awakening of the New Era introduced the first Blue and Black leader, Sakazuki, who promoted a control playstyle. I remember how pristine the white box looked within its plastic seal and how satisfying it was to open each pack. I pulled almost everything I needed and enjoyed playing Sakazuki for a while - until he was banned.

Sentiments aside, the One Piece TCG has come a long way since Set 5: Awakening of the New Era, with Set 8 just around the corner. Now, I'd like to explore the top five cards from Awakening of the New Era that have withstood the test of time and continue to see play in meta decks within the One Piece TCG community.

Note: This list only includes non-leader cards. Leaders such as Enel are excluded.

5. Kaido: The Big Cost, Big Payoff Blue Dragon

Playing a 10-cost card in any deck is a huge risk; you need to have an established board state with a relatively threatening presence to justify using all your DON!! on one character. However, this literal beast is a 12000 power character with an On Play ability: "Draw four cards if your opponent has 3 or fewer life cards." Even the most impactful effects can be described in the simplest terms. For the cost of all your DON!!, you get a 12000 power body and potentially refill your hand with +8000 worth of counters. That might sound like magical Christmas land, but with Set 7 bringing a ton of support for Seven Warlords, this character has seen a lot of play at the top end of decks featuring Boa Hancock and Doflamingo leaders. And let's not forget the stunning art on this card! I know art doesn't win games, but just LOOK at how cool that Kaido is!

4. Eustass "Captain" Kid: The Aggressive Blocker

Next up, we have the aggressive and quick-to-attack fiery redhead, Eustass "Captain" Kid. Kid has proven to be a valuable character and blocker in any Purple deck with a cost of 5 and 6000 power. On top of those stats, Kid has the ability: "[Your Turn] [Once Per Turn] When a DON!! card on your field is returned to your DON!! deck, add up to 1 DON!! card from your DON!! deck and set it as active." This means that no matter how many DON!! are returned - whether it's one or four - you only get one back active, but sometimes that's all you need for characters like the smaller Vinsmoke family members.

Additionally, 6,000 power is tough to overcome for a blocker. Most opposing characters will have 5,000 power to match the standard leader stats, meaning that at least one DON!! would need to be committed to a 5,000 power character just to get around a 6,000 power blocker.

3. Enel: The Long-Limbed Lightning Rod

In third place, we have the long-limbed, barefooted, lightning rod man himself, Enel. Both Enel and Lucci leaders have been running rampant lately, and make no mistake - this character holds power similar to his leader counterpart. Enel is a 7-cost, 7,000 power character with Rush and the ability: "[Once Per Turn] If this character would leave the field, you may trash 1 card from the top of your Life cards instead. If there is a [Monkey D. Luffy] character, this effect is negated." While this ability is conditional, with many Luffys in the OPTCG to contend with, it's important to note that it says "would leave the field," not "when K.O.'d." This means cards like Gravity Blade Raging Tiger, Ten Thousand Worlds, or any other effect that would place Enel in the owner's hand or at the bottom of their deck, rather than in the trash, will also trigger this ability. This synergizes well with Enel leader, requiring your opponent to hit you three times just to try and get a win.

2. Rebecca: The Versatile Warrior from Dressrosa

Moving on to number two on our list, we have the beloved warrior from Dressrosa, Rebecca. This character has been the topic of discussion for many players within the One Piece TCG since it was spoiled before Set 5's release. While Bandai intended this card to support the Rebecca leader, the way it's written makes it highly versatile for ANY leader that includes Black in its identity. Rebecca is a 4-cost, 0 power blocker with an On Play ability: "Add up to 1 Black character card with a cost of 3 to 7, other than [Rebecca], from your trash to your hand. Then, play up to 1 Black character card with a cost of 3 or less from your hand, rested." This ability not only allows you to bring back threatening Black characters such as Kaku, Perona, Kuzan, or even Monkey D. Luffy (Dressrosa), but also lets you play a cost 3 or less character like Spandam, Brannew, Spandine, Koby, Tsuru, Helmeppo - any low-cost character that supports your strategy.

Although Rebecca may fall to a lot of Red removal due to her 0 power, she brings a lot to the table and sees play in decks led by characters like Rob Lucci and Gecko Moria.

1. Rob Lucci: The Ruthless CP0 Agent

Finally, at the top of our list, who else could take the number one spot but the recurring antagonist himself, Rob Lucci? Rob Lucci has been a powerhouse since his spoil, much like Rebecca. He is a 4-cost, 6000 power character with an On Play ability: "Add up to 1 Black character card with a cost of 3 to 7, other than [Rebecca], from your trash to your hand. Then, play up to 1 Black character card with a cost of 3 or less from your hand, rested." Black is known for reducing the cost of characters, and Rob Lucci falls within the threshold of Gecko Moria's ability, making him a prime candidate for inclusion in any Black deck.

Moreover, while Rob Lucci is part of the CP0 subtype, his ability isn't limited to returning only CP cards. You can return Thriller Bark, Navy, Dressrosa - any subtype card, not just characters - from your trash to the bottom of your deck to activate his On Play ability. Did you throw Isshou and Absalom from your hand or library into your trash? No problem. Pay 4 DON!!, play Rob Lucci, and return them to the bottom of your deck to draw at a later point. Want the possibility of playing Finger Gun one more time, but all your copies are in the trash? Again, not a problem! Play Rob Lucci, put your desired cards back in your deck, and remove some threats after reducing their cost. Rob Lucci proves to be a powerful asset in any deck and continues to see play in ANY deck that includes Black.

But these are just my thoughts. Are there any cards you think should've made the cut that didn't? Think it over, and let me know what you think the next time the seas part us, fellow seafarers!