Highlights

  • The Great Pirate Era began with the death of Gol D. Roger, leading to an influx of pirates in search of the "One Piece" treasure.
  • Some pirates from the old era, such as Whitebeard and Roger, were incredibly powerful and left a lasting legacy despite their records being erased.
  • Legendary pirates like Captain John, Rocks D. Xebec, and Joyboy were among the strongest and most feared in the One Piece world, with their true power yet to be fully explored.

The Great Pirate Era in One Piece started with the death of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and countless pirates took to the sea in search of the grand treasure known as the "One Piece." Thanks to Roger's last words, piracy became a lot more common, however, even before the Great Pirate Era began, some incredible pirates ruled the seas of the One Piece world.

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While some of them had their names jotted down in the history books, others were so powerful that the Government completely erased every record of them. The power they wielded, however, remains a testament to their legacy.

Updated on October 25, 2023 by Rei Penber: the new era of Pirates is taking the seas by storm and shaping the face of the world in One Piece. However, the old era of piracy is just as incredible, with some of the most charismatic characters having lived during this time. As One Piece dives into the final saga, quite a lot has been revealed already about the pirates that existed in the old era. This list already goes over the strongest pirates of the old era in One Piece, however, thanks to the latest flashbacks, fans have found out a great deal about old pirates who shaped the current era in more ways than one.

24 Brook

Brook Defending Robin

Brook is a part of the Straw Hat Pirates, who plays the role of their musician. While he's a part of the current pirate era, Brook was also a pirate prior to that. In fact, he was actually a pirate even before the era of Roger. When Brook was an accomplished pirate, Roger was considered to be a rookie.

That puts into perspective how long Brook has lived. He is a rare case of pirates who can be considered to be part of both the old and the new eras of piracy. Regardless, when it comes to strength, Brook is quite capable, and his bounty of 383 million berries speaks for itself.

23 Zeff

Zeff One Piece

Also known as Red-Leg, Zeff was a famous pirate of the old era and one of the very few who have made a name for themselves in the East Blue. Zeff took to the seas to look for the ocean known as the All Blue. He voyaged across the Grand Line for a year and returned unharmed, which is quite a feat.

In his prime, Zeff's strength was said to have been so incredible that whenever he fought, his foot was coated in the blood of his enemies, earning him the epithet of "Red-Leg" Zeff. Although Zeff has considerably weakened in the current time, he was one of the strongest pirates in One Piece in his prime.

22 Crocus

Crocus One Piece

Crocus was the doctor of the Roger Pirates and an incredibly powerful fighter as well. Although he was a part of the Roger Pirates for quite a short while, joining only for the last voyage, Crocus managed to do the impossible and reached Laugh Tale with Roger.

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As a fighter, he is likely to have been impressive as that's expected of the Pirate King's crew. Crocus engaged the likes of Whitebeard Pirates and also the Golden Lion Pirates in combat on several occasions and remained relatively unharmed over the years.

21 Silver Axe

Roger and Garp vs Rocks Pirates

Silver Axe was a member of the Rocks Pirates but, unfortunately, not much is known about him. However, from what little fans know, he was one of the strongest pirates of the old era. Not just anyone would be allowed to join the Rocks Crew and the fact that he managed this is a testament to his strength. Furthermore, he was also a legendary figure in the One Piece world, given that Sengoku speaks of him in high regard.

While fans have not seen much from this mysterious character, Silver Axe was certainly one of the strongest pirates of the old era. On the island of God Valley, 38 years ago, he took part in the God Valley Incident and fought against the World Government and the Marines. Somehow, this elite force was wiped out and the whereabouts of Silver Axe have been unknown since then.

20 Captain John

Captain John One Piece

Captain John was one of the members of Rocks Pirates around 50 years ago and together with his crewmates, he ruled the seas with absolute authority. After the God Valley Incident, Captain John became much stronger and earned great fame.

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He's known to have been a legendary pirate. He died at an unknown time, however, history still remembers him as a phenomenal pirate. His treasure is especially regarded to be unique and was sought by Buggy.

19 Izo

Izo One Piece

Izo, just like Brook, is a pirate who has played an active role in both the old and the new era. He hailed from the land of Wano and left the country with Oden when Whitebeard docked his ship. Just like Oden himself, Izo joined the Whitebeard pirates and, although he was just protecting his lord at first, he soon became an integral part of this pirate crew.

In fact, when Oden left for Roger Pirates, Izo stayed behind with this group and continued to make his mark. He acquired a bounty of 510 million berries, which is extremely impressive. He also played an active role in the new pirate era, where he joined the raid on Onigashima. He fought against Kaido very impressively and, eventually, died while liberating his country.

18 Little Oars Jr.

little oars jr one piece

Little Oars Jr was around 72 years old during the Paramount War. For a giant, this is extremely young, yet, it also goes to show that he existed during the old era for sure. Little Oars Junior belongs to the race of Ancient Giants and he also has his own pirate crew. His pirate crew has likely been active for quite a long time and that means he was also active at some point before the beginning of the Great Pirate Era.

What exactly he did and where he originates from is something that fans do not know just yet, however, it is possible that Oda will shed more light on this in the future. Little Oars Junior has a bounty of 550 million berries. His current whereabouts remain unknown after he suffered great injuries in the Paramount War.

17 Don Chinjao

One Piece Don Chinjao fighting against Lucy

The 12th leader of the Happo Navy, Don Chinjao was one of the strongest pirates in One Piece, and back in the day, he was feared as a legendary pirate. Chinjao had a bounty of over 500 million berries on his head, which just goes to show that the level of skill that he possessed was quite high.

He could use all the three types of Haki and had, in the past, fought Garp on multiple occasions. Chinjao often made use of his drill in combat and it is believed that it was strong enough to split a continent of ice apart. During his last fight against Garp, he lost his drill and therefore, his biggest source of power.

16 Wang Zhi

Rocks Pirates from One Piece 1096

Wang Zhi was a member of the Rocks Pirates and one of the most intriguing members of the crew, other than the ones that the fans already saw in the story in the form of the Yonko. Wang Zhi was believed to be insignificant for the vast majority of the series, however, was later revealed to be the leader of the Pirate Island up until the timeskip of One Piece.

This means that he was still a major force in the new world as a pirate. Eventually, during the day of the Rocky Port Incident, Trafalgar Law and Blackbeard combined inadvertently and stripped him from power. It is unknown what ended up happening to Wang Zhi, however, Blackbeard took control of the Pirate Island. His name is held in legendary light, as was confirmed by the Marines themselves at one point in the story. Sadly, fans have never seen him in the manga, and all the legendary weight that his name carries is through the mouths of other characters.

15 Miss Buckingham Stussy

Buckingham Stussy from One Piece

It was recently confirmed that Miss Buckingham Stussy was also a member of the Rocks Pirates a long time ago. She is a self-proclaimed scientist who was supposedly very strong in the old era. Miss Buckingham Stussy is one of the strongest old era pirates and she also had connections with the likes of Vegapunk.

It is also believed that she was the lover of Whitebeard, after whom Weevil is modeled. In terms of strength, Miss Buckingham Stussy was strong enough to join a powerful crew such as the Rocks Pirates. She was also present in God Valley during this major incident, as has been confirmed in One Piece during the flashback of Bartholomew Kuma.

14 Dorry/Brogy

Dorry and Broggy from One Piece 1107

Dorry and Brogie are two of the strongest pirates who co-captained the Giant Warrior Pirates at one point in their lives. They were a force so powerful that they were believed to be demons and even though they have just a bounty of 100 million berries, their true strength far surpasses that amount.

What's more, they are Giants and, thus, have a massive lifespan. Sadly, Dorry and Brogy got into a competition within themselves that lasted for quite a long time on Little Garden in the Grand Line. Now, Dorry and Brogy are back on Elbaf, as seen when they allied with the Red Hair Pirates to destroy the Kid Pirates. They are powerful Haki users and, given that they hail from the mightiest race to exist in the One Piece world, they are surely tremendously powerful.

13 Jarul/Jorul

Jarul trying to kill Linlin

Just like Dorry and Brogy, Jarul and Jorul co-captained the Giant Warrior Pirates at one point in their lives. They were hailed as heroes and the likes of Hajrudin looked up to them immensely. Their strength is believed to be legendary and only a handful of characters could take them on in combat.

Being successful pirates in the New World, both Jarul and Jorul were likely incredibly powerful in their primes. Sadly, fans only saw them close to their deaths, when they were exceptionally old. Jorul ended up dying at the hands of a younger Big Mom during the Winter Solstice, while Jarul managed to survive, however, was incapacitated. In their primes, both Jarul and Jorul would have been monstrously powerful and strong enough to take on some of the mightiest people in the One Piece world.

12 Shakky

Shakky One Piece

Shakky was always believed to be a powerful pirate, as she mentioned that, around 40 years ago, she was being chased by Monkey D. Garp, who was like a demon to pirates at the time. However, it was only recently confirmed that Shakky was actually the former Empress of Amazon Lily and the captain of the Kuja Pirates before Hancock.

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This essentially means that Shakky is an incredibly powerful fighter, given that Hancock herself possesses tremendous strength. Shakky being a Kuja also means that she has immense control over Haki, as this tribe is predisposed to this skill. Shakky would also have exceptional control over both Armament and Observation Haki. What's more, like Hancock, she is likely going to be a user of Conqueror's Haki as well, and if she can infuse it, that would put into perspective how dangerous a pirate she truly is.

11 Gloriosa

Gloriosa Kuja One Piece Rocks

Much to the surprise of everyone, Gloriosa, who is also known as Elder Nyon, was a member of the Rocks Pirates as well. Fans know her to be one of the former Empresses of Amazon Lily. Although she is weak and feeble right now, 38 years ago, she was in her prime and a very powerful pirate. She took part in the God Valley Incident and arrived with Rocks in God Valley.

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There, she fought to her heart's content and managed to survive this incident, which just goes to show how strong she is. Fans do not know her to possess any Devil Fruit ability and, given that she is from the Kuja Tribe, it is only logical that she is a master of Haki. Given that she was the former Empress of Amazon Lily, she was likely a master of all Haki types as well. Hopefully, fans will get to see more about how she became one of the strongest One Piece pirates of the old era.

10 Scopper Gaban

Scopper Gaban fighting Whitebeard Pirates

One of the strongest members of the Roger Pirates, Scopper Gaban was an incredibly powerful pirate. According to Roger, he was one of his two best men on the crew, putting him second to just Silvers Rayleigh. Although he hasn't been seen fighting in the story, he's known to be a user of Haki.

His weapons of choice are two axes and he's very proficient with their usage. Gaban's whereabouts after the disbandment of the Roger Pirates are unknown.

9 Silvers Rayleigh

One Piece Silvers Rayleigh Kenbunshoku Haki

The right-hand of the Pirate King, Silvers Rayleigh is one of the most fearsome pirates in the story. As the second strongest of the original members of the Roger Pirates, Rayleigh earned the title of the Dark King.

In the One Piece world, he's feared by nearly everyone and even Garp held him in legendary light before the Paramount War. Rayleigh wields all three Haki types and has great control over Ryou as well.

8 Kaido

Kaido, the strongest creature in the world

Just like Captain John, Kaido was one of the members of the Rocks Pirates as well, however, he was one of the weaker members of the group as he was merely an apprentice back then. After Rocks' fall, he immediately made a great name for himself and in the years to come, he had acquired a powerful crew.

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Before the Great Pirate Era began, however, Kaido wasn't as strong as he is today. In fact, his pirate crew was far from being complete during the time.

7 Kozuki Oden

One Piece Kozuki Oden using his two-sword style

Kozuki Oden was the strongest samurai of Wano Country and a man that even the likes of Roger and Whitebeard were charmed by. He was an incredible samurai who wielded two swords, Ame no Habakiri and Enma, both of which are considered to be powerful.

Oden was a great user of Ryuo and he could also use Conqueror's Haki to coat his attacks, making him one of the strongest in the world. In his fight against Kaido, he nearly killed him and won the war with just 10 men on his side.

6 Shiki

Shiki One Piece Golden Lion

Also known as the Flying Pirate, Shiki is one of the most infamous pirates in the One Piece world. He was once a subordinate of Rocks but after the fall of the crew, he created the Golden Lion pirates. His armada is known to have been the biggest in the One Piece world, second to none. Shiki was a rival to the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.

What's more, he was strong enough to fight both Garp and Sengoku at the same time and destroy half of Marineford while at it. His powers of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi gave him the ability to fly and make inanimate objects levitate as well.

5 Charlotte Linlin

Big Mom scaring the Beasts Pirates

One of the Yonko, Charlotte Linlin, also known as Big Mom, is one of the most fearsome pirates in the One Piece world. She was once one of the most prominent members of Rocks' crew. With the power of the Soru Soru no Mi, she can manipulate souls according to her will and even bring inanimate objects to life.

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Linlin was incredibly powerful back in the day and certainly stronger than Kaido as she had already established herself as a rival to Roger. Her usage of all the Haki types, along with her natural monstrous power, makes her a force to be reckoned with.