Today we're taking a closer look at the third One Piece TCG set, specifically the rarest One Piece TCG cards from Pillars of Strength . After the first set, Romance Dawn, and the second set, Paramount, were very well received by the community, expectations for the third set, Pillars of Strength, are just as high. This set was released in June 2023. In the following article, we'll look at what sets the Pillars of Strength set apart and which are the rarest One Piece TCG cards. But before we take a closer look at the top 10, let's first take a closer look at the set.
The One Piece TCG Set Paramount War
The One Piece TCG set “ Paramount War ” is an expansion to the popular trading card game based on the epic “Paramount War” storyline from the One Piece manga and anime.
Released in March 2023 , this set features a variety of new cards that bring to life the gripping battles and diverse characters of this thrilling arc.
The standout feature of "Pillars of Strength" was the introduction of a sixth color, yellow . This innovation brought a refreshing dynamic to the game and opened up entirely new strategic possibilities for deck building and gameplay. Yellow cards focus on control effects, resource management, and manipulating the flow of the game.
Additionally, the set introduced a variety of new characters from the world of One Piece that weren't previously represented in the game. These new characters enriched the gameplay experience by giving players the opportunity to vary their decks with new abilities and strategies.
Another highlight of the set were the so-called " Alt-Art " cards, which featured alternative designs of popular characters. These cards proved extremely popular with collectors and added an extra dimension to the set.
How did fans react to the Pillars of Strength set?
Some players found the yellow cards overpowered compared to the other colors. This was partly due to their ability to control the opponent's resources and influence the game. The new mechanics that came with the introduction of the sixth color seemed somewhat complex to some players. This could be particularly challenging for newcomers or players who hadn't yet fully embraced the new strategies.
Some players criticized the difficulty in obtaining rare and super rare cards from the set. This could be frustrating, especially for players who needed these cards for their decks. While "Pillars of Strength" was considered a success overall, there was still room for improvement. Bandai has already taken steps to address these issues, and it is hoped that the company will continue to work on further improving the gameplay experience in the future.
The Treasure from Pillars of Strength
Compared to the first two sets, this time the treasure isn't a card, but rather the introduction of the sixth color, yellow, which added a new dimension to the game. Yellow cards brought fresh strategies and tactical possibilities, especially through their ability to control the opponent's resources and influence the game.
In addition, the set offered a variety of new characters and abilities that enriched the gaming experience and opened up new paths to success for players. The " Alt-Art " cards, which featured alternative designs for familiar characters, were particularly popular and highly sought after by collectors.
Dive into the rarest cards from the One Piece TCG Pillars of Strength
In the next section, we'll take a closer look at the rarest cards from the One Piece TCG Pillars of Strength set . As usual, we'll divide them into a top 10 list and analyze each card in depth.
The Top 10 Rarest One Piece TCG Pillars of Strength Cards:
THE TOP 10
An overview of the rarest cards from the One Piece TCG Pillars of Strength .
- as of April 2024.
10th place: Arlong (OP03-022) (V.2)
Tenth place goes to the impressive card numbered OP03-022 (V.2 ), depicting the fearsome fish-man pirate Arlong. This card perfectly captures Arlong's menacing aura and strength. With its striking design and detailed illustration, it's a true eye-catcher in any collection. Known for his brutality and his bond with Nami, Arlong undoubtedly deserves to be featured at number 10 on our list.
Price approx. 95 euros (PSA 10)
9th place: Eustass “Captain” Kid (OP01-051)
At number 9 on our top 10 list is the impressive card number OP01-051 , depicting the fearsome pirate captain Eustass "Captain" Kid. This card perfectly captures Kid's rugged and rebellious nature and exudes his undeniable strength. With its striking design and captivating illustration, it's a must-have for any collection. Eustass Kid, known for his rebellious spirit and unbridled strength, undoubtedly deserves a place among the best cards at number 9 on our list.
Price approx. 95 euros in PSA 10.
8th place: Rob Lucci (OP03-076) (V.2)
At number 8 on our top 10 list is the impressive card number OP03-076 (V.2) , featuring the dangerous CP9 agent Rob Lucci. This card perfectly captures Lucci's brutal determination and combat skills. With its striking design and detailed illustration, it's a focal point in any collection. Known for his icy demeanor and incredible strength, Rob Lucci undoubtedly deserves a place in our top 10 list.
Price approx. 99 euros (PSA 10)
7th place: Iceburg (OP03-058) (V.2)
At number 7 on our top 10 list, we find the impressive card number OP03-058 (V.2 ), featuring the gifted shipwright Iceburg. This card perfectly captures Iceburg's determination and technical skill . With its detailed design and impressive illustration, it's a gem in any collection. Known for his mastery of shipbuilding and his role as mayor of Water 7, Iceburg undoubtedly deserves a place in our top 10 list.
Price approx. 160 euros (PSA 10)
6th place: Portgas.D.Ace (OP03-001) (V.2)
At number 6 on our top 10 list is the captivating card numbered OP03-001 (V.2) , depicting the legendary pirate Portgas D. Ace. This card perfectly captures Ace's bold determination and legacy . With its striking design and impressive illustration, it's a true treasure for any collection. Known for his fiery personality and close bond with Luffy, Portgas D. Ace undoubtedly deserves a place in our top 10 list.
Price approx. 180 euros (PSA 10)
5th place: Charlotte Katakuri (OP03-123) (V.2)
At number 5 on our top 10 list is the fearsome card number OP03-123 (V.2) , depicting the mighty commander of the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Katakuri. This card perfectly captures Katakuri's relentless strength and iron will. With its imposing design and captivating illustration, it's a highlight in any collection. Known for her impressive skills and unwavering faith in her family, Charlotte Katakuri undoubtedly deserves a place in our top 10 list.
Price approx. 185 euros (PSA 10)
4th place: Charlotte Katakuri (OP03-099) (V.2)
At number 4 on our top 10 list is the impressive card numbered OP03-099 (V.2) , which once again features the mighty commander of the Big Mom Pirates , Charlotte Katakuri. This card once again perfectly captures Katakuri's relentless strength and iron will. With its imposing design and captivating illustration, it's a true eye-catcher in any collection. Known for her outstanding skills and deep bond with her family, Charlotte Katakuri undoubtedly deserves a top spot in our top 10 list.
Price approx. 235 euros (PSA 10)
3rd place: Monkey.D.Luffy (ST01-012)
At number 3 on our top 10 list is the impressive card numbered ST01-012 , featuring the legendary pirate Monkey D. Luffy. This card perfectly captures Luffy's friendly smile and sense of humor. With its WANTED design and captivating illustration, it's a true treasure for any collection. Monkey D. Luffy, known for his tireless search for the One Piece and his ability to make friends, undoubtedly deserves a place among our top 10 list.
Price approx. 250 euros (PSA 10)
2nd place: Nami (OP03-040) (V.2)
In second place on our top 10 list is the enchanting card numbered OP03-040 (V.2) , featuring the talented navigator and thief Nami. This card perfectly captures Nami's intelligence and abilities. With its detailed design and captivating illustration, it's a gem in any collection. Nami, known for her determination and loyalty to the Straw Hat Pirates, undoubtedly deserves the silver podium spot in our top 10 list.
Price approx. 270 euros (PSA 10)
1st place: Sogeking (OP03-122) (V.3)
At the top of our top 10 list is the legendary card numbered OP03-122 (V.3 ), featuring the mysterious archer Sogeking. This card perfectly captures Sogeking's mystery and impressive abilities. With its unique design and captivating illustration, it's a true highlight in any collection. Known for his crucial role in supporting the Straw Hat Pirates, Sogeking undoubtedly deserves a top spot as number 1 in our list of the best cards.
Price approx. 990 € (PSA 10)
Conclusion on the Pillars of Strength set
My personal conclusion about "Pillars of Strength" is quite positive. The introduction of the sixth color, yellow, brought refreshing variety to the game and opened up new strategic possibilities for players. The new characters and abilities enriched the gaming experience and offered scope for creative deck-building strategies.
However, there were also challenges, particularly regarding the difficulty of obtaining rare cards, which could be frustrating for some players. Nevertheless, "Pillars of Strength" was a step in the right direction for the One Piece TCG, and I'm excited to see how future sets will further develop and improve on these fundamentals. We'll explore this in more detail in subsequent posts.
Further information
Please note that the market prices indicated reflect the current selling prices for cards in “ Mint ” (PSA 10) condition.
There are numerous online platforms and communities that provide a wealth of resources for the One Piece TCG. These sources are extremely helpful for learning more about the game, developing strategies, and expanding your collection. Here are some recommendations:
offers a comprehensive collection of important information, news, and updates about the game. Official announcements about upcoming expansions and events are also published there.
is home to various subreddits for the One Piece TCG, where players discuss, rate cards, share decklists, and search for trading partners. Subreddits like r/OnePieceTCG or r/OnePieceTCGMarketplace can be extremely helpful in this regard.
You'll find a variety of channels dedicated to the One Piece TCG. Pack openings, deck profiles, gameplay videos, and tournament reports are often published there. Some channels also offer guides and tips specifically for beginners.
