One Piece Red Shanks - Gameplay

Red Shanks Deck Guide Overview:

Red Shanks is one of the strongest Leaders in the OP09 meta, known for its defensive capabilities and power in the late game. This Leader thrives in controlling the board while maintaining a steady defense, allowing you to outlast your opponents and strike when the time is right. The deck focuses on field control, resource management, and power reduction to dominate opponents as the game progresses.

Leader Effect - Shanks offers a defensive effect that reduces the opponent’s Leader or Character Power by -1,000 during their attack phase. Think of it as a free +1,000 Counter that can help protect your key cards or make it easier to counter attacks with your resources. This effect is invaluable in the late game when you want to preserve resources for a final push.

Early Game Setup & Survival - Uta (OP09-002) is a great 1-cost Searcher that helps set up future plays by searching for a Red Haired Pirates card. This early game flexibility is crucial for either drawing removal options like Benn Beckman or preparing for a late-game Shanks. Lucky Roux (OP09-015) is a powerful early blocker that lets you control the opponent’s board. On KO, he removes an opponent’s 6,000 Power or less Character, neutralizing threats while allowing you to play more defensively. Yasopp (OP09-013) is an aggressive option that boosts your Leader’s Power by +1,000 while also reducing an opponent’s Character Power, making it easier to clear threats.

Early Game Survival Tools - Gum-Gum Red Hawk (OP01-047) is a powerful event that not only gives a +4,000 Counter boost but also KOs an opponent’s 4,000 Power or less Character, making it great for stopping early aggression. Guard Point (OP01-050) is another key survival tool, providing a +3,000 Counter boost to mitigate smaller swings in the early game and keep you alive for the late game.

Countering Out Early - Use your 2k Counters efficiently to minimize damage while maintaining card advantage. Cards like Building Snake (OP09-008) and Otama (OP01-006) can help in both countering and power reduction setups. Dealing with small swings (early 5k and 6k swings) requires careful resource management. Shanks' Leader ability helps reduce incoming damage, and timing small counter moves correctly can help you transition smoothly to the mid-game. Against Yellow Enel, Sanji is a crucial tech card that prevents resource and Life starvation, allowing you to keep up in the long game.

Mid-Game Power Plays - Silvers Rayleigh (OP09-005) is an excellent blocker that draws 2 and trashes 1 when played, providing card advantage and deck filtering. His Power reduction effect is key for neutralizing threats. Edward Newgate (ST15-002) is a high-impact removal tool with Activate: Main that KOs an opponent’s 5,000 Power or less Character. His 8,000 Power makes him hard to deal with despite being vulnerable after using his effect. Benn Beckman (OP09-009) is another efficient removal option, trashing an opponent’s 6,000 Power or less Character. His effect more than makes up for his relatively low 7,000 Power.

Additional Tech Options - Fire Force (Stage Card) provides additional defensive stability and synergy with power reduction strategies. Portgas D. Ace (OP09-017) is a 5-cost Ace that is difficult to remove due to his ability to apply a -2,000 Power reduction instead of being bounced, making him an excellent mid-game stabilizer.

Late Game Finishers - Shanks (OP09-004) provides a persistent -1,000 Power reduction to all of the opponent’s Characters while in play. At 12,000 Power, he’s both a defensive wall and a powerful attacker. Gol D. Roger (OP09-118) is the ultimate finisher. When the opponent is down to 0 Life cards, Roger prevents blockers from activating, allowing you to push through and claim victory. An alternative late-game strategy involves playing 8-cost Monkey D. Dragon or Silvers Rayleigh, instead of 10-cost Shanks, leaving 2 DON!! up for defensive events like Gum-Gum Red Hawk, Guard Point, or Radical Beam to improve survivability and establish board control.

Removal & Power Reduction Tools - Building Snake (OP09-008) and Otama (OP01-006) are 1-cost Power reducers that help set up removals. Hongo (OP09-011) is a cost-effective Power reducer that works well with high-cost removal. Silvers Rayleigh (OP08-118) weakens two opposing Characters by -3,000 and -2,000 Power, setting them up for removal.

Event Cards - Bad Manners Kick Course (OP04-016) is a +3,000 Power boost event, crucial for protecting your Leader or key Characters during an attack. Trashing a dead card for this boost can be the difference between surviving a turn or losing control.

Matchup Breakdown - Against Blue Doflamingo, focus on board control and eliminating threats. Lucky Roux can remove their weaker Characters, and Shanks’ effect hinders their aggression. Keep your hand size in check to avoid losing cards from their effects. Against Black Marshall D. Teach, this matchup is tricky due to Teach’s ability to shut down On Play effects. Prioritize removing Doc Q early, and use Edward Newgate for mid-game removal. Gol D. Roger is your win condition when they’re at 0 Life. Against Purple Monkey D. Luffy, be wary of ramp strategies from Charlotte Linlin and Kaido. Use your Power reduction tools to bring them into range for removal and apply early aggression to force them to use resources defensively. In a Red Shanks Mirror, it’s a battle of field control where getting Shanks into play first is crucial. Use Yasopp and removal tools to clear their board and push for a direct Leader attack.

Mulligan Tips - Keep Uta in your opening hand to set up future plays. Aim to have at least 1 removal Character for the mid-game, such as Edward Newgate or Benn Beckman. If your opening hand lacks early-game plays, mulligan Shanks to increase your chances of finding better early-game options.

Closing Thoughts - Red Shanks is a flexible deck that rewards strategic play and patience. By controlling the board and managing your resources wisely, you can shift between a defensive playstyle and aggressive late-game finishes. It’s ideal for players who enjoy thinking ahead and making tactical decisions based on the state of the game. Stay aware of small swings in the early game, counter efficiently, and leverage your Leader ability to minimize damage while setting up for a powerful late-game finish.