How to Build an Usopp Deck in One Piece Card Game

It took me an embarrassing amount of time to realize that Usopp's long nose exists solely to pay reference to the story of Pinocchio. I mean, come on. He's a notorious liar. It really should have been obvious — but I was too focused on the logistics of the infamous Straw Hat sniper. 

Would a nose that big get in the way of achieving the perfect shot? Would it simply serve as a built-in scope? We may never know. 

Usopp sits in a weird spot amongst the Straw Hat crew. As the third member to join the team, he's unquestionably a formative part of the stories we've grown to love. Nico Robin isn't rescued at Enies Lobby without the notorious Sogeking, and thousands of slaves in Dressrosa have "God Usopp" to thank for their freedom. Simply put, our protagonists don't achieve several of their biggest moments without Usopp. 

With that, the character is still a controversial figure amongst the fanbase. Some adore the sentimental nature and periodic feats of heroism, while others feel displeased with his cowardly nature and compulsive lies. Usopp is insecure, easily frightened, and riddled with anxiety, which is a stark contrast to the rest of his crew. In my opinion, this character style needs to exist for other personalities to shine, but others claim that opposing personalities take away more than they give. 

How to Build an Usopp Deck in One Piece Card Game

Thankfully, the character is less contentious over in the TCG. Usopp has exactly one leader card available in the game so far — Usopp (OP10-042). The deck is not only a flavorful homage to the lives saved on Dressrosa, it's also fiercely competitive at the top tournament tables. A thematic leader who can win the big prizes? Sign me up! That's exactly what I want to offer to diehard anime and manga fans.

So, how do you build it? What does a Usopp deck look like in the One Piece Card Game? 

• 1 Usopp (OP10-042)
• 4 Rebecca (OP04-092)
• 4 Leo (OP10-057)
• 3 Gyats (OP04-080)
• 4 Ideo (OP04-077)
• 2 One-Legged Toy Soldier (OP05-081)
• 4 Bartolomeo (OP04-089)
• 4 Franky (OP10-090)
• 3 Cavendish (OP10-045)
• 3 Roronoa Zoro (OP10-095)
• 2 Sabo (OP10-049)
• 4 Kyros (OP10-046)
• 4 Rebecca (OP10-058)
• 1 Monkey.D.Luffy (OP04-090)
• 4 Gum-Gum King Kong Gun (OP04-093)
• 4 Corrida Coliseum (OP04-096) 

There's a whole lot of upside to building Usopp right now. First, let's talk about the big one: $25?! You're telling me I can build an entire tournament-ready deck list for the price of a subpar takeaway?!? Tick the box, I'm sold. 

Second, the leader is easy to buy into right now. Usopp heavily incentivizes {Dressrosa} synergies with both abilities, so the majority of cards you'll need to build your deck can be found in either Kingdoms of Intrigue (OP04) or the recently released Royal Blood (OP10). I'm a huge fan of releasing leaders who lean into their surrounding card pool. It makes buying One Piece Booster Boxes far more appealing! 

In terms of gameplay, the deck is also easy to understand. You'll be looking to build a board of {Dressrosa} characters who replace themselves immediately. Rebecca (OP04-092), Leo (OP10-057), and Cavendish (OP10-045) are perfect examples of this effect, filtering through additional cards to find whatever you are missing while keeping your hand topped up with enough cards to trigger Usopp's second ability each turn. 

Usopp's first ability also has a surprising impact. Primarily, you'll just be happy with Rebecca (OP10-058) seeing herself as an eight-cost character for her own ability, but you're also causing headaches for opposing removal that cares about character cost. Tempest Kick (OP07-096) is a premier option for other black leaders like Rob Lucci (OP07-079), but Bartolomeo (OP04-089) won't be falling victim to the trigger without a little help. 

Franky (OP01-090) also offers the deck a surprising amount of versatility. You'll be filling your trash with all your early plays, allowing Franky to provide a problematic blocker that will toolbox into whatever cheap {Dressrosa} character you need if K.O'd. Sometimes, you'll just want the additional blocker from Ideo (OP04-077) but pulling back Leo (OP10-057) or Rebecca (OP04-092) will get you closer to your next big finisher. I love grabbing One-Legged Toy Soldier (OP05-081) to combo with Roronoa Zoro (OP10-095)!

But the coolest thing about subtype-focused decks is the ability to give them heinously stupid cardboard that would be utterly broken if it wasn't locked to that type. Corrida Coliseum (OP04-096) is a brutal payoff for focusing on {Dressrosa} and pairs perfectly with Roronoa Zoro (OP10-095) and Leo (OP10-057) because it doesn't care about being rested. Even better, Gum-Gum King Kong Gun reads like a full-blown custom card. All the incidental cards sent to trash will turbocharge a gigantic double-striking Monkey.D.Luffy (OP04-090) can smash into an opposing character or leader multiple times in the same turn. Thanks to all your card draw and search effects, it isn't difficult to assemble this one-two punch in the later stages of a game and immediately slam the door shut. 

Closing Thoughts

I was certainly wondering how long we'd need to wait to see Usopp receiving the leader treatment, and I'm overjoyed that Royal Blood (OP-10) brought such a flavorful offering. This leader has proven very potent at the competitive level and will only improve over time as more {Dressrosa} characters enter the game. At less than thirty bucks at the time of publication, that's a great deal to me. 

But what do you think? Let me know at @HowlingMines on X (formerly Twitter) or @howlingmines.com over on Bluesky! Alternatively, give my other work here on TCGplayer a peek if you'd like another slice of everything nice about your favorite game.

But until next time. I've been HowlingMines, you've been amazing!

Stay safe out there — and happy gaming!