One Piece: Ranking Zoro's 10 Most Powerful Moves by Strength

As the right-hand man to Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro stands out as one of the most formidable members of the Straw Hat Pirates. Zoro was the first to join Luffy's crew, starting his adventure back in Shells Town. His ultimate ambition is to become the "Strongest Swordsman in the World," a title he can only claim by defeating Dracule Mihawk.

Throughout the numerous arcs of One Piece, Zoro has steadily advanced towards this goal. His battles against the Grand Line's elite fighters have significantly enhanced his physical and mental prowess, resulting in a deadlier array of attacks. By the Wano Arc, Zoro has grown strong enough to contend with One Piece's most powerful characters, thanks to his impressive collection of special moves.

Updated on june 14, 2024, by japstan With One Piece now in its Final Saga, the number of remaining battles is limited. However, it is almost certain that Roronoa Zoro will have the chance to become even stronger before the series concludes. Therefore, we've updated this list with additional information about Zoro's most powerful attacks.

Ashura Triples Zoro's Potential By Unlocking The Nine Sword Style!!

Ashura is a technique Zoro first showcased during the Enies Lobby arc before One Piece's two-year time skip. When the Cipher Pol assassination branch targeted Nico Robin and the Straw Hat Pirates, Zoro ended up battling Kaku, who wielded the Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Giraffe. During the fight, Zoro calmed his mind and unleashed the Ashura technique for the first time.

This skilled swordsman unlocks the Nine Sword Style, effectively tripling his offensive power by creating the illusion of two extra heads and four extra arms. This technique is one of Zoro's best, as even the formidable Kaku could not withstand the Nine Sword Style. However, Zoro has since developed a more advanced version of this technique, which is why Ashura holds the lowest ranking on this list.

Features

• Also known as Kiki Kyutoryu: Ashura

• A "three-faced, six-armed demon god" appears behind Zoro

Great Dragon Shock Is Performed By Swinging Shusui Downwards!!

Features

• Also known as Daishinkan

• Only one sword has been used for this technique

Great Dragon Shock is a One Sword Style attack that Zoro first uses against Monet of the Donquixote Pirates during the Punk Hazard arc in One Piece. This technique involves swinging Shusui, one of the 21 Great Grade swords in the series, in a lightning-fast downward motion. The attack, aptly named Great Dragon Shock, sends a powerful shockwave that slices through anything in its path.

When Zoro employs it against Monet, the attack cuts through her Logia form without any Haki on the blade. With Shusui no longer in Zoro's possession, it will be interesting to see if he can still perform this technique. However, given that Zoro upgraded from Shusui to Enma, it should theoretically still be possible.

720 Pound Phoenix Generates Two Powerful Wind Columns!!

Features

• Also known as Nanahyakuniju Pound Ho

• Advanced variant of the 720 Pound Phoenix

Features

• Also known as Senhachiju Pound Ho

• Can cut through almost anything

The 720 Pound Phoenix is a Two Sword Style technique first showcased by Zoro during the Wano Country arc. By spinning both swords in his hands, Zoro generates two immensely powerful columns of wind that he can launch at his opponents. Based on the Nanajuni Pound Ho, the 720 Pound Phoenix remains a formidable technique.

When Zoro uses this move against Kurozumi Orochi in the Wano arc, he nearly defeats the island's shogun in an instant. However, since Kyoshiro deflects this attack, it is clear that this isn't the strongest move in Zoro's arsenal. Additionally, Zoro can always add a third sword to elevate the 720 Pound Phoenix to an even higher level.

Features

• Also known as Ittoryu Iai: Shishi Sonson

• Originally used to be called Lion's Strike

1080 Pound Phoenix Requires Zoro To Spin All Three Blades!!

Throughout One Piece, Roronoa Zoro hones and evolves his 36 Pound Phoenix attack. By the Dressrosa arc, he unlocks the 1080 Pound Phoenix — a long-range technique powerful enough to slice through Pica's enormous stone body. While the 720 Pound Phoenix utilizes only two of Zoro's swords, the 1080 Pound Phoenix harnesses the full power of all three.

By rapidly spinning his three blades, Zoro launches three devastating projectiles that can cut through even the toughest materials. Despite its impressive power, the 1080 Pound Phoenix isn't enough to defeat Pica entirely. To finish the job, Zoro must employ a technique even more powerful.

Lion's Song Effortless Carves Through Pica's Enormous StoneBody!!

Features

• Also known as Homura Saki: Rokudo no Tsuji

• Advanced variant of the Crossroad of Six Paths

During the Straw Hat Pirates' liberation of Alabasta Kingdom, Roronoa Zoro faces his toughest opponent yet: Mr. 1. The Baroque Works agent's Devil Fruit ability allows him to transform his body into steel, compelling Zoro to unlock a technique capable of cutting through metal. In the nick of time, Zoro defeats Mr. 1 with this technique, initially known as Lion's Strike.

The technique was later renamed Lion's Song, a One Sword Style ability that effortlessly carved through Pica of the Donquixote Pirates and negated Kaku's Tekkai ability. Although it proved less effective against King the Conflagration, it remains an extremely lethal move. However, even Lion's Song is outshined by other techniques in Zoro's arsenal.

Flame Rend:Crossing The Six Paths Is Used Against Prometheus!!

The Crossing the Six Paths attack is one of Roronoa Zoro's Three Sword Style techniques, first used against Surume the Kraken on the way to Fishman Island. However, during the Raid on Onigashima, he reveals an evolved version known as Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths, which is significantly stronger than its earlier forms.

Reflecting Roronoa Zoro's enhanced post-time-skip abilities, the Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths technique is incredibly powerful. Zoro employs this attack against Prometheus, Big Mom's fiery homie, leaving even Prometheus greatly exhausted. This demonstrates that Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths is a formidable threat to any opponent.

Features

• Also known as Santoryu Ogi: Ichidai Sanzen Daisen Sekai

• Trichiliocosm is a notion borrowed from Buddhist cosmology

Billion-Fold World Trichiliocosm Uses Armament Haki To Increase Its Potency!!

Features

• Also known as En-O Santoryu: Ippyakusanjo Hiryu Jigoku

• Generates a gargantuan dragon made of fire

The strongest technique that Roronoa Zoro uses in the Dressrosa arc is a Three Sword Style ability known as the Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm. This move serves as the penultimate attack in his fight against Pica. Given Zoro's growth during the Wano Country arc, it is likely even more devastating now.

Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm is an enhanced version of the Three Thousand Worlds technique, augmented by Armament Haki to boost its offensive power. Although this attack doesn't appear in the Wano Country arc, it remains a significant asset for Zoro when facing larger opponents. Interestingly, Zoro chants a mathematical mantra before performing the Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm, though the specific words likely don't impact the result.

Features

• Also known as Rengoku Oni Giri

• Uses both Conqueror's and Armament Haki

The Purgatory Oni Giri Is One Of Zoro's Swordfighting Staples!!

The original Oni Giri attack is one of Zoro's classic staples, like this sense of style. The three-sword user has used the technique since the East Blue, and as time goes on, it only becomes more dangerous. By the end of the Raid on Onigashima, Zoro can infuse the attack with Armament and Conqueror's Haki. This results in a new attack that he calls Purgatory Oni Giri, making him considerably more powerful.

Although Purgatory Oni Giri isn't what takes down King the Conflagration, Zoro forces the Beasts Pirates' All-Star to avoid the attack several times. Given the technique's association with the Straw Hat Pirates' second-in-command, it's safe to assume that Zoro will continue to refine and develop Purgatory Oni Giri as time goes on.

Features

• Also known as Ashura Bakkei: Moja no Tawamure

• Leaves a scar on Kaidou's body

Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man's Game Permanently Scars Kaido!!

When Roronoa Zoro first uses his Ashura technique against CP9's Kaku, it quickly becomes one of his most powerful attacks. This changes dramatically when the ability, now titled Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man's Game, reappears during his battle with Kaido. During this clash, Zoro discovers his ability to manifest Conqueror's Haki for the first time.

Any attack that leaves a mark on Kaido is remarkable, so the fact that Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man's Game permanently scars the Emperor of the Sea highlights its immense power. Before this, only Kozuki Oden had managed to scar Kaido. Additionally, Kaido comments that this ability taps into Zoro's Conqueror's Haki, making it a highly effective technique against nearly any opponent.

Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation Defeats King The Conflagration!!

Roronoa Zoro's power grows exponentially during the Raid on Onigashima, largely due to his increasing ability to weaponize Conqueror's Haki. This development culminates in his battle against King the Conflagration, where Zoro unveils his new King of Hell style. This technique represents a pinnacle achievement for someone aspiring to be the world's greatest swordsman.

The King of Hell Style enables Zoro to imbue all three of his swords with both Armament and Conqueror's Haki, elevating his offensive power to near-Emperor levels. The signature attack of this style, Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation, defeats King the Conflagration in a single strike, solidifying Zoro's status among the New World's elite. This is undoubtedly the most powerful move Zoro has displayed to date.

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