Sakazuki (ST06-001)

Sakazuki in the One Piece TCG meta

Sakazuki (Akainu) ST06-001 is the removal-control Leader of Black. His Leader effect is devastatingly simple: once per turn during your main phase, give -1 cost to 1 opponent Character in play. This cost reduction enables more of Black's conditional removal effects (which often say "KO a Character with cost X or less") to reach more expensive targets, extending the range of all your removal tools. Black gives access to the strongest single-target KO effects in the game, and Sakazuki turns them all into answers for Characters 1 cost higher than they normally could answer.

Sakazuki Matchups

Tips for playing Sakazuki

1. 1

   The -1 cost effect is a prerequisite for most of Black's conditional removal. Activate it first on the opponent's most expensive non-immune Character, THEN activate the KO effect on the now-discounted target.

2. 2

   Black's weakness is wide boards — the removal is single-target. If the opponent deploys 3+ Characters at once, prioritize eliminating the ones with On Activate effects (like Usopp OP14-022) over the highest-power ones.

3. 3

   Sakazuki himself is the most important card in the deck after the Leader. When he enters the field, he gives -1 cost to an opponent Character. This stacks with the Leader's effect for a total -2 cost discount on the most dangerous target.

4. 4

   Against Enel: Black's -cost effects and most KO effects cannot target immune Characters. Redirect removal to Enel's Priest support characters (Ohm, Satori, Shura) and win through superior board control.

5. 5

   Mulligan for early 2–3 cost Black removal effects. Without early interaction, Black cannot develop its expensive pieces safely in mid game.