As the right hand to Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro is easily one of the strongest members of One Piece‘s Straw Hat Pirates. Zoro was the first person to join the Straw Hat Pirates’ captain, beginning his journey with the crew all the way back in Shells Town. He holds the singular goal of becoming the “Strongest Swordsman in the World” — something that can only be accomplished by defeating Dracule Mihawk. Immediately, his strength is acknowledged by opponents who know him by reputation, as well as his fight against the bounty hunters in Whiskey Peak.

Over One Piece‘s many narrative arcs, Zoro has gradually inched closer to his goal. His clashes with the Grand Line’s strongest fighters have led him to grow much stronger physically and mentally, and as a result, his repertoire of attacks is more lethal than ever. As of the Wano Arc, Zoro has become strong enough to challenge the most powerful characters in One Piece, such as King the Conflagration and even Kaido all thanks to his litany of special moves like Lion’s Song, Huhuva Speckes Hunt and Clear Lance.

Updated on July 3rd, 2024, by Natasha Elder: Even as One Piece is continuing through the Egghead Island Arc, Roronoa Zoro is demonstrating new, strong moves. Due to this, we wanted to discuss more of Zoro’s strongest moves, as well as take another look at his most powerful attacks throughout One Piece.

15Ashura Triples Zoro’s Potential By Unlocking The Nine Sword Style

While Strong, He Later Improves the Move Further

Ashura is a technique that Zoro first wielded 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 eventually found himself in combat against Kaku, the user of the Ox-Ox Fruit, Model: Giraffe. After Zoro calms his mind during the fight against Kaku, he can use the Ashura technique for the first time.

Ashura is known as Kiki Kyutoryu: Ashura in Japanese.
A “three-faced, six-armed demon god” appears behind Zoro when he performs this strong attack.

Zoro unlocks Nine Sword Style and effectively triples his offensive potential by creating an illusion of two extra heads and four extra arms. This is arguably one of the best moves in Zoro’s arsenal, as even the dangerous Kaku failed to overcome the Nine Sword Style. Since then, however, Zoro has developed a special version of this technique, which is why Ashura has the lowest ranking on this list.

14Clear Lance Saved Zoro’s Life

When He Fell Over the Edge of Onigashima, Clear Lance Allowed Him to Recover

One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy has fought a lot of tough contenders, but as the anime reaches its endgame, some characters rank stronger than others.

While Clear Lance is not as typically powerful as some of Zoro’s other moves, it is still strong enough to generate a shockwave when used. To perform this attack, Zoro moves two swords in a downward slash. In fact, this slash generates such a powerful force that he was able to boost himself back onto Onigashima after being pushed over the edge by King the Conflagration.

Clear Lance is known as Kuria Ransu in Japanese.
The literal translation of Kuria Ransu is “Sky Tanuki Lance.”

Thus, this Clear Lance is not only a strong move because it creates a powerful shockwave, but it also saved Zoro’s life. While it seems harder to use than the Sky Walk ability that Sanji and the CP9 members use, it is also interesting to know that Zoro has a move that is strong enough to lift himself skyward, opening up more possibilities for his movement in the future.

13Great Dragon Shock Is Performed By Swinging Shusui Downwards

Now With Enma, There is the Potential for the Move to Become Even Greater

Great Dragon Shock is a One Sword Style attack that Zoro first employs against Monet of the Donquixote Pirates during the Punk Hazard Arc of One Piece. Zoro performs this technique by swinging his sword Shusui, one of the 21 Great Grade swords in One Piece, in a lightning-fast, downward motion. Shusui’s greatest attack, appropriately named Great Dragon Shock, then sends a massive shockwave that cuts through whatever is in its path.

Great Dragon Shock is known as Daishinkan in Japanese.
Only one sword has been used for this technique.

When Zoro uses it against Monet, the attack tears through her Logia form without any Haki on the blade. While Zoro no longer has Shisui, he has instead obtained Enma. So, while he may no longer have access to the sword he is most used to wielding for this attack, he has an even stronger replacement that will allow him to deal even more damage.

12Horse Ogre Can Be Used to Counter Strong Attacks

Its Quickness Makes Up for It’s Lack of Destruction

Horse Ogre is a move similar to Zoro’s Great Dragon Shock, although it doesn’t tend to do as much damage. Nonetheless, it is one of Zoro’s strongest attacks, able to even cut through solid stone in a single motion. Using only one sword, Zoro swings at a vertical angle, cutting his target in half and countering his opponent’s attacks. What it lacks in direct power, it makes up for with speed.

Horse Ogre is known as Baki in Japanese.
This attack is called “Demon Horse” in the Viz Manga and Funimation adaptations.

Zoro first uses this powerful technique against Pica when the villainous Doflamingo Donquixote family member tries to bite him with his Bitestone attack. With this attack, Pica used his Ishi Ishi no Mi Devil Fruit to create a giant head that appeared near Zoro. Reacting quickly, Zoro was able to slice Pica’s stone head in half with Horse Ogre before the Donquixote officer was able to enact his attack.

11720 Pound Phoenix Generates Two Powerful Wind Columns

With This, Zoro Can Attack From a Distance

The 720 Pound Phoenix is a Two Sword Style technique first utilized by Zoro during the Wano Country arc. By spinning each of the swords in his hands, Zoro generates two extremely powerful columns of wind that he can launch toward opponents. Originally based on the Nanajuni Pound Ho, the 720 Pound Phoenix is nevertheless a dangerous technique.

The 720 Pound Phoenix is known as Nanahyakuniju Pound Ho in Japanese.
This strong attack is a variant of the 72 Pound Phoenix.

When Roronoa Zoro debuts this technique against Kurozumi Orochi in the Wano Arc, he nearly takes out the sitting shogun of the island in the blink of an eye while standing a good bit away from him. However, considering that Kyoshiro deflects this attack, it is far from the strongest in the former bounty hunter’s arsenal. While Zoro can always add a third sword to take the 720 Pound Phoenix to the next level, this move still does a considerable amount of damage in its own right.

101080 Pound Phoenix Requires Zoro To Flick All Three Blades

This Ranged Attack Is Devastating

Throughout One Piece, Roronoa Zoro hones and transforms his 36 Pound Phoenix attack. By the time of the Dressrosa arc, he unlocks the 1080 Pound Phoenix — a ranged ability capable of cleaving straight through Pica’s massive stone body. Whereas the 720 Pound Phoenix relies on only two of Zoro’s swords, 1080 Pound Phoenix taps into his full potential to devastating effect.

1080 Pound Phoenix is known as Senhachiju Pound Ho in Japanese.
The 1080 Pound Phoenix attac can cut through almost anything.

By rapidly flicking his three blades, Zoro launches three devastating projectiles at his opponent that can tear through even the strongest of substances, such as stone. Despite its clearly formidable attack potency, the 1080 Pound Phoenix fails to take Pica out of the equation. To do that, Zoro needs to employ a technique far stronger than this one, which is why it is ranked number ten on this list.

9Lion’s Song Effortlessly Carves Through Pica’s Enormous Stone Body

It Can Also Cut Through Metal and the Tekkai Technique

During the Straw Hat Pirates’ liberation of the Alabasta Kingdom, Roronoa Zoro finds himself up against his toughest opponent to date: Mr. 1. The Baroque Works agent can transform his body into steel thanks to his Devil Fruit, forcing the Straw Hat swordsman to unlock an attack that can even cut through metal. In the nick of time, Zoro takes down Mr. 1 with this technique, first known as Lion’s Strike.

Lion’s Song is known as Ittoryu Iai: Shishi Sonson in Japanese.
This move was first called One Sword Style: Lion’s Strike in the Funimation adaptation and is now referred to as One Sword Style Sword Draw: Lion’s Song.

The name of the technique was later changed. Now titled Lion’s Song, this One Sword Style ability carved through Pica of the Donquixote Pirates, as well as negated the Tekkai ability used by Kaku. Although it didn’t have much effect on King the Conflagration, it’s still an extremely lethal tool. That said, even Lion’s Song pales in comparison to the other Zoro moves on this list.

8Blade Wolf Stream Is an Evasive Maneuver

It Is Effective on the Ground and in the Air

Using only two of his swords in Blade Wolf Stream, sometimes referred to as Blade Wolf Flowing, Zoro expertly deflects his opponents’ attacks. This has proven particularly useful in his fight against Hatchan in Arlong Park. As Hatchan attacks with eight swords at once, he has a hard-to-break defense. Fortunately for Zoro, he was able to deflect Hatchan’s attacks and get in close to deliver his own due to this technique.

Blade Wolf Stream is known as Toro Nagashi in Japanese.
This move is called Streaming Wolf Swords in the Viz manga, as well as the Funimation and 4Kids adaptations.

Additionally, Blade Wolf Stream can be performed in the air, as seen when Zoro uses it against Bartholomew Kuma in the Thriller Bark Arc of One Piece. While Zoro was not able to follow up his evasion with a successful attack due to Kuma’s Nikyu Nikyu no Mi abilities, Blade Wolf Stream still proved its power by allowing him to dodge in the first place.

7Flame Rend: Crossing The Six Paths Is Used Against Prometheus

Zoro Took Inspiration From Kin’emon to Create This Move

The Crossing the Six Paths attack is one of Roronoa Zoro’s Three Sword Style techniques. It is first used by Zoro against Surume the Kraken on the way to Fish-Man Island. However, during the Raid on Onigashima, he displays an evolved form of the technique known as Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths, which is clearly stronger than its prior incarnations. After watching Firefox Kin’emon’s own flame-slicing technique called Flame Split, Zoro improved his own techniques.

Flame Rend: The Crossing the Six Paths is known as Homura Saki: Rokudo no Tsuji in Japanese.
This strong attack is a variant of the Crossroad of Six Paths.

As expected of Roronoa Zoro’s post-time-skip abilities, the Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths technique is exceptionally powerful. Zoro only uses the attack against Prometheus, the burning sun who’s Big Mom’s homie. Even Prometheus was greatly exhausted after experiencing this technique, proving that Flame Rend: Crossing the Six Paths can be a threat against any opponent.

6Huhuva Speckles Hunt Proves That Zoro Has Significantly Improved Since Enies Lobby

His Fight Against Lucci Shows His Growth

Zoro proved that he had significantly improved since the Enies Lobby Arc when he used Huhuva Speckles Hunt against Rob Lucci in the Egghead Island Arc. At Egghead, Zoro is facing off against Lucci, who has Awakened his Devil Fruit, and more than holds his own. Conversely, in the Enies Lobby Arc, Zoro struggled in his fight against Kaku, who is much weaker than Lucci. This proves just how far he has come.

Huhuva Speckles Hunt is known as Kokoba Madara Gari in Japanese
This move is called Huhuva Spot Hunt in the Viz manga adaptation.

In order to perform the Huhuva Speckles Hunt technique, Zoro slashes against his opponent with all three of his swords. To further increase the power of the attack, he infuses his swords with Armament Haki. “Huhuva” is a reference to one of the cold hells related to Buddhist sutras, which gives an idea of the strength of this attack.

5Billion-Fold World Trichiliocosm Uses Armament Haki to Increase Its Potency

This Move Was the Beginning of the End for Pica

The strongest technique that Roronoa Zoro uses in One Piece‘s Dressrosa Arc is a Three Sword Style ability known as the Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm. It serves as the penultimate attack in the swordsman’s fight against Pica. Considering Zoro’s growth during and after the Wano Arc, it is likely even more devastating than it used to be. Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm is an enhanced version of the Three Thousand Worlds technique wherein Zoro uses Armament Haki to strengthen the move’s offensive potency.

Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm is known as Santoryu Ogi: Ichidai Sanzen Daisen Sekai in Japanese.
Trichiliocosm is a notion borrowed from Buddhist cosmology.

While the Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm doesn’t appear in the Wano Country arc, it’s still a major asset for Roronoa Zoro against larger opponents. Interestingly, Zoro chants a mathematical mantra before performing the Billion-fold World Trichiliocosm, but the specific words probably don’t affect the outcome and rather are used to focus himself. Given the pure destructive potential of the attack, it has earned its place in the number five spot on this list.

4Kalasutra Great Dragon Twister Even Cuts Kaido

This Move is an Improved Version of One of Zoro’s Staple Techniques

Zoro has displayed the Dragon Twister move many times throughout the One Piece series, as it is one of his better attacks. Additionally, Dragon Twister can be used at a distance to hit multiple opponents at once, offering multiple benefits as a result. After the time-skip, however, Zoro improved the move further by strengthening its cutting power, resulting in the Kalasutra Great Dragon Twister.

Kalasutra Great Dragon Twister is known as Kokujo O Tatsumaki in Japanese.
This move is called Black Rope Dragon Twister in the Viz manga and Funimation adaptations. Early Funimation dub episodes referred to the move as Black Rope Great Tatsu Maki.

The word Kalasutra refers to one of the eight levels of hell in Buddhism, which is an apt description given the strength of this attack. Once Zoro obtained Enma in Wano Country, he was able to add even more power to this attack, resulting in his ability to cut Kaido. Given that Kaido was infamous for his tough skin, it is an impressive feat that demonstrates the unusual strength of this technique.

3The Purgatory Oni Giri Is One Of Zoro’s Swordfighting Staples

He Performs an Enhanced Version After the Time-Skip

The original Oni Giri attack is one of Zoro’s classic attacks, similar to his haramaki being a classic component of his outfits. 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 both Armament and Conqueror’s Haki.

Purgatory Oni Giri is known as Rengoku Oni Giri in Japanese.
This move uses both Conqueror’s and Armament Haki.

This infusion 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.

2Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man’s Game Permanently Scars Kaido

This Was a Notable Feat Given Kaido’s Unusual Hardiness

When Roronoa Zoro originally uses his Ashura technique against CP9’s Kaku, it immediately becomes one of his most effective weapons. However, this completely changes when the ability — now titled Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man’s Game — resurfaces during a clash with Kaido. Interestingly, this is when Zoro discovers his ability to manifest Conqueror’s Haki for the first time, as accidental as it is.

Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man’s Game is known as Ashura Bakkei: Moja no Tawamure in Japanese.
Zoro used this attack in order to defend an unconscious Luffy from Kaido.

Any attack that leaves a mark on Kaido is noteworthy, so the fact that Ashura: Blades Drawn Dead Man’s Game permanently scars the Emperor of the Sea speaks to its unbelievable power. In fact, Kozuki Oden had been the only warrior to have left a scar on Kaidou’s body at any point before the Raid on Onigashima. Additionally, Kaido comments that the ability draws upon Zoro’s Conqueror’s Haki, making it a surefire way to damage virtually any opponent.

1Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation Defeats King The Conflagration

By Infusing Armament and Conqueror’s Haki Into His Swords, Zoro Reveals an Impressive Attack

Roronoa Zoro’s power grows exponentially during the Raid on Onigashima, due in large part to his ever-increasing ability to weaponize Conqueror’s Haki. This eventually culminates in a clash against King the Conflagration, where Roronoa Zoro debuts his brand-new King of Hell style. This technique is one of the pinnacles of achievement for someone who wants to be the world’s greatest swordsman like Zoro does.

Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation is known as En-O Santoryu: Ippyakusanjo Hiryu Jigoku in Japanese.
This move generates a gargantuan dragon made of fire.

The King of Hell Style allows Zoro to imbue all three of his swords with Armament and Conqueror’s Haki, nearly elevating his offensive output to that of an Emperor of the Sea. The feature attack of this style, Three-Sword Serpent: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation, cut down King the Conflagration in a single strike and firmly established Zoro among the New World’s upper echelon. This is by far the most powerful Zoro move seen to date.