One Piece TCG OP-01 Romance Dawn Set Review
Romance Dawn (OP-01) was the set that launched One Piece TCG to a global audience. Originally a Japan-exclusive product, the worldwide English release in 2022 set off a collecting frenzy and introduced millions to the game. More than two years later, OP-01 cards are still staples in competitive play. This review examines the most impactful cards and grades the set's lasting value.
Set Overview
Set size: 121 cards
Leaders introduced: Monkey D. Luffy (Red), Roronoa Zoro (Red), Nami (Blue), Usopp (Blue), Sanji (Red/Blue), Trafalgar Law (Blue)
Key mechanics: Established Rush, Blocker, Trigger, and Counter
Rarity tiers: Common, Uncommon, Rare, Super Rare, Secret Rare
OP-01 built the template for every set that followed. The power level is intentionally moderate — as a foundation set, Bandai didn't want to power-creep from the start. But that moderation means OP-01 contains many clean, efficient designs that remain playable.
Leaders
Monkey D. Luffy — A+
The premiere Red leader, Luffy is the face of the game. His ability is clean, aggressive, and scales perfectly as you approach 10 DON!!. Luffy decks built in OP-01 can still compete in the current format with newer additions. An all-time-great leader card.
Trafalgar Law — A
Law established the Blue control archetype. His Room ability to return opponent's characters remains one of the most powerful effects ever printed for a leader. Law is still in the competitive meta years later — that's remarkable for a launch set card.
Roronoa Zoro — B+
Solid Red leader with aggressive stats, but overshadowed by Luffy for pure aggro. Zoro found renewed relevance in the Film Red product with a new version.
Nami — B
The draw-engine leader. Nami's power ceiling is high but she was never a dominant tournament presence. Good for introducing new players to Blue mechanics.
Sanji — B
Bicolour Red/Blue gives Sanji access to the best cards in two colours but his leader ability doesn't synergise as cleanly as the best single-colour options.
Top Characters
Monkey D. Luffy (OP-01-003) — S Tier
The game's flagship card. A 5000-power Rush character at 5 DON!! with a DON!! trigger that boosts power further. Still a four-of in competitive Luffy builds. Chase card for good reason.
Grade: 10/10 competitive value
Trafalgar Law (OP-01-020) — S Tier
4-cost character with an On Play effect that returns a character with 5 cost or less to their owner's hand. Unlimited hand returns are the best control tool in One Piece TCG. This is the single most versatile character in OP-01.
Grade: 10/10
Roronoa Zoro (OP-01-025) — A Tier
5000 power for 4 cost. Simple, efficient, Straw Hat typing. The benchmark for cost-to-power efficiency in OP-01.
Grade: 8/10
Marco (OP-01-012) — A Tier
Yellow card introducing life-gain to competitive play. Marco's Blocker + life addition effect was controversial at release — it's still considered one of the best defensive characters ever printed.
Grade: 9/10 defensive value
Boa Hancock (OP-01-047) — B Tier
Unique DON!! recycle effect. Generates a DON!! when played. Saw early competitive play in Purple builds, then fell off as better options appeared.
Grade: 7/10
Top Events
Gum-Gum Pistol (OP-01-062) — S Tier
2-DON!! Counter card that adds 2000 to your leader or a character, plus draws a card. Cost-efficient defence that also draws. A four-of staple in any Red deck for years. This is the perfect Counter card design.
Grade: 10/10
Shambles (OP-01-080) — A Tier
Law's signature spell. Returns a character with 5 cost or less to hand. Same effect as the character version but at 2 DON!! cost. The combination of Law (leader) + Law (character) + Shambles (event) creates overwhelming tempo.
Grade: 9/10 in Law decks, 6/10 outside
Alternate Art and Collector Notes
OP-01 contains some of the most iconic card art in the game:
- Luffy Secret Rare: The gold-bordered Luffy with Full-Body Gear is one of the most sought-after cards in OPTCG history
- Zoro Secret Rare: Oni Giri artwork — considered among the best Zoro art in the game
- Nami Alt-Art: Frequent target for condition graders
Market prices for SR and AA cards from OP-01 have stabilised significantly from 2022 peaks but retain value. PSA-graded copies of key SRs continue to trade at premium prices.
Overall Set Grade: A
Romance Dawn is a foundational set in the truest sense. Its design is clean, its leaders established multiple competitive archetypes that remain relevant today, and its key characters see regular competitive play. If you're starting your OPTCG collection, OP-01 singles are always worth owning.
The set launched a global phenomenon. That legacy is impossible to separate from the cards themselves.