Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains some spoilers from One Piece manga.
The Worst Generation shook the world of One Piece, but not every famous captain built a crew that could stand beside them. Some crews are filled with powerful fighters who can challenge Emperors, while others depend almost entirely on one standout pirate. From the Blackbeard Pirates to Straw Hats’ balanced lineup to Bonney’s one-woman force, here’s every Worst Generation pirate crew ranked by overall strength, teamwork, and canon feats from the manga and anime.
Series TitleOne PieceManga AuthorEiichiro OdaAnime Rating (MAL)8.73/10Manga Rating (MAL)9.21/10
10. Bonney Pirates Depend Almost Entirely on Bonney
Jewelry Bonney from One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Jewelry Bonney has become much stronger than many fans expected. During the Egghead Arc, especially from Chapters 1095 onward, Oda finally revealed her connection to Bartholomew Kuma and showed the true potential of her Devil Fruit. Her Distorted Future technique even let her briefly fight with Nika-like powers, proving that she belongs among the strongest members of the Worst Generation.
The problem is that her crew has never received the same attention. The Bonney Pirates have almost no notable wins or memorable officers in the story, and most of them disappeared long before Egghead. As a result, Bonney has to carry almost the entire crew by herself, which makes them the weakest crew on this list.
9. Drake Pirates Never Got the Chance to Shine
X Drake, a pirate captain and undercover marine from the series One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
At first, X Drake looked like another ruthless pirate after his debut at Sabaody. Later, the Wano Arc revealed that he was secretly working for SWORD, giving his character much more depth. He even fought alongside Luffy’s alliance during the Raid on Onigashima despite suffering several injuries.
Sadly, the same cannot be said for his crew. Oda has barely introduced any of Drake’s officers, and none of them have shown enough strength to judge their real power. Drake himself is impressive, but a strong captain alone cannot carry an entire pirate crew in this ranking.
8. Hawkins Pirates Put Too Much Faith in One Man
Basil Hawkins, also known as “The Magician,” a prominent pirate from the One Piece series. | Credit: Toei Animation
Basil Hawkins had one of the strangest Devil Fruits in the series. His Straw-Straw Fruit allowed him to transfer damage to others, create giant straw warriors, and even predict battles with tarot cards. During the Wano Arc, his powers caused plenty of trouble for both allies and enemies.
However, the Hawkins Pirates never proved they were dangerous beyond their captain. Almost every important moment belonged to Hawkins himself. Once Killer defeated him during the Onigashima raid, the crew quickly faded from the story. That lack of reliable support keeps them near the bottom.
7. Fallen Monk Pirates Stand on Urouge’s Big Achievement
Fallen Monk Pirates, led by Captain Urouge in One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Urouge remains one of the biggest mysteries in One Piece, but his biggest victory speaks for itself. Before the Whole Cake Island Arc, it was revealed that he defeated Charlotte Snack, one of Big Mom’s Sweet Commanders. Even though he later lost to Charlotte Cracker, defeating a Commander is still a huge accomplishment.
Outside of Urouge, though, very little is known about the Fallen Monk Pirates. None of his crewmates have received major fights or important story moments. Urouge’s impressive feat gives this crew a higher spot than several others, but the lack of strong officers stops them from climbing further.
6. On Air Pirates Lasted Longer Than Expected
Scratchmen Apoo and the On Air Pirates running on thin air. | Credit: Toei Animation
Scratchmen Apoo spent most of the Wano Arc switching sides whenever it helped him survive. While many fans disliked his actions, there is no denying that he managed to stay alive in one of the biggest wars in One Piece history.
Apoo’s Sound-Sound Fruit also proved more dangerous than expected. Early in the Onigashima raid, he even landed attacks on Luffy and Zoro. The rest of his crew never became major players, but together they survived a battlefield filled with Emperors, Supernovas, and Beast Pirates. That alone earns them a respectable place.
5. Fire Tank Pirates Win Battles With Their Brains
Capone Bege and his crew, the Fire Tank Pirates, from the anime One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
The Fire Tank Pirates are very different from most pirate crews. Instead of charging straight into battle, Capone Bege prefers careful planning and smart strategies. The Whole Cake Island Arc showed exactly why that works, as Bege’s group successfully entered Big Mom’s territory and nearly pulled off an assassination plan.
His crew also works well together. Vito and Gotti may not be among the strongest fighters in the New World, but they always support Bege’s plans and know their roles. Good teamwork makes the Fire Tank Pirates stronger than many crews with greater raw power.
4. Kid Pirates Have Two True Monsters
Eustass Kid and his crew, known as the Kid Pirates, from the anime series One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
The Kid Pirates are built around two incredible fighters: Eustass Kid and Killer. Both stood beside Luffy, Law, and Zoro during the rooftop battle against Kaido and Big Mom in the Wano Arc. Killer later defeated Basil Hawkins, while Kid brought down Big Mom alongside Law.
The rest of the crew has never received much attention, which keeps them out of the top three. Still, having two pirates capable of fighting Emperors is enough to make the Kid Pirates one of the strongest Worst Generation crews.
3. Heart Pirates Have More Than Just Law
Trafalgar Law from the anime One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
Many fans think the Heart Pirates depend only on Trafalgar Law, but that is not completely true anymore. Law is obviously the star of the crew, especially after awakening his Devil Fruit during the fight against Big Mom in Wano. His abilities make him one of the strongest captains in the entire series.
Then came Bepo’s Suulong form. His transformation surprised fans by helping Law escape the Blackbeard Pirates. Shachi and Penguin also play useful support roles throughout the story. They may not have the deepest lineup, but the Heart Pirates are stronger than they often get credit for.
2. Straw Hat Pirates Have Strength Across Every Role
Straw Hat Pirates from the anime series One Piece. | Credit: Toei Animation
No crew in the Worst Generation is as complete as the Straw Hat Pirates. Luffy became one of the Four Emperors after defeating Kaido in the Wano Arc, while Zoro, Sanji, and Jinbe give him one of the strongest groups of commanders in the entire series. They can win fights against almost anyone in the world.
What truly makes the Straw Hats special is that everyone contributes. Robin uncovers the world’s greatest secrets, Franky builds incredible machines, Chopper saves lives, and even Nami and Usopp continue finding ways to beat stronger opponents. They are easily the most balanced crew in the Worst Generation. However, when compared with the Blackbeard Pirates’ overwhelming lineup of top-tier fighters, the Straw Hats narrowly miss the top spot for now.
1. Blackbeard Pirates Have the Best Officer Lineup
Marshall D. Teach has built the most fearsome pirate crew among the Worst Generation. Unlike most captains who rely on one or two powerful fighters, Blackbeard has surrounded himself with dangerous commanders like Shiryu, Kuzan, Van Augur, Jesus Burgess, Catarina Devon, Avalo Pizarro, Lafitte, Vasco Shot, Doc Q, and Sanjuan Wolf. Nearly every officer is strong enough to be a major threat on their own.
Their achievements make the ranking even easier to justify. The Blackbeard Pirates won the Payback War against the remaining Whitebeard Pirates, defeated Trafalgar Law and the Heart Pirates during the Winner Island battle, captured Monkey D. Garp on Hachinosu, and continue growing stronger by stealing powerful Devil Fruits. Right now, no other Worst Generation crew has a lineup as deep or as dangerous from top to bottom, making the Blackbeard Pirates the strongest crew on this list.
Here’s a quick overview of every Worst Generation pirate crew and some of its notable members –
RankPirate CrewNotable Members1Blackbeard PiratesMarshall D. Teach, Shiryu, Kuzan, Van Augur, Jesus Burgess, Catarina Devon, Avalo Pizarro, Lafitte, Vasco Shot, Doc Q, Sanjuan Wolf2Straw Hat PiratesMonkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Sanji, Jinbe, Nico Robin, Franky, Brook, Nami, Usopp, Tony Tony Chopper3Heart PiratesTrafalgar D. Water Law, Bepo, Shachi, Penguin, Jean Bart4Kid PiratesEustass Kid, Killer, Heat, Wire5Fire Tank PiratesCapone Bege, Vito, Gotti6On Air PiratesScratchmen Apoo7Fallen Monk PiratesUrouge8Hawkins PiratesBasil Hawkins9Drake PiratesX Drake10Bonney PiratesJewelry Bonney
Now the big question: Which Worst Generation pirate crew do you think deserves a higher ranking, and which crew has the best chance of challenging the Straw Hats before One Piece finally ends? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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