Full OP08 Rob Lucci Guide

OP08 Rob Lucci Deck Guide

Welcome to the OP07 Rob Lucci Guide, where we focus on utilizing control and strategic play to effectively manage your matches. This deck is designed to systematically remove your opponent’s threats while establishing your own plays. The key to success with this deck lies in staying ahead of your opponent by anticipating their moves and preparing your hand and trash (graveyard) to counter the characters they will play in upcoming turns.

In this guide, we will cover:

• Card Selection: A detailed review of the key cards in the deck and their roles.

• Decklist Breakdown: An analysis of various decklists and how different card choices achieve similar goals.

• Matchup Strategies: Key strategies for handling different matchups in the current meta.

Whether you're looking to refine your deck or better understand how to navigate the current meta, this guide will provide the insights you need. Let’s get started.

Decklists

We begin by showcasing multiple decklists. While Lucci decklists may differ in card choices, they fundamentally operate the same way, achieving the same goals through different approaches. One of the strengths of the Lucci deck is its flexibility in card selection, as many cards fulfil similar roles. As a result, decklists are constantly evolving.

We recommend keeping an eye on recent high-ranking decklists on OPBounty to make adjustments as the meta shifts. Regardless of which decklist you choose, we will go over the various card options in detail, explaining their individual merits and how they contribute to the deck’s overall strategy.

This is the deck we featured in a recent meta report, which was performing exceptionally well on the high-ranked ladder. It’s a well-rounded list that we recommend at the moment.

This is another deck list that has been performing well on the high-ranked OPBounty ladder recently. It showcases standout cards like Zombie Luffy and Who’s-Who. We’ve included this list in the guide as a way to showcase the variety of high performing Lucci lists. This deck notably excludes EBO1 Brook.

Card Selection

In this section, we will review the card choices commonly included in most decklists. We’ll also cover some popular tech cards that can be added for flexibility and adaptation, and highlight the core cards that define the deck and make it function effectively.

We will focus on a few of the key cards, while more inclusions of additional cards will be provided in our matchup guide. There, we will dive into specific use cases and offer additional card breakdowns tailored to different strategies and matchups.

OP03-086 Spandam

In the early game, playing Spandam is crucial for searching the top three cards of your deck and setting up future plays. His ability allows you to add a {CP} type card to your hand. Remember that Spandam sends the other two revealed cards to the trash, which can be advantageous later by enabling other card effects or bringing those cards into play.

OP05-003 Rob Lucci

Rob Lucci is the centerpiece of this deck and serves as the primary tool for controlling the board. By utilizing cost reduction cards, you can reduce the cost of your opponent's characters to 2-cost or 1-cost, setting them up for Rob Lucci to KO. His ability to be played multiple times through cards like Spandine and Gecko Moria ensures constant pressure. Having Rob Lucci in the trash is often part of the strategy to set up his combos and maintain board control.

EB01-046 Brook

Brook provides additional removal options, though he requires some setup to be effective. He can only KO 0-cost characters, so you need the resources to lower a target to 1-cost, play Brook, and use his –1 cost reduction ability to KO the target. Once on the field, Brook remains a continuous removal threat with his ability reactivating when he attacks. This forces your opponent to address him or risk losing one of their characters.

OP08-084 Jack

Jack offers both hand filtering and removal capabilities. His ability allows you to rest him to draw a card and discard one, helping to filter your hand, while also KO’ing a character with a cost of 3 or less. Using his Activate: Main effect, Jack can KO an opposing character immediately after being played. If played with 7 Don, you can KO a 4-cost character with your Leader's –1 cost reduction. However, activating Jack’s ability requires him to be rested, so you'll need to weigh the risk of using his KO ability or keeping him active to attack. Jack’s increased cost also makes him harder to remove for certain decks, as cards that target lower-cost characters, like Rob Lucci or Black Luffy, will struggle to deal with him effectively. This makes Jack a resilient option in matchups where cost-based removal is common.

OP08-079 Kaido

Kaido is a recent addition in some deck variations and offers powerful removal and hand disruption. His ability, [Activate: Main] [Once Per Turn], allows you to trash one card from your hand to trash one of your opponent’s characters with a cost of 7 or less, provided Kaido was played that turn. Additionally, it forces your opponent to discard a card from their hand. Kaido bypasses characters like OP04-Sabo, as it trashes an opponent's character instead of KO'ing it, making him valuable for dealing with the Black/Yellow Luffy matchup.

Starting Turn

For the matchups discussed below, we will prioritize going second. Although going first is also viable, especially with the ability to drop Jack on curve, we still prefer to go second in most matchups. Going second ensures smoother threat deployment on curve and disrupts the advantage that many decks in the OP08 meta gain from going second.

Mulligan Strategy:

Whether you're going first or second, the key cards you want to mulligan for remain the same. Generally, if you have a hand with Jack, Sabo, or Gecko Moria, it's a hand worth keeping. However, avoid keeping a starting hand full of redundant cards like 4 copies of Gecko Moria with no other options, as this leaves you vulnerable to early aggression, and limits your early/mid-game plays. The ideal approach is to assess whether your hand can make an impactful removal play within the first few turns while also having at least one strong mid-to-late game option, such as Jack or Gecko Moria. If your hand also includes a Spandam, it’s a solid hand to keep.

Matchups Breakdown and Strategy

In this section, we’ll explore strategies and tips for tackling the most common matchups in the current meta. We’ll dive deep into the overall strategy while highlighting key fundamentals that will help you improve your win rate. This next section is available exclusively to Yonko Patreon subscribers or anyone who purchases the full Lucci guide.

Green Bonney Matchup:

In this matchup, your primary focus should be on Jack and Brook 3-cost, as they provide an effective way to deal with Hawkins, who can otherwise pose a significant threat to Lucci. Here’s a general scenario to aim for if you’re going first:

• On the opponent's 6 Don turn, they play Hawkins.

• On your 7 Don turn, you play Jack.

• On the opponent's next turn – The opponent attacks with Hawkins and plays an additional Hawkins.

• On your 9 Don turn, if you have two cost-reduction events and an additional Jack, you can remove both Hawkins while keeping two strong bodies on the field.

You can apply this strategy in a similar way going 2nd as well.

Early Game:

In the early stages, avoid using Tempest Kick to draw cards, as you’ll need them more in the mid and late game. Focus on removing searchers like Bonney (1-cost) or Baby 5 (1-cost). If you're planning to use Jack + Event reducer to remove a Hawkins, avoid playing Spandam (1-cost) to limit the number of characters on your field. If any character remains unrested before removing Hawkins, he will stick on the board.

Mid Game:

Establishing characters like Kuzan or Jack will help you clear threats before the opponent can swarm the board. These mid-game plays are essential for keeping board control and setting up for the late game.

Late Game:

By this point, you’ll want to start deploying your larger boss characters while also clearing as many of your opponent's characters as possible. It’s crucial to keep 1-2 life remaining to avoid a devastating Hody Jones play, which can lead to multiple characters being able to swing at your life, by tapping down your blockers. Be mindful of potential Izo (3-cost) plays, as it can rest a Rebecca blocker. Their deck has access to many abilities that can rest blockers. This makes it important to calculate the number of counters you’ll need to survive each potential situation.

With careful planning and execution, you'll be able to dominate the board and secure the win in this matchup.

Blue Doffy/Boa Matchup:

This is a favorable matchup for the Lucci deck, as blue decks often struggle to deal with the value that Gecko Moria brings to the board. His ability to recur key cards from the trash allows us to maintain pressure and outpace blue decks in terms of resource generation and board presence.

In this matchup, your priority is to search for as many Lucci cards as possible, as they are crucial for board control. Cards like Red Roc and Gravity Blade are very strong against us in the matchup. We will generally want to counter early to fill up our trash, but also to play around Pudding. 

 Early Game:

During the early game, using Tempest Kick to draw isn’t a bad idea if you have additional copies in hand to fill your trash and reach 10+ cards. However, it's usually better to hold onto them for later. Taking the first life is acceptable, but be mindful of playing around Pudding and assess whether you can afford to take life if more attacks are on the way. For example, if your opponent has already deployed Jinbe or Weevil twice, it's time to start countering heavily to avoid losing the game quickly. Cards like Spandam or Rebecca are useful for drawing counters and filling your trash efficiently.

Mid Game:

By the mid game, establishing Kuzan and Jack is key, but if an opportunity presents itself to deploy a strong Lucci KO turn, this play is always the best option. Properly timing these characters will allow you to gain control and set up for the late game.

Late Game:

At this point, you should have your boss characters ready to finish the game. By now, you shouldn't be struggling much if you’ve controlled the board well. It’s crucial to keep at least 1 life remaining, as Perfume Femur can be a serious threat, allowing your opponent to swing over your blockers. Staying at 1 life will help you avoid a surprise loss in the late game.

With proper management of your resources and careful timing, you’ll be in a strong position to win this matchup.

Blue Nami Matchup:

In this matchup, the Lucci deck struggles to be aggressive early on, putting us at a disadvantage. To overcome this, it's important to rely heavily on boss monsters. The general strategy is to clear the opponent's characters before attacking, as Snake Dance can be particularly effective against the Lucci deck. While Brook (3-cost) is useful, incorporating Brook (6-cost) can be highly beneficial, especially when combined with Rebecca at 10 Don to loop and stack cards at the bottom of the opponent's deck. Spandam and Jack are important in this matchup to help cycle through the deck efficiently.

Early Game:

It's advisable to use Tempest Kick whenever possible to fill the trash, since attacking with the leader isn't recommended unless the opponent has no active don. Focus on building resources and preparing for stronger plays in the mid game.

Mid Game:

Start establishing characters with a base power of 6,000 or higher while continuing to clear the opponent's board. It's crucial not to allow them to gain value from Marguerite's blocking ability. Maintaining board control during this phase sets up for a stronger late game.

Late Game:

Use the leader to swing for 7,000 power to force the opponent to use White Snake (costing them 2 Don) and possibly other event cards. This exchange is favorable, as they will expend 3 Don to block a lower-power attack. By now, you should have multiple characters on board whose power exceeds the threshold of White Snake. 

Assess whether it's possible to swing for 9,000 power (or 10,000 if White Snake is active) based on the number of Don the opponent has available. Generally, for every 2 Don, they can block an additional 4,000 power, except for cards like Gavel (which provides +4,000 power for 1 Don). Use this information to calculate attacks and apply pressure effectively.

Black Yellow Luffy Matchup:

The Lucci leader faces considerable challenges when up against the Black/Yellow (B/Y) Luffy deck, primarily due to the opponent's ability to continuously play Sabo (5-cost). To navigate this matchup, there are two viable strategies: either rushing down the opponent while playing around Kuzan (10-cost), or starving them of resources. This guide will emphasize the resource-starving strategy.

Early Game:

In the early stages, using Tempest Kick to draw cards can be a solid option, especially if you have additional copies in hand to fill the trash and reach 10 or more cards there. However, it's generally advisable to save these cards for later turns when they can be more impactful. While taking the first hit is acceptable, it is critical to avoid taking too much early damage, as you’ll likely lose at least one life per turn in the late game. Being cautious early will provide you more flexibility in the mid and late stages of the match.

Mid Game:

During the mid-game, the priority should be to fill the trash and establish powerful threats such as Kuzan (4-cost), either by hard-playing it or utilizing Gecko Moria. Jack is highly effective for cycling through your deck, enabling you to find the resources necessary for your strategy. Kaido (9-cost) is especially strong in this matchup, offering a significant advantage when played. It is also essential to eliminate any Luffy (5-cost) characters that the opponent plays, as doing so is key to making the resource-starving strategy work effectively.

Late Game:

Example of tech-cards that are often used for the B/Y Luffy matchup

Zombie Luffy or Brook (6-cost) are particularly valuable in this matchup (they trash a card rather than KO – which gets around Sabo’s ability)

As the match progresses to the late game, it becomes crucial to monitor how many cards the Luffy player has in hand and to plan your attacks accordingly. By this stage, the Luffy player will typically end each turn with the same or fewer cards, allowing you to predict how many attacks they can block. As previously mentioned, there are several decklists and tech cards available that can be incorporated into your strategy, providing flexibility and the ability to adjust to the current meta. Cards like Zombie Luffy or Brook (6-cost) are particularly valuable in this matchup.

Ultimately, in the late game, success often hinges on having enough high-power attackers on the board to overpower your opponent's boosted leader. With the right preparation and execution, you can successfully outlast your opponent and secure victory.

Lucci Mirror Match Guide

In a Lucci mirror match, the early gameplay often resembles a Sakazuki mirror, where establishing control through Gecko Moria units is key to gaining an advantage. However, the dynamic changes with the introduction of Jack. Now, the player who can keep Jack on the field the longest gains a significant edge, as Jack’s ability to destroy cards and facilitate card cycling allows for more access to Gecko Moria, which becomes crucial in the late game.

Early Game
Using Tempest Kick to draw cards in the early game isn’t recommended. Save this card for the mid-to-late game, where it can make a more meaningful impact. Taking the first hit early on can be a strategic move to gauge your opponent’s approach (and fill your hand), but after that, every play needs to be carefully thought out.

Key Early Game Plays

• Spandam is a solid early-game card to provide stability and build momentum.

• Rebecca (4-Don Turn) helps recover a 2K counter to your hand, especially useful if it was milled by your leader ability.

• Kuzan (4-cost) is one of the strongest early-game plays, drawing a card when played. If it remains on the board for a turn, it can give you a significant advantage.

Mid Game
The mid game is all about establishing control through cards like Sabo (5-cost) or Jack. Once either of these is played, prepare for your opponent’s response, which will likely involve Gecko Moria. Keeping your hand stocked with removal options is critical for dealing with Gecko when it hits the field.

• Ice Age becomes a valuable tool here, especially for removing high-priority threats like Gecko Moria or Jack. Timing your Ice Age play is crucial to maintaining control.

Late Game
The late game revolves around repeated Gecko Moria plays, with combinations like Rebecca + Sabo forming the backbone of your strategy. At this stage, the player who manages their resources and plays their Lucci strategy with precision will come out on top. Resource management is everything, so every decision matters as you push for victory.

Good luck, and may the best Lucci player emerge victorious! 👍

Yellow Enel Matchup:

When facing the OP-05 Yellow Enel deck, Black Lucci players should generally choose to go second. This provides an extra card at the start and helps Lucci better understand Enel's strategy (will they starve or attempt to go aggressive?). Since games against Enel often last a while, having more cards early can be key for figuring out how to win later. Going second also allows Lucci to respond more effectively to Enel’s first moves, which is important since Enel's deck excels at controlling the board and dealing damage. Waiting before playing key cards gives more flexibility in managing resources.

For the starting hand, players should look for OP-04 Sabo, OP-08 Jack, and OP-06 Moria. Sabo helps draw cards and protect the board, Jack increases pressure early on (can only be removed by Raigo), and Moria provides extra resources. Understanding Enel's plan to slow the game and build a strong board is crucial. Early on, Lucci should draw cards and prepare to handle Enel's threats while maintaining a solid board presence.

A major threat is OP-04 Yamato, which can take out key characters or heal Enel. Lucci needs to be ready to deal with Yamato quickly to keep control. Players should also adjust their strategy as the game develops, dealing with Enel’s powerful characters promptly to maintain pressure.

If the game drags on, think carefully about which cards go to the bottom of the deck during mulligan for a potential advantage later. Avoid letting Enel fall below two life without a clear plan to finish, as cards like OP-04 Yamato and OP-07 Ace can heal Enel and give them an edge. Managing life totals and keeping up the pressure is crucial.

TL;DR: Try to keep Enel at 2 life until you have a wide board. Start swinging at his life once you’ve established a wide board with strong attackers. If you can’t kill him on the same turn, make sure to at least drain his hand of counters so you can guarantee the win on the next turn.

Purple Luffy Matchup:

Facing Purple Luffy is a tough matchup for Black Lucci, especially with the ban on Ennies Lobby, which limits Lucci's recurring reduction. To improve your chances, it's crucial to go first. Giving Purple Luffy first allows them to get a fast start, making it harder for Lucci to keep up. One of the biggest problems in this matchup is Magellan, who disrupts your curve and reduces your removal options in the mid-game. His "on KO" ability is particularly troublesome because it causes you to lose Don, which delays your strategy even further.

The key to winning this matchup is having consistent answers for Purple Luffy's plays. If Luffy hits all the right cards like Magellan or Paulie in perfect sequence, it will put Lucci in a tough spot. However, if they miss some of those key drops, it gives Lucci the opportunity to take control and start outpacing them. Once you manage to stabilize the board, the game becomes more manageable. Be on the lookout for 9-Drop Kaido, which can KO a 6-cost or lower character and has Rush. To prepare, try to play Sabo before you expect Kaido to come out if you are relying on a blocker to keep you alive for the turn. However, keep in mind that they can play 9-cost Linlin instead, which can put a 6-cost or less to the top/bottom of your life.

That said, this is still a difficult matchup, and sometimes things might not go your way. If Purple Luffy manages to play Magellan back-to-back, it can be almost impossible to recover. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen, but be prepared with a backup plan just in case.

Conclusion:

The Lucci deck offers a powerful and versatile strategy that excels in controlling the board and applying consistent pressure throughout the game. Its core strength lies in its ability to make impactful removal plays early on while setting up strong mid-to-late game threats like Jack and Gecko Moria. By carefully managing your starting turns and adapting your strategy based on matchups, this deck can overcome a wide range of opponents in the OP08 meta. 

With continued practice and refinement, the Lucci deck will remain a formidable option, allowing you to stay competitive while enjoying its dynamic and flexible playstyle.