Which One Piece TCG Set Should I Buy First?

If you are new to the One Piece Trading Card Game, it is completely normal to wonder which set you should buy first. With so many expansions available, the right starting point depends on what you want from the game.

Some people want to collect their favourite characters, some want to build a playable deck, and others simply want the fun of opening packs. There is no single perfect first set, but once you understand your goal, it becomes much easier to choose something you will actually enjoy.

For a shorter recommendation list, you can also read the guide to the best One Piece sets for beginners. If you want to see where each release fits in the wider timeline, use the One Piece TCG sets in order guide.

Start with your goal

The best first set depends on why you are interested in the One Piece TCG. Before buying packs or a booster box, decide which of these sounds most like you.

Best first set for collectors

If you are mainly collecting, your first set should be one that excites you visually. Look for sets that include characters, arcs or artwork styles you already care about. A set does not need to be the most expensive or most hyped to be a good first choice.

If collecting is your main goal, compare this page with the best One Piece sets for collectors guide. That page is more focused on manga rares, SP cards, artwork and long-term collector appeal.

What collectors should look for

• Several cards you would be happy to pull, not just one extremely rare chase card.
• Characters you recognise and enjoy from the anime or manga.
• Strong alternate arts, special rares or manga rare cards.
• Booster boxes or packs that are still available at a sensible price.

For example, OP-15 can be a good place to start for collectors because it includes a mix of attractive alternate arts and special rares. Cards like Brook, Zoro and Sabo give collectors several different pulls to look forward to, rather than relying on one single chase card.

If you want to understand chase cards before buying real packs, it is worth reading about One Piece manga rares and how they fit into the wider collecting experience. You can also compare the rarest One Piece cards by set if your main goal is collecting high-end chase cards.

Best first purchase for players

If you want to play the One Piece TCG, your first purchase should usually be a starter deck rather than random booster packs. Starter decks give you a complete deck straight away, which makes it much easier to learn the rules, understand leaders and start playing games.

Why starter decks are better for new players

Booster packs are fun, but they do not guarantee a playable deck. A starter deck gives you a proper structure from the beginning, including a leader, characters, events and cards that are designed to work together.

These decks are designed to be simple to pilot while still being effective enough to learn with. One strong example is ST-29, which includes a yellow Luffy leader and a full deck of yellow Straw Hat cards.

After choosing a starter deck, you can use recent booster sets or singles to strengthen it. Newer sets often include support for current decks, so they are usually more useful for players than older sealed products.

Packs vs singles for players

A common approach is to open some packs or a booster box when a new set releases, then buy singles to finish your deck. However, if you already know exactly which deck you want to build, buying singles is usually the more cost-effective option.

As mentioned, new players may want to look into picking up a starter deck. However, if you are looking to build your own deck, it is worth doing some research into how each colour likes to play. For example, yellow decks often revolve around life manipulation, which might interest some players more than others.

If you are trying to understand how card rarity affects deck building and pack openings, read the One Piece TCG rarities explained guide.

Best first set for casual pack openers

If you mainly want the fun of opening packs, choose a recent set that is easy to find and has a good variety of possible hits. This usually gives you a better experience than chasing an expensive older set with limited availability.

Casual openers should avoid choosing a set purely because of one famous chase card. If the only exciting outcome is hitting a very rare card, most pack openings will feel disappointing. A better beginner set has several cards you would be happy to pull.

A great way to choose a set is to look at the characters and artwork inside it. Choosing a set based on how many alternate art cards your favourite character has can also make the pack opening experience more enjoyable, especially if you manage to find one inside your packs. If your favourite character is Zoro, you may want to look at OP-06 - Wings of the Captain, as Zoro has a secret rare, an alternate art secret rare and even a manga rare to chase.

If you are choosing based on opening experience, the best One Piece sets to open for value guide is a useful companion page.

Newer sets are usually the easiest starting point

Recent releases are typically easier to find and more affordable as sealed product. They also tend to feel more approachable for new collectors because prices have not always climbed as much as older boxes on the secondary market.

Older sets can still be great, especially if they include your favourite characters or a chase card you really want. However, they are often harder to source and may cost significantly more on the secondary market.

New sets are released every few months, and while the time between sets is not always the same, it is worth checking when the next set is due to release. If a new release is only a few weeks away, it may be worth waiting before buying your first booster box.

For recent chase card examples, compare the top 10 cards from OP-13, top 10 cards from OP-14, top 10 cards from OP-15 and top 10 cards from OP-16 guides.

Recommended first sets to compare

These are not the only good first sets, but they are useful examples because they cover three common beginner goals: a recent set, a collector-focused set and a more budget-friendly option.

How to compare sets before buying

Since each set has a different focus, comparing a few options before buying is always worthwhile. Some sets are built around a single big chase card, while others spread value across multiple rarities.

Before buying your first set, check the card list, the current booster box price and the types of cards you can pull. Taking a few minutes to compare sets can save you from buying something that does not match what you are looking for.

Quick buying checklist

Compare beginner-friendly booster boxes

If you decide that a booster box is the right first purchase, compare prices before buying. These links are included for checking availability on a few beginner-friendly sets, but buying singles or starter decks may still be better depending on your goal.

Try sets before you buy

One of the easiest ways to decide is to try sets first. Using a One Piece pack simulator lets you open packs instantly and compare how different sets feel.

This gives you a much better idea of the pull experience before spending money on real booster boxes. You can test whether a set feels exciting, whether you like the card pool and whether the chase cards are actually cards you care about.

You can also explore more One Piece TCG guides covering sets, rarities and collecting strategies.