Deck Guide

Portgas.D.Ace OP13 Deck Guide

Portgas.D.Ace is still one of the better value-oriented leaders in OP16, but this version has to be less greedy, more defensive, and less dependent on Roger. The goal is to keep the midrange value core intact while making the list smoother and safer across the format.

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Portgas.D.Ace OP13 guide icon

Decklist

Main list for Portgas.D.Ace OP13 in the OP16 format.

Mulligan

Portgas.D.Ace is one of the best value-oriented leaders in the format, but starting with only 3 life makes your opening hand stability essential. A good mulligan should set up your resource engine while still giving you a clean path into the midgame.

Cards to Prioritize

Izo is one of the best cards to see early. It improves your opening hand by finding the important pieces while still moving your game plan forward.

Monkey.D.Garp is also a priority. It helps stabilize the first turns and sets up your midgame threats efficiently.

Marco is often an excellent keep because of his defensive value. He forces the opponent to spend resources while buying you time to develop your plan.

Yamato is a very good keep once your early game is already covered. She helps bridge into the midgame while keeping pressure on the opponent.

Cards to Send Back

  • Roger
  • Multiple Newgate copies
  • Too many late-game cards
  • Too many events
  • No setup card

Ace can't afford a slow start when the leader only has 3 life. A balanced hand with a clean curve will usually perform better than a hand full of powerful cards you can't play for several turns.

Curve Guide

Turn-by-turn reminders for going first and going second.

Going First

1 DON
Look for the missing pieces. The goal isn't to be aggressive right away, but to build a functional hand.
3 DON
Attach 1 DON!! to Ace whenever possible. Drawing on receiving damage is one of the main reasons the deck exists.
5 DON
Marco locks down your defense. Atmos slows the opponent down. Yamato is better if you're setting up your next big turn.
7 DON
Jozu controls the board. Boa buys time. Zoro is the pressure option when you want to push harder.
9 DON
This is your best stabilization turn: huge body, blocker, pressure, and protection all at once.
Late game
Roger is your finisher, not a card you play just because you drew it. Otherwise, looping Newgate is often the safer play.

Going Second

2 DON
This turn matters a lot. You want to turn Ace leader ability on as early as possible.
4 DON
You slow the opponent down without emptying your hand.
6 DON
Yamato is often the best value line. Jozu and Boa are better when you need to answer an opposing threat.
8 DON
You should be starting to lock the game down here.
10 DON
The best turn isn't always Roger. Double action turns and Newgate loops are often stronger.

Options & Tech Cards

Alternative cards and flex slots for different OP16 rooms.

Play it if you want to see more cards against control decks or the mirror. It's worse if the format removes small bodies too easily.

It's good into decks that need to play multiple cards in the same turn. It's useful against some control decks, but it's still more situational than Boa.

A tempo card that can buy you a turn.

An option if the format becomes more board-based. It's less important if the main threats are too big or protected.

Matchups

How the main OP16 leaders line up against Ace.

↑ Favored to Slightly Favored
  • Your card advantage helps you keep pace.
  • Save your removal for their value pieces.
  • Don't over-invest into a single character.
↓ Difficult
  • You need to make the most of your early game.
  • Keep steady pressure on before their late game turns on.
  • Teach's big 10-DON!! turns get hard to manage.
≈ Even
  • Marco is excellent here.
  • Protecting your resources matters more than protecting your life.
↑ Favored
  • Attack the leader constantly.
  • Don't waste time clearing the board if it doesn't matter.
  • Force Nami to spend defensive resources.
↓ Slightly Unfavorable
  • You need to keep pressure on throughout the game.
  • Roger and the big Newgate turns are usually your most important cards.

Tips OP16

Core reminders for the updated OP16 version of Ace.

Only take damage when your leader has a DON attached whenever possible.

Marco is often your best resource generator.

Don't waste the leader's -2000 effect on low-impact attacks.

Against aggressive OP16 decks, managing your hand is often more important than managing your life total.

The format has more protection effects than OP15, so plan around them before using your removal.

Roger is a finisher, not the deck's main game plan.

Most wins come from building resource advantage over the course of the game, not from a single explosive turn.