Setting sail in Pirate Crew: Next Chapter is an exciting adventure, but building the ultimate pirate crew can be daunting. With so many iconic One Piece characters to collect, who should you invest in? This tier list is your essential guide to ranking the best characters, helping you build a dominant team for both PvE and PvP content.
We’ve broken down every character into tiers—from the game-breaking SS-tier to the less-recommended B-tier—so you can spend your resources wisely and maximize your progress.
Understanding the Tiers
SS-Tier: The absolute best. These characters define the meta and are core to any top-tier team. Prioritize them above all else.
S-Tier: Exceptionally strong. They are fantastic in most situations and can be the backbone of your crew.
A-Tier: Solid and reliable. Great for early and mid-game, but may fall off compared to higher-tier options in late-game content.
B-Tier: Less recommended. These characters are generally outclassed and not efficient to invest in for the long term.
SS-Tier Characters – The Meta-Defining Legends
These are the most powerful characters in Pirate Crew: Next Chapter. Acquiring and upgrading them should be your top priority.
Akainu: A top-tier Mage who deals massive AoE Magma damage, controls the backline, and crucially prevents enemies from healing.
Kuzan: Excellent at crowd control, capable of freezing targets and manipulating enemy positioning to your advantage.
Sanks: A deadly Assassin who bypasses the frontline to unleash maximum damage directly on the enemy’s backline.
Edward Newgate (Whitebeard): A formidable Fighter with powerful knockback, lifesteal for sustainability, and consistent high damage.
Carrot: An Assassin who utilizes invisibility to avoid damage and buffs her own critical hit rate for devastating attacks.
Gekomoria (Gecko Moria): A unique Mage who summons zombies to attack enemies and can slow down the enemy’s Ultimate skill charge.
Crocodile: A durable Mage with self-healing through lifesteal and the ability to pull backline enemies forward.
Sabo: A disruptive Fighter who combines lifesteal with skills that can disrupt and annoy the enemy team.
Hina: A Sniper that deals high damage and can summon support units to aid in battle.
Chopper: The premier Support and best healer in the game. Essential for high-level PvP and surviving tough event stages.
S-Tier Characters – Powerful and Reliable
While not quite game-breaking, S-tier characters are incredibly strong and will serve you excellently throughout your journey.
Fujitora: A Tank that provides excellent area crowd control and protective barriers for your team.
Kizaru: An Assassin with the ability to teleport to the enemy’s backline, similar to Sanks.
Enel: A Mage whose key strength is reducing the enemy’s Rage, delaying or even preventing them from using their Ultimate skills.
Reluh: A self-sustaining Tank with a constant heal and a Taunt ability to draw enemy attacks.
Bartolomeo: A defensive specialist Tank who creates barriers and significantly reduces incoming damage for your crew.
Kuza: A Mage focused on control, utilizing freeze effects and rage manipulation to dictate the pace of battle.
A-Tier Characters – Solid and Situational
These characters are great for filling out your roster early on but are generally outshone by higher-tier options in the late game.
Rob Lucci: A Fighter who provides small buffs but lacks effectiveness in long, drawn-out battles.
Sanji: An Assassin who deals fire damage in a straight line.
Robin: A Mage/Crowd Control hybrid capable of stunning and silencing enemies.
Luffy Bonsman (Nightmare Luffy): A Tank that provides team buffs but has limited crowd control options.
B-Tier Characters – Less Recommended
We advise against investing significant resources into these characters, as they are outclassed and inefficient for high-level content.
Mihawk: A Warrior with moderate damage and no lifesteal for sustainability.
Nami: A Support that only offers buffs without any healing capabilities.
Brook: An Assassin with low damage and limited backline reach.
Zoro: An Assassin with a Fighter’s style and weak backline attacks.
Hangkok: Provides only short, inconsistent crowd control.
Smoker: A Sniper reliant on distance and weak in close-quarters combat.
Naru: A Warrior with limited lifesteal and a conditional immortality effect.
Jin Bay: A Tank with minimal crowd control and mostly self-buffs.
Kuma: Weak crowd control and low damage output.
Doflamingo: A Warrior who can summon clones but lacks lifesteal or strong CC.
Usopp: A Sniper who is only effective from a long distance.
Ace: A starter hero with pure damage but no supporting crowd control or utility.
Pirate Crew Next Chapter: Best Team Building Guide
Building a balanced team is key to success. Here’s a simple strategy:
Prioritize SS-Tier Damage: Start by building your core around one or two SS-tier damage dealers like Akainu, Sanks, or Kuzan.
Add a Strong Tank: Include a durable Tank from S-tier or above, such as Fujitora or Reluh, to protect your damage dealers.
Incorporate Crowd Control and Support: Round out your team with a character that provides control (like Kuza) or healing (like Chopper). This ensures your team can handle various threats.
F2P Team Build Tip: While you may not get all SS-tier heroes early, a team composed of S and A-tier characters can clear most early and mid-game content. Focus on a balanced team composition (e.g., 1 Tank, 2 Damage Dealers, 1 Crowd Control, 1 Support) using the best characters you have from this list.
FAQ – Pirate Crew Next Chapter Tier List
Q: How often does this tier list change?
A: Tier lists can change with major game updates, balance patches, or the introduction of new characters. This list reflects the current meta at the time of writing.
Q: I don’t have any SS-tier characters. What should I do?
A: Don’t worry! A team of well-built S-tier characters can be very powerful. Focus on summoning on banners that feature SS-tier heroes and participate in events to earn fragments.
Q: Are B-tier characters completely useless?
A: Not entirely. They can be used in the very beginning or in specific, niche situations. However, investing precious upgrade materials into them is not recommended, as you will quickly replace them.
Q: What is the most important role in Pirate Crew: Next Chapter?
A: There is no single “most important” role. Success comes from synergy. A team of only damage dealers will die quickly without a Tank or Healer, while a team with only Tanks won’t be able to defeat enemies. Balance is crucial.
Q: Is Pirate Crew: Next Chapter F2P friendly?
A: Yes, the game is generally F2P friendly. While some SS-tier characters are gacha-locked, patient players can acquire them through events and consistent gameplay. Strategic resource management and smart team building are key for F2P success.
Conclusion
Navigating the vast world of Pirate Crew: Next Chapter is much easier when you know which characters are worth your investment. This tier list provides a clear roadmap, ranking the best characters from the legendary SS-tier powerhouses like Akainu and Chopper down to the situational B-tier picks.
Remember to focus on building a balanced team with a strong Tank, reliable Damage Dealers, and supportive Crowd Control or Healing. Use this guide as your compass, and you’ll be well on your way to assembling the most feared pirate crew on the high seas