Every Yonko’s First Commander in One Piece, Ranked by Power

While the Yonko might be the most feared pirates in the One Piece universe, no Yonko gets to the top without strong allies. Each emperor relies on a top commander who can carry the fight when it matters most and protect their captain’s goals. These fighters rank among the strongest pirates outside the Yonko themselves.

From great swordsmen to mighty Haki masters and ancient Zoan users, these commanders have proven why they stand just below their captains in strength. Ranking them is not easy, but here in this article, we are trying to rank the best Yonko first commanders in the One Piece world, based on their canon feats and overall story portrayal.

7 Jesus Burgess (Blackbeard Pirates)

Jesus Burgess earns this spot primarily based on his current standing among the Blackbeard Pirates and also his recent upgrade thanks to the Strong-Strong Fruit. Before the Dressrosa Arc, he seemed inferior to a good top-tier commander, particularly after getting dominated by Sabo.

However, he looks far more dangerous in the Final Saga. During the recent events at Egghead and Winner Island, Burgess displayed significantly improved power and is now a lot deadlier in battle than before. Nevertheless, when considering his strength against other commanders on this list, he still falls short compared to the others.

6 Charlotte Katakuri (Big Mom Pirates)

Katakuri was certainly one of the most impressive commanders during the Whole Cake Island arc of One Piece. He challenged Monkey D. Luffy more than anyone else did, using Observation Haki and his mochi abilities.

What prevents Katakuri from being higher in the ranking is how the power ceiling in Eiichiro Oda’s world has risen since then. Although his Future Sight is still amazing, there are now commanders with higher attack power and durability. Nevertheless, Katakuri is still one of the most well-rounded fighters among the Yonko crews.

5 King (Beast Pirates)

King was Kaido’s top subordinate, and he demonstrated it well when it came to the Onigashima Raid. He had exceptional physical resistance due to his Lunarian race, enabling him to survive hits that would otherwise defeat most captains.

He ranks this high thanks to his attributes, which include speed, air combat, Ancient Zoan form, and natural defense. The fight between him and Zoro in Wano showed how difficult it was to defeat him. Although his offensive skills are remarkable, those above him either have better versatility or a stronger narrative portrayal.

4 Marco (Whitebeard Pirates)

Marco has consistently been portrayed as one of the top commanders in the series. During the war in Marineford, Marco fought against the Admirals, took care of Whitebeard’s men, and remained a danger throughout the entire war.

His Mythical Zoan Phoenix Fruit gives him the best regeneration ability in the lineup of Yonko commanders. Instead of being an offensive fighter, Marco has better stamina and battlefield skills. His capabilities during the Wano Arc, even after the death of Whitebeard, make him one of the best pirates in the world.

3 Roronoa Zoro (Straw Hat Pirates)

Zoro’s advancement to the next level in Wano pushed him into a completely different tier. After temporarily blocking the combined attack of Kaido and Big Mom and later while fighting with King, he awakened Advanced Conqueror’s Haki, one of the rarest abilities in the series.

Whereas most commanders excel in only one particular area, Roronoa Zoro has overwhelming strength in attacks, strong durability, and great potential for further development. Being a candidate for the title of the world’s future strongest swordsman, he is considered one of the most dangerous first commanders right now.

2 Benn Beckman (Red-Haired Pirates)

Despite limited screen time, Benn Beckman has received an extraordinary portrayal throughout the story. During Marineford, even Admiral Kizaru treated him as a serious threat, highlighting the respect Beckman commands among the world’s strongest fighters.

The Red-Haired Pirates are repeatedly described as having the most balanced crew among the Yonko, and Beckman’s reputation plays a major role in that image. While his full abilities remain unrevealed, Oda has consistently positioned him as one of the strongest commanders in the New World.

1 Dracule Mihawk (Cross Guild)

Mihawk’s placement at number one is difficult to argue against. Although Cross Guild’s public structure presents Buggy as the emperor, both the story and the Marines recognize Mihawk as the organization’s true powerhouse.

As the holder of the title of “World’s Strongest Swordsman”, Mihawk stands above every other swordsman in the series until proven otherwise. His legendary rivalry with Shanks, his effortless displays of power from the East Blue Saga to the Final Saga, and his unmatched reputation place him firmly at the top of the Yonko commander hierarchy.

Series Title	One Piece
Manga Author	Eiichiro Oda
Anime Rating (Mal) – as of June 11, 2026	8.73/10
Where to Read	Crunchyroll, Netflix

Now the big question – do you agree that Mihawk deserves the top spot, or is there another first commander who should be ranked number one? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The One Piece anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.