Haki is a mysterious power primarily wielded by the strongest combatants in One Piece. By allowing its users to manipulate their spiritual presence, they are capable of accomplishing superhuman tasks. Unlike Devil Fruits, Haki has no inherent drawbacks, making it a must-have for any pirates looking to sail the Grand Line.
There are three overarching types of Haki: Armament, Observation, and Conqueror’s. Although Armament and Observation Haki are incredibly powerful in their own right, Conqueror’s Haki is easily the rarest and most coveted of the trio. Each enjoys specific subtypes, which, when combined, can turn any pirate or marine into a massive threat.
Updated on April 15, 2023, by Kennedy King: Throughout the Wano Country arc, more information has been revealed about Haki and its various forms than ever before. Accordingly, the understanding of these techniques has changed significantly during this time, including the emergence of multiple subtypes previously unknown to fans.
12 Observation Haki
Observation Haki is the most common type of Haki in the One Piece universe, and it allows users to sense the presence of others in various forms. For some, sensing auras is easier, while others, like Monkey D. Luffy, are proficient in feeling the emotions of those around them.
The first confirmed use of Observation Haki occurs when Blackbeard gauges Monkey D. Luffy’s strength on Jaya Island. It’s appeared in almost every single arc since then, so it feels safe to say that the skill is a vital tool for New World pirates.
11 Observation Haki Subtype 1: Future Sight
When an individual becomes incredibly skilled in the use of Observation Haki, they can potentially unlock its most powerful skill: Future Sight. This aptly-named ability allows its user to glimpse into the near future, instantly making them a massive threat in almost any combat situation.
Not many characters in the story have managed to awaken Future Sight — only Charlotte Katakuri, Monkey D. Luffy, Kaido, and Shanks are confirmed users. According to Silvers Rayleigh, Future Sight is only used by the strongest fighters in One Piece, so it will likely play a larger role as the series moves into its endgame.
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9 Armament Haki
Like all forms of Haki, Armament Haki draws upon one’s spiritual essence. Using this spiritual power, it thereby creates “armor” around its user, making those skilled in its use capable of superhuman offensive and defensive feats. In addition, Armament Haki-infused attacks can also cause damage to Logia-type Devil Fruit Users — an ability that renders some Logia-types completely useless.
The first person to demonstrate Armament Haki in One Piece just so happens to be one of its greatest users. During the Enies Lobby arc, Monkey D. Garp disciplines his grandson, Luffy, with a Haki-infused punch that bypasses his Devil Fruit powers. Garp is often heralded as the greatest Armament Haki user of his generation, although he has yet to fully display the limits of its power on-screen.
8 Armament Haki Subtype 1: Hardening
As the most common subtype of Armament Haki, Hardening is used in a large percentage of One Piece battles post-time-skip. By sending Armament Haki to various parts of their body, users can create a dark layer of Haki along their skin that exponentially increases their power and defensive abilities.
Hardening is a skill used by most experienced fighters in the New World — especially those who possess above-average strength. Given its usefulness against non-Devil Fruit users and Devil Fruit users alike, this form of Armament Haki is effectively a must-have for any combat-oriented sailors on the Grand Line.
7 Armament Haki Subtype 2: Imbuement
In a similar vein to the Hardening technique, Imbuement allows Armament Haki-users to reinforce specific objects with their spiritual energy. As seen with Roronoa Zoro, this can be used to turn items like swords into lethal threats while simultaneously making them impervious to being damaged.
Generally, items affected by Imbuement turn a dark black color to reflect their altered status. After being imbued, these items can even retain their enhancements after being separated from their user — a feat evidenced by the Kuja tribe’s Armament Haki-infused arrows.
6 Armament Haki Subtype 3: Emission
The abilities of Armament Haki vary massively based on the skill of its user. Only its most masterful wielders are capable of utilizing the Emission technique, which allows an individual to project their Armament Haki-based attacks across short distances.
Distance is a vital element of combat, so for those that primarily rely on Armament Haki — usually a short-range combat approach — adding Haki Emission to their repertoire can completely change their skillset. It was only introduced during the Wano Country arc, so the technique will undoubtedly play a major role in One Piece‘s upcoming arcs.
5 Armament Haki Subtype 4: Internal Destruction
The rarest subtype of Armament Haki, known as Internal Destruction, has only been demonstrated by two characters — Monkey D. Luffy and his mentor, Silvers Rayleigh. This ability further refines the concept of Haki Emission by sending Armament Haki through the body of its target, destroying it from the inside out.
Since Luffy and Rayleigh are the only characters to use Haki Emission, the full scope of its capabilities is still a bit vague. However, its devastating impact has been made painfully clear.
4 Armament Haki Subtype 5: Tribal Haki
On rare occasions, Armament Haki has been shown to develop tribal flame patterns — a feature that is prominently seen when Monkey D. Luffy goes into Gear 4. Although much about this Armament Haki subtype (colloquially named Tribal Haki by fans) remains unknown, it is speculated that it allows users to combine their Haki with their Devil Fruit powers.
Monkey D. Luffy, Charlotte Katakuri, and Big Mom have all evidenced the flame patterns that are typical of Tribal Haki, which lends credence to the association between it and Devil Fruit powers. Nothing about the Armament Haki subtype has been hinted at in recent arcs, but hopefully, One Piece‘s final saga will shed some light on the matter.
3 Conqueror’s Haki
Wielded by one in several million people, Conqueror’s Haki is an incredibly rare ability that allows its user to impose their will on others. Weaker targets are instantly rendered unconscious by its presence, while more powerful foes can resist its most basic effects.
When trained extensively, Conqueror’s Haki users can exert the ability over even larger distances, knocking out tens of thousands of enemies in a single moment. Conqueror’s Haki is said to emerge in those with the qualities of a ruler, so only One Piece‘s most significant figures have wielded it.
2 Conqueror’s Haki Subtype 1: Infusion
Although Conqueror’s Haki is extremely rare, an even rarer form of the ability exists. By infusing a weapon or one’s own body with Conqueror’s Haki, wielders can dramatically elevate the potency of their attacks, raising their capabilities to the realm of legends like Gol D. Roger and Edward Newgate.
Conqueror’s Haki Infusion appears several times during One Piece, but its exact mechanism isn’t confirmed until the pivotal showdown between Monkey D. Luffy and Kaido in the Raid on Onigashima. Once Monkey D. Luffy learned how to perform the technique, he immediately put Kaido on the defensive, demonstrating its massive impact.
1 Conqueror’s Haki Subtype 2: Observation Killing
Little has been said about Observation Killing, the rarest form of Haki in all of One Piece. Thus far, Shanks is the only individual known to employ it, and even then, he hasn’t used it on-screen in a single scene. The Conqueror’s Haki-based ability allows its user to negate the effects of Observation Haki — a game-changing tool in fights against the upper echelon of Haki users.
Shanks’ mastery of Conqueror’s Haki is arguably the greatest in pirate history, so Observation Killing may be unique to him. However, given his inevitable reunion with Monkey D. Luffy, there’s a strong chance that One Piece‘s protagonist will eventually uncover more about the legendary technique.
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