Ultimate One Piece God Valley Matchups Guide March 2026
What are all the matchups in the God Valley Incident? The God Valley Incident featured multiple legendary battles including Rocks D. Xebec versus the Roger-Garp alliance, Whitebeard against St. Figarland Garling, and several other confirmed and speculated confrontations between the Rocks Pirates, Roger Pirates, Marines, and God’s Knights that shaped the entire One Piece world.
As someone who’s been following One Piece since the early 2000s and has analyzed every manga chapter multiple times, I can tell you that the God Valley Incident represents the most significant battle in the series’ history. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down every confirmed and speculated matchup from this legendary event, drawing from my extensive knowledge of chapters 957, 1095, and 1096, plus insights from the One Piece community I’ve been part of for decades.
| Matchup Category | Confirmed Battles | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|
| Main Event | Rocks vs Roger & Garp | Canonically Confirmed |
| Legendary Duel | Whitebeard vs Garling | Heavily Implied |
| Speculated Battles | Multiple crew matchups | Community Theories |
The Historical Context of God Valley
Before diving into the specific matchups, I need to set the stage for what made God Valley so significant. Having studied the manga reveals in chapters 1095 and 1096 extensively, I can confirm that this wasn’t just a simple pirate battle – it was a four-way confrontation that occurred during the Native Hunting Competition, a horrific Celestial Dragon event where they hunted slaves for sport.
The incident took place 38 years before the current timeline, making it one of the most impactful historical events in One Piece. What started as a Celestial Dragon “game” turned into the most legendary battle when multiple factions converged on the island. The Rocks Pirates arrived to claim prizes including Devil Fruits and potentially Shakky’s Rocks Pirates connection, while Roger and Garp formed their unlikely alliance to stop Xebec’s world domination plans.
From my analysis of Oda’s storytelling patterns throughout the series, the God Valley Incident serves as the foundation for understanding the current power structure of the One Piece world. Every major player in today’s story has some connection to this event, whether directly or through their mentors and predecessors.
Confirmed Matchup 1: Rocks D. Xebec vs The Roger-Garp Alliance
This is the centerpiece battle that defines the entire God Valley Incident. When I first read chapter 957 where Sengoku revealed this alliance, my mind was blown – two sworn enemies joining forces was unprecedented in One Piece lore. The fact that it took both the future Pirate King and the Hero of the Marines to defeat Rocks tells you everything about his incredible power level.
Based on my careful reading of the manga and community discussions I’ve participated in over the years, Rocks D. Xebec possessed strength that surpassed any individual character at God Valley. The man commanded a crew containing three future Yonko (Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido), plus legendary figures like Shiki and Captain John. His ambition to become “King of the World” wasn’t just pirate bravado – he had the power to potentially achieve it, making him one of the strongest One Piece characters in history.
Roger and Garp’s alliance wasn’t born from friendship but necessity. I’ve analyzed their fighting styles across multiple arcs, and their combination would have been formidable: Roger’s advanced Conqueror’s Haki techniques (including what we now know as Divine Departure) paired with Garp’s raw physical power that could destroy mountains. Together, they represented the peak of pirate and Marine strength united against a common threat.
The battle’s intensity must have been beyond anything we’ve seen in the series so far. When you consider that this fight literally erased an entire island from existence and history, the destructive power unleashed becomes almost incomprehensible. My theory, supported by community analysis, is that the combined Conqueror’s Haki clashes between these titans contributed to God Valley’s complete annihilation.
Confirmed Matchup 2: Edward “Whitebeard” Newgate vs St. Figarland Garling
This matchup, while not explicitly stated in dialogue, is heavily implied through visual storytelling – something Oda excels at. Having studied Whitebeard’s character design for years, I’ve always wondered about the origin of his distinctive chest scars. Chapter 1095’s revelation of Garling’s presence at God Valley as the champion of the God’s Knights provides the missing puzzle piece.
St. Figarland Garling, as I’ve come to understand from recent chapters, wasn’t just another Celestial Dragon – he was their greatest warrior, the previous leader of God’s Knights who’s now one of the Five Elders. His crescent moon-shaped beard and the way he carries himself in flashbacks suggest someone who relished combat, unlike typical World Nobles who avoid direct confrontation.
The evidence for this matchup comes from multiple sources I’ve analyzed: Whitebeard’s prominent scars that he notably didn’t have in earlier flashbacks, Garling’s established presence and combat prowess at God Valley, and the narrative significance of having the future “World’s Strongest Man” face the Celestial Dragons’ champion. In my extensive experience with One Piece storytelling patterns, Oda doesn’t introduce such powerful characters without purpose.
What makes this battle particularly fascinating is the contrast it represents. Whitebeard, who would later become known for his “family” philosophy and protection of territories, facing off against someone who participated in hunting humans for sport. This ideological clash, combined with their presumably comparable power levels at the time, would have created one of the most significant battles of the incident.
Highly Probable Matchup: Silvers Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban vs Young Kaido and Big Mom
While not officially confirmed, this matchup makes perfect logical sense based on crew dynamics and power scaling – something I’ve studied extensively in my years of following One Piece. The Roger Pirates’ top commanders would naturally face the Rocks Pirates’ rising stars, creating a generational clash that would echo through the decades.
From my analysis of their fighting styles shown throughout the series, this would have been an incredible display of different combat philosophies. Rayleigh’s refined swordsmanship and advanced Haki techniques against young Kaido’s raw power and developing dragon abilities, while Scopper Gaban (Roger’s third strongest) would handle Charlotte Linlin’s soul-based powers and monstrous strength. These matchups would showcase the character progression paths that define One Piece’s power system.
The community consensus, which I’ve seen develop through countless forum discussions, suggests this battle would explain several plot points: how the Roger Pirates managed to handle multiple future Yonko simultaneously, why Kaido still considers that era’s pirates superior to the current generation, and potentially how Big Mom and Kaido developed their later alliance dynamic – perhaps born from fighting together against common enemies.
What’s particularly interesting from a power-scaling perspective is that both Kaido and Big Mom were significantly younger and less experienced 38 years ago. Based on my calculations from canonical ages, Kaido would have been around 21 and Big Mom around 30. They were strong but not yet the monsters they’d become, making them perfect opponents for Roger’s top subordinates. Understanding these Devil Fruit power developments helps explain how these characters evolved into future Yonko.
The God’s Knights vs Lower-Ranked Rocks Pirates
Chapter 1096’s revelation about the God’s Knights’ involvement adds another layer to the God Valley battles. Having analyzed every panel of these chapters, I can confirm multiple God’s Knights were present, participating in the Native Hunting Competition before the pirates arrived. When chaos erupted, they would have been the Celestial Dragons’ primary defense force.
The God’s Knights, as I understand from recent revelations, aren’t typical Celestial Dragons – they’re trained warriors with legitimate combat abilities. Facing them would have been the numerous powerful members of the Rocks Pirates we know were present: Captain John, Silver Axe, Ochoku, and potentially Stussy (now confirmed as a former Rocks member). Each of these individuals would later become legendary in their own right, suggesting significant power even during God Valley.
My interpretation of the battle dynamics suggests these fights would have been brutal and numerous. Unlike the focused duels at the top level, this would have been chaotic melee combat with shifting alliances and objectives. The God’s Knights defending their fellow Celestial Dragons while also trying to maintain their “competition,” while the Rocks Pirates sought treasure and caused maximum destruction.
Marine Forces vs Pirates: The Forgotten Battles
While Garp represents the Marine presence in popular recounting, having studied Marine military structure extensively through the series, I know he wouldn’t have come alone. A Vice Admiral (his rank at the time) would have brought a significant force, creating another layer of combat throughout God Valley.
Based on patterns I’ve observed in other major One Piece battles, Marine soldiers would have engaged both pirate crews indiscriminately. This creates numerous unnamed but significant battles: Marine captains and commodores facing off against division commanders and officers from both the Rocks and Roger Pirates. These fights, while not featuring legendary names, would have contributed to the incident’s massive casualty count.
The strategic complexity here fascinates me. Marines trying to arrest pirates while those same pirates are technically helping them protect Celestial Dragons creates a tactical nightmare I’ve rarely seen in other manga. Some Marines might have focused on evacuation, others on combat, and still others trying to maintain some semblance of order in absolute chaos.
Speculated Matchup: Golden Lion Shiki’s Aerial Battles
Shiki’s presence at God Valley is confirmed, but his specific opponents remain mystery. Based on my understanding of his Float-Float Fruit powers and tactical preferences shown in Strong World and Chapter 0, Shiki likely engaged in aerial combat, possibly against multiple opponents simultaneously.
The community theory I find most compelling suggests Shiki faced Marine warships, using his power to create the kind of devastating naval destruction he’d later become famous for. This would explain how the Rocks Pirates managed to handle being potentially outnumbered – Shiki could neutralize entire Marine vessels while other members focused on individual combat.
From a tactical perspective I’ve developed through gaming adaptations like One Piece Treasure Cruise, Shiki’s role would have been force multiplication. His ability to make objects float could turn debris into weapons, create aerial platforms for allies, or drop massive objects on enemies. This versatility makes him perfect for the chaotic environment of God Valley.
The Treasure That Started It All: Shakky and Gloriosa
One of the most intriguing aspects I’ve discovered through careful manga analysis is that the “treasure” the Rocks Pirates came for might have been Shakky herself. Chapter 1096 suggests she was among the prizes for the Native Hunting Competition, and we know she was a former Rocks Pirate who later escaped.
This creates an interesting subplot of potential rescue missions or protection battles. If Shakky was indeed a target, various Rocks Pirates might have fought specifically to free her, adding personal stakes beyond simple piracy. Gloriosa (former Amazon Lily empress) was also confirmed present, suggesting possible connections between these powerful women and the broader conflict.
Community Theories and Speculated Matchups
Having participated in One Piece forums and Reddit discussions for years, I’ve encountered fascinating theories about additional God Valley matchups that, while unconfirmed, make narrative sense:
The “Betrayal Theory” suggests some Rocks Pirates switched sides mid-battle. My personal interpretation of Whitebeard’s later philosophy supports this – his emphasis on loyalty and family might stem from witnessing betrayal at God Valley. Perhaps he even helped defeat Rocks after learning about his captain’s true nature or plans.
Another compelling theory from the Japanese community suggests Dragon (Luffy’s father) was present as a young Marine. While unconfirmed, this would explain his later revolutionary ideology – witnessing the Celestial Dragons’ Native Hunting Competition would certainly inspire rebellion against the World Government. This theory connects to Oda’s deeper storytelling decisions about character motivations and world-building.
The “Future Sight Duel” theory proposes that Roger and Rocks engaged in a battle of advanced Observation Haki, literally fighting across multiple future timelines. While speculative, this matches the metaphysical combat we’ve seen in recent chapters and would explain the island’s complete erasure.
Gaming Adaptations and God Valley’s Legacy
As someone who’s played virtually every One Piece game, I’ve noticed God Valley’s influence appearing more frequently in recent gaming content. While we haven’t gotten a full God Valley arc in games yet, characters and references are increasingly common. The latest Treasure Cruise banners feature God Valley versions of characters, and Pirate Warriors 4 includes special dialogue referencing the incident. These game-changing One Piece revelations continue to influence how developers approach the franchise.
From my gaming experience, I predict we’ll eventually see a full God Valley adaptation in a major One Piece game, possibly as climactic DLC content. The battle’s scale and variety of matchups make it perfect for gaming adaptation – imagine switching between playing as Roger, Garp, and various other participants to experience different perspectives of the battle.
Impact on Current One Piece Events
Understanding these God Valley matchups is crucial for comprehending current manga events. The latest One Piece power developments in the Egghead and upcoming Elbaf arcs directly connect to God Valley’s aftermath.
Blackbeard’s pursuit of Rocks’ legacy, the Revolutionary Army’s actions against Celestial Dragons, and even the Straw Hats’ journey all trace back to God Valley. Every major faction in the current story has roots in this incident, making these matchups essential backstory rather than mere historical footnotes.
My analysis suggests Oda is building toward a parallel situation – another multi-faction battle that will reshape the world like God Valley did. Understanding these historical matchups helps predict future confrontations and alliance possibilities in the final saga.
Conclusion: The Battles That Shaped Everything
After years of analyzing One Piece and participating in community discussions, I can confidently say the God Valley matchups represent the series’ most important historical event. From the confirmed battles like Rocks versus the Roger-Garp alliance and Whitebeard against Garling, to the speculated confrontations that fill in the narrative gaps, each fight contributed to the incident that erased an island and changed the world forever.
What makes these matchups truly special isn’t just the power levels involved – though those were unprecedented – but how they established relationships and rivalries that still drive the story today. Every legendary Yonko battle since then has roots in God Valley, and understanding these connections enhances our appreciation of Oda’s masterful long-term storytelling.
As we await the full God Valley flashback in upcoming chapters, these analyzed matchups give us framework for understanding what’s to come. Whether you’re a longtime fan like myself or newer to One Piece, knowing these battles provides essential context for the series’ past, present, and future. The God Valley Incident wasn’t just a battle – it was the crucible that forged the modern One Piece world, and every matchup within it played a crucial role in that transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the strongest person at God Valley?
Based on the evidence that it required both Roger and Garp together to defeat him, Rocks D. Xebec was likely the strongest individual at God Valley. However, the alliance of Roger and Garp proved superior to his individual might, demonstrating that teamwork could overcome even the world’s strongest pirate.
Did Whitebeard really fight against Rocks at God Valley?
While not explicitly confirmed, strong evidence suggests Whitebeard may have turned against Rocks during the battle. His later philosophy about loyalty and family, combined with his survival despite Rocks’ defeat, implies he may have switched sides or at least didn’t fully support Rocks’ final actions. The community remains divided on this theory.
How did Kaido get his Devil Fruit at God Valley?
Big Mom confirmed she gave Kaido his Azure Dragon Devil Fruit at God Valley, which was among the prizes for the Celestial Dragons’ Native Hunting Competition. This means Kaido fought most of the God Valley battle without his dragon powers, relying on his natural strength and developing combat skills instead.
Will we see the full God Valley flashback in the manga?
Given Oda’s pattern of revealing crucial backstories at dramatic moments, and with the story entering its final saga, I’m confident we’ll see the complete God Valley flashback soon. The recent chapters (1095-1096) have started revealing details, suggesting the full flashback is imminent, possibly during or after the Elbaf arc.
Which current characters have connections to God Valley?
Numerous current characters connect to God Valley: Blackbeard (pursuing Rocks’ legacy), Shanks (potentially Garling’s son), Dragon (possibly present as a young Marine), Stussy (confirmed former Rocks Pirate), and of course the former Yonko like Big Mom and Kaido. Even Luffy, through Garp’s involvement, has an inherited connection to these events.