Haki is a mysterious power primarily wielded by the strongest combatants in One Piece. By allowing its users to manipulate their spiritual presence, they can accomplish superhuman tasks. Unlike Devil Fruits, Haki has no inherent drawbacks, making it a must-have for any pirates looking to sail the Grand Line. Unfortunately, the ability to use Haki is generally rare across One Piece.

There are three overarching types: Armament, Observation, and Conqueror's Haki. 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 Haki type comes with specific subtypes, which, when combined, can turn any pirate or marine into a massive threat.

Updated on February 23, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: Although Haki was first seen when Shanks rescued Luffy from a Sea King, the concept was only mentioned much later. Luffy and the Straw Hats began honing their Haki skills during the two-year timeskip, and the results were outstanding. At this point, even Usopp can use a basic level of Observation Haki. As such, we've updated this article with some more information about the various types of Haki in One Piece.

Observation Haki Is The Most Common Type Of Haki In One Piece

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. It can be considered as extrasensory perception, but the process isn't exactly mysterious. 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 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. That said, those who lose control of their emotions very easily during battle won't be able to make the most of Observation Haki.

Observation Haki Subtype 1: Future Sight Can Predict An Opponent's Moves

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. Interestingly, this subtype of Observation Haki requires fighting to learn; ordinary training sessions won't work.

Future Sight was first seen in Charlotte Katakuri, whose eyes glow red when activating the technique. Not many characters in the story have awakened Future Sight, however — 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.

Armament Haki Creates A Spiritual Armor Around The User

Like all forms of Haki, Armament Haki draws upon one's spiritual essence. Using this spiritual power, it thereby creates "armor" around its user. As a result, those skilled in its use are 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 with a Haki-infused punch that bypasses Luffy's 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. In any case, there are various Armament Haki subtypes.

Armament Haki Subtype 1: Hardening Increases Both Power And Defense

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. Luffy constantly relies on Hardening during battles after entering the New World, mainly because his opponents would be far too strong to defeat otherwise. In fact, even Hardening doesn't really work against transcendent combatants like Kaido.

Armament Haki Subtype 2: Imbuement Can Reinforce Specific Objects

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 turn items like swords into lethal threats while simultaneously making them impervious to damage. Generally, items affected by Imbuement turn a dark black color to reflect their altered status.

Dracule Mihawk insists on Imbuing his weapon with Armament Haki, explaining why Yoru is also known as a "black blade." Swords and the only weapons that benefit from Imbuement. On the contrary, this technique has been applied to bullets and arrows, as well. 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.

Armament Haki Subtype 3: Emission Can Project Attacks Across Short Distances

The abilities of Armament Haki vary massively based on the skill of its user. Only its most masterful wielders can utilize the Emission technique, which allows an individual to project their Armament Haki-based attacks across short distances. This requires incredible precision and timing, which means the user must remain in an almost-meditative state.

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, but Luffy makes use of Emission while fighting Kaido. In any case, the technique will undoubtedly play a major role in One Piece's upcoming arcs.

Armament Haki Subtype 4: Internal Destruction Is Extremely Dangerous

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. It was first seen when Rayleigh destroyed Camie's slave collar in the Sabaody Archipelago arc.

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. It takes a while for Luffy to get the specifics of Internal Destruction, but gets quite far under Hyogoro's guidance. He even rips the explosive collars off his and Hyo's neck, demonstrating once again that he's not just some average pirate.

Armament Haki Subtype 5: Tribal Haki Is Named For Its Flame Patterns

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. Another theory is that the flame pattern comes from potent Haki concentrations.

However, 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.

Conqueror's Haki Is Wielded By One In Several Million People

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. It was first introduced when Shanks used it to save little Luffy against a Sea King, but neither the technique nor its name was mentioned.

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. Luffy unconsciously activates his Conqueror's Haki during Marineford, but he later neutralizes fifty thousand Fish-Men without any effort. 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.

Conqueror's Haki Subtype 1: Infusion Can Elevate Attack Potency

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. In fact, both Roger and Whitebeard Infused their weapons with Conqueror's Haki during their legendary battle.

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. This demonstrates its massive impact on the villain known as the "strongest creature in the world."

Conqueror's Haki Subtype 2: Observation Killing Can Negate Future Sight

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.

In fact, having access to this technique automatically makes the user one of the strongest in the world. 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.