Usopp was the sniper for the Straw Hat pirates and a jack of all trades. As one of the weakest heroes in the One Piece universe, his skills are often overlooked by allies, enemies, and sometimes, even himself.
However, the man is just as responsible for saving the day as any other crewmate, using creativity, ingenuity, and sometimes even his own negativity in order to properly assess and react to situations. By identifying the instances where he rescued his comrades from harm, we can better appreciate the marksman's wits and cunning.
10 Usopp Defeated Fish-Man Pirate Daruma
Daruma was a particularly treacherous adversary since he had the ability to burrow through the ground with ease. This made him difficult for slow or visual fighters such as Chopper or Robin to apprehend.
Fortunately, Usopp was able to get him out in the open during the final battle for the cove, knocking him airborne where he would be powerless to dodge attacks. This allowed him to defeat the evildoer with a powerful shockwave from one of the green star plants he had acquired during the time skip.
9 Usopp Saved The Children (& His Friends) By Using A Sleep Star
During the events of Punk Hazard, the giant children that the Straw Hats had liberated were suffering serious withdrawals from an absence of Caesar Clown's candy. They soon went berserk, leaving the heroes in a difficult situation - either physically harm the younglings or be killed themselves.
Fortunately, Usopp had just the tool for the occasion. By unleashing a sleep star against his towering targets, he managed to sedate them before either party could come to significant harm. This allowed the Straw Hats to chain them up and reduced the threat they posed.
8 Usopp Saved Nami From The Fake Straw Hat Pirates
When the Straw Hats were set to reunite at Sabaody, Nami was accosted by a group of pirates at a local bar. They poorly impersonated Luffy's crew, with their leader heckling her for attention.
This provided Usopp an excellent opportunity to make his second debut, using his green star ability in order to seize the villains using massive, man-eating plants and constrict them within their large appendages. Were it not for his aid, it's uncertain whether or not Nami would have the time to use her Clima Tact before being gunned down.
7 Usopp Was The Only Man Capable Of Defeating Perona
Perona's negative hollows were a nearly unstoppable weapon that allowed her to sedate almost every Straw Hat during the events of Thriller Bark. The only person who could resist their effects and effectively stand in her way was Usopp on account of his negative personality.
He instructed his friends to move on without him and reassured them that he could defeat the ghost woman by himself. Although her zombie hordes proved to be a difficult obstacle, he was eventually successful in knocking her unconscious.
6 Usopp Was Responsible For Locating & Encouraging Luffy At Enies Lobby
Near the climax of Enies Lobby, it seemed as if Rob Lucci would be victorious. Luffy was sprawled across the ground and helpless to resist his onerous CP9 opponent.
However, Usopp found the quarreling duo and called out to the villain, provoking him and diverting his attention. This not only created the necessity for the Straw Hat captain to rise for his own sake but also for the sake of his friend. Were it not for Usopp's ephemeral intervention, Lucci would have finished Luffy off unimpeded and ended one of the most pivotal chapters in the series brutally.
5 Usopp Lured Chew Away From Arlong & Defeated Him
One of Usopp's most monumental triumphs was during his battle against Chew at Arlong Park. Though the sniper had little confidence that he could defeat the Fish-Man, he managed to lure him away from the Straw Hats and therefore reduce the number of threats they faced.
By using a combination of tools, blunt force, and agility, Usopp was able to avoid the ruffian's potent water jettison and defeat him in a solo battle. This was a massive and necessary boost to his confidence.
4 Usopp Vouched For The Merry, A Ship That Would Save Them During The Buster Call
Usopp was the only vocal advocate for the Going Merry, having received a premonition of its sentience during the events of the Skypiea arc. Because he defended it so ardently, he was able to take it from Luffy and bring it to Franky's shop.
Although Kaku would send it plummeting into the sea, the ship would not be destroyed. It later provided the Straw Hats' sole salvation when the full force of the Navy's buster call rained down on them - all because Usopp gave it a chance to help.
3 Usopp Made The Clima Tact, A Weapon That Would Save Nami's Life
Usopp was responsible for inventing the Clima Tact, a pole that Nami could use in order to defend herself by creating warm and cool bubbles to unleash lightning at her discretion.
Although it took the navigator a moment in order to master its properties, she would rely on it to save her life in many close calls. Using its abilities, she managed to defeat Doublefinger in a single attack and was even able to overcome CP9 agent Kalifa.
2 Usopp & Chopper Defeated Mr. Four & Miss M]erry Christmas At Alabasta
Mr. Four and Miss Merry Christmas were two Baroque Works agents that confronted Usopp and Chopper outside the walls of Alabasta. The former managed to land a direct hit against the sniper's skull with his bat, cracking it and felling him instantly.
Determined to save his friends, he stood up and continued the battle. By using his intelligence, he and his reindeer ally outmaneuvered their adversaries, turning their strength against each other in order to defeat them.
1 Usopp Saved Kaya From Jango In Syrup Village
During the battle for Syrup Village, Jango went after Kaya in order to fulfill his master's dark purpose. Although momentarily thwarted by the Usopp pirates, he was able to cast them aside and placed his circular blades at the young woman's throat.
By cutting down an obstructing branch, Zoro provided Usopp with a perfect shot to stop him. He unleashed his slingshot, striking the hypnotist down and allowing the heroes to apprehend him safely. Were it not for his precision, Jango may have been able to walk away from the fight in a stalemate - or worse, force Luffy to surrender.