Interview: Noel Lim (K3SOJU) - UP Luffy Masterclass
- rubentruong
- Jul 9
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 16
Player: Noel Lim
Favorite Leader: ST01 Red Luffy, But I am more known for Red Zoro (this leader gave me the nickname "Best Red" in the past)
Favorite Character (in manga): dont really watch the show but Shanks I guess
Best One Piece Alt-Art: OP03 Fire Fist
Socials:
-What inspired you to create a masterclass specifically for this leader?
I think its the best deck of the game in OP11/OP12. Its not comparable to Sakazuki / RP law with Black Maria but its close up there. I feel that a lot of people have a misconception about this leader being just a turbo ramp to 9 and slam big bodies, but there are some matchups that you actually don't even ramp at all. The deck is easy to play once you reach 9-10 don but navigating there effectively is the hardest part of the deck. Together with stacking and especially mulligan decisions.
-Who would benefit the most from this masterclass- Beginners, seasoned players, or both?
This masterclass is definitely catered more towards advanced players but even beginners will walk away with something valuable. One thing I always emphasize: focus on your fundamentals first before diving into matchup-specific knowledge. Matchup knowledge might give you an edge for a set or two, but once the meta shifts or your deck falls out of favor, it's your fundamentals that will carry you far, not just in this game, but in any competitive game.
-Is this masterclass beneficial for Western players as well?
This masterclass is mainly targetted at the western audience. Because as a player from the East and seeing this deck produced so much results since op11 and currently in op12. I am surprised how underperformed this deck is in the west. As mentioned above, this deck is not a tier 0 deck in my opinion but its pretty close up there. Personally I am a player who does not like to play the best deck in format (bdif) unless i have no choice, which throughout my career. I only played bdif 3 times, Sakazuki, rplaw with black Maria and now UP Luffy. Which goes to show how strong of a leader i personally think this is. Even during Op03 whitebeard with moby dick which was banned later, I was playing red Zoro because I did not think Whitebeard was that strong enough of a BDIF for me to be forced to play it.
-Without spoiling to much, what makes this leader fun or unique to play?
Personally i hate this leader, i think its unhealthy for the game. But i dislike losing so I am forced to play this leader and play it well. The strong part about this leader is being able to pick any 2 cards to draw from top 5 once you reach 10 dons. Basically you are able to draw "any" 2 cards you want and you are able to see your whole deck. Which in short called cycling in tcg terms. Which makes you a demon in the late game as you always out value your opponent.
-Do you offer coaching or deck reviews for this leader as well?
I have been a coach for 2 years in the game space? I think I was one of the pioneers and I am still doing it now. Its funny people nowadays think i transitioned to a full time content creator now because i stream and do so much more content nowadays but coaching is still my Number 1 priority. It can be booked via my metafy or calendly, both links found on my X bio.
-What is the hardest part about learning this deck and do you cover it in your guide/masterclass?
Mulligan decisions and learning how to Stack the top 5 once you reach 10 dons. The hardest part is navigating to your 10 don turn safely and efficiently without losing the too much life / cards in hand. And also knowing which matchups you are suppose to go for the "turbo ramp slam big drop" and which ones you are just focused about survival.
-Where can readers purchase the guide/masterclass and how much does it cost?
Through the Lim Clan metafy for $50, or for free if they are a supporter in the specific tiers. It may seem steep but its going to be a long and detailed session covering most of the meta decks in the game.
-Will you update (or is it still accurate) the guide when the upcoming set drops (OP12 for the west)?
I have yet to think about it mainly because the decklist i played for this leader in op12 and op11 is only 1 card difference. Both sets feels very similiar to me with only OP12 leaders being new matchups that players need to learn (specifically red Rayleigh, green Zoro, maybe blue Kuzan) but I would probably update the masterclass or host another one to specifically target the matchups and any other deck changes in OP12, mainly green decks who are including the new 1cost event Ashura which is very strong vs UP luffy and make it very cheap / free for those that purchased the current one for op11.
-Will this deck still be on top of the meta in OP12?
Playing in op12 now. I can guarantee you that this is STILL the BDIF (best deck in format) in op12
-In the West, it feels like UP is falling off a bit, especially with Belo Betty dominating most events. What's your take on that?
I think people are not tackling the matchup as they should be. Also I seen some UP luffy lists in the west, they have no regards for aggro at all. Some don't even run 7c gravity blades or 2c thunder baguas which are very good vs aggresive decks like bello betty. I have also heard that this deck is not affordable to build at all thus i can see why players are gravitating towards Bello Betty. But as a UP player, bello betty is still the worst matchup which i personally don't want to meet in tournaments but I do have a very positive score against this leader in high level tournaments. I agree its UP luffy worst matchup, but its not that bad and people just need to learn how to play against it, with the right lists and techs of course.
-Would you recommend the deck in a ChinoizeCup? Or even more important in Finals/LCQ?
100%, if you are not playing this leader, you are trolling. This leader is so much stronger in OP11 as compared to OP12 in my opinion.
-Any Exciting results or tournament finishes using this deck you'd like to share?
Hong Kong CS 1v1 - Top 8 (Noel)
Taiwan CS 3v3 - 1st (Guanrong)
Malaysia CS 1v1 - Top 4 (Guanrong)
Thailand CS 3v3 - Top 8 (Puttichai)
For those that do not know, myself , Guanrong ( the first world champion ) and Puttichai (Asia's best player) (me and Guanrong thinks so) , made this decklist together. We call ourselves the 3 UP idiots because of this reason. https://x.com/guanrong_0815/status/1941672984739242399?t=RnA_ROP9btd7xI-XNvfm2g&s=19
-What 2 deck will qualify for worlds (in the West)? Any guess?
UP Luffy and GP Luffy. I think most top players will be on these 2 decks.
-One more fun question: If you could ban and unban one card, what cards would you pick?
Unban Kingdome Come (Raigo), yellow needs it to be playable.
Ban Gum Gum Giant (GGG) or Make 9 mom leader locked. I think banning or limiting GGG makes Purple luffy decks less broken but if you asked me which card makes UP luffy broken specifically its 9 mom.
Thanks for reading and may the Best UP luffy (luckiest) make it to worlds -> Link to the Masterclass: https://metafy.gg/events/op11-up-luffy-masterclass-learn-from-the-b-bI5pYfa146J
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