Do styles still make fights in One Piece?

[Warmmedown]

In early One Piece there wasn't a linear progression of fighting strength, since some DFs or styles of fighting could be countered by other particular styles or abilities (eg Enel effortlessly beating everyone but Luffy, including Zoro and Wiper who were able to compete with Luffy; Luffy's reach helping him to be able to grab Kuro; Buggy being a difficult fight for swordsmen without haki; Usopp managing to beat Chou; Luffy arguably would have had a way tougher fight against Mr 1 than Zoro did, once Zoro learnt to cut steel). Is this still true for later One Piece? If not, when did it change? Enies Lobby when doriki ratings were introduced? When haki was made commonplace amongst relevant characters?

 

[Fantastische Hure]

All well and good but…

Usopp managing to beat Chou

^I don’t understand why this is here. Usopp > Chou!!!

 

[Pocket-Gog~]

Answer: One Piece sucks

 

[ahill1]

If Luffy had a tougher fight against Mr. 1 than Zoro did, he'd die

 

[Warmmedown]

If Luffy had a tougher fight against Mr. 1 than Zoro did, he'd die

I just said after he learnt to cut steel, you doofus

 

[Future Warrior]

Sometimes it does. I wouldn't say it's generally the case though. Depends on how much Oda wants to focus on how a character uses their powers in a fight, which he doesn't a lot of times.

 

[SSJ2]

I can't even recall the last time it did matter.