How strong will Mihawk be?

[Warmmedown]

Most of the shichibukai seem like they can't f with Admirals much on their own, but Mihawk is the strongest swordsman, meaning he must be stronger than current Rayleigh who was about on par with Kizaru, so Mihawk is probably stronger than Kizaru in one on one fights (of course Kizaru's abilities could make him stronger in pursuit situations or possibly even against multiple opponents). It's hard to say from just that if he's stronger than Aokiji or Akainu but if Shanks is a swordsman then he could be stronger than current Shanks just as a swordsman but possibly overall, which could put him in the individual power leagues of the likes of Whitebeard. That also makes me wonder if maybe at one time Shanks was the strongest swordsman....I doubt it since it was so long ago when he lost his arm, so most likely neither him or Mihawk were the strongest but were just prospects and then at some point Mihawk became number 1.
Mihawk is also I'm assuming stronger than Shilliew, who was able to kill prisoners in Level 6 of Impel down if I remember his limited backstory correctly. How strong the strongest of Level 6 are I'm not sure....the strongest I remember would be Crocodile. I don't know if anyone who truly rivalled admirals, the Yonkou or Roger was ever in there.

 

[Uchiha]

Akainu (Post time skip)
Kaido
Shanks
Big Mom
Mihawk

Top 5 strongest currently, not clear who is the top exactly. I'd say 1v1 Kaido probably has the advantage. Mihawk 2nd. But considering armies/crews, Mihawk is last on that list.

 

[sei'taer]

He didn't consider shanks worth fighting now that he lost his arm, and apparently they used to duel all the time. So he's easily the strongest warlord, and probably among the strongest characters period.

 

[Warmmedown]

He didn't consider shanks worth fighting now that he lost his arm, and apparently they used to duel all the time. So he's easily the strongest warlord, and probably among the strongest characters period.

That was sword duelling though. Shanks may have other battle strengths like using his armament or conqueror's haki.

 

[sei'taer]

It wouldn't surprise me if Mihawk had conquerors haki himself. He certainly has incredibly strong armament haki.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Mihawk's hard to place. He used to rival Shanks, yet Jozu was able to tank a full powered slash intended for WB, and I doubt he could do the same from one of the Yonkou's attacks. I tend to assume that Shanks became a fair bit stronger in the 10 year timeskip of him losing his arm to the main story.

Until we get more solid feats than what he presented at Marineford, I'd place Mihawk on Admiral tier or just below the Admirals.

 

[Papasmurf]

Mihawk was obviously weakened from malnutrition because Perona wasn't there to make him sammiches yet.

 

[Warmmedown]

Mihawk's hard to place. He used to rival Shanks, yet Jozu was able to tank a full powered slash intended for WB, and I doubt he could do the same from one of the Yonkou's attacks. I tend to assume that Shanks became a fair bit stronger in the 10 year timeskip of him losing his arm to the main story.

Until we get more solid feats than what he presented at Marineford, I'd place Mihawk on Admiral tier or just below the Admirals.

Rayleigh is admiral level and a swordsman so Mihawk can't be below admiral level.

 

[Warmmedown]

although did people know Rayleigh was still alive

 

[Warmmedown]

although did people know Rayleigh was still alive

 

[Uchiha]

Mihawk's hard to place. He used to rival Shanks, yet Jozu was able to tank a full powered slash intended for WB, and I doubt he could do the same from one of the Yonkou's attacks. I tend to assume that Shanks became a fair bit stronger in the 10 year timeskip of him losing his arm to the main story.

Until we get more solid feats than what he presented at Marineford, I'd place Mihawk on Admiral tier or just below the Admirals.

Jozu is probably going to prove to be a defensive beast when his power gets explained, so I wouldn't really put too much merit in that. He even got Aojiki bleeding when he blocked his assault.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Rayleigh is admiral level and a swordsman so Mihawk can't be below admiral level.

It's unknown if Rayleigh made becoming the strongest swordsman as a profession or identified himself as a swordsman, rather than being simply proficient at using one.

I'm not saying for definite that Mihawk would be below Admiral tier, just that his current feats aren't up to par with his hype. I do believe there is some potential in him being Yonkou tier though, as in an SBS section when replying to a fan's comment, Oda mentioned a few of the strongest characters such as Whitebeard, Shanks, Akainu and Mihawk. Him being included with these top tiers could be a sign of something, at least.

 

[Warmmedown]

Jozou got defensive properties most likely yeh. Would think so being diamond.

@Rayleigh
Rayleigh might not be a swordsman but his swordsmanship alone was able to equal Kizaru, so it makes sense that Mihawk's swordsmanship> Kizaru's swordsmanship=Kizaru