I wish Oda gave some kind of visual cues for advaced coa. Like I have to assume Luffy is using it by default now?
Seems just based on named attacks
Oda didn't even really differentiate Kata's superior stage 1 armament vs Luffy's, but so far we can tell when Luffy does no haki, stage 1 and now seemingly stage 3 (skipping the air block). Base, G2 and G3 all have instances where you can tell the difference or start to.:
- Base luffy: has normal named attacks without haki (Gomu Gomu Pistol). When using stage 1 Armament, he calls out the armament hardening (Armament Hardening: Gomu Gomu Gatling). Stage 2/3 unknown attacks
- Gear 2: Adds "Jet" to everything without Haki. Stage 1 Haki adds a bird of prey usually "Hawk" "Eagle" etc. Stage 2 and 3 unknown
- Gear 3: Adds "Gigant" to his attack. Stage 1 Haki adds animals "Elephant" "Grizzly". Stage 3 is the recently named "Red Roc" or essentially after a mythical bird. I assume other names will be mythical creatures.
Gear 4: Adds even more animal names "Rhino" "Kong" "Python" "Leo". Seems to be standard Stage 1 haki but a higher level. Tank Man doesn't really add much since it was a situational variant ("Full version"). Snake Man essentially goes in on the snake theme with "Jet" additions.
Essentially if Luffy uses Stage 3 Armament on G4, its probably a new form, or its just gear 5. I'd love to see a base/G2 attack though as well. Potentially its the only way he can hit Kaido so im sure we'll see it. Stage 2 armament really just doesn't seem to exist outside of its one practical use: That being shielding with some sort of "air" block