I have noticed that pure brawlers like luffy, garp, etc. are underrated when compared to people that uses weapon especially sword.
I don't think sword is a weakness for strong fighters as far as their haki is better
I dont think Luffy counts as a pure brawler cause he uses a df.
Sanji before raid suit would have counted here.
The only people you could consider as pure brawlers are Garp and Koby as they rely purely on their bodies to fight without external tools ie suits, swords, dfs etc.
The fact that the entire series only has 2 individuals that fights while only relying on their bodies shows that it is very tough to do so.
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Yes, they are underrated because many don't take into consideration that flesh in the OP world can be way harder to cut then mere rock.
Brawlers are not only able to dodge or block an attack using haki, they can also use one of their own attacks to counter a sword attack. Brawlers and swordsmen can clash.
Being a proficent swordsman is certainly advantageous for anyone capable of wielding a sword, blocking an attack is easier, you are more lethal and so on but it doesn't mean swordsmen are better than brawlers.
Just as Luffy was weaker while using swords in Arlong Park, Zoro is weaker with no sword to use.
They are different fighting style
Zoro needs his swords to reach his peak as a fighter, without them, he would be far weaker.
Sanji and Luffy would be in a different league
Luffy also needs his df to reach his peak. Cause in point, Luffy without gears has not defeated anyone of note since the EL arc.
The only one I agrre with is Sanji preRaid suit. Now with raid suit, he too will be like Zoro and Luffy and will not be at his peak without the raid suit. Cause in point, he would have received more damage from P1 and King without his suit