The Unstoppable Rise of Joey, Yu-Gi-Oh's Ultimate Duelist, Proven by an Epic Clash with a Classic Villain!
Pegasus solidifies Joey's status as one of Yu-Gi-Oh's finest duelists, validating his exceptional skills and showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level
Joey, a character in the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, is often mocked by other characters. However, one of the classic villains in the series proves that Joey is actually one of the best duelists. This revelation is not surprising considering the numerous duels Joey has emerged victorious from. Nonetheless, it is a significant confirmation as Joey's overall strategy is often considered to rely more on luck rather than skill.
Unlike duelists such as Yugi or Kaiba, Joey's wins often hinge on chance-based cards that involve coin flips or dice rolls. This adds excitement to his duels, making them highly enjoyable to watch, but it also leads people to perceive him as lacking in skill. Interestingly, Yugi has also achieved memorable victories due to a great deal of luck, creating an ironic parallel. Yet, questioning whether Joey is truly a skilled duelist or merely had an exceptional lucky streak throughout the show remains unanswered by the end of the first series.
Pegasus Confirms Joey is One of Yu-Gi-Oh!'s Best Duelists
In the sequel series Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, Aster Phoenix finally confirms his skills when he meets Maximillion Pegasus. Pegasus, the creator of Duel Monsters and the main antagonist of Yu-Gi-Oh!'s first season, reveals his opinion on the world's top five duelists. Not surprisingly, Yugi and Kaiba claim the top two spots. However, what surprises fans is that Joey is ranked third. Coming from the creator of the card game, this appraisal adds credibility to the claim that Joey is one of the series' best duelists.
This assessment is satisfying because it is logical. While there have been complaints about Joey relying on luck too heavily in his duels, it is important to note that Duel Monsters inherently incorporates luck into its gameplay. While fans often praise the skill of Yugi and Kaiba, they too must rely on luck to draw the necessary cards. Although Joey may rely on luck more than they do, his numerous victories demonstrate that he possesses a considerable amount of skill. In fact, he came close to defeating one of Yu-Gi-Oh!'s greatest villains.
Pegasus may not be the ultimate authority in assessing duelist quality, but his significant role in the game's history grants him considerable influence on the subject. The fact that he supports Joey, despite their past conflicts, serves as a testament to Joey's skill. With Pegasus' endorsement, those who dislike Joey can no longer ignore the fact that he is truly one of the top duelists in Yu-Gi-Oh!
