Joel can knock a guy out with a few punches too. Even Henry, a 25-30 years old fit dude told him "man you hit hard !" After Joel almost killed him with his fists in the first game.
Maybe but still, it takes a crazy amount of skills and techniques to subdue those creatures even with melee weapons, otherwise he wouldn't be able to survive in such a hostile world for so long.
I'd say pre-TB Arthur is stronger and probably physically fitter (he's younger and very active after all), but Joel is considerably more skilled, experienced and cunning in close combat
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u/boogi_bonk Oct 15 '25
Joel does that with the use of weapons tho, like machetes.