Honestly, if you played through Resident Evil 5 back in the day, you probably remember the feeling of relief when a helicopter or a boat finally showed up to pull Chris and Sheva out of the fire. Most of the time, that savior was Josh Stone. He’s the guy who doesn't just talk about being a professional; he actually does the work while everyone else is busy punching boulders or having existential crises about world saturation.
Josh Stone isn't your typical side character. He’s the Captain of the BSAA West African Branch’s Delta Team. He's a veteran. A mentor. Basically the "big brother" figure who kept Sheva Alomar alive long before Chris Redfield ever stepped foot in Kijuju. But for some reason, despite being one of the most competent humans in the entire franchise, he sort of vanished after 2009.
The Man Behind the Beret: Who is Josh Stone?
Josh isn't just some muscle-bound grunt. He’s a tactician. Born and raised in Africa, he has a deep connection to the land and the people being ravaged by Tricell’s experiments. When you first meet him in the game, he’s leading Delta Team to assist Alpha Team, only to find a literal slaughterhouse.
Most people would break. Josh just pivots.
What makes him stand out is his relationship with Sheva. He was her instructor. He taught her how to survive the BSAA's grueling training, and their bond is one of the few genuinely "human" parts of a game filled with mutated swamp monsters. He’s O-positive, 185cm of pure composure, and weighs in at a solid 93kg. He’s a powerhouse, but he’s also a tech wizard. Remember the hacking? Josh is the one who cracks the electronic locks and security systems while you're fending off waves of Majini.
He’s a rare mix of brains and brawn that the series usually splits between two different characters.
Desperate Escape: When Josh Stone Stole the Show
If you only played the base game, you missed half of what makes Josh a legend. The DLC Desperate Escape is where he really shines. Chronologically, this happens right after Chris and Sheva leave Jill Valentine behind to chase Wesker. Jill is exhausted, traumatized, and probably suffering from some serious chemical withdrawal after having that P30 device ripped out of her chest.
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Who finds her? Josh.
Seeing Josh Stone and Jill Valentine team up is peak Resident Evil. It’s a "pro-tier" duo. While Jill is agile and precise, Josh plays like a professional wrestler. No, seriously. His melee moves are legendary. He can suplex a Majini into the dirt or drop a driving elbow that would make a WWE superstar jealous.
Why his combat style matters
- The Suplex: It's not just for show; it offers massive I-frames (invincibility frames) that are crucial on Professional difficulty.
- The Elbow Drop: High damage, great area of effect, and honestly just satisfying to watch.
- The Hammer Fist: A brutal follow-up that finishes off stunned enemies instantly.
In Mercenaries Reunion, Josh is a top-tier pick because of these moves. He’s slower than Chris, sure, but his crowd control is arguably better. He’s the guy you pick when you want to feel untouchable.
What Really Happened After Kijuju?
This is the part that frustrates fans. After Josh pilots the rescue chopper—dodging RPGs and fireballs to get Jill, Chris, and Sheva out of the volcano—he just... disappears from the lore.
We know he survived. We know he’s still likely with the BSAA West African Branch. But as the series moved toward the global catastrophes of RE6 and the localized horror of RE7 and Village, Josh hasn't even been mentioned in a file.
It’s a massive missed opportunity. The BSAA has gone through some dark stuff lately. By the time of Resident Evil Village, we see the organization using B.O.W.s (Bio-Organic Weapons) as soldiers. This is the exact opposite of everything Josh Stone stood for. He was a man of rules and integrity. Seeing his reaction to the corruption within the BSAA would be a goldmine for a future story.
Why Josh Stone is the Partner You Actually Want
Let’s be real for a second. If you’re stuck in a biohazard zone, do you want the guy who’s obsessed with his arch-nemesis, or the guy who actually brings a plan and a getaway vehicle?
Josh is a survivor. He was the only survivor of the Ndesu ambush at the oil fields, and instead of retreating to base, he stayed in the zone to find Sheva. He recruited his friend Doug (RIP Doug, a real one) to fly a chopper into a warzone because he refused to leave his "little sister" behind.
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He’s the ultimate "support" character who refuses to stay in the background.
Actionable Insights for RE5 Fans
If you’re looking to revisit Josh Stone’s story or maximize his utility in-game, here’s what you should do:
- Play Desperate Escape on Professional: It’s a short, intense burst of gameplay that forces you to master Josh’s melee. Use his suplex to bridge gaps in combat.
- Master the "Mercenaries Reunion" Loadout: Josh starts with the M9 pistol and the SIG 556. It’s a balanced kit, but the real weapon is his physical attacks. Stun enemies with a leg shot to trigger the suplex.
- Check out the "Studio Lot" Files: Dig into the unlockable library in RE5 Gold Edition. It gives the most canonical weight to his background and his blood-type/stats.
- Keep an eye on RE9 rumors: There’s been a lot of talk about the BSAA returning as a primary antagonist or focus. If that happens, Josh is one of the few "old guard" members who could provide an internal perspective on the agency's downfall.
Josh Stone is more than just "the guy in the boat." He’s a reminder of a time when the BSAA actually stood for something. Whether he ever returns to the screen or remains a legend of the 2009 incident, his impact on the series' most successful era is undeniable.
Go back and play Desperate Escape. Try to tell me he isn't one of the coolest characters Capcom ever designed. You can't.
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Next Step: Load up Resident Evil 5 and jump into a Mercenaries Reunion session with Josh Stone to practice the "Hammer Fist" timing—it’s the most efficient way to clear the stage without wasting ammo.