Explorer Joey is Acecraft’s newest pilot: an SP Vanguard who arrived in version 1.3.139 on October 28, 2026, with his Special Recruit opening on November 1. Quick answer to the question everyone asks first: he is a brand new SP pilot, not an upgrade to the S grade Joey you may already own. Here’s what the official notes and skills preview tell us, and how to decide whether he’s worth your Overdrive Tickets.
Who Is Explorer Joey?
The official notes describe him as confident, spirited and insatiably curious. When everyone else runs from the alarm, he slides straight down into the deepest part of the Golden Kingdom ruins, where an ancient mecha wakes up and names him a “High-Compatibility Pilot.” He arrives in Cloudia aboard that mecha, the Fortune Seeker, determined to uncover every treasure it hides.
He gets into his share of trouble, but somehow every hole he drills turns out to be the right one. That’s the official pitch, and honestly, it fits the kit.
Explorer Joey at a Glance
| Rarity | SP (top rarity) |
| Shot type | Vanguard |
| Added in | Version 1.3.139, October 28, 2026 |
| Recruit opened | November 1, 2026, 00:00 (UTC-8) |
| How to get | Limited-time Special Recruit, Overdrive Tickets |
| Signature Wingman | Mini Drillhead (in Honk’s Depot) |
| Mecha | Fortune Seeker |
Is He the Same as Regular Joey?
No, and this is the part that trips people up. Acecraft already did this with Blazewing Ekko, an SP Crusher that is a completely separate pilot from the starter Ekko. Explorer Joey works the same way:
- He is recruited separately, from his own Special Recruit.
- Owning S grade Joey does not unlock him or give you copies of him.
- He sits in the SP rarity, alongside Blazewing Ekko and Drakuku.
Explorer Joey Skills
| Main Cannon | Assault Drill & Terra Cannon | Fires homing Terra Cannon shots nonstop, and switches on the Assault Drill for heavy damage when enemies are in the area ahead. |
| Stunt | Drillstorm | Absorbing pink projectiles unleashes a Drillstorm that keeps damaging enemies and grants a shield. |
| Ultimate | Skybreaker Megadrill | Dashes across the screen hitting enemies on the way, then launches a special drill that explodes after a set distance. |
| Passive | Indestructible Drill | Boosts the Assault Drill’s damage and range based on its Sharpness, and grants a shield every so often. |
| Support Skill | Spinning Drill | Dashes across the screen, hitting enemies and clearing projectiles on contact. |
| Signature Wingman | Mini Drillhead | Fires projectiles forward and gets stronger as the Main Cannon levels up. |
Put simply, he is a drill pilot built to get close. The Assault Drill rewards flying near enemies, the Passive and the Stunt both hand out shields to keep you alive while you do it, and the Ultimate clears a line across the whole screen. Like every pilot, his Stunt only fires when you absorb pink projectiles, so our pink projectile guide is worth a read before you build him.
How to Get Explorer Joey
His Special Recruit is the only route right now. It uses Overdrive Tickets, the same ticket Drakuku’s Special Recruit used. Here’s the plan:
- Count your Overdrive Tickets first. Check the exact cost on the recruit screen before you commit anything.
- Collect the Power Cubes. The event hands them out as you take part, so grab them even if you don’t plan to pull hard.
- Check Honk’s Depot. His Signature Wingman, Mini Drillhead, is there during the event. Our wingman guide explains why a matching wingman matters.
- Watch the end date in game. Drakuku’s Special Recruit ran for about a month, but don’t assume Explorer Joey gets the same window.
New gift codes often land with pilot launches, so check our Acecraft codes page before you spend Diamonds.
Is Explorer Joey Worth Pulling?
Honest answer: it’s too early to rank him, and anyone who gives you a hard tier placement in his first week is guessing. What we can say:
- Every SP pilot so far has been strong. Blazewing Ekko sits near the top of our Acecraft tier list, and Drakuku settled at S after a month of play.
- Limited banners create pressure, not value. If you already own Blazewing Ekko or Drakuku and your main team clears what you need, there’s no rush.
- Fans of the original Joey will likely want him anyway, and that’s a perfectly good reason to pull if your tickets allow it.
On our tier list he is unranked for now. We’ll place him once his kit has been tested across Adventure, bosses and the challenge modes.
Explorer Joey FAQ
Who is Explorer Joey in Acecraft?
An SP Vanguard pilot added in version 1.3.139 on October 28, 2026: a young explorer who flies an ancient mecha, the Fortune Seeker, out of the ruins of the Golden Kingdom.
Is Explorer Joey the same as Joey?
No. He is a separate SP pilot. Owning the S grade Joey does not unlock him.
How do I get Explorer Joey?
Through his limited-time Special Recruit, which uses Overdrive Tickets and opened on November 1, 2026.
What is Explorer Joey’s Signature Wingman?
Mini Drillhead. It fires projectiles forward and gets stronger as the Main Cannon levels up.
How many SP pilots are there?
Three: Blazewing Ekko (August 2026), Drakuku (October 2026) and Explorer Joey (November 2026).
