One Piece is a Shounen series with a thriving world full of eclectic and unique characters. Looming over that world is a rogues galleries of villains that are just as diverse and unpredictable, bringing danger and despair across kingdoms, on the seas, and even in the world's government offices.
However, if there was ever a One Piece villain to withstand the test of time and last longer than all the rest, it would be its own Clown Prince of Crime, Buggy the Clown. And while the series has seen greater threats than him since his debut, there are still plenty of characters that he can take on in a fight (though plenty that he doesn't a stand a chance to). Let's look at some characters that Buggy can beat and some that he definitely can't.
10 Can't: Monkey D. Luffy
To get the obvious out of the way, Monkey D. Luffy has already defeated Buggy and has skyrocketed across the seas in terms in both infamy and strength. And while Buggy hasn't exactly been a slouch, he hasn't exactly been hitting the gym either.
With Luffy only getting stronger as the series goes on and Buggy only trying to get richer, the Star Clown of pirates will probably forever be only a small chapter in the longer story of Luffy's journey.
9 Can: Hachi
If there was anything to ever give Buggy an advantage, it would be his Devil Fruit, With the Chop Chop Fruit, Buggy is not only able to withstand cutting attacks but also disperse his body in segments, ensuring that he can never really be cut. However, just because he's seemingly impervious to any blades doesn't mean he's an outright threat to every swordsmen.
While the likes of Mihawk or Zoro are dependent on their swords, their base strength alone should be more than enough for Buggy. With that in mind, Hachi is probably one of the few swordsmen out there that Buggy could realistically beat. Though he is a strong Fishman, Hachi is incredibly dimwitted and is incredibly vulnerable to regular weapons. With his Chop Chop Fruit and Buggy Balls, Buggy could definitely take on Hachi.
8 Can't: "Silver Fox" Foxy
There are plenty of gag villains across One Piece. While the seas are ruled by powerful gods and warriors, some of the more resourceful and cunning can still make a pretty decent living out there, as evident with Buggy's miraculous success and survivability across the sea. However, as big as Buggy has gotten as its main comedic villain, there's another out in the waters that could definitely threaten both his pirate and comedic throne.
That would be the old cheat and master of the Davy Back Fight, "Silver Fox" Foxy. While Foxy is no match for some of the series' best, he has displayed significant fighting talent and cunning to outdo Buggy's, and his Slow Slow Fruit could show to be more versatile than Buggy's Chop Chop power.
7 Can: Fullbody
As evident by his early capture and recent run as a Warlord, Buggy hasn't been the biggest opposition to Marine policing. If the boys in blue just tried, like, a little hard, they could probably take him and his crew down over night. But in the wide armada of brutes and warriors within the Marines, there are a few who are just useless and perhaps stupid enough to be able to be taken down by Buggy.
One such foe would be Fullbody, the arrogant Marine who tried to scam his way out of the Baratie and whose main gimmick seems to be his iron knuckles. Dude doesn't even stand a chance to Buggy's nightmares.
6 Can't: Blackbeard
In all likeliness, Buggy is probably not going to be the final boss once the ending rolls around. Though he has been the series' most frequent villain, he doesn't really compare to a guy whose been on a rampage since the Straw Hat's first hit the Grand Line. Shadowing Buggy in strength, power, and literal size, Blackbeard could safely say that he's far being the safest guy on the sea.
And while Buggy can't really compete with that power, he may have a certain Devil Fruit that Blackbeard wants, meaning that this list entry could be proven in the future.
5 Can: Spandam
Out of all of the Marine forces, Spandam is possibly the highest ranked person that Buggy can take on. Spandam's main rise to fame among the Marines seems to be solely due to his cunning and ability to suck up to the higher ups.
The only thing to really make this guy a threat on his own is his trusty sword, Funkfreed, which has the ability to transform into a giant elephant. However, it is an ability that can only really throw someone off their guard once, meaning that Spandam is pretty much easy game for Buggy.
4 Can't: Akainu
Much of Buggy's current infamy and respect among his newfound peers is due to his bravery and tactical thinking on the battlefield of the Paramount War. Such a conflict even involved him coming across the likes of the current Fleet Admiral, Akainu and all his burning fury.
And while the dreamy distortions of how that interaction went or would've went must be amazing to his crew, Buggy realistically would've been burnt to a crisp if he actually were to stand up to Sakazuki.
3 Can: Tashigi
While Hachi appears to be an easy sword fighting target for Buggy, he really isn't the only one. Though she is part of one of the most ambitious Marine crews out there and a rising star with a sword, Tashigi as she's been shown throughout the series doesn't really seem like she can stand against Buggy the Clown.
Though she doesn't seem anywhere near Zoro's current strength, Tashigi is still pretty adept with a blade. However, she hasn't really shown much talent beyond that. Without any other skills or even Haki, her swordfighting would only be fruitless against the Chop Chop Man.
2 Can't: Magellan
It would make sense that as his warden in Impel Down, Magellan probably did a good job of keeping Buggy in line, at least, before Luffy came. While the ex-head jailer, Shiryu, would need to prove of his abilities outside of sword play, Magellan has shown in more than one occasion that he's a monstrous force with even his hands tied behind his back.
To be fair, if Buggy had some means of counteracting Magellan's poison, he could stand a chance. But to be realistic, he probably doesn't and would immediately have his butt send back to his cell in this fight.
1 Can: Usopp
While this may be the hottest take on this list (looking at you, Akainu), Buggy probably does stand a good chance against the sniper of the Straw Hat pirates. While Usopp does have a strong variety of tricks and weaponry under his sleeve, that would require his own resourcefulness and cunning being put up against Buggy's.
It has yet to be shown if one could outclass the either in intelligence or trickery, but Buggy made more than a good case for himself when he accrued new forces during the Paramount War. With a mind that is always thinking, a versatile Devil Fruit to avoid Usopp's attacks, and a few Buggy/Muggy balls to deal some decent damage, the Star Clown could probably take down the Sniper King in an instant classic of a fight.