User blog comment:Piyush Banerjee/Shin DxD 2 discussion/@comment-2600:1702:3600:12F0:1DB7:CCBE:4F4:B192-20190207160114/@comment-34061653-20190207214730

You make some good points but you are selling Issei short. As for Rias getting the backing from the Gremory, that is not true. Rias had a team built around her servants to which she already had. Sure she was given Lint but that's it. As you said, Valerie joined only because of her relationship with Gasper. Rias had to pursuade Strada to join her and Crom only joined because he wanted to fight Issei.

Issei on the other hand is different. Unlike Rias, every member wanted to join Issei's team. Asia and Xenovia are self-explanatory as they already wanted to follow him before he became a high class devil. The same also goes for Ravel. Irina joined because of her childhood friendship with Issei even though she could've joined Dulio's team. Bova likely joined because Issei's relationship with Tannin. Grayfia joined his team because of Sirzech.

Unlike Rias, Issei didn't need a "backing" as he was able to form his own team due to his charisma and personality. Issei may not have a backing like Rias but his reputation far exceeds Rias due to his accomplishments. Why do you think Roygun joined his team? Issei was able to acquire the former no. 2 of the RG.

Issei may not be as experienced as Rias when it comes to leadership but he does have charisma and he showed promise in volume 9 against the hero faction. Furthermore, he has Ravel and Roygun. People who are more experienced in rating games than Rias. Not to mention his ability to summon Ddraig. Issei's team was already superior to Rias in nearly all aspects.

Rias is a good king but not the best and Issei has learned many things from her and used that to his advantage.