by RootSec
Dragon Ball has given audiences plenty of superhuman fighters over the years. Between the the countless warriors introduce in the shows and manga runs, it’s tough to narrow down the most accomplished. Finding the best of the best is difficult even among the handful of series mainstays, as they all have their own unique attacks and fighting styles to help them excel in any arena.
However, amidst the endless struggles, a few characters have emerged as particularly powerful. They have repeatedly proven themselves in battle and gone beyond the limits they once had. These combatants deserve their place as Earth’s greatest heroes. Whenever the planet is threatened, you know who to call.
10 Master Roshi
The Turtle Hermit was hailed as one of the world’s greatest martial artists in his day. Although his students have long since surpassed him, Roshi is still no slouch. This is especially the case once he starts training again.
Pumped up to full power, he can go toe-to-toe with the best in the Multiverse. Couple this with immense knowledge of his craft, and you’ve got a fighter well worthy of the title “Invincible Old Master.” The only downside is his lack of stamina. During his short bursts, though, he gives the younger generations a run for their money.
9 Krillin
What sets Krillin apart is his ingenuity. The former monk has grown into a powerful martial artist, especially by human standards, but the more otherworldly fighters frequently leave him in the dust.
However, that works to his advantage, as no one expects much from the little bald guy. This enables him to use strategy and sneak attacks: skills he’s well-versed in at this point. One can’t rely on brute strength alone. Krillin knows that better than any Z-fighter. Sometimes, the more cunning warrior is the more effective.
8 Tien
The three-eyed warrior lives for martial arts, trained from childhood at the Crane School. Even after he shed his master’s hateful influence, Tien maintained his studies. He’s one of the few characters to practice during peacetime, making him far stronger than the average human.
On top of sheer power, Tien’s training has granted him several mysterious and bizarre abilities that most martial artists only dream of. In the end, this only enhances his gifts of precision during combat. He may have been pushed to the background in later years, but that doesn’t mean you should underestimate him.
7 Android 18
As a cyborg, Android 18 would doubtless be a sturdy opponent. She immediately proves her strength by easily beating a couple of Super Saiyans, a level previously thought to be the absolute pinnacle of power.
However, this flight also showcases a more essential perk: her limitless energy. Nothing outlasts the android battery, and that can be a tremendous boon in the heat of battle. 18 doesn’t have to let up or worry about conserving power. She can overwhelm her enemy with a limitless barrage of blasts. It’s easy to see how she and 17 took over the world in an alternate timeline.
6 Future Trunks
Forged in a fearful future, this older version of Bulma and Vegeta’s son knows well how to handle himself. He regularly uses Gohan’s training in do-or-die situations. Not only does this sharpen his Saiyan strength, but it also means he sees combat less as recreation and more as a tool for survival.
As a result, he’s less willing to toy with opponents. Trunks executes villains the first chance he gets, and this often makes him more dangerous than the other Z-fighters. Someone who plays for keeps and gets down to business isn’t easily outwitted.
5 Majin Buu
From his inception, Buu has been one of the more unorthodox fighters in Toriyama’s roster, and that comes across in his fighting style. He spends most of the battle stretching his body and bouncing around.
This would ordinarily be just an annoyance, but this pink blob packs a big punch. His playful antics can flatten anyone in their path, but his true strength comes with rage. If he blows his stack, his frenzied assault is relentless and nearly impossible to counter. Once the ball of Buu gets rolling, few things can stop it (except candy or a nap).
4 Piccolo
Spawned from an evil despot, this wayward Namekian possesses the sharp mind of two lifetimes. Piccolo is an expert tactician during times of crisis, and this keen wit has served him better than brute strength (although his own is nothing to sneeze at).
Like other warriors, he keeps up an intense training regimen. However, nothing benefitted him more than merging with Kami. Reuniting with his other half boosts not only his fighting power but also his wisdom. This solidifies Piccolo’s place as one of Earth’s greatest heroes: clever, capable, and cunning to the end.
3 Gohan
This kid’s toughness has fluctuated dramatically over the years. He may not have looked like much initially, but Goku’s son has a latent potential for tremendous strength. As a boy, his bursts of anger caught many an enemy off-guard, and he eventually used this gift to become the most powerful warrior on Earth.
Although his abilities diminished as he delved into his studies, the retraining from Piccolo helped him regain much of his lost power. Now, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the universe’s mightiest warriors. Gohan has the natural strength of Goku with the measured mind of Piccolo. Not bad for a bookworm.
2 Vegeta
The Prince of all Saiyans certainly lives up to those lofty expectations. He’s stalwart, adept, and deadly, dispatching foes with ruthless efficiency (after toying with them for his own arrogant amusement).
The only one who surpasses him on occasion is Goku. However, that turns out to be a blessing, as their rivalry pushes Vegeta to new heights. It forces him to find fresh ways to break through his limits. In essence, he’s far stronger than he would have been had he never met Goku. Old hedgehog-head may be prideful, but that pride is often well-founded.
1 Goku
Predictable? Yes. Untrue? No. The main protagonist of the series, Goku is a martial arts prodigy, possessing both the natural strength of a Saiyan and the battle instincts sharpened by years of intense training.
Whenever he falls short, he devotes himself entirely to overcoming his limits, and he meets the challenge with the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store. This means that his potential is practically limitless. If ever an enemy seems unbeatable, put your money on Goku. Through his undeniable skill and infectious determination, he can often pull a glorious victory from the jaws of defeat.
