Saiya-jin's Armor??!!

[Phenomenol]

I just finished watching some of the Freeza saga on my Original audio Japanese version of Dragonball Z. As I was watching I understood that the Saiya-jin's armor was for combat but it seems as the more powerful characters got they were able to damage characters armor that was weaker then them or even shatter it. Example from fights Zarbon/Vegeta and Reccom/Ginyu force....the more powerful characters armor stayed intact while lesser beings armor did NOT stay intact from normal attacks.

My question to you is how DURABLE is the Saiya-jin's armor and what are the limits for one wearing them?

[Rocketman]

Saiyan Armor is so durable it can actually create mass from energy.

[MisterFlashdude]

The armor breaks when Mr.Toriyama feels it's the right time to give the impression that an attack really hurt.

Really, though... that armor's weird. When it does break/shatter... well, it does just that. It breaks and shatters, despite later being shown to be incredibly flexible and stretchy in a rubber-esque manner.
That's alien technology for you.

[Pieter]

Because of peoples defense. They don't just withstand a blast by doing nothing. Imagine it like a barrier.

[The S]

My theory on the "stretchiness" (i.e. growing with the wearer when becoming Oozaru) is that Toriyama really didn't want to draw a buttnaked Vegeta fighting for many, many panels after he changed back.

[gohanku]

My thoery is the amour is strechable when the people wearing it becomes shorter or taller. But when something is used against it, the amour is like normal amour, hard and not as easy to break. The different design of the amour shows how advance the amour is. Zarbon and Bulma's are very durable while Vegeta's isn't as durable (for being old...).

[Mystic Jack]

Take a note that if a certain guy wearing armour is winning then his probably wouldn't get as battered as the guy getting well... pummelled.

[Thanos6]

My thoery is the amour is strechable when the people wearing it becomes shorter or taller. But when something is used against it, the amour is like normal amour, hard and not as easy to break. The different design of the amour shows how advance the amour is. Zarbon and Bulma's are very durable while Vegeta's isn't as durable (for being old...).

Ever read the sequel to Jurassic Park, The Lost World? And I don't mean "seen the film," I mean read the actual book.

At one point, the characters have to come up with something that is strong in one direction, but weak in another direction.

The space villain armor is likely similar. If the stress begins from the inside, like growth, the special molecular construction of the armor is able to handle it. But if the stress starts from the outside, like a giant energy blast, it fails.

[lets go swimming]

Or its just an advanced science beyond anything on earth.

Super hero comics have been using the idea for even longer than DB.

[Acid_Reign]

My thoery is the amour is strechable when the people wearing it becomes shorter or taller. But when something is used against it, the amour is like normal amour, hard and not as easy to break. The different design of the amour shows how advance the amour is. Zarbon and Bulma's are very durable while Vegeta's isn't as durable (for being old...).

Ever read the sequel to Jurassic Park, The Lost World? And I don't mean "seen the film," I mean read the actual book.

At one point, the characters have to come up with something that is strong in one direction, but weak in another direction.

The space villain armor is likely similar. If the stress begins from the inside, like growth, the special molecular construction of the armor is able to handle it. But if the stress starts from the outside, like a giant energy blast, it fails.

This explanation is perfect except for the fact that logically speaking they would never make an armor that was inferior on the outside, where it matters the most.

[Mr.Piccolo]

Its probably a durability thing but I agree with The S's answer. I don't know but it didn't take as much effort for Nappa's armor to become damaged compared to Vegeta. Does it have anything to do with the strength of whose wearing it or.. how much damage they actually take..?
-Rick

[Thanos6]

My thoery is the amour is strechable when the people wearing it becomes shorter or taller. But when something is used against it, the amour is like normal amour, hard and not as easy to break. The different design of the amour shows how advance the amour is. Zarbon and Bulma's are very durable while Vegeta's isn't as durable (for being old...).

Ever read the sequel to Jurassic Park, The Lost World? And I don't mean "seen the film," I mean read the actual book.

At one point, the characters have to come up with something that is strong in one direction, but weak in another direction.

The space villain armor is likely similar. If the stress begins from the inside, like growth, the special molecular construction of the armor is able to handle it. But if the stress starts from the outside, like a giant energy blast, it fails.

This explanation is perfect except for the fact that logically speaking they would never make an armor that was inferior on the outside, where it matters the most.

Perhaps they haven't perfected it yet. They have to make armor that at least two of the highest-ranking members of Freeza's court, Zarbon and Vegeta, can both transform in. As of the war on Namek, so far they've gotten it so it can stretch, but it's weak on the outside. They figure it'll work for a while because, hell, look who's wearing it. Who would be insane enough to openly attack the Saiyan Prince or Freeza's right hand man? And they're powerful enough that they don't really NEED the armor's protection as much as they do the stretchiness.

As for everyone else, well, tough. At least until the next version.

[caejones]

Things that both stretch and shatter aren't that impossible, just... weird when you see them.

Mix cornstarch and glue and try to beat the crap out of it. Then push on it. Notice which one it gives under.

Holycrap, I just realized how similar the RDF security field is to this concept... :O.
... Smiley says O? Urm, I'm not in messenger. Read it as colon o.

The armor might be designed though to be contained in the wearer's "energy field" or aura, if you will.

Note that it's pretty spandex-like. I'll reference Animorphs, where they could morph very tight clothes, but (at least not until the book that I didn't get to read ) not loose things. Maybe things that are that tight are easier to channel energy through without added effort, which allows for blasts to go out the gloves without destroying them and armor to be more effective on stronger people.

[Pedro The Hutt]

My theory on the "stretchiness" (i.e. growing with the wearer when becoming Oozaru) is that Toriyama really didn't want to draw a buttnaked Vegeta fighting for many, many panels after he changed back.

I'm sure the fangirls wouldn't have complained one bit though.

[The S]

Note that it's pretty spandex-like. I'll reference Animorphs, where they could morph very tight clothes, but (at least not until the book that I didn't get to read ) not loose things. Maybe things that are that tight are easier to channel energy through without added effort, which allows for blasts to go out the gloves without destroying them and armor to be more effective on stronger people.

Hooray for Animorphs referencing!

I'm sure the fangirls wouldn't have complained one bit though.

Ugh. Don't remind me

[Cold Cobra]

I always thought it was funny that as armor evolved it covered less of the body, which makes no sense. I guess they got rid of the protective shoulder pads for mobility, maybe? But still...

Oh and I'll go for the stretchy one way breakable the other answer to the question at hand.

[Thanos6]

Actually, Vegeta says that his shoulder-less armor he gets near the end of the Namek story was an older style but the only thing left in his size.

[Tyro]

I'm going to quote an entire section of the manga.

Vegeta: "Now then. I'll have to get you two some battle clothes. They'll provide some protection."

Kuririn: "Huh? Battle clothes...You mean like yours?"

Gohan: "That's gonna feel weird..."

Kuririn: "This technology is way beyond ours..."

Gohan: "No kidding..."

Vegeta: *throws clothes* "Take your clothes off and put on those undersuits. Make it quick! Freeza's coming!" *throws armor while Kuririn and Gohan mention something off topic*

Vegeta: "Now for the battle jackets. Luckily there were some miniature ones...made for the people of planet Lilliput."

Kuririn: "...? How do you put this on?"

Gohan: "My head fits but my shoulders won't..."

Vegeta: "Force it on! They'll stretch enough if you pull on them. They didn't rip when I became a great ape on Earth, did they? And they'll withstand most impacts."

Gohan: "Oh!! Wow! You're right!"

Kuririn: "Are the gloves and shoes like this too?"

Vegeta: "Yes."

Kuririn: "It's so light! I don't feel it at all! It's not fair! You guys have all the cool stuff! But I'd rather have one like yours...It looks easier to move the shoulders."

Vegeta: "This one's in the older style. I couldn't find a standard set that fit me."

Gohan: "But they don't get in the way at all, Kuririn! I can move my arms easy!"

[Thanos6]

Vegeta: "Now for the battle jackets. Luckily there were some miniature ones...made for the people of planet Lilliput."

Dunno if that was in the original manga or the Viz translators tossed that in there, but either way, it's a great line.

I love that scene. Vegeta and Kuririn making "small talk" and not threatening to kill and backstab each other at the first opportunity after beating Freeza. That's one of the first times Vegeta is anything resembling "nice" to someone (after the doctor on No. 79 who saved him).

[ChaotixXero]

Didn't they talk about this in a podcast? I remember Mike, Meri, and Julian saying those exact lines.