Do you like SSJ3 being a failed transformation?

[precita]

Does anyone else kind of like the fact that SSJ3 was essentially a failed transformation? Usually every new Super Saiyan form directly affects the story and is the next big power up to defeat the villains, but SSJ3 has always seemed like a botched transformation. Goku could barely use it without losing energy fast in the Buu saga, and while Gotenks used it better it never had a point being that. All the other saiyans like Vegeta and Gohan completely skipped over it, in both Super and GT.

In Super we usually see Goku just using SSJ2 when he doesn't go Blue, very rarely do we see SSJ3 anymore. And to be honest I like having a Super Saiyan power that proved irrelevant, besides the big muscled form they were using in the Cell saga.

[Boo Machine]

SSJ3 is my favorite transformation. But when you think about it, it's pretty much the only SSJ form that has a major drawback. All the other ones were meant to improve the individual in every way. But then you hit SSJ 3 and it's this HUGE energy and stamina guzzler. So much so that no one outside movie 13 has ever won a fight with it. At least as far as I remember.

I wouldn't call it a failure but it seems like a power up taken in the wrong direction. At least in hindsight. But goddamn does it look cool as fuck. Worth it.

[Ki Breaker]

SS3 is my favorite transformation aside from plain kaioken ( if you can call that a transformation ) and it's precisely because of the limitations it has Also both are as cool as it gets..
Yeah, I loved SS3 being the biggest gun which is a double edged sword, you need to be a master to know how to get stuff done with this baby..
Now that SSB is a thing with no visible drawbacks, SS3 problems don't make much sense, but on the flip side I got kaioken back, which does a similar thing

[nickzambuto]

Things like this make Dragon Ball unique, and showcase Toriyama's unpredictable, unorthodox writing style. He was predicting the tropes and the cliches as he was creating them; everyone expects achieving new transformations to be great and powerful moments that turn the tide of the story and imbue the hero with unbeatable power. So he threw in the curveballs of Grade III and SSJ3 both looking by far the most badass, but also being totally flaccid.

[Kokonoe]

I think you guys are forgetting Super Vegeta and Super Trunks.

But yeah, Super Saiyan 3 is pretty cool design wise.

[Beek King]

It looks pretty damn cool while being impractical. I think its rather rare use makes it more precious.
If something like SSJ3 Blue is ever introduced I'll have mixed feelings about it. Although they could pull it off well if it's something like a dangerous last resort transformation.

[Captain Strawberry]

I wouldn't say "failed", you just have to meet the conditions to be able use efficiently it like being dead.

[sintzu]

From a story point of view during the Buu arc I do cause it changed things up but I like the design (it's my 2nd favorite after Ssj2) so I wish they'd use it more and give it to Vegeta.

[Grimlock]

Yes. And all because Super Saiyan 3 shouldn't even exist to begin with. There's no point in it other than making us *sigh, another Saiyan transformation* (the same goes for Super Saiyan Grade 2 and Super Saiyan Grade 3). Super Saiyan 3 should be a Toei-exclusive transformation, appearing just in movies in Dragon Ball GT.

Leaving Super Saiyan 3 out for whatever reason gives more room and chances for Super Saiyan 2 to appear a little bit more, and that's exactly what has been happening in Dragon Ball Super, so yeah, I like it.

[Baggie_Saiyan]

I like the idea of it being an unstable form that is better used in places like other world yeah since SS2 was supposed to be "it", the peak of the original Super Saiyan just like how Super is treating it, and how the Buu arc treated it before the SS3 reveal, a good design but it caused to many in story problems from basically ruining the Majin Vegeta fight, it being a cheap way to have Goku leave Earth quickly, and when Goku did come back it just made it so Goku could last a little bit against Buu it didn't even finish Buu off.

From a story point of view during the Buu arc I do cause it changed things up but I like the design (it's my 2nd favorite after Ssj2) so I wish they'd use it more and give it to Vegeta.

That would the the very definition of gratuitous fan service because there is absolutely no in story reason for that, besides in my opinion SS3 Vegeta looks hella ugly just like SSG, Vegeta is stuck on the short end of the stick when it comes to Super Saiyan designs.

It looks pretty damn cool while being impractical. I think its rather rare use makes it more precious.
If something like SSJ3 Blue is ever introduced I'll have mixed feelings about it. Although they could pull it off well if it's something like a dangerous last resort transformation.

That is pretty unlikely, Toriyama post BoG talked about how Goku and Vegeta would be better of training in and perfecting SS1 and that is what SSGSS is, god ki fused with SS hence the perfect Saiyan form and attempting to go 2 or 3 would unnecessarily waste energy kind of the like the similar idea Goku had in the Cell arc where he and Gohan had to learn to stay in SS like it is normal so it reduces the energy wasted into transforming.

[sintzu]

That would the the very definition of gratuitous fan service because there is absolutely no in story reason for that.

Super as a whole is one big fan service so they might as well. We've seen Goku use it when he didn't need it so they might as well have Vegeta use it as well. One way they could do it is have Cabba say he doesn't think he can reach Blue then have Vegeta go 3 and tell him to reach that first.

[Ki Breaker]

I wouldn't say "failed", you just have to meet the conditions to be able use efficiently it like being dead.

"I will fight ya! Just lemme go die first"

[Lord Beerus]

I like that SSJ3 such a big risk/reward kind of transformation. It really helps in adding emphasis to just what a freakish and fluke form it truly is.

[Beek King]

That is pretty unlikely, Toriyama post BoG talked about how Goku and Vegeta would be better of training in and perfecting SS1 and that is what SSGSS is, god ki fused with SS hence the perfect Saiyan form and attempting to go 2 or 3 would unnecessarily waste energy kind of the like the similar idea Goku had in the Cell arc where he and Gohan had to learn to stay in SS like it is normal so it reduces the energy wasted into transforming.

Toriyama says a lot of things. SSJ2 and 3 got some action a couple times since, not too much but still.
He's far more involved with Super than he was in GT and in Super merchandising plays quite a role. If they conclude that a blue-colored SSJ3 could sell, they might do it.

[Baggie_Saiyan]

That would the the very definition of gratuitous fan service because there is absolutely no in story reason for that.

Super as a whole is one big fan service so they might as well. We've seen Goku use it when he didn't need it so they might as well have Vegeta use it as well. One way they could do it is have Cabba say he doesn't think he can reach Blue then have Vegeta go 3 and tell him to reach that first.

I am also talking about in-verse, Gotenks needed the magic of fusion and Goku needed to be on other world, there is no way Vegeta can get it and it is pointless giving Vegeta a previous form, it has already been done via games etc so there wouldn't be any merchandising opportunities anyway.

[sintzu]

I am also talking about in-verse, Gotenks needed the magic of fusion and Goku needed to be on other world, there is no way Vegeta can get it.

It is pointless giving Vegeta a previous form.

Back then maybe but now his power level has far surpassed what's required to reach Ssj3. He's so strong now I'd say he has it by defult.

True but due to it being the only one he didn't use in-universe I think it would be nice to see it in some way.

[precita]

I actually never liked the names "Super Saiyan 2 or 3."

They should have just called it "Super Saiyan Perfect Form" or "Super Saiyan Ultimate" or something like that. That way it feels less like new transformations and just powered up or perfected versions of Super Saiyan.

[Kendamu]

Super Saiyan 3 is my least favorite transformation from Toriyama's original work. It just goes waaaaaaay overboard on the hair. That said, the whole concept of SS3 is taking things waaaaaaay overboard so it's look fits perfectly with how it plays out in the story!

I probably would've been more sad about it if Toriyama had gone with the concept art version where Goku's hair isn't quite as long. Maybe also add the tail in from the other concept art.

[Captain Strawberry]

Super Saiyan 3 is my least favorite transformation from Toriyama's original work. It just goes waaaaaaay overboard on the hair. That said, the whole concept of SS3 is taking things waaaaaaay overboard so it's look fits perfectly with how it plays out in the story!

I probably would've been more sad about it if Toriyama had gone with the concept art version where Goku's hair isn't quite as long. Maybe also add the tail in from the other concept art.

I just wish it was drawn less thick

[DragonBallFoodie]

The move is Toriyama acknowledging it's a step too far in transformations. In that context, I like it.