The Sayians that were spared...

[Cootie]

I always wondered about this. Freeza decided to kill off all the Sayians because he feared the legendary warrior would arise one day. But, for some reason he let a few of the sayians (4 that are canon) survive. Now, why would he do this?

Vegeta: He let Vegeta live on purpose and sent him away for the planets destruction. Probably because Vegeta was really powerful and would've made a nice addition to Freeza's army. But, if he feared a Super Saiyan so much why would he let Vegeta survive? Vegeta was the one who was most likely to become a Super Saiyan as far as Freeza knew. As a small child he had power that made Freeza's troops shit their pants.

Nappa: It is also implied that he let Nappa survive on purpose. Nappa was known to be very powerful for a Saiyan and he had a close bond with Vegeta, but what was the point in letting Nappa live?

Raditz: Raditz would've been a young-ish child when the planet exploded. I suppose that Raditz was just on another planet at the time and Freeza didn't feel like waiting around until he returned to destroy the planet. Raditz wasn't a big risk for becoming a Super Saiyan anyways.

Goku: Goku was obviously a mistake and was never meant to be sent away on that day. Freeza's men just made a mistake by sending him off.

So, why would he let Vegeta, Nappa, and Raditz go if he was so paranoid?

[Piccolo Daimao]

Freeza only feared the Saiyans all ganging up on him. He was probably arrogant enough to believe that three Saiyans (he didn't know about Goku) wouldn't pose a threat to him--especially since one of them was low-class trash.

[hleV]

I thought Freeza just didn't like how Saiyans grew stronger and became a possible threat.

[Piccolo Daimao]

I thought Freeza just didn't like how Saiyans grew stronger and became a possible threat.

Yeah...he didn't. What's your point? He was afraid of the Saiyans becoming Super Saiyans and them all ganging up on him.

[rereboy]

Freeza didn't want the saiyans ganging up in him, like Piccolo Daimao said.

I believe that Freeza never dreamed that a single SSJ would be stronger than him, he only feared that a big number of sayans would achieve great power, maybe achieving that legendary saiyan power, and then challenge him with their new found power, which could prove fatal, even for Freeza.

But then Goku proved that all it takes is one SSJ to take him down. Had Freeza known this, I don't think he would have rested until he had killed every single saiyan in the universe and he certainly wouldn't let Vegeta, Nappa and Raditz live under his command.

[Eire]

The issue with Vegeta is really clear for me. Frieza's paranoia last just a fairly short time, but sadistic pleasure of humiliating proud prince was be long and sweet.
And the rest? Like every tyrant Frieza was balancing between paranoid feelings and cold reason. When the emotions fall the started to calculate that good solider is a solider.

[Piccolo Daimao]

But then Goku proved that all it takes is one SSJ to take him down. Had Freeza known this, I don't think he would have rested until he had killed every single saiyan in the universe and he certainly wouldn't let Vegeta, Nappa and Raditz live under his command.

Yeah, I think Freeza was beginning to realize this after Gohan attacked him (and after he realized Gohan was a Saiyan), which is why he decided to reveal his true form and kill all the Saiyans (which is what he said himself prior to transformation). Unfortunately for him, he fell victim to the "Arrogant Villain Syndrome", when he decided to play around with his victims before getting his ass kicked by Super Saiyan Goku.

[Fox666]

Freeza didn't actually played with his victims, or not much. He does a little torture, but does intend to kill his enemies.

In his first form, he attacked Vegeta with everything, however he did not expected Vegeta would be on par with him.

On his second form, in one second he takes down Kuririn. After Gohan attacks him, he doesn't kill him instantly, but show no mercy. He suddenly needs to dodge the kienzan, and Piccolo shows up.

After an even fight, he transforms again. He does significant damage to Piccolo, and Gohan does an even stronger fury attack, then he realizes Gohan is a saiyan. He choose to show everybody his final form.

In his final form, Freeza plays a little (very little) and them fires his finger beam on Gohan. Vegeta saves Gohan, but Dende dies anyway. Freeza tortures Vegeta, but I won't consider that "sparing". Goku shows up, and after Vegeta says some shit about Super Saiyan, Freeza kills Vegeta.

The fight with Goku on the other hand is differently. Freeza proposes Goku to join him, as this is one of the main functions of Freeza. But after Goku uses the Kaio-ken x20, Freeza gets irritated and tries to kill Goku, to just realize the Genki Dama. And after the Genki Dama there comes the Super Saiyan.

You must also remember that Freeza doesn't kill for no reason. Of course he is cruel, and killed tons of namekians, but he was forcing them to give the Dragon Balls. Still he was angered with Vegeta, Kuririn and Gohan because they completely screwed his dream of immortality, on the other hand Freeza has no reason to hate Goku.

[hleV]

What's up with Gohan being killed by Freeza in your post, Fox666?

After Gohan attacks him, he does kill him instantly

Freeza kills Gohan

[TheDevilsCorpse]

In his final form, Freeza plays a little (very little) and them fires his finger beam on Gohan. Vegeta saves Gohan, but Dende dies anyway. Freeza tortures Vegeta, but I won't consider that "sparing". Goku shows up, and after Vegeta says some shit about Super Saiyan, Freeza kills Gohan.

I don't think that happened. =P

[TheGreatness25]

Freeza blowing up Planet Vegeta was an impulsive thing because King Vegeta led that revolt. Besides, it's not like he'd go hopping around the galaxy looking for the few Saiyans that were still alive. He just blew the planet and didn't think anything of it.

[Fox666]

What's up with Gohan being killed by Freeza in your post, Fox666?

After Gohan attacks him, he does kill him instantly

Freeza kills Gohan

Wow, 2 mistakes that converges to the same thing

[Godo]

What's up with Gohan being killed by Freeza in your post, Fox666?

After Gohan attacks him, he does kill him instantly

Freeza kills Gohan

Wow, 2 mistakes that converges to the same thing

I think it lies within your subconscious. Soon you will evolve into a Rocketman.

[batistabus]

Goku being sent off was a mistake?

Nappa (at least in the Bardock special) appears to be Vegeta's guardian, mentor, or at least baby-sitter.

[astrallite]

An army of giant monkeys would be a problem. A giant raid by Oozaru with 10xPL would completely overrun the Ginyu Force and Dodoria and Zarbon.

[CODii]

What I always wondered is why more Saiyans didn't survive. It seems to me that there should have been more than four Saiyans out doing what Saiyans do best. (I am of course referring to committing acts of genocide.)

[Cootie]

Goku being sent off was a mistake?

Nappa (at least in the Bardock special) appears to be Vegeta's guardian, mentor, or at least baby-sitter.

I think that only four Sayians survived because Freeza set it up so that they would all be on the planet when it got blown up. Why would a Saiyan child be sent away just an hour before Freeza blew up the planet with the intent of killing all the Sayains? It doesn't make sense.

Now, we know for a fact that Vegeta & Nappa were specifically requested to be kept alive and sent off while the planet was blown up. I have a feeling Raditz was just on another far away planet and Freeza didn't feel like waiting around long enough for him to return.

[Piccolo Daimao]

Goku being sent off was a mistake?

Nappa (at least in the Bardock special) appears to be Vegeta's guardian, mentor, or at least baby-sitter.

I think that only four Sayians survived because Freeza set it up so that they would all be on the planet when it got blown up. Why would a Saiyan child be sent away just an hour before Freeza blew up the planet with the intent of killing all the Sayains? It doesn't make sense.

Perhaps Freeza didn't care about him, since he was just a low-class Saiyan born with an absurdly low battle power of 2, so low in fact that even Bardock scoffed at it and he was dispatched to Earth. Ironically, the same low-class Saiyan was the one who became a Super Saiyan and defeated Freeza.

[dbgtFO]

Ironically, the same low-class Saiyan was the one who became a Super Saiyan and defeated Freeza.

Basically what the guys who wrote the script for the first Cooler movie played with.

[p123]

Freeza is a cold business man. Sure he enjoys a bit of torture here and there, but Freeza is like Gordon Gecko with how ruthlessly effiicient he can be. It's just business as usual. Freeza knows the Saiyans won't ever be truly loyal, and he is aware of their battle increasing tendencys and is worried about a mass revolt against him one day. So he sees a potential threat, and immediately removes them from existence. Like a boss... Also, it appears Freeza is a bit racist towards the Saiyans, and has a genuined dislike for them, so he does enjoy a bit of pleasure in his business with the Saiyans...