Gohan and his Z-Sword training

[Nazi Cola]

We see Gohan needing Super Saiyan to pull the sword out, and then struggles to wield it in Base. Next time we see him he's in Super Saiyan holding it just fine. When Goku zips in, he swings it around with some effort and then hold it somewhat nonchalantly.

I'm wondering: did Gohan need Super Saiyan to wield the sword or was it just something to make it easier on himself when he didn't truly need it? How do you see Goku comparing to Gohan here? Is this an indicator of overall power or just "strength?"

[Super Saiyan Turlast x4]

Wasn't Gohan also wielding it in Base form just fine a bit later?

I think he needed Super Saiyan to release it, but only needed practice to wield it. Early on he probably needed Super Saiyan to help lessen the difficulty with the sword because he wasn't used to it.

And, I think he was a bit stronger than Goku (not counting Super Saiyan 3, of course) after training with the sword, but not much more than that.

[Kingdom Heartless]

I also think with his Z-Sword training, he actually would have powered up quite a bit. It's a shame you never got to see him fight with it.

[jackjack]

He needed SSJ at first because the sword proved to be too tough to train with in base.

[Bussani]

Obviously Super Saiyan's extra strength would make it easier, but I think there's also the skill with the sword to take into account. Even if you had the strength to do so right away, swinging around a sword that heavy is going to mess with your balance if you're not used to it. I have no doubt that Gohan gained power from training with the sword, but training till the sword was an "extension of his body," as they say, was probably also a factor.

[Son_Gohan]

I truly doubt Gohan was planning on wielding the sword against Buu using just his base form.

Naturally, he'd train to be accustomed to it with the state he intended on fighting in. Once it became second-nature, he'd power down to a lesser state to increase the difficulty and further challenge himself.

Goku really didn't display much differently than Gohan, and I wouldn't consider it a tenable method of gauging their strength.

[SonGokuh]

I doubt Gohan would have been able to defeat Super Buu, even if he had completed his Z sword training.

[Piccolo Daimao]

I doubt Gohan would have been able to defeat Super Buu, even if he had completed his Z sword training.

That's why when Kaioshin got his hopes up and said that if he's this strong with the Z-Sword now, he'll be even stronger as a Super Saiyan, the old Kaioshin butted in and said, "No, you're wrong." And I don't think he was just saying it because Gohan hadn't completed his Z-Sword training. No amount of swinging a sword around is going to make you strong enough to defeat Boo.