Why did Gero opt for energy absorption?

[Nineteen]

(Rather than the 'infinite' energy reactors of his predecessors)

I'm trying to think of advantages that the energy absorption capabilities of 19 and 20 hold over the endless output found in previous models, but aside from my stylistic preference for them, I can't really think of any. It makes more intuitive sense to me, if he was concerned about the discipline of 17 and 18, that he'd give them the energy absorption capabilities and reserve the 'infinite' energy for himself.

[Super Saiyan Turlast x4]

That's a good question. He probably was afraid that the power would be so great that he'd become out of control, or potentially dangerous for him to handle on his own. That's hard to believe, but Energy Absorption seemed to be a more tame source of power compared to the infinite reactor, and he probably wanted to continue thinking clearly without possibly having too much power on his hands.

[knight007]

The energy absorption models in my mind are much inferior to the infinite energy ones. Ya they work alright when you have super powered warriors running around, but what happens when they're gone? I'm not exactly certain how they work, but it is my understanding that unless they find a source to replenish their stores, they will run out rather quickly. In terms of power, there is a difference in the strength of models 19 and 20 compared to 17 and 18, but there isn't a tremendous gap. I doubt he would've had any trouble controlling a slightly greater power. Plus, the infinite energy models aren't purely mechanical. I know if I was going to turn myself into an android, I'd at least like to keep most of my original body. It doesn't make sense why he didn't just opt to go with infinite energy.

[Super Saiyan Turlast x4]

There is a humongous difference between both models in terms of power. Also, #18 seems to think the only reason he went for the absorbing models is because the infinite models were "too powerful to control." Yeah, that's a direct reference to #19, but it's also possible that the amount of power could have bad effects in other places.

And based on what's stated, the only time energy absorbing models would have to worry about their energy running out is if they're being beaten by someone far more powerful than them.

[knight007]

There is a humongous difference between both models in terms of power.

You think so? I won't dispute that #17 and #18 are definitely stronger, but #18 in my eyes was only slightly greater than SSJ Vegeta, and perhaps only won due to the fact that she never tires. Although Goku was clearly weakened by the virus, he was still in his SSJ form and was beaten by #19. I'm thinking they are around 1.5x stronger give or take.

[Nineteen]

There is a humongous difference between both models in terms of power.

You think so? I won't dispute that #17 and #18 are definitely stronger, but #18 in my eyes was only slightly greater than SSJ Vegeta, and perhaps only won due to the fact that she never tires. Although Goku was clearly weakened by the virus, he was still in his SSJ form and was beaten by #19. I'm thinking they are around 1.5x stronger give or take.

I'm inclined to agree with this. I know the argument that 19 and 20 were actually weaker than fourth-forth Freeza, but I don't myself accept it. I tend to think they were probably around 70%-80% of Freeza's max before absorbing energy and somewhat stronger than Mecha-Freeza after.

There is a humongous difference between both models in terms of power. Also, #18 seems to think the only reason he went for the absorbing models is because the infinite models were "too powerful to control.

In what sense? As individuals? 17 and 18 were obviously difficult to control, but why would Gero have any difficulties controlling himself? His inability to command those two is almost certainly due to the fact that their minds were partially biological and so independent of his whims, not because of the mechanical structure of their power source. Was the power itself difficult to control? 17 and 18 never had a problem with it, and they'd had less experience with ki before their conversion into androids than Gero, who at least had analyzed it for years before.

[Super Saiyan Turlast x4]

I agree with you. Perhaps he saw the obedience of #19 and thought the success of this Android was a step in the right direction for the future or something. He seemed like he really didn't want to reactivate #17 and #18, so perhaps he scrapped the idea entirely and just decided to go with what was working, and decided to take part in the idea himself.

[TheHumblePoet]

I think Androids 17 and 18 lost all their memories once they were converted to the infinite-energy models.

Maybe Gero opted for the energy absorption because it is easier to integrate into a human body. Gero wanted to keep his knowledge and memories, which was crucial for him since he was a scientist.

[Cipher]

There's also the fact that perhaps it was too difficult to have another android perform the surgery necessary to become an infinite energy model.

Android 20 as we know him is simply Dr. Gero's brain in a robotic shell. That means all he had to do was build the android body and have 19 (or whoever else) transplant his brain. He can't perform the surgery on himself, and perhaps he doesn't/can't trust another machine to.

[Fox666]

Well, it's a brain transplant, so the model shouldn't make a big difference, should?

Either way, maybe he couldn't trusth no.19 to overseek a infinite energy model, since he want to control his powers.

[Puto]

Well, it's a brain transplant, so the model shouldn't make a big difference, should?

Yeah, but #17 and #18 aren't brain transplants. They're modified human bodies.

[Fionordequester]

Maybe the alterations he did to #17 and #18 was like a Unit 731 thing, where the procedure done on them was so horrificly painful, that Gero didn't want the same thing done to him. So, he chose "energy-absorbing" because that was less painful.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

Maybe the alterations he did to #17 and #18 was like a Unit 731 thing, where the procedure done on them was so horrificly painful, that Gero didn't want the same thing done to him. So, he chose "energy-absorbing" because that was less painful.

You would think that would have absolutely no influence on his decision, since he crafted a false body and then transplanted only his brain into it. I would imagine that he could do the same thing, build the body and plop his brain in the fish tank at the top, regardless of the model type.

[Fox666]

Yes, no.17 and 18 bodies being half-human have nothing to do with the infinite energy source, they are like that so Cell can absorb them.

Dr. Gero could give himself a model similar to no.16, don't?

[Godo]

Yes, no.17 and 18 bodies being half-human have nothing to do with the infinite energy source, they are like that so Cell can absorb them.

They were built before Cell if I recall it correctly, and it was the computer that designed Cell who decided that #17 and #18 were essential for Cell to become perfect. It was pure luck in other words.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

They were built before Cell if I recall it correctly, and it was the computer that designed Cell who decided that #17 and #18 were essential for Cell to become perfect. It was pure luck in other words.

Gero was the one who started the work on Cell, he left it to the computer because of how long it would take. I'm sure they were either designed to part of him from the beginning, or Cell was designed around absorbing them. Daizenshuu 7 has a little bit of info, I didn't check the others:

An artificial human who is a modified human boy. Equipped with an eternal energy engine, he never tires out. Though he likes to fight, he always thinks of battles as games. His power is on par with Piccolo after Piccolo merged with God, but like No. 18, the original purpose for which he was created was as food to allow Cell to reach his perfect form. Also, the No. 17 and No. 18 in the future where the adult Trunks came from are somewhat inferior in power, but are cruel and inhumane.