My theory on why Cell does not know Kaioken

[vegetaslegacy15]

Okay so recently I saw someone on here say Cell did not know the kaioken for the sake of plot simplicity.

While that may be the case I propose a theory:
So in order to do the kaioken you have to have very fine ki control and you need a lot of training. I personally do not think that the ability to have ki control precise enough to perform the kaioken is in Cell's genes since it is more of a learned behavior then something that Goku inherited(since learned behavior cannot be passed genetically to offspring).

Your probably thinking well if Cell can use a Genki Dama he can certainly pull of a kaioken. But he did say that he probably could. keyword probably. For all we know he could have just been trying to make krillin shit himself.

[Fox666]

Herms once posted a theory that after some point character have "incorporated" the Kaio-ken in their own regular strength. One example of who would have done this is Piccolo at the Artificial Humans arc.

This would explain why we don't see Cell (and any other character who doesn't transform in Super Saiyan) using the Kaio-ken. And also why someone like Dabura wouldn't be able to learn it and defeat Goku as a Super Saiyan 3.

[Saiga]

He never tried the Genki Dama, so we'll never know for sure if he can.

I'm a little unsure about the whole Kaio-ken business, is the line from Piccolo about boosting energy or what have you only present in kai? Or is there a basis for it in the manga?

[Super Saiyan Turlast x4]

It's in the Manga:

Chapter: 346 (DBZ 152), P14.3
Piccolo: “Commit this to memory: when we fight, we amplify what you guys call ‘energy’, causing it to explode. That’s why the energy you stole from me earlier doesn’t matter…”

I think Piccolo is mainly referring to the ability to raise their power from a suppressed level moreso than a special Chi-boosting technique.

[Nazi Cola]

For all we know he could have just been trying to make krillin shit himself.

I wouldn't doubt the legitimacy of the claim either, though. The truth is always the scariest thing.

[vegetaslegacy15]

Ever since the beginning of DBZ the heros have been able to manipulate their ki and suppress it and expand it.
But the kaioken is diffrent though. It increases every aspect of your physical attributes. When you suppress ki your hiding the strength you have and not using it. When you use kaioken your using a technique to multiply/amplify your total strength.

[Super Vegito]

If he can use the Kamehameha, Solar Flare, Freeza's laser beam, etc. then why not the Kaioken? The only reason Cell didn't initially know Instant Transmission was because Goku learned that after the events on Namek. He also said he can use the Spirit Bomb, I don't see why we should doubt him at this point, just because he doesn't use it.

[vegetaslegacy15]

It just does not make senese to me because its like unnatural. Your more or less destroying your body everytime you use it.

[DonieZ]

Isn't the reason Cell doesn't know it because Goku learnt it whilst on King Kai's planet? There was that little spy insect thing and it ofcourse couldn't go to his planet. Or am I wrong and should Cell know of it because Goku displayed it in his fight against Vegeta? If that's so then Cell should really know it, because he knows all of Goku's and co. other techniques, such as Kamehameha and Destructo Disc. Hmm, it's a tricky one.

The only other reason is simply in favour of the plot. Wouldn't be the first time a technique as such was dropped or forgotten after a saga or two.

[Godo]

It just does not make senese to me because its like unnatural. Your more or less destroying your body everytime you use it.

After training in his spaceship, Goku could handle up to Kaio-ken times ten, whilst Kaio-ken times three was too much for him on Earth. I'd say that if you have it under control and use it in terms of your body's ability, it won't be a problem.
Also, it's pretty obvious that Kaio-ken drags out your ki reserves over the maximum cap. Example (Goku vs. Vegeta):

Normal
Max power cap: 8,000
Reserves: 40,000

Kaio-ken x2
Max power cap: 16,000
Reserves: 32,000

Kaio-ken x3
Max power cap: 24,000
Reserves: 24,000

Kaio-ken x4
Max power cap: 36,000
Reserves: 16,000

After Kaio-ken x4
Max power cap: 8,000
Reserves: 16,000 (greatly depleted)

The Kaio-ken is possible if you have greater ki reserves than you have a power cap (as in your readable strength). Ki blasts can force up your max power cap.
It seems like that much of Goku's training in Kami's palace was to increase his reserves, something that is commented on after Goku fired a huge Kamehameha and not being winded.
This would ultimately be refined into a technique as the Kaio-ken.
The whole idea of it would later as it seems be adopted by Piccolo.

[Fox666]

It seems like that much of Goku's training in Kami's palace was to increase his reserves, something that is commented on after Goku fired a huge Kamehameha and not being winded.

Wasn't it the stamina or durability in general? I mean, that's what defined the result of the battle.

[Godo]

It seems like that much of Goku's training in Kami's palace was to increase his reserves, something that is commented on after Goku fired a huge Kamehameha and not being winded.

Wasn't it the stamina or durability in general? I mean, that's what defined the result of the battle.

From how I see it, your ki reserves determine your stamina and durability too.
During the Raditz fight, Goku endured a lot of beating and used up a lot of power, but was still able to hold Raditz still so that Piccolo could hit him with his Makankosappo.
Also, Nappa and Vegeta both seemed to have a lot of reserves, being very tough to bring down, even if greatly overpowered. That even though they recieved a lot of beating, and used up much of their power.

[DBZ Mick]

I always thought Cell didn't need to use it, seeing as he could seemingly power up into a SSJ form? Well, he had the gold aura and all...

[Rukura]

I always thought Cell didn't need to use it, seeing as he could seemingly power up into a SSJ form? Well, he had the gold aura and all...

Yeah, that's what I don't see being mentioned at all, for whatever reason.

Cell DID have Saiyan cells, so he would (and events point toward the fact that he did) have Super Saiyan cells. He probably did have data about the Kaioken.....but let's remember that the Super Saiyan state deems the Kaioken as useless, since Super Saiyan is like the Kaioken BUT without the huge strain on the body and with a much higher power boost.

So...uhm...yes, he probably did know it, but it's so past irrelevant at that point in the series that it doesn't even change anything one way or the other

[Onikage725]

Filler not withstanding, Super Saiyan and Kaio-ken seemed to be mutually exclusive. And there are theories that Cell's various auras and vastly increased levels of power when he kicks it up a notch indicate he can simulate something like Super Saiyan. I do kind of like the theory above about incorporating certain elements of the technique. Kind of like how...a weird parallel here but stay with me... I wanted to recreate a tournament winning Magic deck yrs back. I didn't have many of the cards, but I had cards with similar effects (sometimes with different costs or different power/toughness ratings). No doubt it was less efficient, but more than competent enough to still ten yrs on be undefeated in my local circles. Tenshinhan mentions something along these lines anyway, doesn't he? I don't recall the exact line, but it was about using what worked for him and incorporating it into his own style. I assumed he meant Kaio-ken. Either he couldn't grasp it or found putting all that into a physical attack too risky, but love the theory that he used the concepts in upgrading his own "trade health for power" technique (hence the utterly ridiculous Shin Kikoho).

[Piccolo Daimao]

Cell can simulate Super Saiyan and a Super Saiyan Grade 3-like form, which renders the Kaio-ken obselete. He probably has it; he just decided not to use it because it's useless. I mean, we would've never seen his Super Saiyan Grade 3-like form if he didn't need to show it to Trunks to demonstrate the fact that he has it yet doesn't use it because of its disadvantages, and/or if he didn't get blinded by rage and use it in an attempt to defeat Gohan.

[Craddle]

I think by this point in the story, Kaio-ken was a lost technique. The technique had been forgotten sort of like Saiya-jin tails. It could be chalked up to Mr. Toriyama's memory. Why else would the technique be completed omitted?

If it weren't for the fact that Goku uses the Kaio-ken while fighting Paikuhan, I would conclude that after Goku turned Super Saiya-jin, the technique was outclassed and therefore forgotten. Going strictly by the manga, my theory holds true. I don't believe the technique is ever mentioned again in the manga after the Freeza Arc.

[dbgtFO]

I think by this point in the story, Kaio-ken was a lost technique. The technique had been forgotten sort of like Saiya-jin tails. It could be chalked up to Mr. Toriyama's memory. Why else would the technique be completed omitted?

I personally don't think Toriyama forgot it that quickly, instead I just believe it was written out of the story once Super Saiyan was introduced, because Super Saiyan was the new thing and should thus take center stage.

I don't believe the technique is ever mentioned again in the manga after the Freeza Arc.

You're right, it isn't.

[Saiga]

Didn't Toriyama say he dropped it because he thought the concept was too powerful - being able to multiply your power x20 instantly? It seems inline with intending Super Saiyan to be x10 base.

[dbgtFO]

Didn't Toriyama say he dropped it because he thought the concept was too powerful - being able to multiply your power x20 instantly? It seems inline with intending Super Saiyan to be x10 base.

That sounds like another rumour to me.