Question about Kaioken

[jcogginsa]

Is Kaioken Constantly damaging the user when it's used, or does it only happen if Concentration lapses?

[TheDevilsCorpse]

I imagine it only causes damage on the multipliers the person can handle if they don't stay focused and perform it properly. For multipliers above what they can handle though, it probably causes damage just by using it (with the specific damage depending on the multiplier used, the highest multiplier they can handle, how long its used, etc).

[supercat]

Well the strain it puts on the body is likely demanding at any multiplier. However, at lower multipliers, the user is probably able to tolerate the physical tension for a longer duration of time. On the contrary, when the physical burden is even further elevated through higher multipliers, the increased strain probably makes the move a strenuous task much earlier on.

[Lord Beerus]

The Kaioken only really does damage to the user if the user decides to multiply the power exertion of the Kaioken.

[supercat]

The Kaioken only really does damage to the user if the user decides to multiply the power exertion of the Kaioken.

Wouldn't it eventually start to hurt the user if it was being utilized for an extended duration of time though?

[Darkprince410]

The way I've always pictured the Kaiou-ken's strain on the body is like a balloon.

There's a "safe" capacity of air that it can be inflated to time and again where it won't cause any major strain on the balloon's structure, and while this would eventually wear it out, it wouldn't do so for awhile. This "safe" capacity of air would be the Kaiou-ken level that the user is able to safely utilize (Goku up to 2x during the Saiya-jin Saga, and 10x during the Freeza).

Now, even though there's that safe limit, balloons can also be inflated to capacities far higher than that of that safe limit, but doing so causes excessive stress on the balloon's form, and could cause the balloon to burst if it is inflated beyond the limits that its elasticity can take. Even if it doesn't burst and you deflate it after, that strain it was in earlier has weakened the balloon's structure. This would be Kaiou-ken levels exceeding what is safe for the user at the time (3x+ for Goku during the Saiya-jin Saga, and the 20x during the Freeza).

[Lord Beerus]

The Kaioken only really does damage to the user if the user decides to multiply the power exertion of the Kaioken.

Wouldn't it eventually start to hurt the user if it was being utilized for an extended duration of time though?

Well according to King Kai, during Goku's fight with Freeza, and prior to using the Kaioken x20 or even becoming a SSJ, Goku had been using the Kaioken the whole time. So obviously it is possible to master the power up to a degree without inducing any damage or fatigue.

[jcogginsa]

What is stated about the technique when it's first used? Could that help understand it

[DanielSSJ]

The way I've always pictured the Kaiou-ken's strain on the body is like a balloon.

There's a "safe" capacity of air that it can be inflated to time and again where it won't cause any major strain on the balloon's structure, and while this would eventually wear it out, it wouldn't do so for awhile. This "safe" capacity of air would be the Kaiou-ken level that the user is able to safely utilize (Goku up to 2x during the Saiya-jin Saga, and 10x during the Freeza).

Now, even though there's that safe limit, balloons can also be inflated to capacities far higher than that of that safe limit, but doing so causes excessive stress on the balloon's form, and could cause the balloon to burst if it is inflated beyond the limits that its elasticity can take. Even if it doesn't burst and you deflate it after, that strain it was in earlier has weakened the balloon's structure. This would be Kaiou-ken levels exceeding what is safe for the user at the time (3x+ for Goku during the Saiya-jin Saga, and the 20x during the Freeza).

Very apt explaination. I like it.

[LuckyCat]

What is stated about the technique when it's first used? Could that help understand it

Goku: “Yeah. It’s called Kaio-ken. By controlling all of the energy [Ki] within your body, you can momentarily amplify it. If you do it right, your speed, power, destructive and defensive forces all increase many times over.”

Krillin: “That’s so awesome! Even after getting that much stronger, you can become many times stronger than that?”

Goku: “Yeah. [But] If I don’t restrain my Ki just right while I’m controlling it, I could kill myself. In short…”

[Flashback to his training on North Kaio’s Planet]

North Kaio: “You have done well to master the Kaio Ken technique, which even I could not handle, to this degree. However, I must stress again that you must not overuse Kaio Ken at your current level. If you mishandle your control, you will end up ruining your body. Do your best to limit yourself to a double multiplier. Remember, using Kaio Ken any higher than that will place too great a burden upon your body. In other words, your body won’t be able to keep up with the Kaio Ken, and it will bite back for what you’re doing to it.”

Goku: “Got it!”