Strongest Earthling

[Kaboom]

All the humans trained for those three years leading up to the Androids' appearance. It's only afterward all was said and done with the Androids and Cell that Kuririn and (apparently) Yamcha retired from it all.

But if Kuririn had enough of a lead in power (which is highly likely given what happened to him on Namek), then even in those years between the Cell and Majin Boo arcs, Tenshinhan probably, and seemingly, couldn't catch up.

[Mattie Rose]

I really don't think it's logical that Kuririn would surpass Tenshinhan at any point.

I mean at the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai the difference between them was immense, wasn't it? People tend to cite Kuririn's time on Namek as a source for training, but while that was going on Tenshinhan was training with Kaio-sama.

The only way I could see Kuririn surpassing Tenshinhan is if Saichoro's unlocking of his potential increased his power to an insane degree. I'm not saying that's impossible, but I'm not convinced that it was enough to close the gap between Kuririn and Tenshinhan.

Also, this isn't absolute proof, but I like to cite the scene in which Gokuu first encounters Jinzoningen #19 and #20. Gokuu gets Kuririn to take the injured Yamucha away so he can fight them alongside Tenshinhan and Piccolo. It could be that Gokuu wanted to get Kuririn out of danger as well, but I also think he intentionally left the two stronger fighters, Piccolo and Tenshinhan, to fight with him.

[Kaboom]

I really don't think it's logical that Kuririn would surpass Tenshinhan at any point.
I mean at the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai the difference between them was immense, wasn't it? People tend to cite Kuririn's time on Namek as a source for training, but while that was going on Tenshinhan was training with Kaio-sama.

It's not training on Namek that would have done it, but instead the massive potential-unlocking boost that Kuririn received from the Grand Elder. Like you said, it's the most likely way for Kuririn to have rocketed so far ahead that Tenshinhan can't catch up yet.

Even then, there wasn't an "immense difference" between them anymore, anyway. During the battle with Vegeta and Nappa, Kuririn was already almost equal to Tenshinhan in power (Kuririn: 1770, Ten: 1830). So Kuririn already WAS catching up, even before the Grand Elder worked his mojo.

Also, this isn't absolute proof, but I like to cite the scene in which Gokuu first encounters Jinzoningen #19 and #20. Gokuu gets Kuririn to take the injured Yamucha away so he can fight them alongside Tenshinhan and Piccolo. It could be that Gokuu wanted to get Kuririn out of danger as well, but I also think he intentionally left the two stronger fighters, Piccolo and Tenshinhan, to fight with him.

Yeah, I'm afraid "who gets sent on errands" really isn't worthwhile evidence of anything. Goku also sent Gohan to bring Yamcha away after #20 wounded him, and I don't think I'm the only one who doubts Gohan is weaker than any of the humans.

[Zephyr]

Also, this isn't absolute proof, but I like to cite the scene in which Gokuu first encounters Jinzoningen #19 and #20. Gokuu gets Kuririn to take the injured Yamucha away so he can fight them alongside Tenshinhan and Piccolo. It could be that Gokuu wanted to get Kuririn out of danger as well, but I also think he intentionally left the two stronger fighters, Piccolo and Tenshinhan, to fight with him.

Yeah, I'm afraid "who gets sent on errands" really isn't worthwhile evidence of anything. Goku also sent Gohan to bring Yamcha away after #20 wounded him, and I don't think I'm the only one who doubts Gohan is weaker than any of the humans.

On top of that, like was discussed earlier, Tenshinhan, through character alone, has a greater tendency to be more useful in battle, despite any gap in power.

Who would be more useful? Someone who is more powerful, but will be too frightened to make use of their abilities, or someone who isn't as powerful, but will sure as hell be as useful as possible if shit gets rough?

[Insertclevername]

I never felt that Kuririn was too scared to do anything, he always seemed to be more a of skeptic who would doubt his own efforts. Basically confidence issues.

[Zephyr]

I never felt that Kuririn was too scared to do anything, he always seemed to be more a of skeptic who would doubt his own efforts. Basically confidence issues.

Regardless of if it's due to fear or confidence issues, Tenshinhan would still be more useful to keep around.

[Insertclevername]

Oh definitely, at least he would do something!

[Mattie Rose]

Even then, there wasn't an "immense difference" between them anymore, anyway. During the battle with Vegeta and Nappa, Kuririn was already almost equal to Tenshinhan in power (Kuririn: 1770, Ten: 1830). So Kuririn already WAS catching up, even before the Grand Elder worked his mojo.

Oh, I totally forgot about that. I have to concede that makes it way more likely that Kuririn could have surpassed him then.

[Mystic Gohan]

Tien being more ready to do battle is more his warrior attitude than anything.

[Jackal puFF]

Tenshinhan is a punkass busta foo. I have no idea why people think he's the strongest human.

Lol,

It's probably just the way he was written I guess.. He was definitely the stronger one during the tournament times and people saw that.

He made a great first impression.

[mattymoron]

To me, Krillin is the strongest in terms of raw BP. He's said in the manga to be the "strongest Earthling", and I highly doubt that any of the characters think of Tien as anything other than an Earthling.

That being said, however, Tien has techniques that increase his power exponentially, so it's totally possible that he'd best Krillin in a fight, if it ever came down to a fight to the death.

[Sin]

To me, Krillin is the strongest in terms of raw BP. He's said in the manga to be the "strongest Earthling", and I highly doubt that any of the characters think of Tenshinhan as anything other than an Earthling.

That being said, however, Tenshinhan has techniques that increase his power exponentially, so it's totally possible that he'd best Krillin in a fight, if it ever came down to a fight to the death.

I pretty much agree with this, and the point earlier in the thread about confidence. As much as I feel Ten deserves to be the strongest Earthling I feel that it was always intended to be Kuririn.

[Saiga]

I think the Kienzan is a much more valuable technique than the Kikoho, though. What with the cutting anything and all.

[mattymoron]

I think the Kienzan is a much more valuable technique than the Kikoho, though. What with the cutting anything and all.

I mean, more valuable, maybe, but I don't think it would read as high on a scouter as one of Tien's Kikoho's, which is all I was getting at.

[Saiga]

I think the Kienzan is a much more valuable technique than the Kikoho, though. What with the cutting anything and all.

I mean, more valuable, maybe, but I don't think it would read as high on a scouter as one of Tenshinhan's Kikoho's.

Yeah, but it doesn't need to, because it just cuts through shit. Being cut in half is deadlier than a high BP reading.

[mattymoron]

I think the Kienzan is a much more valuable technique than the Kikoho, though. What with the cutting anything and all.

I mean, more valuable, maybe, but I don't think it would read as high on a scouter as one of Tenshinhan's Kikoho's.

Yeah, but it doesn't need to, because it just cuts through shit. Being cut in half is deadlier than a high BP reading.

I mean. I. Agree? I was just talking about Tien being able to put out more force than Krillin potentially could. I was speaking in terms of strength, not value. Because...you know, the thread.

[Saiga]

I mean. I. Agree? I was just talking about Tenshinhan being able to put out more force than Krillin potentially could. I was speaking in terms of strength, not value. Because...you know, the thread.

Ohh... I thought you meant, in a match up, the Kikoho would let Tenshinhan win.

In that case, I don't think I'd count the readings from using a technique as their strength.

[mattymoron]

No, I wouldn't either. I think Krillin is the strongest Earthling, without question. I was simply alluding to the fact that in the case of holding back Cell, for instance, Tien was able to increase his strength exponentially, something I don't think Krillin is capable of doing. If Krillin got hit with a blast like that, I doubt he'd walk away from it.