Explanation of Rapid PL Gains in Z

[knight007]

Been browsing these forums for a while and really enjoy all the discussion. I think it is about time I contributed. I have been thinking a lot about how to explain the huge gains made by the Z fighters in their power levels. Watching Dragon Ball, the fighters are all very raw in terms of their mastery of ki manipulation. Some fighters such as Kame-Sen'nin and Tsuru-Sen'nin have a basic understanding of how to use ki, but not until Goku's training with Popo did anyone really delve into its potential. Before that point, the characters mainly concentrated on the physical aspects of increasing their abilities. I believe that once an individual learns to fully tap into their ki, the development of their strength really has no limit. Sure, some races can develop their ki easier than others, but I don't see how it would unreasonable that someone like Tenshinhan with enough training could get their power level quite high.

[Kaboom]

There's another good explanation for why Goku's growth seemed to taken an explosive rate once the "Z" portion of the series started. Even for all the training he did, Goku was living a relatively cozy life on Earth, compared to the conditions other Saiyans lived in. Planet Vegeta's high gravity, for example, is something normal and routine for most Saiyans, yet here Goku was just "floating" around in Earth's which is ten times less.

[knight007]

While I believe that is true, most of the saiyan race was around what, 1000-3500 in power level? Very respectable compared to where the earth fighters started at, however I believe that the majority of the saiyan's power came to them naturally or through zenkais, and while they certainly knew how to manipulate ki, I doubt they really knew how to fully tap into and develop it. For example, Vegeta was the strongest saiyan and his power level on earth was 18,000. He was overwhelmingly more powerful than all the Z fighters, but he didn't even have the ability to sense ki. His experience on earth made him aware of this ability, and from that point on his power level multiplies many fold.

[Kroni_Hunter]

Not to mention he learned Kaioken, which became a constant strength multiplier. On top of that he multiplied his gravity training up to 100x that of Earth, developed an addiction to Zenkais, and...oh ya, achieved Super Saiyan.