Dragon Ball Z Characters, Ranked By Power Level
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18. Turtle
We've ranked some of our favorite Dragon Ball Z characters from least powerful to most powerful. Only scores based on canonical works--anime, movies, manga and encyclopedias--were considered. Where there were multiple scores for individual characters, we opted for the highest score or broke out the character into multiple stages.
Let's power up and get started. First up: Master Roshi's pet.
Reported power level: .001, as of Dragon Ball Z, Season 1.
His chief attribute is longevity, which is nice, but not especially helpful in a fight.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
17. Gohan, pre-transformation
Reported power level: 1, as of Dragon Ball Z manga, Vol. 1, #9
Even a powerful warrior has to start somewhere. Of course, he gets much more powerful from here.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
16. Master Roshi
Reported power level: 139, as of Dragon Ball Z manga, Vol. 2, #14
Sure, he's "perverted," but he's also got some skills, including telekinesis and telepathy.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
15. Goku, weakest form
Reported power level: 334, Dragon Ball Z manga, Vol. 1, #5
Our hero goes through a lot, including death, in this chapter of the Dragon Ball Z saga. He's got a long way to go until reaching his ultimate strength.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
14. Raditz
Reported power level: 1,500, per Daizenshuu #7 (Dragon Ball encyclopedia)
Despite having little screen time in the first season, Goku's older brother makes an impression thanks to his ability to withstand power blasts.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
13. Nappa
Reported power level: 4,000, per Daizenshuu #7 (Dragon Ball encyclopedia)
This "immensely strong" warrior can bend steel to his will.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
12. Krillin
Reported power level: 13,000, per Daizenshuu #7 (Dragon Ball encyclopedia)
Krillin's powers grow as Dragon Ball Z goes on.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
11. Cui
Reported power level: 18,000, as of Dragon Ball Z manga, Vol. 5, #5
Frieza's toady, also known as Kiwi, is confident and undeniably powerful, but ultimately no match for the ultimate power of Vegeta.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
10. Piccolo
Reported power level: 18,000, as of Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might
This enemy turned friend of Goku packs a punch with a trio of highlight-reel moves: the Special Beam Cannon, the Hellzone Grenade, and the Light Grenade.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
9. Vegeta, weakest form
Reported power level: 18,000, as of Dragon Ball Z manga, Vol. 5
The floor on this vengeful Saiyan warrior is higher than most characters' ceilings.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
8. Zarbon
Reported power level: 23,000, per Daizenshuu #7 (Dragon Ball encyclopedia)
Another of Frieza's henchmen, Zarbon is powerful enough to defeat Vegeta. When his opponent is revived and recharged, however, he loses the rematch.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
7. Vegeta, empowered
Reported power level: 30,000, as of Dragon Ball Z manga, Vol. 7
After a defeat by Zarbon, Vegeta shows off his ability to "grow in power."
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
6. Nail
Reported power level: 42,000, as of Dragon Ball Z manga, Vol. 8
This Namekian is his planet's toughest fighter. If he doesn't get you with his Full Power Wave, beware: The Super Explosive Wave may be coming next.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
5. Captain Ginyu
Reported power level: 120,000, as of Dragon Ball Z manga, Vol. 8
The namesake of the Ginyu Force and friend of Frieza isn't just strong, but tricky: In the midst of a battle, he can swap to another body in order to improve his chances.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
4. Turles, empowered
Reported power level: 300,000-plus, per Tree of Might (estimated)
While we don't know Turles' exact power level after eating from the Tree of Might, it's enough to defeat Goku when he uses Kaioken x10.
His power level prior to eating the fruit, according to a pamphlet released with the movie, is 19,000.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
3. Frieza, first form
Reported power level: 530,000, as of Dragon Ball Z manga
Even in this form, the Galactic Overlord is a force.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
2, Frieza, final form
Reported power level: 120 million, per Daizenshuu #7
Frieza doesn't like it when Vegeta matches his initial power levels. So, he powers up and up, until he's wielding the Death Ball.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment
1. Super Saiyan Goku
Reported power level: 150 million, per Daizenshuu #7
Ultimately, it turns out that a Spirit Bomb is mightier than a Death Ball.
Image: FUNimation Entertainment