Jaw-dropping battles are littered throughout the world of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball, and some of the characters in the franchise have gone above and beyond to push the limits of their abilities in innovative ways. From developing clever new attacks to combining abilities that counteract the techniques of more powerful foes, Dragon Ball's main cast is filled with master strategists.

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This trait can be seen in many characters, such as through Goku's resourcefulness and innovative training methods, to Piccolo's distinct Namekian abilities, which have a wide range of combat applications. The landscape of Dragon Ball is inundated with combatants who outdo themselves each time they step into the ring.

5 Krillin

Evaded More Powerful Foes Through Sheer Ingenuity

Despite being one of the strongest human characters in the franchise, Krillin's abilities have been largely overshadowed by the Saiyans, Namekians, and other races that have appeared throughout Dragon Ball's many incarnations. However, despite this, Krillin has demonstrated an incredible degree of resourcefulness even against opponents whose power far exceeds his own.

From Vegeta and Frieza to the Androids and Cell, Krillin has braved unfathomable dangers against some of the most fearsome antagonists in the series, through sheer grit, clever misdirection, and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. He has also been credited as the inventor of some of the series' most iconic techniques, including the Destructo Disc, the Double Tsuibikidan, and its variant, the Scattering Bullet.

4 Super Buu

Harnessed His Regeneration And Unique Abilities To Absorb Enemies

Super Buu was one of the strongest characters in all of Dragon Ball Z. His distinct ability to absorb opponents and replicate their techniques, combined with his near-endless regeneration, made him a force of nature whose intentions were impossible to predict. Although some of his magical abilities, such as the Transfiguration Beam, or Vice Shout bordered on the absurd, Super Buu's greatest strength lay in how his opponents underestimated his intelligence.

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Gotenks, Piccolo, and even Ultimate Gohan were unable to see through Super Buu's deception, culminating in them being absorbed by him. As a result, Super Buu gained access to their techniques, including the Kamikaze Ghosts, Special Beam Cannon, and the Super Kamehameha, which presented a huge problem for those who remained to face him.

3 Cell

Exploited His Power To Mimic Techniques To Great Effect

The ultimate creation of Dr. Gero, Cell was a being designed to stand as the dominant life form on planet Earth. He was created by combining traits from several powerful individuals, ranging from Saiyans such as Goku and Vegeta to Frieza and Piccolo. As a result, Cell had access to the abilities and techniques of every single one of them, by virtue of having their DNA infused into his body.

Subsequently, he could easily replicate and refine techniques like the Kamehameha, Special Beam Cannon, Vegeta's Big Bang Attack, and Frieza's Death Beam. Moreover, he also possessed the Namekians' regeneration, the ability to absorb other life forms, and the capacity to create miniature clones of himself, known as Cell Juniors. Through a combination of these abilities and his superior intellect, Cell was able to intimidate, manipulate, and overpower his foes, turning unfavorable situations to his advantage.

2 Piccolo

Uses His Distinct Namekian Physiology To Outmaneuver Opponents

Regarded as the strongest Namekian in Universe 7, Piccolo has come a long way since his original introduction as an antagonist in the final arc of the original Dragon Ball anime. Since then, he has continually pushed beyond his limits through training and fusion-related power-ups in a bid to keep up with the Saiyans who dominate the majority of the series' major confrontations.

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Besides this, Piccolo has also utilized his distinct Namekian physiology to great effect, ranging from his regenerative powers to his gigantification, and ability to extend his limbs over great distances. Even as more Super Saiyan forms were introduced, Piccolo refused to fall behind. His ingenuity and creativity in amassing power, as well as his ability to cooperate with others, develop strategies on the fly, and willingness to make sacrifices have allowed him to come out unscathed from fights against formidable adversaries.

1 Goku

Always Manages To Find A Way Out Of Any Tight Situation

Dragon Ball's protagonist has grown into one of the most powerful warriors in Universe 7, having attained a level of strength that can match even divine beings. That being said, Goku's greatest asset is his keen sense of intuition and ability to devise new techniques and training methods that allow him to surpass his earlier limits.

As seen in some incredibly memorable moments from all over the Dragon Ball franchise, such as his Instant Kamehameha against Cell, or the Divine Kamehameha in the Tournament of Power, Goku has always pushed forward in search of new skills. In addition, his tactical skills and ability to improvise clever strategies to test opponents have aided him immensely against the many strong foes he has faced, and it does not seem like he has any intention of slowing down.

Dragon Ball (1986)

Action

Comedy

Adventure

Release Date

February 26, 1986

Studio

Toei Animation

Number of Episodes

153