Looking at the progression of the story over the years with Dragon Ball Super, all signs show that Vegeta is actually the stronger fighter at base level. Vegeta is simply a more gifted fighter than Goku, and he has always been. When considering his training on Yardrat, it is almost a foregone conclusion that Vegeta is the better raw fighter at base level.
The months Vegeta spent training on Yardrat were the first time Vegeta would meditate, freeing himself of those mental blockages that prevented him from being a better fighter. After his training, his base level was much stronger, giving the Saiyan Prince the chance to reach his full potential. Furthermore, after watching Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, fans can see with their own eyes what would happen when Goku and Vegeta face off only at base level. Vegeta ultimately came out on top without using any transformations or ki blasts, answering the question most Dragon Ball fans have wanted to know.
Vegeta Has Always Been the More Gifted Fighter
Vegeta Has Been A Powerful Prodigy Since a Child
Looking back on the story of Prince Vegeta, he was a prodigy who surpassed everyone on Planet Vegeta, including his own father, as a child. He was already a monster at such a young age and did it all without any guidance. He brought himself to that level of strength and continued to grow, driven solely by his Saiyan pride and determination, willing him to such prominence. So it came as a bit of a shock to lose to some “low-class Saiyan” such as Goku.
In Vegeta’s mind, Goku was only supposed to be a weak Saiyan who would destroy Earth but grew to be exceptionally powerful thanks to the people around him. With people to learn from and train with ever since he was a child, Goku was able to train both his body and spirit. Everyone from Master Roshi to King Kai helped make Goku the dependable hero fans know and love today.
However, throughout that time, Vegeta didn’t have that level of attention and would later spend his time chasing after Goku, even though he was more powerful when they first met. Vegeta would join the good side after some character development, which led to his growth as a person and as a fighter. It would take some time for him to throw away his desire to kill Goku, but once he did and started to respect Goku as a fighter, Vegeta would aim to beat his rival in combat. He would look to train as hard as he could with actual people.
Vegeta Finally Starts Training With Others
Rather Than Training Specifically For Transformations, He Strengthened His Base Form
With people like Goku and Whis, the Saiyan prince would finally have a chance to truly become the fighter he was destined to be. Although he started training with people, there was one thing that prevented Vegeta from getting over that last hurdle to not only surpass Goku but to be the best fighter he could be. It was overcoming his mental blockages.
Goku had long since trained his spirit through meditation, giving him total control of his spirit and body. However, Vegeta had never done so, putting him at a severe disadvantage in his matchups with Goku and whenever it was time to save the day from a villainous foe. With Vegeta’s mental blockages, he could never achieve the best version of himself and continued to come up short against his rival.
Vegeta’s fight with Moro proved he needed more than his punches and kicks to take down such a powerful enemy. In order to counter Moro’s strange techniques, he needed more than strength. Vegeta also needed a few strange techniques himself, which he realized when Goku used the Yardrat technique, Instant Transmission. The Yardratian people aren’t known for power, but their techniques focus on the spirit, which would be the perfect way for Vegeta to train.
Training on Yardrat and Learning Spirit Control
Vegeta’s Most Recent Training Was Also Focused on His Base Form
Vegeta is the stronger base fighter compared to Goku due to his training on Yardrat. Vegeta traveled to this planet to learn their techniques and ultimately achieve something he had gone through his entire life without—a true alignment of his body and spirit. Goku trained on Yardrat many years prior after defeating Frieza on Namek. However, Goku didn’t have the level of experience Vegeta had when he arrived.
Goku’s training was about refining what he already knew, while Vegeta was entering a new area of training entirely. Vegeta finally had the chance to align his body and spirit by learning how to truly control his mind and energy, something he had never done. With his training alongside Whis, Vegeta gained a more refined understanding of his power than Namek Goku, which allowed him to improve faster.
Moreover, Vegeta went to Yardrat with the specific intention of training his spirit, whereas Goku just happened to go there. When Vegeta started training, he managed to quickly grasp the Yardratian techniques. Being the gifted fighter he is, Vegeta picked up the techniques much quicker than Goku, only needing several months instead of Goku’s full year.
What is especially impressive about Vegeta’s time on Yardrat is that he achieved a state of calm and mental peace quicker than Goku when he had never trained this way prior. With this newfound mental control, his basic techniques saw great improvement, like the Galick Gun, as demonstrated when Vegeta misjudged its power against someone on Yardrat. He learned to manipulate energy in new ways, including Instant Transmission (in seemingly only a few minutes), and even a new Forced Spirit Fission technique that Goku didn’t master.
The Product of Vegeta’s Training And Growth
He Finally Beat Goku (Well, Kakarot) In Super Hero
Although Goku would ultimately defeat Moro, Vegeta had his biggest growth arc from his time at Yardrat. He learned many new techniques and philosophies, and it all led to his personal growth as a character. When he was first introduced, Vegeta was simply a ruthless warrior who would do anything to conquer planets.
But now, Vegeta is an all-around fighter who has the mental clarity and emotional control to be the hero he was capable of being. He let go of his pride, and it has made him a stronger fighter and a better person. Readers even see this transformation when he saved the Namekian child from Moro and was dead set on not allowing another Namekian to die on his hands.
What’s surprising is that he didn’t even come to Yardrat with the intention of having such a significant power boost, yet he did. And to top it off, his time on Yardrat was simply setting the foundation for future growth. Prior to this, his body and spirit were so off-balance that he couldn’t even project his power very well—which is incredible since he was already so powerful.
Vegeta Puts His Saiyan Pride Aside
Vegeta didn’t get lost in his feelings, thinking of the importance of his rivalry or harping on his dear Saiyan pride. In the end, he put it aside and decided to aid Goku in his fight with Moro. The Vegeta of old would never consider the greater good in this moment and would’ve fought with his all, only to lose. This selfless act shows Vegeta’s growth, and it was a long and bumpy road to get here from that short and grumpy man fans were introduced to back in Dragon Ball Z during the Saiyan arc.
The moment when Vegeta helps Goku to defeat Moro showcases that Vegeta understands the importance of teamwork, something that held him back his entire life. His journey from a prideful warrior who couldn’t care less for other lives to someone who can embrace his weaknesses and assist others shows that Vegeta has one of the greatest character arcs in all of anime and manga. While Goku may still be stronger than Vegeta in terms of transformation—whether it be SSB or Perfect Ultra Instinct—it’s clear that at base level, Vegeta has the edge.
Vegeta has always been the more gifted fighter in terms of raw fighting ability, but through his training on Yardrat and his newfound mental control, Vegeta has unlocked the potential to surpass Goku. Moreover, Vegeta has unlocked the potential to continue his growth as a fighter in ways Goku has not. Hopefully, Vegeta will be able to put all of these character growth moments to use and become the fighter even he could never imagine becoming.
