If we're talking PURE skill-wise (no power levels involved), Vegeta is probably barely top 5.
Goku, Krillin, Piccolo, Tien, and Master Roshi >
Krillin was always using strategy to fight his enemies. Using a pair of panties to distract Master Roshi (), Grabbing Goku's tail, using math problems to confuse Chaozu so he couldn't use his powers, using diversion tactics to get those blows on Piccolo, etc. Dude straight up invented a move that can murk enemies hundreds of times stronger than he is.
Tien knows a grip of techniques that get swaggerjacked by the other Z fighters on the regular. Solar Flare, flight, etc.
The multiform technique and the Tri Beam
Piccolo's battle smarts were insane. Dude came through crafty stretching his arms and busting out those surprise eye-beams, not to mention that the Special Beam Cannon
When he trapped 17 with that Hellzone Grenade![]()
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Goku's battle smarts were also up there. Analyzing and dissecting Tien's fighting style in the 23rd, blasting guided Kamehamehas and shooting energy from his feet to stay in the fight against Piccolo jr, and ESPECIALLY that warp Kamehameha against Cell
The Cell saga may have been fueled on dumb decisions and bad writing, but that moment was still![]()
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(I'm not even stanning Goku like that. Just making a point.)
And Roshi
Dude invented the kamehameha, that weird thunder-shock move that he was sonning Goku with at the 21st, etc.
Vegeta would probably rank just behind Roshi. Roshi loses points for taking so long to invent that Kamehameha, but Vegeta's ego tends to get the better of him.
He CAN fight smart (like when he threw dirt in Zarbon's eyes), but he's too prone to catching feelings and acting on them instead of thinking situations through.
You bring up shyt from Dragonball before vegeta was even created
![dead :dead: :dead:](https://www.thecoli.com/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/dead.png)
scust at you not giving vegeta any credit for keeping gohan and krillian alive during the namek conflict. Well nikkas was to shook to make a plan for cyborg frieza vegeta had plan. Vegeta was the first one to understand it was a level passed a ssj. Hand work wise no one can fukk with vegeta