Audiences love Dragon Ball for a multitude of reasons, whether it's the storytelling, action, or the unique characters that help bring this world to life. Vegeta has been a fan-favorite character ever since his first appearance and his ongoing friendly rivalry against Goku is one of the series' deepest dynamics.
Vegeta and Goku have been in far more battles as allies than enemies at this point in Dragon Ball. However, some of the series' most exhilarating moments are when this Saiyan feud is once again front and center, and Vegeta feels compelled to prove himself to Goku and his new standards.
9 Vegeta Is Willing To Sacrifice Himself To Win The Fight
Some of the saddest moments from Dragon Ball involve Vegeta's rash assessment of impossible battles where he doesn't consider success to be possible beyond a selfless act of self-destruction. Vegeta turns to his Final Explosion sacrifice against Majin Buu and during the climax of the Tournament of Power, which proves that he'll do whatever it takes to secure a win, even if he also goes out in the process.
Admittedly, Goku has also thrown caution to the wind when it comes to his body's well-being by pushing the limits of Kaio-Ken. However, his goal is never to explicitly perish and release all of his energy like Vegeta's bold last-ditch strategies.
8 Vegeta Is Willing To Let Himself Get Possessed To Grow Stronger
Vegeta's ongoing rivalry with Goku has permanently altered Vegeta's self-esteem and some of his darkest moments involve him succumbing to dark forces to gain an advantage over his Saiyan rival. Vegeta relinquishes himself to Babidi's Majin mind control in order to ascend to Super Saiyan 2.
Baby's parasitic possession of Vegeta in Dragon Ball GT comes with similar advantages. Goku loves to get stronger, but he would never willingly allow something evil to take control of his body if it meant he'd be more powerful.
7 Vegeta Will Develop Technology To Solve His Problems
Strength is often the deciding factor in Dragon Ball's battles, but it's far from the only advantageous strategy. Intelligence, experience, and technology can often be even more important than power. Vegeta has a unique advantage in the sense that his wife, Bulma, is a brilliant scientist who has the combined resources of Capsule Corp at her disposal.
Vegeta doesn't hesitate to take advantage of these perks, whether it's intense gravity training rooms or Dragon Ball GT's Blutz Wave Generator which helps him become a Super Saiyan 4 for the first time. It's rare that Vegeta turns to technology to defeat a new foe, but he has distinct resources in this department that Goku lacks.
6 Vegeta Is Able To Grow Stronger Through Humility
Goku's humble innocence helps him perpetually fail upwards, and he makes some of his incredible achievements look easy. Alternatively, Vegeta has consistently struggled ever since he first encountered Goku on Earth. It's incredibly difficult for Vegeta to admit that he's inferior to Goku, but he does, and he becomes a better individual for it.
Vegeta is only able to go on and accomplish what he does because of his time at rock bottom and admitting defeat. This level of humility is necessary to grow and Goku is never able to gain the same clarity.
5 Vegeta Has Developed More Original Attacks
Vegeta and Goku may share many of the same transformations, but their eclectic arsenal of attacks helps set them apart. Goku's trademark maneuvers like the Kamehameha are classics, but they're popular moves that much of the cast has learned. Vegeta's techniques like Big Bang Attack and Final Flash are personalized to him and can cause a greater stir.
Vegeta continues to develop attacks that specifically suit his needs instead of just random abilities. Vegeta doesn't learn techniques simply because Goku also knows them. He's more independent in this regard, and it results in a stronger repertoire of techniques.
4 Vegeta Has Earned God Of Destruction Credibility
There is no shortage of powerful guardians and deities who watch over Dragon Ball's expansive multiverse. Dragon Ball Super introduces Gods of Destruction, feared figures who wipe out each universe's waste. Vegeta and Goku both spend time training under Beerus, but the God of Destruction sees greater potential in Vegeta.
The Saiyan masters the God of Destruction signature blow, Hakai, and he becomes worthy of wearing the prestigious God of Destruction earring. If Vegeta ever grows tired of competing against Goku at their current level then he could likely become a God of Destruction and trump Goku in this field after his boost in power and respect.
3 Vegeta Forges His Own Path To Power That Makes Sense Of His Strengths
The rivalry between Goku and Vegeta has always been exciting. However, there's a relatively predictable nature to their pattern that features them reaching each other's milestones. Following Goku's ascension to Ultra Instinct, Vegeta decides that it's time to take a unique direction that's built upon his own strengths rather than Goku's victories. Vegeta goes as far as taking a trip to Planet Yardrat so that he can master Forced Spirit Fission and other unique Yardratian talents that Goku failed to learn.
The culmination of all of this is Vegeta's new Ultra Ego form, which gives him power based upon pain and aggression. Vegeta is so much stronger in this personalized state than if he also went down the direction of Ultra Instinct. Some consider Ultra Ego to be superior to Ultra Instinct in several respects.
2 Vegeta Has Control Over His Great Ape Form
The Great Ape transformation that Saiyans turn to in conquest mode is deeply destructive, but it gradually becomes an outdated upgrade for the warrior race. The superior strength and speed of Super Saiyans makes Great Apes obsolete, but it's not impossible for them to make a return to the series and become a practical strategy.
One way that Saiyans are divided is that the prestigious Saiyan Elite can actually control their emotions as Great Apes. Lowly Saiyan warriors like Goku and Bardock lack these skills and instead become ferocious beasts. It's been ages since Saiyans have had a Great Ape feud, but Vegeta could engineer a scenario where it's necessary, and he comes out on top.
1 Vegeta Is Willing To Execute His Target
Death is a common occurrence in many shonen series, but particularly in Dragon Ball due to the restorative nature of the titular wish-granting orbs. When it comes to victories, Goku usually doesn't fall short, but he struggles to actually execute his opponents, even after he's given them repeated opportunities at redemption.
Vegeta, on the other hand, won't hesitate to destroy someone who's in his way, and he's even finished off several of Goku's defeats. It's unlikely, but if Vegeta and Goku were ever forced to fight to the death then Vegeta might be the only one from the duo who's actually capable of killing the other, even if Goku has superior strength.