Dragon Ball has long been celebrated for its iconic characters who possess extraordinary abilities, earning a prominent place in the anime and manga genres. From the heroic endeavors of Goku and Vegeta to the efforts of Krillin, Tien, and Yamcha, who brave battles against foes capable of planetary destruction, this series has continually showcased an astonishing array of power levels. With the launch of Dragon Ball Super, new characters boasting even greater strength have emerged, while others have either elevated their capabilities or been left behind.
Despite being the central figure, Goku seldom remains the supreme force in the universe, highlighting the core theme of Dragon Ball: there is always someone stronger. Consequently, Goku often finds himself challenged by characters whose power eclipses his, driving all fighters in the series to evolve continuously. This overview focuses exclusively on the current roster of Dragon Ball Super, deliberately excluding any defeated villains, absent characters, or fusions from the discussion.
10 Piccolo
Piccolo’s Orange Form Elevated His Power Status
As one of the series’ enduring characters, Piccolo has been an integral part of the Dragon Ball saga. However, the rise of Saiyans and Super Saiyans relegated him, and many other Earth heroes, to a secondary role in combat. Despite being the longest-lasting non-Saiyan fighter, Piccolo’s earlier power-ups, including his fusion with Kami, became obsolete with the advent of Super Saiyan 2.
Fortunately, the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero bestowed an impressive boost on Piccolo through his Orange transformation. This new power allows him to contend with many of Earth’s strongest warriors, even though he still falls short of the most formidable opponents in the series.
9 Vegeta
Vegeta’s Journey: A Rivalry with Goku
With the introduction of Dragon Ball Super, fans witnessed a significant expansion of Vegeta’s role. Following the transformation ritual that crowned Goku a Super Saiyan God, Vegeta was propelled into a relentless pursuit of strength, determined to keep pace with his rival.
Now, armed with Ultra Ego—an ability exclusive to Gods of Destruction—Vegeta has regained formidable stature, standing toe-to-toe with Goku once again. The current narrative suggests an era of unparalleled strength, yet even more powerful adversaries are on the horizon.
8 Gohan
Gohan’s Revitalization: The Beast Form
Once celebrated as the most powerful character in the Dragon Ball lore, Gohan’s journey took a downturn following the Cell saga. His anticipated evolution into a protagonist failed to materialize, as Goku resumed the spotlight, leaving Gohan trailing behind.
However, with the advent of his Beast form in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Gohan reclaimed his position among the top-tier fighters, ultimately delivering the decisive blow to Cell Max. His resurgence was further showcased in a sparring match against Ultra Instinct Goku on Beerus’ planet, reaffirming Gohan’s rightful place within the series.
7 Goku
Goku: The Indomitable Protector of Earth
Throughout the Dragon Ball saga, Goku has remained a stalwart defender of Earth, often achieving significant victories despite a fluctuating tournament record. His ultimate technique—Ultra Instinct—allows him to defeat formidable opponents who vastly outweigh him in power.
Goku’s remarkable adaptability and innate fighting instincts enable him to face any adversary head-on. As more powerful fighters emerge within the series, Goku is likely to remain steadfast among the elite warriors of Dragon Ball.
6 Broly
Broly’s Limitless Fury When Provoked
Broly stands out as one of the characters with the greatest potential in the Dragon Ball universe. When his rage reaches a peak, he not only matched but surpassed Super Saiyan Blue Goku and Vegeta during the dramatic battles of Dragon Ball Super: Broly. Ultimately, only through fusion did Goku and Vegeta manage to surpass Broly’s overwhelming strength.
Broly’s potential implies that he could continue to grow exponentially stronger until he either regains control or reaches a destructive tipping point. To be able to exchange blows with Super Saiyan Gogeta post-Tournament of Power showcases his remarkable prowess, a feat not many warriors could boast.
5 Frieza
Frieza: The Resilient Adversary
Frieza was once dismissed as a has-been after facing defeat at the hands of Goku. However, he made a startling comeback, catching up to Super Saiyan Blue Goku and Vegeta after a brief training period. His resurgence proved advantageous during the Universe Survival Saga, and ultimately, he demonstrated his might by effortlessly defeating Ultra Instinct Goku and Ultra Ego Vegeta with his formidable Black Frieza persona.
4 Beerus
Beerus: The God of Destruction’s True Potential
The complexities of power scaling in Dragon Ball become particularly noticeable when divine beings like Beerus enter the fray. As the most powerful Destroyer God, he retains a mysterious aura since viewers have not witnessed the full extent of his combat capabilities. Goku managed to hold his own during their initial confrontation, but Beerus remains unchallenged.
While Goku and Vegeta may possess the potential to contest with him post-fusion, it’s widely assumed that Beerus would still retain a considerable advantage.
3 Whis
Whis: The Angel with Unrevealed Might
While his demeanor might seem nonchalant, Whis is among the most formidable characters within Dragon Ball. Initially introduced alongside Beerus in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, his genuine strength remained largely concealed until revealing his significant responsibilities, including training the God of Destruction himself.
As Goku and Vegeta’s mentor, Whis showcases abilities that surpass mortal comprehension and has demonstrated mastery over Ultra Instinct. In a hypothetical combat scenario against Beerus, Whis would emerge unscathed.
2 The Grand Priest
The Grand Priest: Arbiter of the Multiverse
The hierarchy of divine beings in Dragon Ball is straightforward; angels surpass the Gods of Destruction they are assigned to, and at the top sits The Grand Priest, the father of all angels. He is responsible for maintaining order in the multiverse and has a direct line to the Zenos. Given their playful yet capricious nature, it is likely that The Grand Priest is the true authority, orchestrating events across different realms.
Displaying supernatural composure, The Grand Priest seldom resorts to aggression, yet demonstrates the capability to obliterate any threat without breaking a sweat. No fighter in the Dragon Ball universe could withstand his power.
1 The Zenos
Though the Zenos have never engaged in combat throughout Dragon Ball Super, their omnipotent nature means they have no need to. Any potential threat that could reach them must surpass all Gods of Destruction and angels, only to encounter The Grand Priest last. In the rare event that a conflict did arise, the Zenos could simply erase the adversary from existence at will.
They have previously erased entire timelines, such as during the Goku Black saga. Their formidable power was further demonstrated post-Tournament of Power when they threatened annihilation across all universes. While they may never need to fight, their potential remains unmatched.