As a hardcore Dragon Ball fan who has followed the entire series, I was shocked when Piccolo unlocked his "Orange" form in Dragon Ball Super, utterly demolishing the Gamma cyborgs. This stoic, solitary Namekian has undergone one of the most incredible redemption arcs across the Dragon Ball sagas. Let‘s analyze Piccolo‘s insane power boosts and unique techniques that make him an ally not to be underestimated!
Piccolo‘s Backstory: From Demon King to Earth‘s Defender
It‘s hard to believe that the righteous Orange Piccolo is originally the evil "Demon King" Piccolo. He was spawned when the Nameless Namekian expelled his evil side, which later reincarnated into King Piccolo, and then the Piccolo Jr we know. As a young fighter, Piccolo killed Goku‘s best friend Krillin and defeated Goku in battle by cheating.
But after fusing with Nail and Kami, Piccolo came to care deeply for Goku and his son Gohan. He fully redeemed himself when he sacrificed his life to protect Gohan from Frieza, paying homage to former nemesis Goku. Today, Piccolo spends most of his time meditating in isolation and mentoring Gohan. He has fully embraced his Namekian heritage as a warrior of duty and justice.
Few characters have undergone such heavy development – from cold-blooded demon to selfless defender. Piccolo defies simplistic tropes of "good vs evil" – he walks a nuanced line between light and darkness. Let‘s see how this complex anti-hero evolved into one of the strongest fighters in the multiverse!
Fusing His Way to Godlike Power
Originally a brilliant strategist who relied on wits rather than brawn, Piccolo‘s first major power boost came from fusing with the Namekian warrior Nail. This instantly skyrocketed his base power well over 100,000x times stronger than Goku‘s was on Planet Namek!
| Character | Approx. Power Level |
|---|---|
| Piccolo (Pre-Nail Fusion) | 500,000 |
| Goku on Namek | 3,000,000 |
| Piccolo (Post-Nail Fusion) | Over 100,000x stronger |
This alone may have put Piccolo on par with Goku‘s Super Saiyan transformation. But Piccolo continued to break his limits, later assimilating with Kami upon returning to Earth. This pushed Piccolo to entirely new heights, with his power now being comparable to a Super Saiyan 2!
| Character | Approx. Power Level |
|---|---|
| Super Saiyan Goku (Namek) | 150,000,000 |
| Ascended Super Saiyan Vegeta | 225,000,000 |
| Ultra Super Saiyan Trunks | 336,000,000 |
| Piccolo (Orange Form) | 1,200,000,000 – 5,000,000,000 |
In Dragon Ball Super, fusing with Namekian brothers allowed Piccolo to unlock his "Giant" form. Later through intense training with Goku, he attained his Orange form. This may put his power on par with Goku and Vegeta in their Super Saiyan God states!
Clearly, Piccolo‘s doughy Namekian physiology gives him an astoundingly high strength ceiling. And that‘s before considering his lethal skills…
Mastering His Directed Energy Attacks
While Super Saiyans overwhelm enemies through massive explosive energy, Piccolo takes a more precise approach with pinpoint ki attacks. His Special Beam Cannon demonstrates superior focus and control to any Kamehameha. He can concentrate his power into a drill-shaped blast to penetrate nearly any defense.
Against Lord Slug, Piccolo charges up a Special Beam Cannon so enormous, it eclipses the darkened sky when fired! He amplifies its piercing power over 50 times against Frost – perhaps over 200 times based on the blast‘s size! The fact that it shatters a barrier that thwarted both base Goku and Frost shows how Piccolo can outmaneuver physically superior foes.
Not just a one-trick pony, Piccolo also utilitizes:
- Scatter Shot – An energy shotgun blast with widespread damage
- Hellzone Grenade – A relentless barrage of energy spheres
- Light Grenade – An explosive attack with divine energy from Kami
- Thunder Shock Surprise – An electric stun blast
- Galaxy Gun – A planet-destroying beam mimicking Vegeta
Unlike Saiyans who overwhelm with raw strength, Piccolo strategizes to exploit weaknesses. He undermines assumptions that "controlled" energy attacks must be weaker. In reality, by focusing his power into smaller areas, each pixel explodes with greater intensity!
Outsmarting His Opponents
While brilliant fighters like Vegeta and Goku have hardened battle instincts, Piccolo pairs strategy with his Namekian hearing and regeneration. He carefully observes opponents for behavioral patterns and weaknesses. Then he devises targeted approaches to break their limits.
Against Frost, Piccolo utilizes the Multi-Form technique to create clones from his body. Frost‘s stronger blows aim at the clones rather than the real Piccolo. This buys Piccolo time to charge up and surprises Frost with a Special Beam Cannon. Frost never stood a chance!
Even when badly injured, Piccolo can strategize thanks to his Namekian regeneration factor. These calculated gambits let Piccolo triumph against physically superior foes like the cyborg Gamma. After being beaten to a pulp, Piccolo tricks Gamma in close and shreds the cyborg with a point-blank attack.
He may not have the raw power of Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, but Piccolo‘s tactical adaptability renders him a threat not to be underestimated. Do NOT turn your back on the Demon King!
The Ultimate Sacrifice…Again and Again
Piccolo‘s sheer grit refuses to give up even when pushed to the brink multiple times. After shielding Gohan from Nappa‘s Bomber DX blast with his body, Piccolo musters just enough life force left for a full-power Special Beam Cannon. This obliterates an off-guard Raditz, sacrificing Piccolo in the process.
Yet the Namekian Dragon Balls resurrect him, letting Piccolo valiantly sacrifice himself a second time! Shielding Gohan from Frieza‘s Death Beam, Piccolo‘s body is utterly obliterated as he expires with tears in his eyes. Few moments capture the redemption of this once cold-hearted demon.
And even when not mortally wounded, Piccolo puts his life on the line battling the androids and Imperfect Cell. This perseverance under pressure is why Goku and Vegeta respect Piccolo as an equal now. Piccolo thinks nothing of throwing himself into the fray if it means protecting Earth. How‘s that for character growth?
Pondering Piccolo‘s Future Limits
With so much latent potential left to tap, Orange Piccolo may conceal even greater strength transformations down the road. Perhaps assimilating with his parallel universe double could push him to new extremes? Fan theories have speculated about fusion with Dende or unlocking Demon Clan ancestry. The Twin Namekians technique could produce a "Super Namekian" iteration of himself merged with Kami!
Or maybe Piccolo doesn‘t need more transformations. Some argue he has already broken beyond his limits by maximizing his Namekian attributes – intellect, skill, and regeneration. Could mastering the "Omnificence of the Gods" allow him to manipulate reality itself? Give him enough senzu beans, and Piccolo might outlast even the most devastating battles!
No matter how the story continues, Piccolo remains a complex and deeply compelling character. His sheer determination and work ethic to never stop overcoming limits make him the perfect rival to push Goku and Vegeta higher. Do NOT sleep on the Demon King – he just may have a few more sinister surprises in store to maintain his position as one of Dragon Ball‘s most legendary fighters!