Bardock’s Power Before Becoming a Super Saiyan: An Analysis of His Strength

In the expansive universe of Dragon Ball, characters like Bardock, the father of Goku, play crucial roles in the development of the Saiyan race. This article delves into Bardock's strength before he ultimately became a Super Saiyan, drawing on fan theories and the events of the Saiyan Saga.

Introduction to Bardock's Character

Bardock is a key figure in the Dragon Ball series, serving initially as a warrior under Frieza's command. His ultimate fate as a Super Saiyan serves to highlight the potential and growth that lies within the Saiyan race. However, it is essential to understand his capabilities before this transformation to appreciate the significance of his journey.

Before Bardock's transformation, we see him as a seasoned warrior, capable of taking on formidable opponents with skill and resilience. However, the question often arises: how strong was Bardock before he became a Super Saiyan?

Frieza and Bardock's Mission

Bardock's primary mission with the Frieza Faction was to subdue the Saiyan race on Planet Vegeta. His strength can be gauged from his ability to take on and survive the impacts of Frieza's forces, making him a formidable opponent for any Saiyan within the military hierarchy. He was certainly not the weakest of Frieza's soldiers, given his role in leading the assault on Vegeta Squad.

Comparisons and Context

One of the most direct comparisons for Bardock's power is to Goku in the Saiyan Saga (as experienced by Goku) without utilizing the Kaioken technique. Fans often argue that Bardock is slightly stronger because of his resilience, though not overpowering. This resilience suggests that Bardock could absorb and endure significant damage, indicating a power level higher than a newly trained Saiyan.

Bardock's strength before becoming a Super Saiyan also needs to be placed in context with other Frieza's henchmen. Most of Frieza's soldiers were not highly trained or specially mutated for powerful combat; they were simply programmed to follow orders. Without the extensive training and mutations typically seen in higher-ranking soldiers, we can assume Bardock's strength was more in line with his rank in the military hierarchy.

Estimates of Bardock's Power Level

Given the information from the manga and anime, and drawing from fan theories and the Dragon Ball wiki, we can estimate Bardock's power level. It is often cited that Bardock's power level prior to his transformation may have been around 9,000 to 15,000. This estimation is based on his ability to withstand Frieza's troops and the known power levels of other Saiyan warriors of that era.

Additionally, it is speculated that when Bardock was particularly enraged, his power level might have slightly exceeded this range. This is consistent with the behavior and reactions of Saiyan warriors in battle situations, where adrenaline can significantly boost their power output temporarily.

Comparison to Other Saiyan Warriors

In context, Bardock's power level is comparable to that of other experienced Saiyan warriors of the time. For instance, Dodoria, one of Frieza's main lieutenants, had a power level in the mid-20,000s. Since Bardock was strong enough to avoid being instantly killed by Dodoria but not strong enough to defeat him, his power level would likely fall in the 14,000 to 18,000 range.

This estimation takes into account Bardock's skill, resilience, and the nature of his battles with Frieza's forces. While his power might have fluctuated within this range, it is clear that he was a significant force within the Saiyan military hierarchy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bardock's strength before he became a Super Saiyan was a testament to his training and experience. His power level, estimated at around 9,000 to 15,000, placed him as a formidable warrior within the Saiyan ranks. The final range of 14,000 to 18,000, adjusted for instances of maximum output, provides context for his abilities in the face of Frieza's forces and other elite Saiyan warriors.

This analysis highlights the complexity of Bardock's character and his role in the Dragon Ball universe, emphasizing the importance of resilience and skill even outside the confines of a Super Saiyan transformation.