Krillin
Earthling Fighter / Tactical GeniusKrillin is Goku's oldest and most loyal friend, the strongest pure-human fighter in Universe 7, and the tactical backbone of the Z-Fighters. Despite being vastly outclassed by Saiyans, his courage, quick thinking, and Destructo Disc precision have saved the team on multiple occasions. This guide breaks down his abilities, power progression, optimal builds, and advanced combat strategies.
1. Overview
Krillin started as a rival student at Master Roshi's Turtle School, initially scheming to beat Goku but quickly becoming his inseparable best friend. Over decades of fighting, Krillin has faced planet-destroying threats with nothing but his human limits and indomitable will. On Planet Namek, his Destructo Disc sliced off Frieza's tail — an achievement no other fighter matched. His death at Frieza's hands triggered Goku's first Super Saiyan transformation. In the Tournament of Power, Krillin's Solar Flare x100 and tactical coordination proved that experience and intelligence can challenge gods. He retired from frontline combat to work as a police officer and raise his family with Android 18, but remains an essential reserve Z-Fighter.
Who should read this guide: Dragon Ball fans who want to understand Krillin's true combat value beyond power level memes, players looking for effective team support strategies in DB games, and anyone interested in how a "weak" character can be decisive against overwhelming odds.
2. Basic Data
Krillin's power progression across Dragon Ball Z and Super tells the story of a human pushing beyond natural limits through training, potential unlocks, and sheer determination.
| Saga / Arc | Power Level | Human Peak | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saiyan Saga | 1,770 | ~3,500 (Saibaman) | Outclassed but held own against Saibamen |
| Namek (pre-Guru) | ~1,500 | ~5,000 (Vegeta) | Struggled against Guldo, Recoome |
| Namek (post-Guru) | ~10,000 | ~75,000 (Ginyu Force) | Significant boost from potential unlock |
| Frieza Saga | ~75,000 | 12,000,000 (base Frieza) | Destructo Disc posed real threat to Frieza |
| Android Saga | ~100,000 | ~500,000,000 (Semi-Perfect Cell) | Completely outclassed but fought Cell Jrs |
| Buu Saga | ~150,000 | ~3,000,000,000 (Super Buu) | Support role, Spirit Bomb contribution |
| Tournament of Power | ~5e10 (skill-based) | ~5e13 (SSB Goku) | Tactical MVP, eliminated by Majora only |
The key takeaway: Krillin's power level is laughable compared to Saiyans, but his effective combat contribution is far higher than raw numbers suggest. His Destructo Disc ignores power level gaps entirely, and his tactical awareness makes him a force multiplier for his team.
3. Ability Analysis
Krillin has the most versatile technique arsenal among Earthling fighters. Each ability serves a specific tactical purpose.
Destructo Disc (Kienzan)
Mechanism: A razor-thin energy disc that can cut through almost any material, ignoring conventional durability scaling. The disc's edge is molecular-thin and generates a cutting field that bypasses standard ki defenses.
Best use: Against larger, slower opponents who cannot dodge easily. Frieza's tail was sliced clean off because he underestimated the technique.
Common mistake: Trying to use it at close range against fast opponents. The disc requires full concentration to control — throwing it recklessly leaves Krillin exposed.
Solar Flare (Taiyoken)
Mechanism: Emits an intense burst of light from the user's body, temporarily blinding all who see it. Requires no ki projection, only a flash of stored energy.
Best use: Creating escape windows, setting up team attacks, disorienting multiple opponents at once. Krillin's enhanced version (Solar Flare x100) in the Tournament of Power had enough intensity to momentarily blind God-tier opponents.
Common mistake: Using it without a follow-up plan. The blind lasts 3-5 seconds — if you don't attack or reposition during that window, the advantage is wasted.
Scattering Bullet
Mechanism: Fires dozens of small ki projectiles in a spread pattern, covering a wide area. Ideal for suppressing groups or forcing opponents to dodge into a teammate's attack.
Best use: Area denial against multiple weaker enemies, or as a zoning tool to control the battlefield.
Common mistake: Expecting individual projectiles to deal significant damage. The Scattering Bullet is a control tool, not a finisher.
Kamehameha
Mechanism: The Turtle School's signature energy wave. Krillin's version is weaker than Goku's but more energy-efficient, allowing sustained firing.
Best use: As a follow-up after Solar Flare blindness or as a combo finisher when an opponent is pinned by a teammate.
4. Build Recommendations
Krillin's playstyle varies significantly depending on the game or combat scenario. Here are three optimized builds for different contexts.
Build A: Tactical Support (Recommended for Team Fights)
Primary techniques: Solar Flare x100, Scattering Bullet, Destructo Disc
Role: Crowd control and setup. Blind enemies with Solar Flare, create chaos with Scattering Bullet, then clean up with Destructo Disc on isolated targets.
Best for: Tournament of Power style multi-team battles where coordination matters more than raw power.
Not recommended for: One-on-one duels against power-level dominant opponents. This build sacrifices personal offense for team support.
Build B: Precision Striker (Solo Duels)
Primary techniques: Destructo Disc, Kamehameha, Solar Flare
Role: Bait and punish. Use Solar Flare to create an opening, follow with Kamehameha for shield pressure, then finish with a well-aimed Destructo Disc when the opponent commits to an attack.
Best for: Opponents who rely on charge-up attacks or have predictable patterns.
Not recommended for: Speed-type fighters who can close distance faster than the Destructo Disc can form.
Build C: Endurance Fighter (Extended Engagements)
Primary techniques: Kamehameha (sustained fire), Afterimage Technique, basic ki blasts
Role: Bait the opponent into wasting energy. Krillin's smaller frame and faster recovery make him harder to hit, and his energy-efficient techniques let him outlast power-hungry Saiyans in extended exchanges.
Best for: Opponents who rely on large, expensive attacks that drain their stamina quickly.
Not recommended for: Opponents who heal or regenerate faster than Krillin can chip away at them.
5. Strategy Guide
Krillin's combat approach changes drastically depending on which saga or power bracket he operates in.
Early Dragon Ball (Pre-Saiyan)
Krillin relies on speed and technique. During the World Martial Arts Tournament arcs, his fighting style emphasizes grappling, ring-out tactics, and deceptive movement. His key advantage is unpredictability — unlike Goku's straightforward rushdown, Krillin uses feints and misdirection.
Mid Game (Saiyan through Frieza)
This is Krillin's peak relevance period. Against the Saiyans, he holds his own against Saibamen. On Namek, his tactical decisions drive the plot: retrieving the Dragon Balls, freeing Dende, the crucial Destructo Disc against Frieza. The key lesson: In this power bracket (10,000-100,000), Krillin is a legitimate threat. His role shifts from frontliner to tactical operator. Action checklist: identify the enemy's weak point, create a diversion, strike with precision.
Late Game (Android through Tournament of Power)
The power gap is now insurmountable in direct combat. Krillin adapts by becoming a pure support fighter. His role: protect weaker allies, set up combo opportunities for Goku/Vegeta, use Solar Flare as a clutch escape tool. In the Tournament of Power, Krillin's elimination of several Universe 4 fighters proves that even a 5e10 fighter can compete in a 5e13 battlefield through teamwork and creativity.
6. Matchup Analysis
| Opponent | Difficulty | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Frieza (1st form) | Hard | Caught him off guard with Destructo Disc. Never face head-on — use distractions and precise cuts. |
| Cell Jrs | Very Hard | Team coordination only. Solar Flare + retreat. Solo engagement leads to quick defeat. |
| Saibamen | Even | Krillin's power level matches. Use Kamehameha for distance control; watch for self-destruct. |
| Guldo (Ginyu Force) | Hard (with Gohan) | 2v1 teamwork was essential. Guldo's time-freeze requires rapid decisive action before he activates it. |
| Android 18 | Impossible | Don't fight — talk. Krillin's refusal to destroy 18's remote was his smartest non-combat decision. |
| Majora (ToP) | Loss | Fell to Majora's insect power. Lesson: some hax abilities counter even the best tactical play. |
7. Expert Tips
Hidden mechanics and advanced insights that most fans miss about Krillin.
- •Destructo Disc homing: Unlike most energy attacks, Krillin can control the Kienzan's trajectory mid-flight with hand gestures. If the initial throw misses, redirect it instead of canceling.
- •Solar Flare x100 cost: Krillin's Tournament of Power version costs 100x the ki but only extends blind duration by about 2x. The primary benefit is the intensity — it bypasses God-ki perception filters.
- •Afterimage follow-up: Krillin is one of the few fighters who uses Afterimage not just to dodge but to reposition behind the attacker for a Destructo Disc toss. This combo is one of his strongest offensive tools.
- •Fighting with numbers disadvantage: Krillin's best performances come when he is the underdog. He has never won a fair fight — and that's the point. His psychology is optimized for impossible odds.
Top 3 Common Mistakes
- 1.Charging Kamehameha in the open: Krillin's Kamehameha charge time is longer than Goku's. Always use Solar Flare or a teammate's distraction before committing to a charged attack.
- 2.Overcommitting to Destructo Disc: Missing the disc leaves Krillin defenseless for 2-3 seconds. Have a retreat plan before you throw it.
- 3.Fighting pridefully: Krillin's strength is knowing when to retreat. Trying to prove himself in direct combat against Saiyans is his most consistent mistake in the series.
8. FAQ
How strong is Krillin compared to other humans?
Krillin is definitively the strongest pure human in the Dragon Ball universe. By the Tournament of Power, his effective combat power through skill-based scaling puts him far above any other Earthling fighter, including Tien (who has a higher power level but less combat efficiency) and Yamcha. The only human who might rival him is Uub (Mr. Buu's human reincarnation).
Could Krillin beat Yamcha in a fight?
Yes, decisively. Yamcha's power level in the Saiyan Saga was ~1,480 compared to Krillin's 1,770. More importantly, Krillin has continued training and fighting in every saga, while Yamcha retired after the Saiyan conflict. Krillin's Destructo Disc alone gives him a technique Yamcha has no answer for.
Why did Toriyama reduce Krillin's role after Namek?
The power scaling in Dragon Ball Z naturally left human characters behind as the story shifted to Super Saiyans and gods. Krillin's peak narrative relevance was the Namek/Frieza saga, where his power level was still in a useful range. After that, Toriyama shifted Krillin to a support role — a practical decision driven by the story's escalation rather than a character slight.
What is Krillin's job after Dragon Ball Z?
Krillin works as a police officer in Dragon Ball Super. He has a wife (Android 18) and a daughter named Marron. Despite his peaceful civilian life, he remains available as a reserve Z-Fighter and regularly participates in world-threatening events when called upon.
Can Krillin use Kaioken?
No. The Kaioken technique was taught to Goku exclusively by King Kai. Krillin trained under King Kai during the Saiyan Saga preparation but was not taught Kaioken. The technique requires an extremely durable Saiyan body to handle the strain — a human body would tear itself apart attempting it.
