Pride Troopers

Overview

The Pride Troopers are Universe 11's premier superhero organization, dedicated to protecting the innocent and upholding justice across their universe. Operating under a strict moral code that emphasizes honor, teamwork, and selflessness, the Pride Troopers represent the pinnacle of heroic virtue in the Dragon Ball multiverse. Introduced during Dragon Ball Super's Tournament of Power arc, they quickly established themselves as the most formidable team in the competition and the primary obstacle to Universe 7's survival.

Unlike Universe 7's Z-Fighters, who operate informally as a loose collection of friends and allies, the Pride Troopers function as a structured organization with a clear hierarchy, uniforms, and a public presence. They are beloved heroes on their home planet who actively patrol for threats and respond to disasters. This professional approach to heroism reflects Universe 11's advanced civilization and its emphasis on order, justice, and moral righteousness. The Pride Troopers are led by Jiren, the silent and incredibly powerful ace, with Toppo serving as the team's inspirational leader and public face.

The team's philosophy centers on the concept that justice must be actively enforced rather than passively hoped for. This proactive approach means the Pride Troopers do not wait for villains to strike before responding; they actively seek out and neutralize threats before they can cause harm. While this approach has made Universe 11 one of the safest universes in existence, it has also created philosophical tensions with Universe 7's more reactive approach to conflict, a difference that became central to the Tournament of Power's narrative.

Mechanics & Rules

The Pride Troopers operate under a clearly defined organizational structure. At the top sits Jiren, the team's strongest member, who serves as the ultimate authority in combat situations. Below him is Toppo, the team's leader and God of Destruction candidate, who handles strategic decisions and team coordination. Dyspo serves as the third-ranking member, specializing in speed-based combat and flanking maneuvers. The remaining members support these three primary fighters, each bringing specialized skills to the team's operations.

Teamwork is not just encouraged among the Pride Troopers but enforced through their training doctrine. Unlike Universe 7's fighters, who primarily fight as individuals, the Pride Troopers are drilled in coordinated attack patterns, defensive formations, and combination techniques. This was demonstrated during the Tournament of Power when multiple Pride Troopers worked together to corner Universe 7's fighters, using their individual abilities to create openings for their teammates. Their coordinated approach made them exponentially more dangerous than the sum of their individual parts.

A key rule governing the Pride Troopers is their code of honor, which prohibits underhanded tactics and requires them to fight fairly. This code was put to the test during the Tournament of Power, particularly when Toppo refused to target weakened opponents and insisted on facing challenges head-on. However, this code also creates a predictable combat pattern that more tactical opponents, like Vegeta, were able to exploit. The tension between their honor code and the pragmatic demands of survival became a central theme of the Pride Troopers' arc.

Types & Classifications

• Jiren: The silent ace of the Pride Troopers and the strongest mortal in Universe 11. Jiren's power rivals that of a God of Destruction, making him one of the most formidable opponents in the entire Dragon Ball multiverse. He relies on overwhelming strength, superhuman speed, and a meditation-based power that allows him to focus his ki to extraordinary levels.
• Toppo: The leader of the Pride Troopers and a God of Destruction candidate. Toppo is a large, powerful fighter who wields a unique brand of justice-infused energy. During the Tournament of Power, he awakened his God of Destruction powers, gaining access to Hakai energy that could erase opponents from existence.
• Dyspo: The fastest warrior in the Pride Troopers. Dyspo's speed is so immense that he can outpace even warriors with advanced sensing abilities. He uses his speed to create afterimages, flank opponents, and deliver rapid-fire attacks that overwhelm defenses. His "Justice Rush" technique is a devastating speed-based assault.
• Support Members: The Pride Troopers include numerous lower-ranked members such as Kahseral (who uses energy constructs), Cocotte (who creates dimensional barriers), Kettle (a large durable fighter), Tupper (who can enlarge his body), Zoiray (a speedster), and Professor (a tactical support member). Each brings specialized abilities that support the team's overall strategy.
• God of Destruction Candidate (Toppo): A special classification within the Pride Troopers. Toppo was selected by Universe 11's God of Destruction, Vermoud, to eventually succeed him. This selection grants Toppo access to God of Destruction training and the ability to use Hakai, the power of destruction that can erase anything from existence.

Notable Users & Examples

• Jiren vs. Universe 7: During the Tournament of Power, Jiren single-handedly eliminated nearly all of Universe 7's fighters, including Vegeta, Hit, and multiple other powerful warriors. His battle with Goku triggered Goku's first mastery of Ultra Instinct, pushing the Saiyan to heights he had never reached before.
• Toppo vs. Vegeta: Toppo's transformation into a God of Destruction candidate created one of the Tournament of Power's most intense battles. Vegeta was forced to use his Final Explosion technique, a self-sacrificing attack that pushed Toppo out of the ring and eliminated the Pride Trooper leader.
• Dyspo vs. Frieza and Android 17: Dyspo's incredible speed made him a formidable opponent that even Gohan could not defeat. He was ultimately outsmarted by Android 17's tactical trap combined with Frieza's precision attacks, demonstrating that even the fastest warrior can be defeated with proper strategy.
• Pride Trooper Team Tactics: In the early stages of the Tournament of Power, the Pride Troopers demonstrated their coordinated combat style by isolating and eliminating weaker Universe 7 fighters while conserving their own team's strength for the later stages of the battle royale.
• Jiren's Backstory: Jiren's motivation was revealed through flashbacks showing his master, parents, and friends being killed by a powerful villain. This tragedy drove Jiren to pursue ultimate power so he would never be unable to protect others again. His philosophy of trusting only in his own strength contrasted sharply with Universe 7's emphasis on teamwork and friendship.

Strategic Analysis

The Pride Troopers' greatest strength lies in their coordinated teamwork and tactical discipline. Unlike the Z-Fighters, who often fight as individuals even when on the same team, the Pride Troopers are trained to work as a cohesive unit. Their ability to create combination attacks, cover each other's weaknesses, and execute complex battle plans makes them exponentially more dangerous than their individual power levels would suggest. Any strategy against the Pride Troopers must account for their ability to coordinate effectively in the heat of battle.

However, the Pride Troopers' code of honor creates exploitable weaknesses. Their commitment to fair fighting and their reluctance to use underhanded tactics can be used against them by more pragmatic opponents. Vegeta exploited this by forcing Toppo to choose between his honor and victory, ultimately using the Pride Trooper's own code against him. Additionally, the team's over-reliance on Jiren as their ultimate weapon creates a single point of failure. If Jiren can be neutralized, the remaining Pride Troopers lose their tactical anchor and become significantly less effective.

The Pride Troopers' power scaling presents an interesting strategic paradox. While Jiren is individually stronger than any Universe 7 fighter, the team as a whole lacks the depth of Universe 7's roster. Once Jiren and Toppo were eliminated, the remaining Pride Troopers were easily dispatched. This contrasts with Universe 7, where multiple fighters at various power levels created a more resilient and adaptable team. The lesson is that while having a single overwhelmingly powerful fighter is valuable, a balanced team with multiple competent fighters provides greater strategic flexibility.

FAQ

External Resources

• Pride Troopers — Dragon Ball Wiki
• Jiren — Dragon Ball Wiki