Battle Level vs Match Level

[SSJ2]

I can see why you'd come to that conclusion, but after rereading it I feel like Goku was always a step or so ahead. Tenshinhan was certainly close, but to me it looked more like Goku vs Cell. Let me know when you reread it.

 

[p123]

Honestly, this resembles Jackie Chun vs Goku for me. They are about the same level, but Goku is just more skilled, determined, etc.

Round 1 Goku beats Tien in their first round fair and square. But it's not really a power thing, just a skill issue from what I can see.

Round 2 is Goku not falling for the Solar Flare and hitting Tien while he's open. Tien counters while Goku is slacking giving the glasses back.

Round 3 Chaozu is paralyzing Goku.

Round 4 Tien's 4 arms vs Goku's 8. Now this is the round where you can suggest a large gap. Goku someone is able to speed past Tien's advantage and gives Tien a literal whooping. I still can't help it comes down to technique here and although Goku doesn't have 8 arms in actuality, it's pretty much like he does.

All in all, it's the same as Jackie Chun vs Goku in the 21st Budokai. Goku is too tough to beat head on, so the opponent goes to tactics which Goku uses better than them and gets the advantage.


So all in all, a small gap is still doable in my book. I think Goku is just a nightmare to deal with at equal levels, he seems to put a whooping on everyone with powers in close proximity to him. I think Roshi, Gohan, Tien and Piccolo can all agree with that.

 

[SSJ2]

You raise a good point about Goku being more effective in most equal powers battles, perhaps I'd lower my 1.1x slightly due to Goku's skill. I still see him being a bit higher than near even with Ten due to out-speeding him on multiple occasions. His attacks also seemed more damaging to Tenshinhan than vice-versa in my opinion. It got to the point where Tenshinhan had to use the Kikoho to destroy the ring because he was getting beaten so badly.

 

[p123]

It's the same exact thing against Jackie Chun. Jackie Chun proved he was Goku's equal with the Kamehameha and even hand fighting initially. Yet, Jackie is forced to resort to his paralyzing technique because Goku keeps coming out on top. It's the same scenario here, it's not so much the power and speed, it's the skill.