How many levels did Perfect Cell have?

[ahill]

Yeah, it was a weird scene for sure

 

[ahill]

Which is also weird that for catching Gohan in a position he'd damage him rendering his arms useless to use as defense, he tricked him by drawing his attention with Freeza's beams, all of which Gohan dodged, which may imply he couldn't walk right through Gohan and do that. So it's strange either way, unless we assume the kick was Cell showing even more power, like quickly raising his power he had in reserves in a rushing moment and time span in a quick and immediate need to keep Gohan from preventing him to do what he intended to the other warriors.

 

[Power Level Guy]

Which is also weird that for catching Gohan in a position he'd damage him rendering his arms useless to use as defense, he tricked him by drawing his attention with Freeza's beams, all of which Gohan dodged, which may imply he couldn't walk right through Gohan and do that. So it's strange either way, unless we assume the kick was Cell showing even more power, like quickly raising his power he had in reserves in a rushing moment and time span in a quick and immediate need to keep Gohan from preventing him to do what he intended to the other warriors.

Exactly. He seemingly admits inferiority when he is forced to resort to ki blasts and a bear hug.

 

[SSJ2]

I don't think it has to be admitting inferiority. Vegeta did the same type of thing against Monster Zarbon despite being stronger. Cell can very well be minimally ahead of Gohan but still choose to use an "underhanded" tactic.

I think it's incorrect to say he was forced to do that given the situation. This obviously isn't true when Cell had so much power in reserve that it seemed like he just wanted to piss off Gohan more than anything - this was the fastest way to do it.

 

[Power Level Guy]

Vegeta did the same thing against Monster Zarbon despite being stronger.

Sure, but Monster Zarbon never did anything to appear superior than Vegeta. Gohan and Cell went head to head and Cell got dropped quick.

Cell can very well be minimally ahead of Gohan but still choose to use an "underhanded" tactic.

Sure, that's possible. Just not how I interpret it overall.

I think it's incorrect to say he was forced to do that given the situation. This obviously isn't true when Cell had so much power in reserve that it seemed like he just wanted to piss off Gohan more than anything - this was the fastest way to do it.

Yes, he doesn't want to go toe to toe because it would take too long. That's the point.

 

[SSJ2]

Sure, but Monster Zarbon never did anything to appear superior than Vegeta. Gohan and Cell went head to head and Cell got dropped quick.

Don't forget that Cell also smashed Gohan before Gohan landed that kick that dropped Cell. It wasn't exactly Gohan showing superiority. It looked like equal powers to me.

Yes, he doesn't want to go toe to toe because it would take too long. That's the point.

Sure, but this can be the case at ~ equal powers.

 

[Power Level Guy]

Don't forget that Cell also smashed Gohan before Gohan landed that kick that dropped Cell. It wasn't exactly Gohan showing superiority. It looked like equal powers to me.

Because Gohan literally wasn't fighting. When Gohan truly puts his best foot forward, he's superior, if he's half assing it, he's weaker. That's my take.