Initial Raditz

[SSJ2]

Similar to how the Z Senshi weren't able to tell that Vegeta was stronger than Nappa upon their arrival, it seems that Raditz standing ki was also far less impressive than his fighting ki. How strong do you think Goku and Piccolo thought he was initially?

 

[GSM123]

Anything between 416 and 1,500. Raditz has done little besides tanking Piccolo’s blast for the Z Fighters to get a glimpse of his strength, and Ki sensing isn’t as mathematically precise as scouters on opponents that aren’t using their Ki. In the example you mentioned, Kuririn and Gohan actually talk about how incredible and demonic Vegeta and Nappa’s Ki are, but it takes the Saiyans showing off for them to know how much.

 

[SSJ2]

Raditz has done little besides tanking Piccolo’s blast for the Z Fighters to get a glimpse of his strength

Spoiler

 

[GSM123]

Shitting on Kuririn and gut kneeling Goku are shit Weighted Goku or Piccolo could replicate tbf. Nothing that shows the true caliber of CHADitz

 

[SSJ2]

Not sure what you’re talking about. There’s no way in hell that Piccolo could pull that off against Goku. And if Krillin was able to discern how powerful Cell was from one blow, why wouldn’t Goku be able to do the same with Raditz? Both he and Piccolo both clearly had an idea of his power given they thought it was unlikely but possible that they could defeat him together.

 

[GSM123]

That’s a good point. But I think we can agree Cell wasn’t just on a relaxed state but also flat out suppressed for him to think Trunks can actually defeat Cell.

I’ll go on a wild guess and say BoZ Goku simply wasn’t as good on Ki sensing as Cell Arc Kuririn. It makes a lot of sense to see Ki sensing as an ability that the Z Fighters keep perfecting as the series goes. Also worth noting that, at least in the panels you posted, Piccolo is the only one surprised by Raditz blitzing him and Goku.

I’d say they thought their odds on Raditz were slim but still there because they just have a general estimative on Raditz. Between 500 and 750 or 800 I’d say, being more likely to beat him if he’s on the low end.

 

[DBZAOTA482]

Not sure what you’re talking about. There’s no way in hell that Piccolo could pull that off against Goku. And if Krillin was able to discern how powerful Cell was from one blow, why wouldn’t Goku be able to do the same with Raditz? Both he and Piccolo both clearly had an idea of his power given they thought it was unlikely but possible that they could defeat him together.

It's likely Raditz was just toying with Goku and Piccolo while Cell deliberately masked his "true" powers to mindfuck Vegeta.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

I'd say this just adds to the many examples of one's standing Ki being far less than their fighting Ki unless they purposely flare it, something made very apparent with Tenshinhan's comment when first seeing Goku's SSJ form against Trunks as well as how Cell underestimated SS2 Gohan and the latter then underestimated SPC. It could also be due to none of the fighters being used to sensing such a high level of Ki before.

As for putting a number on where Piccolo estimated Raditz to be, anywhere from 500+ is fine, though likely not above 1,000 with how shocked he was at the CHADITZ speedblitzing both of them.