The perception of Majin Vegeta's power-up compared to other potential unlocks

[Spiral-Force]

It seems that Vegeta's power-up from Babidi tends to be used as an example of essentially "cheating" to get stronger (alongside Vegeta's Blutz Wave SSJ4 power-up in GT, but that isn't the focus here)

Is it just due to the themes of villainy and "selling his soul"? If not, what separates it from when Goku and co. get their potential unlocked via magical techniques?

And how risky was Vegeta's decision in hindsight? With the knowledge of Babidi's control over other Majin-powered fighters.

 

[Fantastische Hure]

i don't think diff. from other i think

but maybe the reason they were surprised was because from evil side & vegeta had pride i think

 

[ahill1]

I kind of think it as cheating too, but now remembering Gohan and Kuririn being powered up by Saichoro, I don't think I can find a point that makes one fair and the other "unfair". I think the fact Goku achieved that power on his own while Vegeta had to resort to a third party for that counts (as Vegeta even admits he hated resorting to that), but I also agree that villainy may play a role too, as Kuririn and Gohan were in the good side when getting the boost from Saichoro, really, which may soften our perception of cheating.

 

[GreatSaiyaman123]

It’s cheating because Vegeta did that for the sake of a fight. Gohan and Kuririn were actually in life or death situations, but Vegeta pretty much did doping for the sake of a glorified sparring with Goku.

I’d say it obviously was a risky decision since Vegeta literally sold his soul. He seemed to struggle a lot during Babidi’s ritual and even after, he needed a lot of willpower to keep his mind.

 

[Spiral-Force]

@GreatSaiyaman123 Aren't all potential unlocks ultimately for the sake of fighting? It certainly was in the case of Gohan and Krillin too. A fight is a fight at the end of the day, regardless of purpose.

I can see what you mean by calling it "doping" though, but not because of the power boost per se, moreso the abnormal durability factor that comes with it.

 

[GreatSaiyaman123]

@GreatSaiyaman123 Aren't all potential unlocks ultimately for the sake of fighting? It certainly was in the case of Gohan and Krillin too. A fight is a fight at the end of the day, regardless of purpose.

I can see what you mean by calling it "doping" though, but not because of the power boost per se, moreso the abnormal durability factor that comes with it.

This is just a matter of semantics. Gohan and Kuririn where fighting people who wanted them dead, Vegeta did that for the sake of his pride. His fight with Goku was just for sport, not survival.

 

[Spiral-Force]

Well we both acknowledge that these are fights, so semantics isn't the issue.

I just struggle to see how the reasoning behind a battle somehow has an affect when it comes to a physical analysis.