What if Goku had arrived in time during the Saiyan Saga?

[Ultimate Cell]

Let's say that Goku managed to make it on time and arrives on the battlefield just as Vegeta and Nappa showed up? How would this change things?

 

[Captain Cadaver]

Pretty sure we've had a what-if thread like this in the past, but whatever.

For one, the Z-Warriors wouldn't need to fight the Saibaimen due to not needing to stall and Goku would beat Nappa alone or maybe with minor help from a few fighters as support just to make it go quicker. The Vegeta fight would end up being a lot easier and not have any major casualties, if any. I do still believe the trip to Namek would go ahead due to curiosity of Piccolo's homeworld and perhaps some concern Vegeta may target it, so overall not much changes.

 

[Warmmedown]

I can't see why they would go to Namek. Only Bulma and possibly Piccolo and Gohan would be interested. I don't think Bulma would have made all the effort of searching for the spaceships and travelling so far if it wasn't for wanting to bring back those who died. They only talked about going once they thought there could be dragon balls there.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

I can't see why they would go to Namek. Only Bulma and possibly Piccolo and Gohan would be interested. I don't think Bulma would have made all the effort of searching for the spaceships and travelling so far if it wasn't for wanting to bring back those who died. They only talked about going once they thought there could be dragon balls there.

Vegeta would most likely mention Planet Namek or hint at wanting to visit there if he couldn't get his wish on Earth like in the main timeline. I imagine the only reason Kuririn didn't take this into account in the main timeline when bringing up his statement was that the necessity of going there clouded his judgement somewhat. Given time to reflect on Vegeta's words, he'd probably come to the conclusion that Namek was Vegeta's next target. Either that, or Freeza conquers the Universe.

Now that I think about it, even if they go, it would take longer due to Kuririn taking more time to reflect on it and not making it as imperative as in canon. Even if they're as late as a few minutes or enough time that the Vegeta VS Freeza conflict is still ongoing, Dende would be dead and even should the others survive until Goku arrives and Piccolo fuses with Nail, Kuririn would die against 2nd form Freeza as would Piccolo against 3rd form Freeza and therefore all deaths would be permanent. Gohan would also likely be who Freeza targets instead of Kuririn and who unlocks Goku's Super Saiyan transformation. Goku would likely take things a lot more serious because of this, kill Freeza quite a few minutes earlier and escape the planet with Bulma and whoever's left.

No Trunks or Gohan means #17 and #18 have no resistance after they slaughter the remaining cast. Maybe Bulma could survive long enough to build the Time Machine and go into the past without protection, but it's doubtful. Assuming she does, she'd likely avoid the Z-Warriors and head straight for Gero's lab to assassinate him. Assuming she finds it and Gero hasn't closed his God Tier Gate, Artificial Human Arc doesn't happen and the cast instead get killed by either Future Cell after stealing Bulma's Time Machine six years later or Dabura a year after that.

 

[Warmmedown]

You think Krillin would go out of his way to risk his life to save Namek or even to stop Vegeta from getting his wish?

 

[Captain Cadaver]

He's gone out of his way for far less risking the Earth for some pussy.

 

[Let's Go Fearless!]

Goku and the Z fighters will be able to avoid their death against the Saiyans. Nappa will probably die then Vegeta can probably take care the Z fighters but still have to leave just like how it went out. The Z fighters will not travel to Namek other than if Choutzu and Krillin dies since they can't be brought back by Shenron and with Goku being there so they can avoid that.

Vegeta will have to deal Freeza and his army alone in Namek while he can collect the Namek's DBs by outsmarting Freeza but will he will probably kill Guru for not telling him how to summon the dragon thus indirectly killing Porunga as well. Vegeta probably dies against Freeza or he might be able to survive and escape totravel back to Earth and fight the Z fighters again and will not kill Piccolo this time but he won't receiving another chance to leave again and will ultimately die IMO.

 

[withheldforprivacy]

Pretty sure we've had a what-if thread like this in the past, but whatever.

For one, the Z-Warriors wouldn't need to fight the Saibaimen due to not needing to stall and Goku would beat Nappa alone or maybe with minor help from a few fighters as support just to make it go quicker. The Vegeta fight would end up being a lot easier and not have any major casualties, if any. I do still believe the trip to Namek would go ahead due to curiosity of Piccolo's homeworld and perhaps some concern Vegeta may target it, so overall not much changes.

I think that, if Goku had arrived on time, Vegeta wouldn't have escaped alive, as Movies 2-4 imply (in my headcanon, they're part of a universe where Goku arrived on time). If they forget about Namek, everybody remains at a very low PL and Androids fuck up everything.
If we assume the gang decides to go to Namek just to study Piccolo's background, the mission consists of Bulma, Gohan, Krillin and Piccolo. Even though
Vegeta is out of the picture, Goku still has a motive to do the 100x gravity training and go to Namek once Bulma informs her father about guys stronger than Vegeta existing.
Guru unlocks Piccolo's potential as well (for simplicity reasons, that raises him to his post King Kai level). When Ginyu Forces arrive, Piccolo wipes out all of them. I don't think Ginyu uses his body swap, since Piccolo is not as forgiving as Goku and does not give him a chance to escape. Goku arrives and
joins them soon after. Piccolo fuses with Nail and defeats Freeza easily.
Bulma comes from the future and warns them about Androids. At Androids Saga, Piccolo saves Goku instead of Vegeta. Goku and Gohan train at ROSAT earlier than in canon and Cell is killed before reaching his perfect form.
7 years later, Dabura is defeated and no Buu. BOG/FNF/U6 sagas happen without Vegeta. If Bulma manages to come from the future again and warn them about Zamasu, Goku loses without Vegeta's help, so Zero Mortals Plan succeeds.

 

[Flame]

-No one dies
-No one goes to Namek
-Goku dies of heart virus
-Androids kill everyone