As a franchise about fighting, Dragon Ball has no shortage of characters versed in martial arts. However, many of these are Saiyans or members of some other alien race. Due to their unique biology, they're able to increase their strength and fight for far longer than their peers. This means that the human beings in this universe are at a fundamental disadvantage, but that doesn't mean that you should count them out

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On the contrary, Dragon Ball has plenty of tough cookies on Earth. These home-grown humans can not only compete with the universe's best, but some of them actually surpass their extraterrestrial competition. If anything, this makes them more admirable as fighters in a crowded arena.

Updated June 9, 2021 by Joseph Heindl: As a franchise about fighting, Dragon Ball has no shortage of characters versed in martial arts. However, many of these are Saiyans or members of some other alien race. Due to their unique biology, they're able to increase their strength and fight for far longer than their peers. This means that the human beings in this universe are at a fundamental disadvantage, but that doesn't mean that you should count them out

On the contrary, Dragon Ball has plenty of tough cookies on Earth. These home-grown humans can not only compete with the universe's best, but some of them actually surpass their extraterrestrial competition. If anything, this makes them more admirable as fighters in a crowded arena.

11 Mercenary Tao

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball – Commander Red Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Super Dodon Wave

A master of the Crane martial arts, Tao is the deadliest warrior in the Red Ribbon Army. He's a ruthless assassin, and that's reflected in his fighting style. Minimal movement is involved as he mostly remains still until the moment he strikes.

This lends a deadly precision to his attacks, taking down even the mightiest targets before anyone knows what happened. That includes Goku, which is more than can be said for the rest of the Red Ribbon Army. He can also toss a wooden pole and jump on it to travel miles in a matter of minutes, which is equal parts awesome and silly. It's just a shame he lost all dignity when he became a cyborg.

10 Yajirobe

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball – King Piccolo Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Iaigiri

This ronin may not look like much, and he indeed would like nothing more than to laze around and eat. However, he will do whatever it takes to achieve those goals. If that means going through a demon or two, then he'll unsheathe his sword without hesitation.

From the moment Goku runs into this guy, he's a walking contradiction. He's a hefty grump, but he makes short work of Cymbal, one of Demon King Piccolo's minions. Keep in mind, these monsters previously showed themselves capable of wiping out the greatest martial artists on Earth. Yet, Yajirobe kills and eats one with no issue. Now, that's dedication to the essentials!

9 Yamcha

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball – Emperor Pilaf Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Spirit Ball

People rag on Krillin for his numerous defeats, but Yamcha is far more useless in the face of big threats. The former desert bandit is repeatedly defeated by the freak of the week.

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That said, he's shown a remarkable ability to keep up with the other Z-fighters, at least to an extent. Let's not forget that he was able to take on the Ginyu Force, and he's often training on a similar level as his friends when the situation calls for action. By default, this means that he's infinitely stronger than the average Earthling.

8 Chi-Chi

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball – Emperor Pilaf Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Blazing Aura

The daughter of the mighty Ox-King makes a heck of a first impression when she decapitates a T-rex with one throw of her blade. She may appear to be a flighty little girl, but she can also be a deadly force of rage when provoked.

This comes to a head once she grows up, fighting Goku at the World Martial Arts Tournament for forgetting his promise to marry her and later braving an adventure with him to retrieve the Bansho-fan. Although she soon settles into domestic life, she never forgets how to handle herself. She even trains her younger son Goten in martial arts, pushing him to transform into a Super Saiyan. Not everyone can keep up with members of this warrior race, let alone challenge them like this. As such, when Chi-Chi shuts down the most powerful fighters on the planet, you know it's not just hot air.

7 Videl

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball Z – Great Saiyaman Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Videl Rush

The daughter of the supposed World Martial Arts champion Mr. Satan, Videl grew up learning the art of combat. She soon became a formidable fighter and surpassed her showboat father. Driven to the test, she routinely fought crime while attending high school, possibly thanks to the energy of youth.

She truly takes off when she learns how to harness ki energy from Gohan. She becomes less driven by reckless anger and more by patience and precision. She even channels it well enough to fly, a feat few Earthlings have achieved. The fact that she was able to reach this milestone so quickly speaks volumes for her skill and determination.

6 Grandpa Gohan

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball – Fortuneteller Baba Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Kamehameha

He may look like a frail old man, but Gohan actually raised the Saiyan baby Goku and trained him in survival and martial arts. Anyone who can claim that clearly has a lot of stamina and fighting expertise.

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He was trained by Master Roshi, which means that he's a top-tier fighter, and he demonstrates his prowess when he acts as Fortuneteller Baba's mightiest warrior. It's here that he fights his adopted grandson, matching him blow for blow even after Goku had already grown stronger from his adventures. When the monkey-tailed hero names his own son in honor of his grandfather, it feels earned due to this great man's invaluable contributions and hard-earned knowledge of his craft.

5 Krillin

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball – Tournament Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Destructo Disc

This bald-headed monk is the butt of many jokes. However, one mustn't overlook that he's still a capable fighter when taken on his own. A glance at any World Martial Arts Tournament shows him mopping the floor with the everyday Earthlings. Not only that, but Krillin also wipes out all of the Saiyans' Saibamen and takes on hundreds of Frieza's troops during each party's invasion.

He's only beaten when going up against the big enemies, a tough test in itself. He may get knocked down, but that doesn't mean he's out. In fact, his craftiness sometimes lets him triumph over his opponents. He eliminates several competitors in the Universal Survival Arc. Viewers have to give this little guy points for trying, especially when he succeeds.

4 Master Roshi

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball – Emperor Pilaf Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Kamehameha

Known as the "Turtle Hermit," Roshi is already a renowned figure when Dragon Ball begins. His martial arts exploits are so legendary that even the most feared warriors, such as the Ox-King, are humbled in his presence. This isn't surprising since he originated the Kamehameha, the destructive energy wave that became a series staple.

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He may not look like much, but he can bulk up to colossal size and brawl with the best of them. That, coupled with a lifetime of experience (possibly more thanks to the Immortality Elixir), puts Roshi among the most admirable fighters on Earth and the 12 universes.

3 Tien

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball – Fortuneteller Baba Saga (filler)/ Tien Shinhan Saga (official)
• Most Powerful Attack: Neo Tri-Beam

Though close friends with the rest of the Z-fighters, Tien is the only Earthling character to keep up his training in times of peace. He's no slouch when it comes to martial arts. His discipline, precision, and gift for channeling ki making him a serious threat to even those far stronger than him.

This three-eyed fighter can devote huge amounts of energy into devastating attacks, often at the risk of his own life. One of his crowning moments is when he takes on Cell, managing to hold the villain off for several precious minutes before blacking out. Who says Goku gets all the heroic moments?

2 Androids 17 & 18

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball Z – Androids Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Self-Destruct

This may be bending the rules a bit, but these siblings were once home-grown humans before Dr. Gero turned them into cyborgs. This conversion made them into immensely powerful killing machines able to defeat the Z-fighters with ease (in two separate timelines).

They can hit as hard as any Super Saiyan, and they have an infinite supply of energy. This can be extremely useful in pinning down their opponents, pelting them with ki blasts before going in for the finishing blow. If their enemies try to retaliate, 17 & 18 always have their energy shields. This means that these two have the best of both worlds with offense and defense.

1 Uub

• Debut Arc: Dragon Ball Z – Kid Buu Saga
• Most Powerful Attack: Chocolate Kamehameha

The benevolent reincarnation of Kid Buu was sure to be one of the best. It stands to reason that this village boy would possess the same raw power, albeit hidden behind a timid exterior that Goku resolves to break. This eventually gives way to a primal rage that proves unstoppable. Despite Goku's years of training, Uub still gives the Saiyan a run for his money.

Following the events of Dragon Ball Z, Uub becomes Goku's student to harness his natural gifts. This presumably makes him an even greater warrior in both mind and body. He buffs up even further considering the events of Dragon Ball GT. After reuniting with Majin Buu, the good-hearted half of his former self, he can go toe-to-toe with the most devastating threats. Greatness sometimes comes from the humblest beginnings.

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