The Saiyans are arguably the most powerful warrior race in the universe ofDragon Ball. Each member of this elite species can attain magnificent heights of power, decimating any enemy that might stand in their way. These Saiyans have managed to decimate their foes time and time again. This is in no small part due to their stubbornness and the will to persevere against the most unrealistic odds imaginable.
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Saiyans' power as fighters is mainly due to the slew of abilities that they have at their disposal. These allow them to become absolute behemoths in terms of raw power, and let them unlock and utilize skills that can turn the tide of battle in an instant. With this in mind, here are ten of the strongest abilities in a Saiyan’s arsenal that allows them to become the apex fighter in combat.
Updated on July 30, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:Saiyans are one of the most powerful and dominant races in the universe ofDragon Ball. They might’ve been oppressed by Frieza for the longest time, but, in the end, it was a Saiyan who defeated this tyrant once and for all. This race has exhibited several powers that make them such dominant warriors on the battlefield, and here’s a look at some of the most useful andbest Saiyan abilitiesthat help them in their quest to achieve victory at all costs.
13Reading Minds
This ability has been used sparingly through the series. Still, there’s no denying the fact that Saiyans definitely can read minds when the situation arises.
Perhaps the most notable example of this is whenVegeta communicates with Goku, while the latter suffers a heart illness in his fight against Android 19. Other moments include Vegeta and Goku reading Buu’s mind, and Goku reading Krillin’s mind during the Trunks saga.
12Telekinesis
Another sparingly-used ability in the series is Telekinesis. The ability to move objects with one’s mind can definitely augment the strength of a Saiyan quite a bit. However, it causes a massive strain on the bodies of Saiyans, who’d prefer to use their energy in more efficient ways.
Thus, Telekinesis has been used mostly as a means to hone a Saiyan’s mind in training. One example is when Vegeta used this ability to train in space during the Garlic Jr. Saga.
11Zenkai Boost
This boost was seemingly only relevant during the Frieza Saga, and has been forgotten since. The Zenkai Boost is an incredibly powerful ability, which allows for Saiyans to reach new heights in power once they’ve faced a near-death experience.
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The biggest benefactor of this is Vegeta. He ends up using the Zenkai Boost several times to increase his power levels to stand toe-to-toe with Frieza and his henchmen.
10Great Ape Transformation
This is one of the most iconic abilities in a Saiyan’s arsenal. Long-time fans ofDragon Ballwill look back on fondly at the times when the Saiyans would regularly transform into a Great Ape (or an imitation of it) upon looking at the full moon.
A Saiyan’s power multiplies dramatically upon transforming into a Great Ape. Some fighters can retain their sanity in this state as well. It’s a form that was more relevant in the early days ofDragon Ball, but is still something to be feared regardless.
9Expedited Healing
The Saiyans are hell-bent on fighting in every way, shape, and form. It goes without saying that members of such a race would obviously get injured several times in their pressing need to quench their thirst for battle.
Thankfully, Saiyans don’t have to worry too much about sustaining permanent injuries. Their innate healing abilities are strong enough to take care of most wounds, without needing an extended recovery time or having to face long-term injuries.
8Incredible Agility
Saiyans are incredibly fast in battle, to the point where the normal eye won’t even be able to follow their movements. This agility is what lets them keep up with powerful opponents and beat them into submission.
There’s a reason why the Hybrid Super Saiyan form that increased muscle mass ended up being so ineffective in battle. Sure, a Saiyan’s power is increased heavily in this form, but this comes at the cost of lowered speed that leads to opponents dodging all their attacks with ease. As Future Trunks’s battle with Cell proved, all the power in the world means nothing if no direct hits can be made.
7Unbelievable Levels Of Durability
Saiyans are extremely durable in combat, being able to take way more punishment than they should be able to. A normal human would not have the will to fight after being forced to bear the brunt of some thunderous attacks, but Saiyans always manage to get up after receiving some really damaging beatdowns.
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It’s this durability that lets them fight to the very end and win the battles they are thrust into. The Kaio-ken takes a huge strain on a user’s body, yetGoku always tries to fight past this painand best his foe, even though each muscle in his body is screaming out in pain. It is not just that Saiyans can take a beating, but they come out of these encounters stronger than before.
6Keen Senses
Being able to sense danger is a huge part of what makes Saiyans so effective in combat. Their amazing sensory capabilities let them sniff out powerful attacks before they can even land and dodge them with ease.
These senses also help them offensively, letting them figure out the weak spots and openings left by their opponents before targeting them for massive damage.Being in touch with one’s sensesis important to secure victory, and the Saiyans are pretty adept in this regard. While this talent is not exclusive to Saiyans, it is also not something that everyone can pick up, as proven by Frieza during the Namek arc.
5Ki Manipulation
One of the most powerful abilities a Saiyan has in their arsenal is the ability to manipulate the ki in their bodies tocraft unique and powerful energy attacks. These form the bulk of their offense in battle.
It’s true that other races in theDragon Ballseries —especially humans— have shown the ability to manipulate ki as well. Still, Saiyans have a greater knack for doing so and are more naturally talented when it comes to using their ki as a weapon in battle.
4Hybrid Saiyan Power Boost
This is an advantage only reserved for Hybrid Saiyans. The children of theDragon Ballseries with Saiyan blood in them manage to unlock powerful transformations and high-level abilities. What’s more, they don’t have to do rigorous training to achieve this.
This is mainly due to the fact that Hybrid Saiyans are more naturally inclined toward attaining massive levels of power and don’t really have to struggle for them. However, unlike pure-blooded Saiyans, these hybrids don’t have the warrior spirit in them, making them more complacent in these matters.
