Maximum ki level and raising ki level

[Pinky]

I just want to talk about power levels and how everyone here at CDBZ defines "maximum ki."

In the manga a properly trained character's power level can rise beyond their natural limit by converting stamina into ki energy. For instance, Son Goku had a power level of around ~500, and he could instantly double it to nearly 1,000 by using the Chou Kamehameha.

So, what do the power levels of CDBZ characters really mean? Do they represent the natural level or the absolute maximum? If it's only the natural level then is the maximum twice that, or more/less?

How much can a technique modify a character's power level, and at what cost? If the stamina stat is equal to the character's average stat (all stats combined divided by the number of different stats), or more or less, then how far can they take it?

Can a character with low speed use ki energy to make themself faster, or a weak character increase their strength, and by how much? Similarly, can a fast character become even faster, or a stronger character become even stronger, and by how much?

[Tamsin]

The stats shown represent the absolute maximum an individual can achieve at the given time. Through training however, he can increase his level in any of the stats.

[Pinky]

But that doesn't ansewer even one of the questions. How far can a single physical stat be manipulated by ki energy, and for how long? Is there a numerical value, or is it relative to how much stamina a character has at that given point?

[Deo]

Do you mean like with a stat enhancing technique? Like Raditzu's one that boosts his speed?

[Pinky]

yeah. how far is too far, what are the limitations, how bad is the drain on stamina, etc

[Deo]

I really think that would be up to staff. I mean, if it gives you a stat boost equal to a tier power up, it's probably too far.

[Drake]

Well like it was in the manga, Vegeta and Nappa could not raise their power level they were 16,000 and that was it. The ability to raise and lower power levels seemed to be lost on the saiyajins but something the people from earth were capable of- just like sensing power levels.

The best way to describe it would be like pumping yourself up, it's why you see the characters powering up even though they've already transformed or haven't. It was a way of reinforcing themselves.

[Super Buu]

The easiest way to say it is that Chubbs characters can do all the same things - fire massive beams, get angry/pumped up - it just doesn't affect their powerlevel as such, because charting it all would get too complicated.

[Celena]

However I'd tend to make it look realistic. For instance if I had my character pump up like the hulk (ew) I'd RP her with a dramatic decrease in speed, but as Buu said, it wouldn't affect power level.

[Deo]

I think we had a discussion about that concept in my USSj thread, where the 20x for all stats multiplier was shifted so there was more in attack and defense, and less in speed and stamina.

[Pinky]

Originally posted by Kakarot
Well like it was in the manga, Vegeta and Nappa could not raise their power level they were 16,000 and that was it. The ability to raise and lower power levels seemed to be lost on the saiyajins but something the people from earth were capable of- just like sensing power levels.

The best way to describe it would be like pumping yourself up, it's why you see the characters powering up even though they've already transformed or haven't. It was a way of reinforcing themselves.

Hm, this makes sense, and I know that raising ki energy is a trained skill and not soe default ability. And, in the manga, Vegeta's Gallick Gun increased his overall power level by 1/3 for the duration of the attack and even before Goku learned Kaioken he could double his power level with Chou Kamehameha

So I guess my question now is how do special moves affect power levels in CDBZ.

[Pinky]

damn quote button right next to edit button

[Sage]

Moves don't affect powerlevel or stats, k?

The stats listed are your absolute awesomest stats available. Normally, you'd probably be walking around as a much weaker person, since being at max all the time would be a huge drain on you.

Some people mentioned that Rad has a move that makes him faster. Not true. Well, it is, but not really. His physical capabilities don't change; he uses energy to reduce or remove the friction around him and then propel himself through the air.

It's the same idea with aerodynamics, basically. Less drag = less friction, and less friction = more speed.

We do, occasionally, allow moves that somewhat alter the stats available to a character, but it's an ambiguous alteration; there is not set number for abilities like those.