No, Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta Doesn't Create a Dragon Ball Super Plot Hole And Here's Why

Super Saiyan 3 is one of the flashiest transformations in Dragon Ball but also one of the most misunderstood. Fans often associate the form with raw power and overlook the drawbacks. In episode #12 of Dragon Ball Daima, when Vegeta revealed his Super Saiyan 3 transformation, some fans immediately questioned why he didn’t use the form during Dragon Ball Super, particularly when he fought against Beerus at the start of the series, enraged because the God of Destruction had struck Bulma.

Many fans thought that this creates a plot hole that makes it even harder to reconcile the events of Dragon Ball Daima with Dragon Ball Super. However, there is a plausible in-universe explanation. It all goes back to the shortcomings of the Super Saiyan 3 form, as were shown originally in Dragon Ball Z.

Super Saiyan 3 Is a Form That Has Massive Drawbacks

The Transformation Drains Far Too Much Energy to Be Considered an Efficient Form

Super Saiyan 3 is one of the series’ most powerful transformations, but its drawbacks make it far from a perfect form. The biggest issue is the immense strain it puts on the fighter’s energy and body, draining them quicker than other transformations. While SSJ3 may grant a significant boost in power, strength, and speed, it does so at the cost of their stamina. This is proven by Goku during his battle with Majin Buu when he admitted that he was unable to maintain the form for long periods of time.

Due to the strain, it makes the form a risky choice in any battle that can’t be quickly resolved. Another major drawback is that Super Saiyan 3 requires an enormous amount of ki to even achieve the transformation. This means that even before the form is used, it drains too much of the fighter’s energy, which continues to quickly burn out as they attempt to sustain the form. Even when Goku and Vegeta have the capacity to achieve Super Saiyan 3, they don’t actively use it in battle simply because it’s not as advantageous as some may believe.

The Energy Drain of SSJ3 Doesn’t Mix Well With Long, Drawn-Out Fights

Vegeta and Goku’s Refusal To Use Super Saiyan 3 Is Directly Due to Its Inefficiency

Due to this energy drain, Super Saiyan 3 is ill-equipped for drawn-out battles. With the rapid depletion of ki, the form leaves the Saiyans fatigued and vulnerable if the fight drags on longer than they can hold out. This makes it especially difficult to use, considering it doesn’t suit Goku or Vegeta’s fighting style. They are well aware that running out of stamina mid-fight is synonymous with defeat, and Super Saiyan 3’s inefficiency would leave them at a severe disadvantage.

The form becomes more detrimental than useful when it’s used against enemies who can withstand the initial burst of power SSJ3 provides. Therefore, the reason Vegeta refuses to rely on the transformation in Dragon Ball Super is that he has a deeper understanding of tactical combat and chooses forms that promise long-lasting sustainability. After the initial advantage the form may provide, it will ultimately do more harm than good in a prolonged battle, making it a poor fit for Vegeta to use in a battle where any moment of weakness could lead to his downfall.

An Enhanced Super Saiyan 2 Provides Power Without Risking the Same Strain as Super Saiyan 3

Some Forms Are Not Worth the Strain They Put On the Fighters

Instead of using Super Saiyan 3, Vegeta prioritizes an enhanced Super Saiyan 2 form in Dragon Ball Super (before unlocking God Ki) in order to balance power with endurance. Vegeta chose to train his body in order to make Super Saiyan 2 more powerful than its traditional limitations. Similar to Vegeta’s refusal to use Future Trunks’ Third Grade form during the fight against Cell, he understands that endurance in battle is more important than momentary strength. By fighting in a sustainable form, Vegeta can build a solid foundation that allows him to fight smarter, conserve energy, and meet challenges without unnecessary risk.

His transformation into a Super Saiyan 3 in Daima doesn’t create any plot holes in the story due to the fact that it remains an energy-draining transformation. Rather than relying on a form that only offers diminishing returns due to its drawbacks, Vegeta takes a smarter approach by focusing on mastering other forms that work best with its fighting style. By not using Super Saiyan 3 in later arcs of Dragon Ball, Vegeta can focus his energy on achieving power through energy-efficient means and discipline.