Ever since the beginning of Dragon Ball Z, Goku and Vegeta have shared the spotlight of the Saiyan legacy. Although both warriors are descendants of the same warrior race, their philosophies, personalities, and courses of power have always conflicted against one another. Goku is the free-spirited, fight-craving optimist who never hesitates and forever strives to improve himself and push his limits against the greatest warriors in the universe. Vegeta, on the other hand, is the arrogant prince of the fallen Saiyan legacy, driven by rivalry, atonement, and pride.
In Dragon Ball Super, Vegeta mastered Ultra Instinct instead of Ultra Ego, these differences are amplified as they both pursue godhood in different ways. Goku attains Ultra Instinct, a serene and instinctive form where the body acts without realising it. Vegeta, in contrast, unlocks Ultra Ego, a savage form linked with his native Saiyan pride and destruction energy acquired from the God of Destruction, Beerus.
But what if fate had been different? What if Vegeta, instead of merging with Ultra Ego, had merged with Ultra Instinct? Let’s explore this brain-shattering alternate reality and its implications for the characters, plot lines, and the Dragon Ball universe as a whole.
Understanding Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego
Vegeta Mastered Ultra Instinct Instead of Ultra Ego. Before diving into the hypothetical, we need to understand what sets Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego apart.
Ultra Instinct is a divine skill that separates the awareness from the body, allowing it to move and battle without subjecting it to the thoughts and emotions of a warrior. It’s a form of pure reaction, which is normally accompanied by serenity, inner peace, and flow. The skill was originally achieved by Goku during the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball Super, where he gained a power beyond his capabilities. This type provides unbelievable speed, power, and agility, which makes the user almost invincible in combat.
Ultra Ego, in contrast, is powered by destruction, pride, and aggression. The more the user gets hurt, the stronger they are. It’s powered by the Saiyan’s love for combat and the user’s will to dominate their opponent. The Ultra Ego form unleashes the worst aspect of a Saiyan’s personality, pushing them to unprecedented levels of power and ferocity. This is not an application for the weak-minded, as one has to be capable of accepting the darkness in oneself to triumph on the battlefield.
These two forms reflect the essence of Goku and Vegeta. Goku is naturally suited to the detached, flowing nature of Ultra Instinct, while Vegeta thrives in the raw, destructive intensity of Ultra Ego. But what if Vegeta’s inner journey had led him to the tranquil power of the angels instead?
A Different Path: Vegeta’s Spiritual Awakening
Vegeta’s character arc has always centred on personal evolution from a ruthless villain to a fierce protector and family man. A shift toward Ultra Instinct would require a spiritual transformation. Imagine Vegeta choosing to train with Whis not out of desperation to surpass Goku, but from a deep desire to protect his family and universe with clarity and precision. Under Whis’s guidance, he would learn to silence his pride and ego, embracing the serenity required to let go and let instinct guide his movements.
This would be a groundbreaking change. Ultra Instinct isn’t just a technique; it’s a philosophy. For Vegeta to reach this state, he would have to conquer the storm within himself and find balance. And that transformation would be even more powerful than the physical one.
How Would Vegeta’s Ultra Instinct Differ From Goku’s?
Goku’s Ultra Instinct is graceful, ethereal, and cheerful. Vegeta would show it naturally in another way if he had reached the same condition.
Vegeta’s Ultra Instinct might possess a colder, more calculating air of a master tactician on the battlefield. As Goku fights like water, Vegeta might slash like cold steel drawn, striking precisely. He would not joke in battle or let his guard down from curiosity. His instincts would be honed by perpetual warfare and strategic mentality. Ultra Instinct Vegeta would be a hunter, unemotional, calculating, and efficient. He would act rationally and intelligently, taking only to overwhelm his foe as efficiently as possible. Vegeta’s Ultra Instinct would testify to his brutal resolve and fanatical concentration when fighting, and he would become a force with which to reckon.
Impact on the Tournament of Power
If Vegeta had mastered Ultra Instinct before or during the Tournament of Power, the outcome of many battles would shift dramatically. Jiren, the powerhouse from Universe 11, overwhelmed Goku repeatedly until Goku reached the pinnacle of Ultra Instinct. If it had been Vegeta who mastered it first, he might have defeated Jiren with less struggle. His calculated approach could exploit Jiren’s weaknesses more directly.
Additionally, Vegeta’s presence as the lead Ultra Instinct user would shift the team dynamics. Goku might be forced to explore Ultra Ego or another transformation, flipping the canon roles. This change would also deeply affect the audience. Seeing Vegeta so often, the runner-up finally eclipsing Goku in divine mastery would be a long-awaited payoff for millions of fans.
The Granolah and Moro Arcs Rewritten
In the Granolah arc, Goku and Vegeta take separate routes: Goku continues to polish Ultra Instinct, while Vegeta explores the God of Destruction path. If Vegeta had chosen Ultra Instinct instead, the narrative would shift significantly.
Against Moro, Vegeta’s new Ultra Instinct would allow him to counter Moro’s magic-based attacks with seamless evasion and flawless counterattacks. Unlike Goku, who tends to let opponents power up or spare them, Vegeta would likely end the battle swiftly and efficiently.
In the Granolah arc, an Ultra Instinct-wielding Vegeta would connect deeply with Granolah’s loss and pain. He might be the one to extend a hand, resonating as someone who understands revenge and regret. His mastery of a divine, selfless form like Ultra Instinct would symbolise his growth beyond the sins of his past.
Character Development: Redemption Through Peace
This power shift would catalyse one of the most powerful character arcs in Dragon Ball Super. Vegeta has always sought redemption for his past. Ultra Ego is about embracing his Saiyan nature. But Ultra Instinct would be about transcending it. It would represent Vegeta shedding the chains of guilt and ego, replacing them with clarity and inner strength.
It would redefine him not just as Goku’s rival, but as an enlightened warrior in his own right. A guardian not driven by pride, but by peace and protection. This would also deepen his relationships with Bulma, with Trunks, and with Universe 6’s Saiyans and mark him as a true spiritual successor to Whis’s teachings. This transformation would not only elevate Vegeta’s power level but also his character development, showcasing his growth and evolution throughout the series. It would bring a new dynamic to the Dragon Ball universe, exploring themes of self-discovery and enlightenment in a way that has not been seen before.
Goku’s Reaction and Role Reversal
If Vegeta had achieved Ultra Instinct first, how would Goku respond?
This would challenge Goku in a new way. He has always led the charge, but now he’d be chasing Vegeta. Would he embrace a new form, perhaps Ultra Ego or a blend of techniques? Or would he find a new way forward, as the student instead of the teacher?
Their rivalry would take on new layers. Mutual respect would grow. For once, Vegeta wouldn’t just be keeping up, he’d be ahead. And Goku? He might finally see that the path forward isn’t always about being the strongest but understanding what strength truly means.
A Divine Destiny Rewritten, Vegeta Mastered Ultra Instinct Instead of Ultra Ego
In this alternate reality, where Vegeta masters Ultra Instinct instead of Ultra Ego, we see the birth of a new kind of Saiyan warrior. One who has not only conquered countless foes, but also himself.
This change would redefine his legacy, reshuffle the dynamics of Dragon Ball Super, and deliver the most emotionally satisfying evolution in the series. The power of Ultra Instinct isn’t just in dodging punches, it’s in becoming untouchable by ego, anger, and the burdens of the past. For Vegeta, that might be the greatest victory of all. In the end, whether it’s Goku’s joyful path or Vegeta’s hardened road, both Saiyans prove that greatness comes not just from strength, but from growth. And in this story, Vegeta’s growth shines brightest of all.