inside Dragon ball franchise, has a Super Saiyan status vegetarian never achieved, and that is Super Saiyan 3. Vegeta has achieved Super Saiyan 3 in the Dragon Ball Heroes video games and web series, but not once has he used this form in the canon. With the power it is known to possess, it’s strange that Vegeta would never even attempt to transform, so why wouldn’t he?
Easily recognizable by users with no eyebrows and incredibly long hair, the Super Saiyan 3 transformation made its anime debut in Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga manga, when Goku used it to fight with Majin Buu. Due to intense training in the Other World, he gained the strength he needed to overcome Super Saiyan 2. Goku purposely didn’t use it when fighting Vegeta, who was jealous of his newfound powers. Goku when he heard about it. Goku later taught this ability to Goten and Trunks, who were able to use it after merging into Gotenks. At this point, Goku and Gotenks are the only characters already in this form, but Universe 6’s Caulifla also intends to achieve Super Saiyan 3.
Vegeta chose not to use Super Saiyan 3, instead of not being able to use it
Vegeta is definitely strong enough to do the transformation, so why he’s never tried it remains a mystery. First, it should be noted that Vegeta couldn’t reach Super Saiyan 3 in Dragon Ball Z. He simply wasn’t physically capable at the time, as Super Saiyan 2 was his level of strength. However, Vegeta is strong enough to use it for the entirety of Dragon Ball Super, thanks to his ability to use more powerful forms like Super Saiyan Blue. In fact, Super Saiyan 2 Vegeta dealt with Beerus better than Goku did while in Super Saiyan 3 form. Therefore, Vegeta must have made a conscious decision to avoid it.
Super Saiyan 3 has flaws that Vegeta is certainly aware of, either from observing Goku or by trying it out for himself off-screen. It was a form of physical taxation that drained the Saiyan’s energy at an overwhelming rate. Vegeta has similar concerns about his Ultra Super Saiyan form, which he expressed to Future Trunks in the Cell saga. Vegeta could easily share the same opinion about Goku’s Super Saiyan 3 form and simply decide it’s not for him. When it comes to fighting, he is more tactical than Goku and can come to the conclusion that the better strategy is to stay with Super Saiyan 2.
Vegeta chooses his own Super Saiyan path
For this reason, it is understandable that prior to the Golden Frieza Saga, Vegeta believed that he was better off using Super Saiyan 2 as his main form. After all, it’s an effective transition that has served Goku and Vegeta well in both Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super. The third factor that could keep Vegeta from using Super Saiyan 3 is his rivalry with Goku. The previous two forms were first achieved by Goku and Gohan, before Vegeta was able to obtain the same result. When considering Vegeta’s pride, it’s understandable that he would find copying Goku constantly annoying.
Wanting his path to be different from Goku’s is the reason Vegeta abandoned Super Instinct and invented Super Saiyan Blue Evolved. Such a plan worked, as later in the manga of Dragon Ball Super, Vegeta was able to develop his own unique form of Ultra Ego. While Vegeta may never use Super Saiyan 3 in Dragon ball canon, the truth is that he never needed and never pursued it.