5 Strongest Versions of Ultra Instinct, Ranked

Ultra Instinct is the best thing to happen to Dragon Ball since the original Super Saiyan all the way back in Dragon Ball Z. Unlike most Dragon Ball transformations, which just raise the user’s Power Level, Ultra Instinct is a form all about skill and technique. Ultra Instinct does make the user stronger, but its real benefits come from its ability to help the user instinctively react to any attack coming their way.

Goku originally triggered Ultra Instinct during Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power, but unlocking the form’s full potential wasn’t as simple as just powering up like in DBZ. Ultra Instinct comes in many different forms, all of which are slightly different and feature different power boosts. Goku’s the main user of Ultra Instinct in Dragon Ball Super, but he’s hardly the only character capable of using UI’s various forms.

5

False Ultra Instinct

Users: Bardock, Master Roshi

“False Ultra Instinct” doesn’t actually have an in-universe name, and is very different between the two characters who’ve actually used it. Master Roshi uses a home-brewed version of Ultra Instinct while fighting Jiren in the Dragon Ball Super manga’s version of the Tournament of Power. Due to Roshi’s immense skill and experience as a martial artist, he innately understands the principles which define Ultra Instinct, and can tap into his own version of UI to dodge several of Jiren’s strikes.

In the Granolah the Survivor Saga’s backstory, Bardock is shown using a power-up eerily similar to Ultra Instinct while fighting Gas. Bardock’s hair resembles Goku’s hair in Ultra Instinct Sign and Gas even mentally connects Ultra Instinct Goku to Bardock when he’s fighting Goku later in the story arc. Bardock’s version is a straight-up power buff, as opposed to anything based on martial arts philosophy, however. In practice, neither version of “False Ultra Instinct” is actually Ultra Instinct, but they’re worth mentioning due to their similarities to actual UI.

4

Ultra Instinct Sign

Users: Goku

Ultra Instinct Sign is an incomplete version of Ultra Instinct, where the user begins tapping into Ultra Instinct’s but fails to fully manifest the transformation’s full power. Ultra Instinct Sign gives the user silver & black, and can instinctively counter just about any attack lobbed at the user (so long as they can keep the form active).

Unlike regular Ultra Instinct, Sign does not offer a substantial power boost and can quickly peter out if the user cannot keep their mental state in check. Goku first unlocks Ultra Instinct Sign while fighting Jiren in the Tournament of Power, before quickly exhausting the transformation. Ultra Instinct Sign is by no means useless, thanks in large part to its defensive abilities, but it is far and away the weakest legitimate version of Ultra Instinct.

3

Ultra Instinct

Users: Goku, Beerus, Merus, Moro, All Angels

Ultra Instinct is a transformation by angels for angels. By clearing one’s mind, anyone using Ultra Instinct brings out all their latent power and gains the ability to instinctively react to any attack, both dodging and counter-attacking like it’s nothing. Ultra Instinct offers a massive boost to one’s power, speed, and mental state, but does require a clear mind and deep understanding of martial arts philosophy. Whis first uses Ultra Instinct in Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F, before Goku unlocks it during the Tournament of Power.

Goku’s version of Ultra Instinct turns his hair all-white, whereas Angels like Merus and Whis experience no physical transformation. Beerus can also use Ultra Instinct despite being a God of Destruction. When Moro absorbs Merus’ powers in the Galactic Patrol Prisoner arc, he likewise gains access to Ultra Instinct, but his mortal body cannot contain its power, suggesting Ultra Instinct in earnest can only be used by someone whose Power Level is on par with Gods, otherwise the boost tears them inside-out.

2

True Ultra Instinct

Users: Goku

True Ultra Instinct is a hybrid version of the form, that functions as an in-between of Ultra Instinct Sign and Ultra Instinct. As of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, True Ultra Instinct is exclusive to Goku, and it doesn’t seem likely even the Angels can use the transformation. What makes True Ultra Instinct unique is the fact that Goku can stack his Super Saiyan forms on top of it.

By making Ultra Instinct his base form, Goku can gain even higher power boosts by turning Super Saiyan, essentially combining his SSJ multipliers with Ultra Instinct. Goku has been shown stacking both Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue on top of True Ultra Instinct in his fights with Granolah and Gas, making it one of the most impressive forms in the series.

1

Perfected Ultra Instinct

Users: Goku, All Angels

Perfected Ultra Instinct, also called Mastered Ultra Instinct, is the ultimate version of UI. Perfected Ultra Instinct can be triggered at any time, regardless of the user’s mental state, functioning like a regular Super Saiyan transformation. Goku first unlocks Perfected Ultra Instinct after training with Merus for his final battle with Moro, and then breaks down his mental barrier to use PUI anytime while fighting Gas.

As of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Goku can tap into Perfected Ultra Instinct whenever he wants, as shown when Gohan Beast knocks him out of Ultra Instinct and Goku simply re-activates the form moments later. Perfected Ultra Instinct more or less gets rid of Ultra Instinct’s only barrier, offering the user a massive boost and all of the form’s abilities without the need to be mentally serene or calm.