Summary

Ultra Instinct is a divine transformation in Dragon Ball, granting users near-instantaneous reactions.
Mastering Ultra Instinct is difficult due to stamina costs, emotional control, and threats of overuse.
Only Goku has achieved Ultra Instinct as a mortal, with a variant called True Ultra Instinct for Saiyans.

The following article contains spoilers for Dragon Ball Super.

Dragon Ball Super has introduced many new transformations to the Dragon Ball universe — to the point that some fans are even getting tired of the seemingly "infinite power scaling", which makes power scaling much less interesting for some.

One of the forms introduced in the series is Ultra Instinct, a divine transformation that is the ultimate form that Goku has ever achieved (that is, until he eventually unlocks an even more powerful transformation in a new arc or story). It will take some time for Goku to take full advantage of this form, but what are the challenges in mastering it?

Perfected Ultra Instinct and Ultra Instinct Sign Dragon Ball Super

Dragon Ball Super: The Different Forms of Ultra Instinct Explained

Goku's most powerful form in Dragon Ball Super, Ultra Instinct, has several states, each more powerful than the one before it.

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By Adrian Mark S. Pilanga

What Is Ultra Instinct in Dragon Ball?

Just like Ultra Ego, Ultra Instinct is the name of a state and a transformation that are related. As an ability/state of mind, Ultra Instinct (also known as Autonomous Ultra Instinct) is a powerful technique considered to be the ultimate link between the mind and the body — thus, users can dodge attacks and react to other threats almost instantly and automatically.

It is used by the Gods and the Angels. While it seems to make the user invincible, they can still fall for those stronger than them, or even for "indirect threats", like a banana peel on the ground onto which they may slip on. However, mortals who are eventually able to use Ultra Instinct can die if they overuse it — and overuse can mean "using it for over a minute" in this case. That's because their bodies might not be able to withstand all the power they achieve for a long time. In a sense, Ultra Instinct as an ability is similar to Kaioken, but at a completely different level of power.]

This here is the power of Ultra Instinct.

— Dragon Ball FighterZ

As a transformation, Ultra Instinct (Ultra Instinct Sign) is a divine form that can be achieved when the user breaks their own limits and unlocks their hidden potential, granting them divine ki. In this form, it is finally possible to use the Autonomous Ultra Instinct ability.

It is possible to train and master the Ultra Instinct form, which allows mortals to master the Ultra Instinct ability as well. The ultimate form of Ultra Instinct is called Perfected Ultra Instinct (or Mastered Ultra Instinct), and it makes the user even more powerful and able to take full advantage of the Ultra Instinct ability. However, overuse can still cause damage to the user.

Why Is Mastering Ultra Instinct Difficult?

While Goku achieved Perfected Ultra Instinct by accident, it is actually extremely difficult to master this form, especially because it costs a lot of stamina, causing a great deal of stress. In Dragon Ball, many powerful forms that Goku achieves have drawbacks similar to Kaioken, almost as if they were enhanced versions of this technique. They can also get easily tired when fighting powerful enemies, as they will automatically react without rest.

Another major challenge is emotional control: the transformation may be achieved through emotional stress, but the user needs to properly control their emotions and maintain a calm ki (and mind). Goku apparently is not yet able to tap into the transformation on his own; he can only do so when he is in extreme danger.

Who Can Transform Into Ultra Instinct?

Dragon Ball Longest Arcs In The Anime Franchise, Ranked Goku Super Saiyan Ultra Instinct - Featured

So far, Goku is the only known mortal who can transform into Ultra Instinct (although more characters can do it in a few games). Angels, however, are always in a state where they can use it.

Fans expected that Vegeta would eventually achieve this form, as it was stated that he would likely become extremely powerful, perhaps even stronger than Beerus or Goku. However, Vegeta has instead unlocked Ultra Ego, which is also a divine transformation, but it works quite differently than Ultra Instinct, almost like its opposite form. Broly may eventually be able to transform into Ultra Instinct.

True Ultra Instinct Is A Variant For Saiyans

ultra instinct goku and super saiyan 3 goku with beerus — Feature image of Ultra Instinct Goku with Goku SSJ3 and Beerus.

Goku has also unleashed a variant of Ultra Instinct called True Ultra Instinct, which he can achieve even when he is not able to stay calm, and which is easier for him to use as he can take advantage of his Saiyan nature. However, in the Super Hero Saga, it is stated that Goku is now stronger in Perfected Ultra Instinct than in True Ultra Instinct.

True Ultra Instinct would also suit Vegeta and works a bit more like Ultra Ego, but there are still major differences - in Ultra Ego, Vegeta gets stronger by taking larger amounts of damage, and that doesn't happen in any form of Ultra Instinct (quite the opposite, the user prevents themselves from taking damage).

Dragon Ball Super is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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Release Date: 2015 - 2018
Network: Fuji TV
Showrunner: Tatsuya Nagamine
Directors: Ryota Nakamura, Masanori Sato, Kenichi Takeshita, Takao Iwai, Hideki Hiroshima, Masato Mitsuka, Kazuya Karasawa, Ayumu Ono, Takahiro Imamura, Tatsuya Nagamine, Kôjiro Kawasaki, Kouji Ogawa
Writers: Ryu King, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
Franchise(s): Dragon Ball