Tenshinhan strikes me as smart enough to know he's outmatched in power, so teamwork is his best bet.
And Piccolo has always been the strategist of the group, he'd recognize teamwork as being a good thing. And honestly, he and Gohan are easily the most intelligent people on U7's side, so I'd hope they'd be taking charge if they could.
None of what you just said strikes me as true to the characters.
Tenshinhan has never really been a team player and I don't know where you've gotten Piccolo "has always been the strategist of the group". Gohan is intelligent but his intelligence has never translated into fighting.
In that area, Goku and Vegeta have always been pointed out as excelling.
edited 4th Jul '17 1:25:58 PM by LSBK
Maybe so, but Goku and Vegeta care more about their fight jollies than teamwork, even in a situation where failure will result in the death of their universe.
Vegeta is too proud, and Goku care too much about being a spirited competitor.
Meanwhile, for all their own pride as warriors (especially Tien and Piccolo, who likely have more than Gohan) Team Nerd has the sense to recognize that going off on your own is not a smart idea in this situation, and that being aware of your own weakness is important.
Hell, Tien has had his weakness slapped in his face quite often enough that he'd recognize his shortcomings and that fighting as a group is a better option in this case...
Or at least, that's how I see it.
One Strip! One Strip!Teamwork takes practice. Or, it should anyway. Honestly if you were going to give anyone the role of "team leader" I'd say it'd be Roshi just because he's already fixed into the wise old master bit anyway. Well, when they're not having him perv out.
Piccolo and Gohan just don't have skills that transfer well for something like this, as evident by half the team just blowing them off, and Roshi having to tell Gohan not to falter like a minute into everything getting started.
edited 4th Jul '17 1:40:27 PM by LSBK
What, you weren't aware of the "Piccolo is the strategist of the group" Fanon? Super even references it!
Compared to two children. What strategizing did Piccolo do? I'm not saying he's stupid by any means, but he's never come off as particularly strategic.
The most I can think of is him telling Buu to kill everyone else on Earth buy time, and making Buu taking the long way to give Trunks and Goten a bit more time to train, both of which Buu saw through quickly. And I'm not even sure if the latter even happened in the manga.
edited 4th Jul '17 3:00:13 PM by LSBK
The first thing that comes to mind is when he made the decision to sacrifice every human to buy time for Goten and Trunks but that wasn't exactly a master strategy or anything.
This song needs more love.Piccolo may not be a master strategist, but he does often come up with plans and ideas. Very simple ones, but ones that'd be pretty effective if the plot didn't demand he fail anyway.
He learned a counter to the Mafuuba by the time of the 23 Budokai.
He creating the Makankosappo / Special Beam Canon to kill Goku, which it would have done if he'd have ever had the chance to use it against him (especially since two hands is a faster charge).
It was his idea to wait until Nappa was fully committed to beating Tien's ass, and then attacking him at that moment (another plan that only failed due to his questionable decision to force Gohan into battle).
He came up with the idea to go for Nappa's tail (again, not his fault it failed; Krillin would know that Tail weaknesses can be overcome and never suggested it).
He solved the issue with who to wish back on Namek (though if everyone else had been thinking straight, wishing him back first would have been obvious, but I'm not faulting him for that).
After merging with Kami (not his idea, but he did realize it was their best shot) he managed to get Cell to spill everything by playing Possum (Although Cell should have known Piccolo could regenerate limbs).
...I won't count the thing with 17. That was making the most out of a bad situation really.
He more or less successfully taught a technique that he himself had never seen before to two children who were extremely difficult to work with.
And of course, his gambit to slow down Super Buu by telling him to kill everyone else (once again, not his fault it failed; he could not have known Buu had such a ridiculous attack), and bought the boys time by taking advantage of the Time lapse of the Hyper Tonic Lion Tamer Hyperbolic time chamber so the boys would be ready.
...Ok, now I think the people saying he's not much of a strategist are definitely right, but he does come up with a lot of ideas on the fly, most of which would work if the plot weren't against him in one way or another.
Oh, I nearly forgot. He had the fight with Buu take place within the Chamber, not only to ensure no one outside was hurt, but also so that he could seal them away if things went pear shaped. Another plan that was foiled by plot, but still a good one.
So lets debate that. I see a lot of strategy (simple strategies mind you, but still) from this non strategic Namekian I do.
One Strip! One Strip!Having a few ideas here and there does not a strategist make, and I see no reason to act as if it does. Especially not when the "plot getting in the way" is just other characters either being smart enough to see through him, or just being strong enough to avoid it.
Certainly doesn't warrant calling him and Gohan "easily the two smartest characters" on their side.
edited 4th Jul '17 3:21:29 PM by LSBK
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And look how well that plan turned out...
This whole "strategy" deal would be a lot easier to take seriously if it actually had any impact, but it just seems like they're simply observing the scenery.
The cynical part of me thinks this whole "strategy" deal is simply there as a means to keep everyone not Goku or Vegeta sidelined, but to also give the illusion they're not useless. "Yea, they're TOTALLY contributing guys, they're just sticking to the "strategy", but don't worry they're not useless"
The funny part is that I had a conversation with someone (was it here?) and they said their plan would simply be "Everyone but Goku and Vegeta stand off to the side and do absolutely nothing" and that's exactly what's happening right now hahahaha, FUCK!!!
edited 4th Jul '17 3:51:39 PM by BlackYakuzu94
A lazy millennial who's good at what he does.

Goodbye Universe 9.
This song needs more love.