Krillin has been the strongest earthling since Namek, tbh.
Even as of DBS, the Toei site still gave him the "strongest earthling" title during the BoG and RoF arcs, and the DBS Animedia Featurette(which gives a quick rundown of U7's team during the ToP) also lists him as the strongest earthling -- putting him above Roshi and Tien.
That being said, I agree that DBS #18 is the 'weakest' character who can beat him these days.
__________________
"I am tired of Earth. These people.
I am tired of being caught in the tangle of their lives."
He's stronger than tien and yamcha, but I don't think the gap is that wide. Yamcha has pretty insane durability being in the epicenter of 2 gods fighting and survived and also took quite the beating from one of the prisoners with no noticable damage. The kienza would still probably do him in, but I'm confident he could keep fighting after a kamehameha
Never let anyone else define you. Don't be a jerk just to be a jerk, but if you are expressing your true inner feelings and beliefs, or at least trying to express that inner child, and everyone gets pissed off about it, never NEVER apologize for it. Let them think what they want, let them define you in their narrow little minds while they suppress every last piece of them just to keep a friend that never liked them for themselves in the first place.
I’ve always found this overall true but kinda hollow based on how much the tri-beam scales based on actual ability. Do you think any DBZ incarnation of Krillian can output that kinda damage?
(Super did Tien dirty, Krillian is much stronger at that point)
Nah, the Tri-Beam was wickedly haxx... It allowed Tien(who was FAR inferior to even the Androids) to step up WAY beyond his weight class and punk Semi-Perfect Cell for a moment.
That being said, I've always viewed the Tri-Beam as an extremely one-dimensional attack that would be very easy to dodge if Tien's opponent wasn't inhibited by PIS and just fought smart.
__________________
"I am tired of Earth. These people.
I am tired of being caught in the tangle of their lives."
If she scales to her brother, sure. But if she's weaker then the Gohan Krillin fought, he just might be able to take her now.
__________________ What CDTM believes;
Never let anyone else define you. Don't be a jerk just to be a jerk, but if you are expressing your true inner feelings and beliefs, or at least trying to express that inner child, and everyone gets pissed off about it, never NEVER apologize for it. Let them think what they want, let them define you in their narrow little minds while they suppress every last piece of them just to keep a friend that never liked them for themselves in the first place.
Plus Krillin can use it without almost dying and the Tri-Beam takes a lot out of Tien, with it even being arguable that it's that much more powerful then the Kienzan.
Remember how shocked everyone was that it didn't cut PERFECT CELL in half?
Also in terms of scaling, let's not forget Krillin fought Imperfect Cell and did alright for a bit before getting lodged into the plane. It's even more impressive when you consider the fight was completely H2H and Krillin did actual damage for a moment.
It's crazy how much Krillin (and 18 by scaling) have grown since then.