Dragon Ball techniques are more than simple energy blasts. They reveal their users’ style, personality, and sometimes their weaknesses. Some rely on a slow but devastating charge, while others depend on speed, precision, immobilization, or even turning an opponent into candy.
From Goku’s Kamehameha to the more unusual attacks of Buu, Hit, and Gotenks, here are the most memorable powers and how they work.
The great energy beams
Goku’s Kamehameha
Created by Master Roshi, the Kamehameha became Goku’s signature technique. Its principle is simple: the user gathers energy between cupped hands, then releases it as a powerful energy wave. Goku learned it by watching his master before refining it throughout his battles.
This attack can be adapted to many situations. The Instant Kamehameha combines charging the beam with Instant Transmission: Goku materializes right next to his target to fire at point-blank range. The Super Kamehameha, meanwhile, concentrates more energy to produce a wider and more destructive beam.
Galick Gun and Big Bang Attack: Vegeta’s arsenal
The Galick Gun is one of Vegeta’s most representative attacks. Similar to the Kamehameha in principle, it involves concentrating energy in the hands before unleashing it as a massive wave. During his confrontation with Goku on Earth, it is powerful enough to rival the Kamehameha.
Vegeta also possesses the Big Bang Attack. Concentrated in one hand, this energy blast explodes with considerable force and can be used at both close and long range. It notably appears against Android 19. The Saiyan prince’s aggressive style is fully reflected in both techniques, just as it is in his ruthless campaign on Namek.
Burning Attack and Double Sunday
Trunks uses the Burning Attack, which is preceded by a very rapid sequence of hand movements. The stabilized energy is released as a large, fast, and precise blast. Trunks uses it for the first time against Frieza and destroys him in a single shot.
Raditz, meanwhile, favors the Double Sunday. He gathers energy in both hands and fires two beams simultaneously. This double trajectory allows him to strike multiple targets or focus both blasts on a single opponent.
Precision and piercing techniques
Piccolo’s Special Beam Cannon
The Special Beam Cannon, also called the Explosive Demon Wave, was developed by Piccolo to eliminate Goku. Energy is concentrated at the fingertips, then released as a spiraling beam. Its distinctive feature comes from the combination of a straight main beam and a secondary spiraling movement, which strengthens its piercing ability.
This technique can pass through bodies and mountains, but its effectiveness comes at a cost: Piccolo must charge it for a long time and becomes vulnerable while preparing it. Its power therefore lies in highly concentrated energy rather than a wide explosion.
Krillin’s Destructo Disc
Krillin’s Destructo Disc takes the form of a sharp energy disc. Its strength does not come from raw power alone: it is designed to cut with precision and can pass through defenses able to withstand more conventional energy blasts.
Its main drawback is its relatively limited speed, which gives the opponent a chance to evade it. Krillin compensates for this weakness through feints and timing, making the Destructo Disc an attack that is as dangerous as it is technical.
Frieza’s Death Beam
With the Death Beam, Frieza concentrates a small amount of energy at the tip of one finger before firing a thin ray. Extremely fast, it can be used several times in succession and readily targets vital points. Its small size does not make it any less dangerous: the beam can pierce a target and inflict very heavy damage.
Power, sacrifice, and protection
Masenko and Tri-Beam
The Masenko is an attack Piccolo teaches Gohan. The hands are raised above the head to gather energy before projecting it forward in a compact beam. Gohan can charge his Masenko to increase its power depending on the situation. The technique accompanies his development as a fighter and reflects Piccolo’s decisive influence on him.
Tien’s Tri-Beam is far riskier. The user forms a triangle with his hands and releases a concentrated blast powerful enough to hold back enemies stronger than himself. The trade-off is severe: the attack draws on his life force, to the point that overuse can seriously injure or kill him. Tien notably uses it to restrain Cell during the Android Saga. This kind of dangerous trade-off recalls the risks associated with forbidden jutsu in Naruto.
Android 17’s barrier
Android 17 has a particularly versatile defensive ability: the Android Barrier. This spherical shield protects him from energy beams, physical attacks, and surrounding dangers. He can also use it offensively by expanding the barrier to push back or trap an opponent.
Android 18 demonstrates another Android advantage with Infinity Bullet. This barrage of fast energy projectiles can be sustained without fatigue thanks to her infinite energy. It can assault an opponent from close or long range and disrupt attempts to counterattack.
Powers beyond conventional rules
Time Skip, teleportation, and the destruction sphere
Hit’s Time Skip allows him to leap through time for a very brief fraction of a second, generally around 0.1 seconds. During that instant, he can move and attack while his opponent remains frozen. This ability is ideal for evading, counterattacking, and landing strikes that are difficult to perceive. It nevertheless requires precise timing and can be countered if an enemy anticipates its duration or direction.
Jimizu, a fighter from Universe 2, uses a form of Instant Transmission to reposition himself. By focusing on an energy signature, he can appear near his target, surprise an opponent, or escape danger.
Beerus, the God of Destruction of Universe 7, uses a destruction sphere capable of completely erasing whatever it touches. Launched from his hand, this small sphere expands upon contact with its target and does not merely defeat it: it removes it from existence.
Buu’s transformations and Gotenks’ creations
Majin Buu’s Transfiguration Beam turns its target into an object or a treat, often chocolate or candy. This technique neutralizes extremely powerful opponents by bypassing their physical defenses, then allows Buu to consume the target or simply dispose of it.
Gotenks relies on more fanciful attacks. The Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack creates energy ghosts in his own image. Controlled by Gotenks, they explode upon contact with an enemy and can serve as traps or form an offensive wave. Super Donuts, meanwhile, are energy rings intended to immobilize one or more targets.
Techniques of extraordinary warriors
Broly concentrates his energy in his mouth to unleash Gigantic Roar, a frontal beam with colossal destructive power. Its use reflects a frenzied fighting style built to devastate the battlefield at close or medium range.
Goku Black uses the God Slicer, a large blade of energy formed from his hand. It can cut through energy attacks and defenses, while creating distortions in space-time that may generate copies of Goku Black.
Vegito possesses the Spirit Sword, a thin, elongated blade created from his hand. This energy weapon can cut through defenses, attacks, and other energy weapons. Gogeta, for his part, combines Goku and Vegeta’s styles with the Big Bang Kamehameha, a fusion of the Big Bang Attack and the Kamehameha.
Finally, Jiren uses Power Impact, a large energy sphere launched with crushing force. On impact, it releases a massive shockwave. Yamcha, meanwhile, is a reminder that Dragon Ball is also rooted in martial arts: his Wolf Fang Fist strings together punches and kicks at high speed. Even though it is outclassed by ever more powerful enemies, it remains inseparable from his earliest appearances.
These attacks show why the saga’s battles remain memorable: beyond sheer power, every technique imposes its own rhythm and logic.
Dragon Ball techniques FAQ
What is Goku’s signature technique?
The Kamehameha is Goku’s most iconic technique. Learned from Master Roshi, it has several variations, including the Instant Kamehameha and the Super Kamehameha.
Why is the Tri-Beam dangerous for Tien?
The Tri-Beam draws directly on its user’s life force. Its power is exceptional, but repeated use can cause severe injuries or even lead to death.
Which technique can stop time in Dragon Ball?
Hit uses Time Skip. He does not stop time for long, but instead jumps through time for a fraction of a second, allowing him to act while his opponent cannot react.
