Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has kept audiences entertained for four decades with intense combat, captivating characters, and life-or-death stakes. The majority of Dragon Ball’s greatest conflicts boil down to brutal battle sequences, the likes of which feature a combination of physical feats of strength and more heightened energy attacks. Dragon Ball’s special techniques have always featured some incredible variety, from the original series to Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super.
There are straightforward ki attacks like the Kamehameha and Masenko, as well as more grandiose maneuvers like the planet-sized Spirit Bomb or Piccolo’s Special Beam Cannon. There are also formidable techniques, like Instant Transmission, that focus on evasion and defense, rather than a strong offense. Dragon Ball loves to showcase suspenseful energy beam struggles and reinforce the idea that raw power reigns supreme. That said, Dragon Ball also features a wide range of techniques that are more unconventional in nature and deserve some attention for how they go above and beyond.
10The Destructo Disc Transforms Ki Into A Sharp & Deadly Attack
User: Krillin, Vegeta, Frieza, Goku, Cell, Android 18, Super Buu, Baby
Dragon Ball‘s Destructo Disc is a valuable and unique technique that’s been used by multiple heroes and villains alike, but was first developed by Krillin, becoming the humble hero’s signature attack. The Destructo Disc makes its first appearance during the Z-Fighters’ battle against Nappa, which indicates that Krillin perfected this technique either during the five year gap between the original Dragon Ball and DBZ, or during the heroes’ time training for the Saiyan invasion.
The Destructo Disc is a smart technique and its prevalence among many characters is a testament to its value. Even Cell and Super Buu view the Destructo Disc as a worthwhile battle strategy. The technique essentially distills ki down to a razor-sharp disc that’s typically strong enough to slice through anything. It’s a deadly maneuver in its simplest form, but characters have also pushed it to greater heights by releasing a full barrage of Destructo Disc blasts.
9The Devilmite Beam Is A Dangerous Gambit With Destructive Results
User: Spike The Devil Man
Goku and company’s participation in Fortuneteller Baba’s Tournament pits them against an outrageous roster of supernatural threats. Mummies, vampires, and invisible men are par for the course here and Goku finds himself up against Spike the Devil Man. Spike has an intimidating appearance and while he’s not physically weak, it’s evident that he’s become quite comfortable with his Devilmite Beam eliminating his targets. He’s even won two separate World Martial Arts Tournaments. The Devilmite Beam is a blast that transforms its targets’ negative thoughts into destructive energy that ultimately causes them to become corrupted and explode. This is quite an interesting attack since it turns the target’s own thoughts and demeanor into their undoing.
There aren’t really any comparable attacks when the Devilmite Beam makes its debut in Dragon Ball. Curiously, Spike the Devil Man’s ultimate attack proves to be ineffective against Goku due to his pure-hearted nature and that he lacks any negativity. It’s a creative attack, but also a smart way to showcase Goku’s purity. There’s also a popular theory that Goku’s heart illness in Dragon Ball Z is actually the result of the Devilmite Beam eventually activating after Goku has let marginal amounts of evil into his heart. Dragon Ball video games also feature upgraded versions of this technique, such as the Psidevilmite Beam and the Greatdevilmite Beam.
10 Techniques Dragon Ball Super Introduced Only To Never Use Again
Dragon Ball Super is a satisfying expansion of the long-running shonen series, but it features some extravagant techniques that only get used once.
8The Thunder Shock Surprise Transforms Ki Into An Electrifying Prison
User: Master Roshi, Piccolo, Darkness
Master Roshi is one of the original Dragon Ball’s strongest characters and his decades of battle experience have equipped him with some truly impressive techniques. Master Roshi’s Thunder Shock Surprise is a maneuver so deadly he only makes use of it when absolutely necessary. Roshi reveals that he used it in the past during a sparring session with Grandpa Gohan, but it’s most prominently featured during his battle against Goku in the 21st World Tournament. The Thunder Shock Surprise converts its target’s ki into 20,000 volts of electricity, which leaves them shocked and utterly incapacitated.
The only way that Goku manages to escape Roshi’s technique is by an opportune transformation into a Great Ape. Curiously, Piccolo turns to a comparable attack against Great Ape Gohan to help restrain his rampaging actions. The Thunder Shock Surprise is a rarity in the original Dragon Ball, but it’s exciting to see Roshi return to this valuable technique in Dragon Ball Super. Roshi utilizes this attack during his Tournament of Power training, but he also makes use of it during the actual tournament against Universe 3’s Za Priccio.
7The Evil Containment Wave Is A Treacherous Technique That Can Have Fatal Consequences
User: Master Mutaito, Master Roshi, Tien, Kami, Piccolo, Goku, Future Trunks, Frost
Villains grow increasingly powerful in Dragon Ball, which prompts the series to entertain the idea of confining enemies to permanent prisons if they’re too strong to be defeated. The Evil Containment Wave – also known as the Mafuba – is a crucial technique that allows the user to vacuum their victim and lock them away in a receptacle, granted they have the right seal. This powerful attack is introduced against Demon King Piccolo and was previously performed by Master Mutaito, Roshi’s mentor, in order to contain the evil entity into an electric rice cooker.
The Evil Containment Wave puts such a strain on its user that there are often fatal consequences if it’s not successfully pulled off – and even sometimes when it is, like in Mutaito’s case. Roshi perishes when he attempts to use the technique on Demon King Piccolo after he’s been released in the world. The Evil Containment Wave is once again resorted to during the heroes’ battle against Future Zamasu and Goku Black in Dragon Ball Super. It also makes a surprise appearance in the Tournament of Power when Universe 6’s Frost reflects the attack so that it temporarily seals away Vegeta.
6The Time-Skip Technique Has Flummoxed The Multiverse’s Fiercest Fighters
User: Hit
Dragon Ball Super expands the series’ scope in major ways by introducing a multiverse full of deadly and diverse opponents. Universe 7’s heroes spend the most time with Universe 6’s strongest representatives, which includes Hit, a legendary assassin who’s revered across the multiverse. Hit is first faced during Beerus and Champa’s Tournament of Destroyers, where he stands out as one of the most dangerous competitors. Hit completely overwhelms Vegeta and Goku, both of whom are genuinely confused over Hit’s battle strategy and unable to perceive his attacks.
Through trial & error and the use of his strenuous Blue Kaio-Ken combination attack, Goku eventually figures out the mechanics behind Hit’s Time-Skip Technique. Hit’s Time-Skip Technique skips one-tenth of a second, which may seem imperceptible, but is still enough to throw his target off course and gain the advantage. This is such a creative attack that’s different from an ability that simply freezes time or allows the individual to see into the future. It’s a technique that actually feels more in line with the complex Stand abilities that are seen in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
10 Best Dragon Ball Techniques Goku Never Used
Goku is one of the most powerful characters in anime, but there are plenty of Dragon Ball techniques he never learned.
5Time Freeze Stops Targets Dead In Their Tracks Through A Creative Catalyst
User: Guldo
Gohan, Krillin, and Vegeta’s battle against Frieza’s top mercenary team, the Ginyu Force, is some of the Frieza Saga’s most compelling storytelling and it’s unfortunate these creative characters don’t stick around for longer. Most Ginyu Force members benefit from inventive special attacks that help them dominate the competition. Guldo is considered to be the Ginyu Force’s weakest member, but he possesses one of the team’s most creative techniques that almost takes out both Gohan and Krillin. Guldo’s Time Freeze naturally allows him to freeze time, but only for as long as he’s able to hold his breath.
This unusual setup facilitates a thrilling cat-and-mouse battle between these parties and Guldo’s growing exhaustion weakens his ability to freeze time. Guldo also possesses a telekinetic mind bind technique that he often pairs together with his Time Freeze attack. Guldo and his technique make for an extremely exciting battle, but this attack could become even more dangerous if its user specifically focuses on training their breathing technique or improving their lung capacity. It’s an atypical skill where physical strength isn’t the most advantageous trait for the user to improve.
4Illusion Smash Thrives On Dimensional Disarray & Confusion
User: Janemba, Merged Zamasu
Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn is one of Dragon Ball Z’s most popular movies, largely due to its introduction of Gogeta and Pikkon’s return. However, the film’s villain, Janemba, has left a major impression on audiences and he’s responsible for one of the franchise’s most unique fights. Janemba has the power to phase through dimensions with a speed that’s akin to Instant Transmission. Janemba’s Bunkai Teleport is a visually gorgeous ability that creatively illustrates how teleportation works. However, Janemba’s Illusion Smash is an even more exciting and dynamic technique. Illusion Smash allows Janemba to open up dimensional portals so that he can surprise his opponents with his attacks or even send them through one of these rifts so that they miss him.
Janemba’s base form is gigantic and it’s continually entertaining to see his giant fists and energy attacks utilize these portals. Illusion Smash is most commonly associated with Janemba, but Dragon Ball Super’s manga also highlights that Merged Zamasu knows this technique. Merged Zamasu indulges in the same degree of dimensional rift chaos so that this fused powerhouse can take on his many opponents at the same time. Curiously, Agnilasa’s Substance Punch technique is quite similar to Illusion Smash, but seems as if it might be slightly more limited and restricted to punches alone.
3Body Change Is A Tumultuous Technique That Can Turn Strength Into A Liability
User: Captain Ginyu
The heroes’ battle against the Ginyu Force exposes them to all sorts of creative techniques. That being said, the squad’s leader – Captain Ginyu – has arguably the strongest and most dangerous ability of the lot. Ginyu’s Body Change technique allows him to switch bodies with whoever is in his trajectory and all that needs to be done is that one of the parties utters the phrase, “Change Now.” Ginyu successfully uses this technique on Goku and temporarily commandeers his body.
It’s implied that Ginyu has repeatedly used his Body Change Technique throughout his life to steal stronger targets’ bodies and continually trade up. Of course, there are also unfortunate consequences to this attack, such as getting stuck in the wrong body. Captain Ginyu famously gets stuck in a Namekian frog’s body when Goku throws one that intercepts Ginyu’s attempt to steal Vegeta’s body.
All of Goku’s Techniques and Transformations in Dragon Ball (& How He Learned Them)
Goku has spent the better part of 40 years in-story refining his martial arts, and it shows in how many techniques and transformations he’s acquired.
2Transfiguration Beam Delivers Playfully Wicked Chaos
User: Majin Buu, Majuub
Majin Buu is a malevolent ancient evil who’s battled Supreme Kai and threatened the universe. Buu possesses incredible power, unique malleability, and absorption techniques that make him an extremely resilient enemy who can’t be killed by conventional means. Buu also carries multiple magical abilities and it’s likely that audiences haven’t even seen the full extent of his powers. One of Buu’s most unpredictable and dangerous tactics is his Transfiguration Beam, which turns many of Earth’s strongest heroes into chocolate, cookies, and candy. Chi-Chi even gets transformed into an egg, which Super Buu then promptly squashes.
The Transfiguration Beam – which is also known as the Majin Beam and Candy Beam – perfectly captures Buu’s unique villainy and how his evil often feels like child-like playing. Buu can simply absorb individuals without his Transfiguration Beam, but this proves to be an effective way to neutralize targets and further humiliate them. In Dragon Ball GT, Uub’s fusion with Buu into Majuub bestows him with this technique. However, he also gains the Chocolate Kamehameha, which is a creative variation that has the same results.
1The Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack Bombards Enemies With Explosive Phantoms
User: Gotenks, Super Buu
Gotenks is the fusion dance union of Goten and Trunks. While this combined combatant has the pooled strength and skills of these two characters, he’s also an amalgamation of their juvenile tendencies. This correlates to Gotenks’ attack arsenal, which is truly absurd, and most of his inventive techniques could be considered as some of Dragon Ball‘s coolest attacks. Continuous Die Die Missile, Brain Crush Hammer Galactic Donut, and Charging Ultra Buu Buu Volleyball.
However, Gotenks’ crowning achievement and coolest ability — both in name and execution — is his Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack. This technique allows Gotenks to create multiple ghost doppelgängers, all of whom are sentient and possess independent thought, that will explode upon contact. It’s a thrilling spectacle and Gotenks pushes this technique to its apex in Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn when he implements Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack 100 Ghost Finish, which involves the creation of one hundred explosive ghosts.
