Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball series is full of energy waves. Using their ki, the characters in this long-running martial arts franchise can launch all sorts of projectile attacks. Some of these could devastating entire continents with just a few body movements. Ranking these attacks, however, might yield a surprising result.
Certain energy attacks are so inadvertently powerful that it's a wonder why they don't show up more often. In crafting these techniques, Toriyama probably worried less about rules and more about adventure, plot, and punchlines. Whatever the case, they're here, and they're applicable.
Updated May 16, 2022, by Ritwik Mitra: The energy wave attacks in Dragon Ball form some of the most iconic moves in the entire series. From beam conflicts to massive stores of ki that blast off into space — these energy wave attacks are a blast to witness... quite literally, at times! There are several attacks in Dragon Ball that fall within this category, with the vast majority of them being pretty memorable in their own way. Here are some of the best energy wave attacks that have made an appearance across Dragon Ball.
15 Dodon Ray
Dodon Ray is a pretty iconic beam attack from Dragon Ball that has made an appearance several times in the series. However, the importance and power of this technique have certainly waned over time.
It's a shame, since the Dodon Ray actually had a ton of potential to cause some serious damage. However, the power of the Saiyans reached such massive heights that this attack was pretty much discarded.
14 Transfiguration Beam
Tailor-made for Majin Buu and his insatiable appetite, this bizarre beam can turn its target into an inanimate object. The rotund warrior mostly uses it to change enemies into candy. It's only disturbing if you think about it.
This attack doesn't have much forward momentum at first glance, but it functions extremely well as a trapping move. Getting hit is basically "Game Over" for opponents; the only one who could still fight in candy form was Vegito. Even then, he couldn't use energy attacks. This makes the Transfiguration Beam a crippling move no matter how one slices it.
13 Devilmite Beam
This is another one where the attack's effectiveness depends on the situation and whether or not it connects. One of Fortuneteller Baba's champions claims to be the Devil, and his signature move strikes fear into everyone watching. This energy wave takes whatever evil lies in your heart and uses it to tear your body apart.
Because it weaponizes even the smallest shred of indecency, the Devilmite Beam could theoretically vanquish any foe in one fell swoop. Assuming you can't dodge it, the only defense is absolute moral purity. Who could possibly be that virtuous apart from Goku?
12 Special Beam Cannon
It figures that Piccolo would cook this up at the tail end of his evil phase. Otherwise known as the "Light of Death," this spiral move strikes at the heart of an opponent. Forget any notion of explosions or misdirection; the Special Beam Cannon goes right for the kill.
After charging it up, the Namekian unleashes a savage attack that literally drills through his adversary. It's a shocking and ruthless ability that takes out virtually any enemy. In a franchise full of grandiose struggles and drawn-out conflict, you have to respect an attack that gets right to the point through sheer power and precision.
11 Oozaru Mouth Beam
It goes without saying that any attack in the Saiyans' giant monkey form would be powerful. However, this weird wave seems to be a favorite among those using this feral power, and it's easy to see why. The attack can reduce a city to rubble in minutes, and Oozaru's frenzied firing gives warriors and civilians alike no time to react.
Firing from the mouth is a move that few fighters successfully block. Perhaps it's the element of surprise. Maybe the energy is rawer since it comes directly from the body instead of being channeled through the hands. Either way, the safe bet is to dodge it. Fear the burp of death.
10 Tri-Beam
Some of Tien's attacks put incredible strain on his body, and none more so than this. This massive energy wave drains the warrior's life force, restricting its use to a last resort.
However, this makes it an effective move even against stronger opponents. Those not immediately vaporized must weather a continuous barrage inside the colossal crater left behind. What's more is that the attack seems to instantly reach its target at the speed of light, cutting down unnecessary flashiness and making it that much harder to avoid. The Tri-Beam is truly equal parts discipline and ferocity.
9 Evil Containment Wave
They say limitation and desperation breed creativity. Unable to overcome the Demon King Piccolo through brute force, martial artist Master Mutaito fashions a mystical move to seal the monster in a rice cooker. The heroes have employed this technique several times since, and even the most insurmountable evildoers can't escape it.
Sadly, it runs the risk of killing its user, and there's no guarantee you'll actually hit the container. When faced with such a steep tradeoff, one wonders if an instant win is worth taking the chance.
8 Buster Cannon
Future Trunks made a really strong impression when he was introduced for the first time in Dragon Ball Z. The effortless manner in which he decimated Frieza made him a force to be reckoned with.
One of the techniques he pulled off during this fight is the Buster Cannon, a technique that he has whipped out multiple times throughout the series. It's a shame that this beam attack saw no representation whatsoever in Dragon Ball Super, as it's one of his most powerful.
7 Masenko
The Masenko is a powerful energy wave technique that Gohan learned under the tutelage of Piccolo before their fight against the Saiyans. It's a great beam attack, but has been all but replaced in Gohan's arsenal by the Kamehameha.
It's a shame, since the power of the Masenko is certainly quite high. However, it's still nowhere near as iconic as the Kamehameha, which is perhaps why this attack doesn't rank too highly among members of the fan base.
6 Death Beam
Frieza's Death Beam is a pretty devilish attack that shows just how flippant Frieza really is. By just lifting his finger, Frieza can unleash a powerful beam attack that killed Vegeta for the first time too.
It's always a threat to see Frieza raise his finger, since the ensuing attack can easily kill its target. The fact that a weaker Gohan managed to absorb a multitude of these attacks was a massive achievement.
5 Galick Gun
The purple powerhouse is one of the many iconic moves that Vegeta has up his sleeve. It's basically his alternative to the Kamehameha, and that shows in its utility and potency.
The Galick Gun makes for a solid strike even at the worst of times. The fast windup is convenient for rapid-fire combat, and the power scales drastically depending on how much oomph the Saiyan Prince puts into it. Everything about it deliberately emulates Goku's famous wave. Sadly, though, the Kamehameha shows up more often and sports a better track record.
4 Final Flash
Another Vegeta special, this energy wave is more about sheer might than efficiency. It requires a long charging period, and it mostly relies on enemies standing stock-still. Fortunately, this makes it a prime method of knocking sturdier opponents off their feet.
The Final Flash is so godlike in scale that it's visible from orbit. Is it any wonder why tough guys like Cell and Magetta can't withstand such a force? When you gather that much energy, it's got to go somewhere.
3 Kamehameha
Easily the most iconic move in the series, the Kamehameha is Goku's go-to technique. Virtually every one of his battles features it in some form or another, and it's not hard to see why. It's an all-around reliable attack that's quick on the draw yet carries more power than the average energy blast.
What sets this wave apart, though, is its versatility. Its power seems to vary more than other attacks. Depending on the user and how much energy put into it, the Kamehameha could be infinitely more devastating than some of its flashier peers, blowing any competition away. In that sense, it's not only strong but consistently useful.
2 Final Kamehameha
The Final Kamehameha is a combination of two iconic attacks from both Goku and Vegeta — the Final Flash and the Kamehameha. Suffice to say, this beam attack is incredibly powerful.
Goku and Vegeta have used this attack both separately and in a fused state. The power is always immense and the fireworks show is a joy to behold for fans of the series pretty much all the time.
1 Big Bang Kamehameha
Fusion is a wonderful thing. Not only does it combine two tough fighters, but the resulting warrior can pull off moves inherent to both of them. Such is the case with Gogeta, a Goku and Vegeta merger.
In his battle against Omega Shenron, this cocky combatant launches the Big Bang Kamehameha. The Shadow Dragon loses much of his power as a result. Since this attack combines some of Goku and Vegeta's mightiest moves, it's probably the strongest energy wave by default. Not to mention, it nearly obliterates an adversary whom Super Saiyan 4 Goku couldn't even phase. You don't want to be on the receiving end of something like that.