For more than 35 years, the heightened adventures of Goku and company have kept Dragon Ball moving forward and ready to conquer new heights. The original series establishes an important foundation that the more action-centric sequel improves upon.
Audiences tune into the series to witness the chaotic showdowns between good and evil, most of which feature powerful and unpredictable energy attacks. The attacks in Dragon Ball Z are strong enough to destroy entire planets, but when it comes to speed there are certain techniques that leave a bigger impression.
10 Piccolo’s Special Beam Cannon Is A Destructive Attack That’s Hard To Avoid
Dragon Ball Z kicks off with several seismic surprises courtesy of Goku’s estranged Saiyan brother, Raditz. Former enemies, Goku and Piccolo, are forced to work together to take out this greater threat, which kicks off the duo’s lifelong friendship.
This team battle marks the debut of Piccolo’s dangerous, new attack, the Special Beam Cannon. The Special Beam Cannon contains such destructive power that it eviscerates both of the Saiyan brothers in a single blow. Piccolo requires a minimal amount of time to collect energy before the attack gets released, but once it’s triggered it’s hard to avoid.
9 The Kaio-Ken Attack Accelerates Goku’s Speed To Unbelievable Heights
Some of the most important abilities that Goku masters are the ones that he’s exposed to by King Kai during his time in the afterlife. Goku’s Spirit Bomb becomes a reliable way to finish off the enemy, but the temperamental Kaio-Ken power boost is also one of the hero’s mainstays until he ascends to Super Saiyan status.
The Kaio-Ken Attack multiplies the user’s strength and speed, but at the cost of a tremendous strain being placed on their body. Goku’s victory over Nappa, Vegeta, and Frieza would be impossible without the help of Kaio-Ken boosts, specifically when it comes to the added speed that they give him.
8 Krillin’s Destructo Disc Is As Speedy As It Is Sharp
Krillin isn’t Dragon Ball’s strongest character, but he’s one of Goku’s closest friends and his humble humanity is a crucial part of the series. Krillin can’t transform into a more powerful version of himself, but his trademark technique, the Destructo Disc, is a devastating blow that will slice through anything that it touches.
The Destructo Disc flies through the air at such high velocities that it’s often too late to avoid it. Krillin isn’t the only character to take advantage of the Destructo Disc’s razor-sharp energy, but he’s become the most adept with this power.
7 Captain Ginyu And Guldo’s Special Techniques Just Require Deep Breaths
Dragon Ball Z greatly expands its scope when the heroes leave the safety of the Earth’s atmosphere and take voyage to Planet Namek. Freiza forces the heroes to jump through many hoops before they’re able to face him in battle and his top mercenary team, the Ginyu Force, do some considerable damage.
The Ginyu Force possesses impressive physical strength, but several members also have coveted and unexpected abilities. Guldo’s Time Freeze technique and Captain Ginyu’s body swapping Change Now maneuver are elaborate attacks with basic triggers. Guldo just needs to hold his breath and Ginyu simply has to announce his intent in order to execute these techniques.
6 Gohan’s Masenko Is A No Frills Energy Attack Without Heavy Buildup
Dragon Ball Z first introduces audiences to Goku’s son, Gohan, when he’s just an infant. However, the character matures over the course of the series and becomes a martial artist who’s on par with his father. Goku passes his signature energy attack, the Kamehameha, over to Gohan, but the young fighter also perfects his own technique, the Masenko.
The Masenko is a two-handed energy blast that Gohan releases above its head. It’s not dissimilar from the Kamehameha and it also seems easier to deploy without requiring the same precise gestures.
5 The Solar Flare Is Designed To Be Easily Deployable In Tight Situations
Dragon Ball Z characters are so preoccupied with who’s the strongest that an effective defense often goes overlooked. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a justified retreat or a change in battle strategy. The Solar Flare is an attack that Tien pioneers, but it becomes a helpful tool for everyone from Goku to Cell.
The attack releases an intense light that will leave anyone who sees it blinded for an extended period of time. The Solar Flare takes mere seconds to employ, which is why it’s such a smart way to surprise and overwhelm the enemy.
4 Majin Buu Can Instantly Transform His Targets Into Food
Majin Buu is the final foe who challenges Dragon Ball Z’s heroes and he brings forward unprecedented power that pushes everyone past their limits. Buu turns many of the heroes' own attacks back on them after he absorbs them, but he also has many unique powers.
Buu’s Human Extinction Attack decimates the world’s population and releases fast-paced blasts that most aren’t quick enough to avoid. However, one of Buu’s most reliable techniques is the transformation of individuals into food, which he proceeds to snack on. This transformation process is almost instantaneous and no one has been able to outrun it.
3 Future Trunks’ Burning Attack Vaporizes The Competition Before They Know What’s Happened
Future Trunks is a fan favorite addition to Dragon Ball Z who doesn’t overstay his welcome following his intense introduction. Future Trunks travels through time to help the heroes avoid the same apocalyptic fate that his timeline has experienced. Future Trunks reveals himself in a flashy display of Super Saiyan strength and battle theatrics.
Trunks’ Burning Attack is what finishes off Frieza and his father, proving itself to be both strong and speedy. Admittedly, the hand movements required to activate Burning Attack can be somewhat laborious, but the actual attack is quick.
2 Vegeta’s Lucora Gun Delivers A Burst Of Energy Bullets
Vegeta is one of the strongest and most versatile characters in Dragon Ball Z. The Saiyan Prince takes tremendous pride in his reputation and strength, which has pushed him to go above and beyond when it comes to training and battle strategy.
Vegeta has developed tons of deadly attacks that have aided him in battle, but most of his strongest techniques involve singular energy blasts that take time to collect. The Lucora Gun prioritizes quantity over quality and Vegeta releases a repeated barrage of energy attacks at an exhausting rate.
1 The Demonic Dabura’s Spit Offers Instant Petrification
Dragon Ball Z is no stranger to demons and Babidi brings some of the most wicked ones out of the woodwork when he attempts to awaken the malevolent force of nature, Majin Buu. Dabura is the king of the Demon Realm and he doesn’t look too far removed from Satan.
He’s skilled with a sword and can produce powerful energy blasts, but Dabura’s secret weapon is that his spit petrifies whoever comes in contact with it. There are some deadly attacks in the series, but few will reach their target faster than Dabura simply spitting at someone.