From the start of the Demon King Piccolo arc to around midway through the Cell arc, Piccolo was one of Dragon Ball’s clear cut main characters. Even in the Boo arc, after he’s lost his combat relevance, he still plays a relatively important role and acts as a necessary presence while Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan are MIA.
As is the case with any Dragon Ball character who ends up losing their relevance, Piccolo has a host of techniques that he only ever used once or twice, forgotten to the sands of time. Which is a shame, as Piccolo had some of the most unique techniques in the entire franchise.
10 Bakurikimaha
Otherwise known as the Explosive Demon Wave, the Bakurikimaha is one of Demon King Piccolo’s signature moves, and one of the only OG techniques Piccolo Junior actually inherits from dear old dad. Almost like a shotgun blast of sorts, Piccolo uses one arm to focus a concentrated Ki attack while the other arm keeps the attack steady.
It’s interesting that Piccolo can manifest intense enough Ki where he actually has to stabilize his arm in order to focus, but it makes for a very visually impressive technique that frankly doesn’t get nearly enough love over the course of the series.
9 Renzoku Sen Kodan
Also called the Scatter Shot and Chirushotto, the Renzoku Sen Kodan is one of Piccolo’s simpler techniques in his roster, but one that shines a light on just how intense Dragon Ball managed to get once it hit the Z-era. Once an incredibly dangerous move, Piccolo would fire several concentrated Ki blasts at his opponent, more or less locking them in place.
Nowadays, any character would just be able to brush that off or dodge it outright, but there was a time where this could genuinely have killed Goku if he wasn’t careful. It’s unlikely Piccolo will pull out the Renzoku Sen Kodan again anytime soon, but it’s a nice piece of DB history.
8 Makankosappo (Full Power)
Unfortunately named the “Special Beam Cannon” in the English dub, Piccolo’s Makankosappo is easily his signature move. How could it not be when it’s the technique that kills Goku for the first time? It has since appeared in Super in its iconic form, but what fans forget is that Piccolo actually developed an upgrade while waiting for the Saiyans.
During the fight against Nappa, Piccolo uses both hands to fire out a Makankosappo that not only pierces, but surrounds a proper Ki blast. It’s a much stronger technique altogether… that Dragon Ball completely forgot about. Considering how much DBS loves the original, weaker variation, it’s unlikely Piccolo will ever use this upgrade again.
7 Bakukaze
An anime exclusive technique, the Bakukaze (Destructive Wind) channels Ki into a funnel-like attack that is then fired towards the opposition. In this case, Piccolo used the technique against Nappa. Often, Toei would come up with new moves that would only show up once or twice before being relegated to the video games.
While it’s a bit shallow of a technique, it is visually interesting, which is something that can’t be said for a lot of Ki attacks, especially later in the series. The Bakukaze seemingly makes note of Piccolo’s trademarks Ki spirals, a detail that doesn’t persist after the Saiyan arc. As far as filler attacks go, the Bakukaze is a fairly memorable one.
6 Masenko
Try to picture Piccolo using a Masenko. Now try to picture him using it in the original series, outside of video games and Super. It’s hard to picture, isn’t it? That’s because Piccolo doesn’t actually use this technique in the original series, only Gohan does. And only after Piccolo dies, at that.
That said, this is absolutely a technique Piccolo knows since it uses the “Ma” prefix, a fixture of most of Piccolo’s canonical attacks. It’s interesting that Gohan’s signature technique, one that’s known for being learned from Piccolo, is never used in-series by Piccolo. At least not in anything canon.
5 Makuhoidan
Otherwise known as the Hellzone Grenade, the Makuhoidan is used in one of Piccolo’s best fights in the series: his battle against No. 17. After merging with God, Piccolo finds himself stronger than ever, fighting on even ground with 17. As the tide turns in his favor, Piccolo fires off his Renzoku Sen Kodan, only to seemingly miss.
As it turns out, he was surrounding 17 with Ki, waiting to trap him inside the blast. Were it not for 17’s energy shield, Piccolo would have blown him to pieces with the Makuhoidan right then and there. It’s an incredibly cool technique that barely gets any use. Even if it fails in its signature appearance, it fails with spectacular style.
4 Shishen No Ken
Originally one of Tenshinhan’s techniques, the Shishen No Ken allows the user to split themselves into several different bodies. The technique does divide the user’s Ki between the forms, naturally, but it can be used strategically. Tenshinhan tries to trick Goku with the technique while Piccolo actually uses his to train (in the anime).
Interestingly, while training with a weaker version of yourself may not be immediately beneficial, it would ultimately show Piccolo where he’s slacking as a martial artist. It’s basically being given a chance to develop strategies to defeat oneself, a methodology that would help Piccolo hone in one of his weaknesses and fix them.
3 Kuchi Kara Kikoha
The Kuchi Kara Kikoha, also known as the Cho Makoho in the Sparking games and Mouth Energy Wave in English, is used by a lot of different characters. Oozarus use it, Dodoria uses it, and all of Demon King Piccolo’s children use it. Including Majunior himself! A more primitive technique, it doesn’t take long for Piccolo to put it on the backburner.
That said, Piccolo pulls off two very impressive feats with the Kuchi Kara Kikoha. The first, he pierces Goku during the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai, nearly killing him. The second, he blows up a Saibaiman to smithereens during one of the most brutal sequences to come out of the Saiyan arc. It’s perhaps for the best Piccolo doesn’t use this move anymore, considering how savage it makes him look.
2 Kaikosen
Simply known as the Antenna Beam in English, the Kaikosen is exactly what it sounds like: a beam Piccolo shoots out of his antenna. Interestingly, this technique was first used by Buyon during the Red Ribbon Army arc before being co-opted by Piccolo. As a move, it isn’t particularly impressive and Piccolo only notably uses it in the Garlic Junior arc, but it’s nonetheless interesting.
This is a technique that’s intimately tied to Piccolo’s anatomy, after all. His antennas serve a purpose so long as the Kaikosen exist. Which is not something that can be said about the series’ more over-designed characters. It’s always a nice surprise when a design feature can be used in battle.
1 Gekiretsu Kodan
Also called the Light Grenade in English, the Gekiretsu Kodan is more or less Piccolo’s version of the Kamehameha: a standard Ki attack that fires out charged and fully formed. Like with the Bakurikimaha, this is an attack that Piccolo stabilizes before firing out, suggesting a greater deal of force being put in.
Unfortunately, unlike the Kamehameha, this technique never took off. In reflection, Piccolo isn’t the type of fighter who uses the same moves very often. A lot like Vegeta, he’s constantly changing up his techniques. It’s really only in the Saiyan arc where he sticks to the Makankosappo. It’s exactly that train of thought that keeps his move set so varied and memorable, though.