Directory: Techniques → Offensive techniques
Death Ball (デスボール, Desubōru) - an attack, where a spark of ki lights on the index finger, and once enough energy is gathered this spark may grow to the size of a small moon. When ready, this Death Ball is thrown towards the target. Typically this attack is used to destroy planets or as a last-ditch effort to kill an opponent.
Freeza is shown to use this technique to destroy Planet Vegeta, as well as Bardock, and planned to detonate Planet Namek the same way, only to be caught in Goku's Genki Dama. He uses it again when he arrives on Earth as a means to eradicate Future Trunks, but the attack is repelled.
Variations[]
Freeza also used a variation of this attack to destroy Planet Namek; it was different in size, shape, and color though, likely making it not a "true" Death Ball, though it could easily be explained by Freeza holding the bulk of his power back to avoid being caught in the explosion and the risk of injury. To reflect on this lack of power, neither lightning nor screentone that was applied on the "true" Death Ball Freeza conjured to destroy Namek in a fit of rage before Goku's ascension to Super Saiyan. He also uses both hands to create & throw (instead of just his index finger). In Budokai Tenkaichi 3, this attack is called Destroy The Planet!.
Kuriza uses a Death Ball the shape of an enormous orange chestnut with a face on it.
Supernova[]
This was to be Cooler's trump card versus Goku in the film Cooler's Revenge and, unlike Frieza's version, this attack can be created near instantly, but his attack is pushed back at him and he is subsequently pushed by the force of it and Goku's Kamehameha into the Sun.
In the film Return of Cooler, Metal Coola uses a lesser version of the Death Ball while fighting Goku on New Namek; this was dodged via Instantaneous Movement. Even though Cooler calls it Supernova, when Frieza used the attack to destroy Planet Vegeta, it took on the same appearance, probably meaning that once it reaches a certain size it becomes glowing orange whethere it's used by Cooler or Frieza.
In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Mecha Frieza's Ultimate Blast is also Supernova, leading to the possibility that the Supernova could be a stronger version of the Death Ball. Because they both use it, and Cooler also uses Death Beam, King Cold might also have one or both of the attacks, as they might be family attacks.
- Note: King Cold has never been shown using this attack in either the anime, manga, or video games. He does however, use a version of the Death Beam called the Full Power Death Beam in DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (in the game only he and Super Perfect Cell use the Full Power Death Beam).
The name of this attack is actually not given anywhere in the anime nor manga (and can occasionally be called "Freeza Ball" by fans) but instead originates from the series' video games.
Similar Techniques[]
Kid Buu uses a similar attack to destroy the Earth, called Vanishing Ball (or Planet Burst).
Baby-Vegeta uses two similar attacks the Revenge Death Ball & Revenge Death Ball Final.
Super 17 uses an attack called Shocking Death Ball (or Electric Hell Sphere).
Omega Shenron has a similar attack called Negative Karma Ball (or Minus Energy Power Ball).
| Frieza • Cooler • Kuriza • Cell • Planet Vegeta • Planet Namek • Spirit Bomb |