3 Dragon Ball Techniques That Look Powerful But Are Surprisingly Useless

Dragon Ball's Super Saiyan transformations are incredibly exciting and represent memorable milestones for its characters. However, there are plenty of situations where the right technique is more advantageous than a new form. The series is always experimenting with new techniques, but some of these attacks are more beneficial than others. In fact, some of Dragon Ball's techniques, while flashy, are practically useless.

Super Saiyan Third Grade

Super Saiyan transformations become a major strategic asset for Dragon Ball's Saiyans. There are situations in which a transformation is purely used to enter a fight with upgraded stats, but they can also be strategically used to amplify specific attacks. Dragon Ball Z's Cell Saga is an interesting period of transition for Super Saiyan upgrades. The story arc concludes with the revelatory introduction of Super Saiyan 2 power. However, this saga also introduces several Super Saiyan mid-stages that help Goku and his allies better understand their abilities.

The Saiyans' Hyperbolic Time Chamber leads to the advent of Super Saiyan Second and Third Grade. These forms lack the full power and advantage of Super Saiyan 2 strength, but they're still markedly more powerful than the standard Super Saiyan form. The problem is that their strength is the result of severely increased muscle mass. This setback is manageable in the Super Saiyan Second Grade state, but it becomes untenable in Super Saiyan Third Grade.

Dragon Ball introduces some compelling techniques that focus on more than just strength alone. Intimidation can go a long way in battle and there's something to be said about the ability to get into the opponent's head and make them feel overwhelmed. Tien reveals his Multi-Form Technique during the 23rd World Tournament, which has gone on to become one of his most popular attacks. It even makes a prominent return during Dragon Ball Super's Tournament of Power. Dragon Ball has featured various forms of cloning, such as Piccolo's Tri-Form or the deceptive Afterimage Technique.

Multi-Form Technique

Tien's Multi-Form Technique is significant because the clones that it creates aren't illusions. They're actual independent fighters who can function as a hive mind or work on their own. Tien's Multi-Form involves him splitting into two versions of himself, who then perform fission one more time until there's four of him. This seems like a clear advantage and an easy way to beat the enemy through sheer numbers, but the Multi-Form Technique has a weakness.

Magic Materialization

Magic Materialization is actually a very beneficial skill that can trigger devastating results in the right context. For instance, the Heeter Force's Gas makes extensive use of Magic Materialization to create diverse weapons that are then hurled at the enemy. Magic Materialization can also be used for considerably more vain and pointless endeavors, like when Demon King Piccolo or Garlic Jr. use it to make themselves a throne.

One of Piccolo's more perplexing uses of this ability has become a running joke in Dragon Ball and gained the unofficial name of the Clothes Beam. There have been a handful of instances in which Piccolo appears to be shooting a ki beam at Gohan, but it instead just changes his attire. This is most notably used during Gohan's wilderness training, when Piccolo equips his student with a new martial arts gi.