Death Ball

The Death Ball begins as a tiny spark of energy balanced on the tip of Frieza's index finger. As he feeds more ki into it, the spark grows into an enormous sphere that can reach the size of a small moon. Despite its terrifying scale, Frieza creates and controls the Death Ball with effortless nonchalance, often forming it with one hand raised as though offering a gift. The contrast between his calm demeanor and the planet-ending power he casually holds is a defining image of Frieza's character.

The technique's primary purpose is planetary destruction. Frieza used a Death Ball variant (the Supernova) to obliterate Planet Vegeta and the entire Saiyan race, establishing it as the weapon of choice for his campaign of galactic conquest. When deployed against individual fighters, the Death Ball carries enough force to end virtually any opponent who cannot deflect it.

On Namek, Frieza charges a Death Ball in a fit of rage after Gohan and Krillin repeatedly interfere with his plans. Cackling with fury, he hurls the massive sphere toward the planet's surface, intending to destroy Namek and everyone on it rather than continue fighting. Goku counters by finally launching the Large Spirit Bomb, which engulfs the Death Ball completely and slams into Frieza, dealing the tyrant his most devastating blow yet.

Tournament of Power

In the Dragon Ball Super manga's version of the Tournament of Power, Frieza uses the Death Ball during the climactic confrontation with Jiren. He demands that Goku hold Jiren still so the attack can land, but Jiren barely deflects it into the air. The failed attack still serves its purpose as a distraction, giving Frieza the opening to transform into Golden Frieza and tackle both Goku and Jiren off the arena, securing Universe 7's survival.

The Death Ball is not exclusive to Frieza. His ancestor Chilled uses a version against Super Saiyan Bardock in Episode of Bardock, only to have it deflected back at him. Cooler wields variants called the Supernova and Supernova Cooler that emphasize even greater scale. Frost, Frieza's Universe 6 counterpart, uses a modified version called the Chaos Ball.

The technique has spawned an enormous family of variations across games and extended media: the Golden Death Ball, Super Death Ball, Petite Supernova, 100% Death Ball, and many more. The Supernova variant, used to destroy Planet Vegeta, is arguably the most consequential single attack in the entire Dragon Ball timeline, as it set in motion every event that followed by scattering the Saiyan survivors across the galaxy.