Energy Absorption

Energy Absorption encompasses several different methods of draining ki from opponents. The most well-known version belongs to Dr. Gero's Android designs: Androids 19 and 20 (Gero himself) had special devices embedded in their palms that could siphon energy on contact, converting absorbed ki into fuel for their own power. Cell used a different approach entirely, absorbing energy through his tail to drain victims of their life force. Beyond artificial methods, natural energy absorbers like Moro and Baby have their own unique variations, making this one of the broadest technique categories in the series.

Dr. Gero designed the palm-based absorption specifically to counter ki-based fighters. During the Android Saga, Android 19 demonstrated the technique by grabbing Super Saiyan Goku's face and draining his energy, exploiting the fact that Goku was already weakened by his heart virus. Vegeta put an end to 19 shortly after, but Dr. Gero (Android 20) continued using the technique to steal energy from Piccolo by ambushing him from behind. The weakness of the palm-drain method is obvious: it requires direct physical contact, and a fighter who is aware of the danger can simply avoid being grabbed or use physical attacks instead of energy blasts.

Cell's tail-based absorption was far more sinister, draining entire human beings down to their clothing and using their bio-energy to increase his power toward his Perfect form. Super 17 in Dragon Ball GT took the concept even further, absorbing energy blasts fired at him and converting them directly into power boosts, which made conventional ki attacks completely useless against him. Goku only defeated Super 17 by exploiting a brief window when the android opened his barrier to attack. In Dragon Ball Super, Moro brought a cosmic-scale version of energy absorption, draining entire planets of their life force to restore his youth and power. Seven-Three could copy abilities by touching someone's neck, adding another disturbing twist to the energy theft concept.