Special Beam Cannon

Directory: Techniques → Offensive Techniques → Energy Beam

"I was hoping to save it for a special occasion, it's the attack I planned to use to defeat you."
— Piccolo to Goku, preparing to use the Special Beam Cannon against Raditz in "Piccolo's Plan"

Special Beam Cannon (魔ま貫かん光こう殺さっ砲ぽう, Makankōsappō, lit. "Demon's Penetrating, Killing Light Gun") is a technique used by Piccolo and is one of his signature attacks, along with Demon Hand. The technique is a very powerful laser beam created by Piccolo in order to destroy his then-archenemy, Goku.

Overview[]

SBC — Piccolo charges the Special Beam Cannon

The move is performed by touching the index and middle fingers of one hand to the forehead and charging enough ki to attack. Its speed changes to the power level of the user performing the move. When ready, the fingers are extended forward, and two thin energy beams are unleashed from the fingers. One remains straight while the other coils around the straight beam. The resulting beam is quite powerful, drilling through most targets, and exploding on the ones it can't. It can also be used with only one arm (as when Piccolo used it for the first time), though a two-handed, larger, Kamehameha-like version exists, and can be fired quicker.^[17]

While the move can be used uncharged, its true strength and weakness lie in the time it takes to build up energy for the focused blast. While Piccolo is left exposed when concentrating the move, the completed attack will be incredibly strong, and can pierce through foes stronger than Piccolo himself. Piccolo can use clones to support the technique in order to hide and give himself time to fully-charge the Special Beam Cannon.

In the Ocean dub, the attack is referred to as being the speed of light, as Piccolo reasoned that Raditz had to be "faster than the speed of light" to evade it, however this statement is not in the manga, and it was never given a concrete estimate about it's speed.

Usage[]

GohansSpecialBeamCannon — Gohan firing his version of Special Beam Cannon

Piccolo uses the Special Beam Cannon in a battle for the first time in the battle against Raditz. The first time it is used, Raditz dodges and is only singed by it, though he noted the fact that it managed to shatter his Battle Armor's shoulder guard is something impressive. The second time is a direct hit Full-Nelson Special Beam Cannon, which according to Raditz's scouter is even stronger than the first, killing both him and Goku in one shot; thus, the technique ironically fulfilled its intended purpose to kill Goku.

Double Demon Burst (Manga Full Color) — Piccolo fires his Double Demon Burst (Full Color)

During his training with Piccolo, Gohan transforms into a Great Ape, so Piccolo uses the Special Beam Cannon to destroy the spaceship Goku used to come to Earth, which was projecting the image of the moon in the sky that caused the transformation.^[18] During the battle with Nappa in the manga, Piccolo used the two handed version of the Special Beam Cannon (a technique he has only used once), alongside Krillin's Kamehameha in an attempt to kill Nappa, however the Saiyan dodges,^[17] in the anime Piccolo instead uses the Makosen.

He uses this same move while training with Gohan, only it is blue in color.

When Piccolo trains with several copies of himself in the episode "The Heavens Tremble" all of the copies fire a Special Beam Cannon at the original Piccolo, only to have it blown away. In the anime, Piccolo uses it additional times when battling Garlic Jr. and as a mental projection created inside Super Buu's mind.

The Special Beam Cannon is used frequently in the anime by a number of heroes and villains alike. Gohan uses a very similar move while practicing with Krillin (in a mental battle) on the way to Namek, as if firing only the spiral around the beam, not the beam itself.^[3]

O13 — Imperfect Cell using the Special Beam Cannon against Piccolo

163-33 — Perfect Cell using the Special Beam Cannon against Goku

It is used by Cell against Piccolo in their first battle in Gingertown, but the blast is deflected by Piccolo. Perfect Cell uses the technique while in Multi-Form against Goku during the Cell Games, but Goku evades. He later uses it against Gohan, only to have it deflected. Perfect Cell uses the technique again in Dragon Ball GT, during his battle in Hell against Goku. The Cell Juniors also use the Special Beam Cannon against Gohan during the Cell Games, but to no avail. In the Dragon Ball Z anime, Piccolo fires the technique at Cell during the latter's Kamehameha struggle with Super Saiyan 2 Gohan, with Tien Shinhan, Krillin, and Yamcha joining in shortly thereafter.

251-12 — Super Buu using the Special Beam Cannon against Gohan

Years later, it is Super Buu (with Piccolo and Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks absorbed) who uses the technique, against Gohan who manages to block it but is left severely exhausted and drained.^[19] When Vegeta is fighting the thoughts of Piccolo and Gotenks inside Super Buu, the thought form of Piccolo uses the technique but Vegeta dodges the attack and the thought form of Gotenks is hit as a result, causing him to fall but rise back up again.^[20]

Piccolo begins to prepare a Special Beam Cannon for use against Beerus after seeing Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks' defeat, but he is stopped by Vegeta.^[21]

Later, during the Tournament of Destroyers, Piccolo attempts to use the Special Beam Cannon against Frost to win their fight. Piccolo continuously charges the technique while constantly getting attacked by Frost. However, when Frost blasts Piccolo in his abdomen, the Special Beam Cannon gets fired toward the super resistant barrier Vados created for the tournament arena and creates a hole in it.^[22]

DBS 62 08 — Piccolo pierced by Moro's Special Beam Cannon

Piccolo used a fully charged Special Beam Cannon to defeat the Universe 6 Namekians Saonel and Pilina in a single blow, tossing them off the arena and as a result, eliminating Universe 6 completely from the Tournament of Power.^[23]

Seven-Three acquires the technique after he uses his Copy Ability on Piccolo.^[24] Moro also acquires the technique upon absorbing Seven-Three, using it take down Piccolo.^[25]

Piccolo uses against Pikkon in the restarted Super Space-Time Tournament after Demigra's defeat.^[26]

Piccolo fired it at Baby Gohan but missed.^[27]

Film Appearances[]

In Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might, Piccolo uses it in the battle with Turles with little effect.

In Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge, Piccolo uses it to kill Salza.

In Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound, Piccolo used it to save Gohan from Bojack's Full Power Energy Ball.

In Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, Piccolo uses an uncharged version of the Special Beam Cannon against Shisami, but however, he manages to dodge it.

In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Piccolo uses it in his Ultimate state against Gamma 2 who blocks it with an Android Barrier. During the final fight against Cell Max, Gohan uses it in his Beast form, clashing with Cell Max's Explosive Scream and winning, obliterating the weak point on the Bio-Android's head and causing the monstrosity to explode. Piccolo later calls Gohan out on his use of the move and calls it a marvelous display. Gohan reveals that he had been practicing the Special Beam Cannon in secret.

Variations[]

Special Beam Charge - A charging technique used to increase the power of the Special Beam Cannon.
Special Beam Blast - A quick-firing Special Beam Cannon that blasts the opponent backwards on hit.
Full-Nelson Special Beam Cannon - The team attack version of the Special Beam Cannon used by Piccolo and Goku.
Double Demon Burst - A two-handed energy wave variation used by Piccolo against Nappa in the manga.
Special Beam Cannon (Clone) - A variation used by Piccolo in his match against Frost in the anime.
Masenko Beam Cannon - A combination of the Masenko and Special Beam Cannon.

Gohan blocks the foes' attack with a shield
Piccolo fires his Special Beam Cannon into it
The Special Beam Cannon hits the target

Special Beam Cannon + Energy Shield - A combination technique employed by Gohan and Piccolo. Gohan creates a revolving disc energy shield to block a foe's attack and give Piccolo time to charge his Special Beam Cannon, which he then proceeds to fire at the shield, pushing it forward, the shield then dissipates just before the Special Beam Cannon is about to hit the foe.
Special Beam Cannon (Super) - A variation used by Piccolo in his Ultimate state in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Special Beam Cannon (Beast) - A variation used by Gohan Beast against Cell Max in Super Hero.
Z-Assist Special Beam Cannon - A variation of the Special Beam Cannon used by the Future Warrior in Dragon Ball Xenoverse when performing the technique while Piccolo is their current Master. The Z-Assist causes Piccolo's soul (which appears as an astral projection of Piccolo performing the technique) to go into the Future Warrior's body while they're performing it, increasing the power of the Warrior's Special Beam Cannon.
DUAL Special Beam Cannon - A two-person team attack version which appears as Piccolo's Dual Ultimate Skill in Xenoverse 2 after the 1.09.00 Update. After both users each attack the opponent one performing an initial strike then the other performing a secondary assist successfully, both users will attack the opponent as a pair with Special Beam Cannon.
Super Special Beam Cannon - An enhanced variation used by Piccolo in Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors. Also appears as a Special Move in Dragon Ball Fusions. In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot it is described as an upgraded form of Special Beam Cannon which Piccolo can acquire as a Super Attack via Mental Simulation Training at the Training Grounds.
- Limit Breaker Special Beam Cannon - An upgraded form of the Super Special Beam Cannon where the user surpasses conventional limits for a decisive, one-hit Super Attack. Can be acquired by Piccolo as a Super Attack via Mental Simulation Training at the Training Grounds in Kakarot.
- FP Special Beam Cannon - An enhanced variant that fires a Special Beam Cannon at full power. Appears as a Special Move in Dragon Ball Fusions.
  - Kamehame Beam Cannon - A combination of MAX Power Kamehameha and FP Special Beam Cannon used by both Prillin and Kallohan as a Special Move in Dragon Ball Fusions.
Master-Student Special Beam Cannon - A team attack used Orange Piccolo and Gohan Beast used in Xenoverse 2.

Video Game Appearances[]

Ultimate Mission - Special Beam Cannon — Piccolo fires the Special Beam Cannon in *Ultimate Mission*

In Ressen Jinzōningen, Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans and the Supersonic Warriors series, it is colored green.

In Super Butōden 2, Cell Jr. can use the attack, and his version is colored blue.

In the Budokai series, Super Dragon Ball Z, Burst Limit, and Tap Battle, it is colored purple.

Budokai Tenkaichi 3 - SSJ Future Gohan uses Special Beam Cannon against 17 — Super Saiyan Future Gohan's Special Beam Cannon used in *Budokai Tenkaichi 3*

In Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Shin Budokai - Another Road, and Raging Blast 2, this move is used by Future Gohan while in his Super Saiyan form.

In Dragon Ball Online, Warrior-type Namekians can learn the Special Beam Cannon once they reach level 30.

In Dragon Ball Heroes, Special Beam Cannon appears as Gohan Beast (UGM3-SEC Son Gohan: SH)'s Super Attack.

In Ultimate Tenkaichi, it can be obtained as one of the Standard Hero's customizable super attacks.

In Battle of Z, it is Piccolo's Super move and Imperfect Cell's Blast Spark.

In Xenoverse, it is one of Piccolo's Ultimate Skills. It can also be used by adult Gohan and can be learned by the Future Warrior by completing the training under Piccolo as their Master. If the Warrior uses the Special Beam Cannon in battle while Piccolo is their current Master then the attack receives a Z-Assist, causing Piccolo's soul to briefly enter the Warrior body making it stronger.

In Xenoverse 2, Special Beam Cannon returns as one of Piccolo's Ultimate Skills which can be learned by the Future Warrior by completing School Quest: "Lesson 3" of Piccolo's Training. After the 1.09.00 Update, Special Beam Cannon can be added to Adult Gohan, Future Gohan, Perfect Cell, and Piccolo's custom skillsets by purchasing it in Partner Customization. When performed by Future Gohan, he will say "How's that? Special Beam Cannon!" while Adult Gohan doesn't even call out its name. Piccolo also gains a team attack variation called DUAL Special Beam Cannon as his Dual Ultimate Attack skill which can be equipped to his custom skillset, though he only requires the skill to initiate it as he can perform the secondary assist without it equipped if initiated by a partner. The Future Warrior can learn DUAL Special Beam Cannon after reaching partner level (maximum friendship) with Piccolo as an instructor then speak to him.

In Dragon Ball Legends, Special Beam Cannon appears as a Special Move Arts for several versions of Piccolo. Additionally certain versions of Piccolo can teach Shallot their version of Special Beam Cannon once said version has reached Friendship Rank 2. Additionally, some versions of Piccolo such as Legends Limited Piccolo (DBL22-03S) are unable to teach their Special Beam Cannon to Shallot. Also, Gohan (Kid): Piccolo (Assist) can utilize the Double Demon Burst which functions as a team attack Special Move Arts where Gohan (Kid) punches the opponent knocking them back, which Piccolo follows up the Double Demon Burst.

In FighterZ, Piccolo can use the Special Beam Cannon by expending one bar of ki, similarly to Hellzone Grenade. Piccolo can also charge up the Special Beam Cannon, which causes it to deal about 50% more damage, during which he can repeatedly teleport short distances to reposition himself before unleashing the attack.

In World Mission, Special Beam Cannon is Piccolo's Super Attack which can be learned by all Elite type Hero Avatars by raising Piccolo's Camaraderie. Additionally, it appears as a Giga Rarity Super Attack Accessory which can be equipped to any non-Special type card through the Custom Deck or added to a custom card via Card Creation.

In Kakarot, the Special Beam Cannon appears as one of Piccolo's Super Attacks. Additionally, the technique has upgraded forms, the Super Special Beam Cannon and Limit Breaker Special Beam Cannon, which can be unlocked by performing Mental Simulation Training once certain criteria are met. The Special Beam Cannon also has an entry in the Z-Encyclopedia's Terms section under Skills. The Full-Nelson Special Beam Cannon is used by Goku and Piccolo to kill Raditz's in Saiyan Saga Episode 2.

Character meaning[]

魔ま (Ma) = "Demon" / "evil" / devil / magic
貫ぬき (Nuki) = Penetrate / "pierce"
光ひかり (Hikari) = "Light" / "ray" / "beam"
殺や (Ya) = "Kill"
砲ほう (Hō) = "Gun"

Trivia[]

During the battle against Raditz (Dragon Ball Z Kai version), in a flashback where Piccolo fires the Special Beam Cannon, instead of yelling "Special Beam Cannon!" like in the actual fight in the previous episode, he yells "Makankōsappō!", the Japanese name of this technique. He also yells the Japanese name in the Dragon Ball Z Kai Part One DVD.
Ultimately through this technique's variation the Full-Nelson Special Beam Cannon, it fulfilled Piccolo's original intended purpose for creating it, to defeat and kill Goku (albeit temporarily). It is also one of the few techniques to have actually managed to kill Goku, the others being Semi-Perfect Cell's Unforgivable! Self Destruction technique (however in both cases Goku chose to sacrifice his life and was eventually resurrected) and Goku Black's God Split Cut which he used to kill Goku after Zamasu switching bodies with him in Dragon Ball Super (this event was erased from the history of the main timeline when Beerus killed Present Zamasu before he could kill Gowasu).
Oddly enough, the Special Beam Cannon in Xenoverse series is an unblockable attack (one of the few in the games), despite the fact that Ultimate Gohan was shown blocking it in the anime, and Piccolo himself was capable of deflecting it. It is also the only attack in Xenoverse that is capable of passing through solid objects (in Xenoverse 2 it is one of a handful of techniques capable of passing through solid objects).
- However, its status as an unblockable attack may be a reference to Raditz's line about not being able to block the Special Beam Cannon upon scanning Piccolo while he was charging it.
Perfect Cell's Special Beam Cannon is called "Energy Drive" (エネルギードライブ) in Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden. Imperfect Cell's is named Makankōsappō.