History Main / EnergyBall

An EnergyWeapon, and a specific [[SubTrope subtype]] of [[KiAttacks Ki Attack]] or FunctionalMagic or, occasionally, a gun that fires one or more glowing orbs of PureEnergy[=/=]PureMagic. Most commonly made of [[LightEmUp light]], [[ShockAndAwe electricity]] or [[PlayingWithFire fire]].

* Most KiAttacks in the ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' manga and video games are actually large spheres of force propelled forward, as opposed to the [[KamehameHadoken constant beams]] shown in the animated versions. Most epic of all: the Perfect Shishihokodan actually does generate a [[PillarOfLight Pillar of Ki]] straight up... that coalesces into a titanic ball that crushes everything underneath and leaves a perfectly hemispherical crater.

** Strangely, there are no {{fireballs}}. It would be pretty useful on Psychic-types who can't learn Flamethrower.
*** Generation V brings us [[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Ball_of_Flame_(move) Searing Shot (''Ball of Flame''/''Flame Bomb'' in Japanese)]], an attack that can only be learned by one [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]], Victini, who happens to be a Fire/Psychic-type.
*** Furthermore, Fusion Flare (Fire-type) and Fusion Bolt (Electric-type), the respective signature moves of the Tao Dragon-type [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokémon]] Reshiram and Zekrom, resemble powerful fireballs and electrical balls, corresponding with the secondary elemental types of this Dragon duo. If both moves happen to be used in the same turn, the one that occurs second receives a boost, as well.

[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/StreetFighterII https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_hadoken_5904.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[KamehameHadoken Quarter Circle Forward + Punch]]]]

* In ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', it's a pretty common ranged attack option, and usually (though not always) a ChargedAttack. Most characters who use it are simply bringing such attacks from their home games: [[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros Mario and Luigi]] have their fireballs, [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu and Ken]] have their hadokens, [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Mewtwo and Lucario]] use Shadow Ball and Aura Sphere, respectively, Franchise/MegaMan attacks with his energy pellets, [[{{Franchise/Metroid}} Samus and Dark Samus]] use their Charge Beam attacks; all these are described elsewhere on this page. In addition, Wii Fit Trainer, [[AdaptationalBadass a mundane yoga instructor in her own game]], can use the Sun Salutation sequence to conjure a sphere of solar energy in ''Smash''.

** Mario's fireballs in the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros.'' series behave like this, but Luigi's travel in straight lines regardless of gravity.

* [[{{Franchise/Metroid}} Samus]]' Charge Beam, [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Mewtwo's]] Shadow Ball and Lucario's Aura Sphere in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' Though in Samus' case, both the Power Beam and the Charge Beam are depicted as spherical shots in her series.
** Pikachu's Thunder Jolt (more evident when used in midair).

* ''Series/{{Charmed}}''. It's part of the standard demon power package: teleport, slow moving dark energy fire-y balls, and... not being able to dodge slow moving light energy fire-y balls.

* A good number of ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' attacks are represented as balls of whatever element; however, the move entitled EnergyBall is a Grass-type as opposed to being Normal, Electric, or Steel-type. Most likely it's a [[ThePowerOfTheSun solar-powered move]] a la Solarbeam.
** In addition to the actual "EnergyBall" attack, there's also Zap Cannon and Electro Ball (Electric-type), Shadow Ball (Ghost-type), and Aura Sphere (Fighting-type). Flash Cannon, which is a Steel-type attack, also looks like a round ball of energy before Generation 6 (where it's a [[FrickinLaserBeams laser instead]]), even if it's not explicitly in the name.

* ''VideoGame/MegaMan'' shoots spherical energy pellets of varying size throughout the series.

* In ''Franchise/DevilMayCry'', Dante can launch [[PlayingwithFire fire]] or [[HolyHandGrenade light]] balls at points, while in the first game during his EleventhHourSuperPower, he launched demonically powered energy balls.

** In addition to the actual "EnergyBall" attack, there's also Zap Cannon (Electric-type), Shadow Ball (Ghost-type), and Aura Sphere (Fighting-type). Flash Cannon, which is a Steel-type attack, also looks like a round ball of energy before Generation 6 (where it's a [[FrickinLaserBeams laser instead]]), even if it's not explicitly in the name.

* Iconic ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' creature Ball Lightning is a [[ShapedLikeItself ball-shaped lightning elemental]]. It only lasts one turn, with the intent that you'll throw it at your opponent immediately to inflict a good bit of damage.

-->'''Ryu''', ''Franchise/StreetFighter''

Warning: just because it's shaped like a ball doesn't always mean it will [[PinballProjectile bounce off flat surfaces]] (though if it does, expect it to [[HyperDestructiveBouncingBall instantly destroy anything it touches]]). In fact, they're far more likely to explode on impact, sometimes [[SphereOfDestruction in an equally spherical blast]]. You may need special equipment if you want to [[PlayingTennisWithTheBoss play tennis]]. Often created by SuckingInLines.

* [[spoiler: Vivio's Sankt Kaiser form]] in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanoha'' has the Impact Cannon, a huge energy ball that she punches out of her fist, and the Sacred Cluster, energy balls she throws which would explode around a target and bombard them with smaller energy bullets.

* ''Manga/{{Toriko}}'': The Four Heavenly Kings' Dinner of Kings/Ou Shoku Bansan, which is a ball of Appetite Energy that eats everything in its path like a giant PacMan.

-->'''Ryu''', Franchise/StreetFighter

* ''VideoGame/{{Half-Life 2}}'' has the Combine assault rifle, which can generate a ball of energy as its SecondaryFire. These also exist in the Combine's power generators. They vaporize other people instantly, but not you; perhaps the HEV suit grants some sort of protection against vaporization.
** ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'' uses similar energy balls to ''VideoGame/{{Half-Life 2}}'' in many puzzles. Portal and [=HL2=] are set in the same universe, and use the [[PropRecycling same graphic effect and sounds]] for the balls, but they are referred to as "High Energy Pellets" in Portal. Unlike [=HL2=], if they hit you they will vaporize you instantly, though it may be because of Chell lacking the HEV Suit.

* ''Manga/DragonBall'': Yamcha's Spirit Ball, Vegeta's Big Bang Attack, Piccolo's scatter shot and Broly's signature attacks. Not to mention the [[CombinedEnergyAttack Spirit Bomb]]. Generic balls of energy also get thrown around in pretty much every fight as well.

* This is the basic magic that all the Reyvateils (singing mages) can use in the ''VideoGame/ArTonelico'' series, and in fact, Misha's even has the same name as the trope.

* ''{{Toriko}}'': The Four Heavenly Kings' Dinner of Kings/Ou Shoku Bansan, which is a ball of Appetite Energy that eats everything in its path like a giant PacMan.

* The Choudenji Ball (Super Electromagnetic Ball) from ''VoltesV'', an energy ball launched from the SuperRobot's CoolSword which will simultaneously paralyze the MonsterOfTheWeek and weaken their armor, leaving them wide open for the FinishingMove.

Warning: just because it's shaped like a ball doesn't always mean it will [[PinballProjectile bounce off flat surfaces]] (though if it does, expect it to [[HyperDestructiveBouncingBall instantly destroy anything it touches]]). In fact, they're far more likely to explode on impact. You may need special equipment if you want to [[PlayingTennisWithTheBoss play tennis]].

Often created by SuckingInLines. See also KamehameHadouken, which may overlap.

See also {{Fireballs}}.