Mercenary Tao
World's Deadliest AssassinCategory: Characters · Home
Mercenary Tao, also known as General Tao, is the world's deadliest assassin and the younger brother of the Crane Hermit Shen. A sadistic killer who murdered for both business and pleasure, Tao's introduction in the Red Ribbon Army Saga marked the first time young Goku faced an opponent he absolutely could not defeat. His lethal efficiency, creative combat techniques, and eventual cybernetic transformation made him one of original Dragon Ball's most memorable villains.
1 Overview
Mercenary Tao Pai Pai is the world's deadliest assassin, the younger brother of the Crane Hermit Shen, and one of the most iconic villains from the original Dragon Ball series. Hired by Commander Red of the Red Ribbon Army to eliminate Goku, Tao demonstrated his terrifying efficiency by killing General Blue with nothing but his tongue, then tracking down Goku and nearly killing him with a single Dodon Ray through the chest — a wound so severe it required the Dragon Balls to heal.
Tao's most iconic visual is his mode of transportation: hurling a stone pillar into the air, leaping onto it, and riding it across the ocean for 2,300 kilometers like a surfboard. This absurd yet deadly serious display of power established him as a threat far beyond anything Goku had faced. After Goku's training on Korin Tower, their rematch ended with Tao's own grenade being kicked back into his face. Tao survived by spending his mercenary fortune on extensive cybernetic reconstruction, returning years later as Cyborg Tao during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament — half-machine, half-man, and completely consumed by revenge.
Tao represents a transitional villain in Dragon Ball's power scaling: absolutely terrifying against a pre-Korin Goku, but laughably obsolete by the standards of the later series. His memorable design, creative weapon usage, and utterly ruthless personality make him one of the franchise's most effective early antagonists.
2 Basic Data
| Attribute | Human Tao | Cyborg Tao |
|---|---|---|
| Power Level | ~150 | ~200 (estimated) |
| Fighting Style | Crane School martial arts + assassination | Cyber-enhanced + hidden weapons |
| Signature Technique | Dodon Ray | Super Dodon Ray |
| Transportation | Pillar riding (2,300 km) | Cybernetic flight capability |
| Notable Kill | General Blue (tongue strike) | None (defeated by Tien) |
| Combat Outcome vs Goku | Win (Dodon Ray through chest) | N/A (did not face Goku) |
| Combat Outcome vs Tien | N/A | Loss (single punch elimination) |
3 Ability Analysis
Dodon Ray
Mechanism: The Crane School's signature energy technique. Unlike the Kamehameha's wide beam, the Dodon Ray focuses ki into a concentrated piercing projectile that travels at extremely high speed.
Best Use: Surgical strikes against single targets. Tao's Dodon Ray pierced through Goku's chest, creating a wound that required magical healing. The technique's narrow profile makes it difficult to dodge and extremely lethal against unprotected opponents.
Common Mistake: Assuming it has the same raw power as a Kamehameha. The Dodon Ray trades raw destructive area for penetration power and speed. It is an assassination technique, not a battlefield-clearing move.
Pillar Throw (Transportation)
Mechanism: Tao hurls a stone pillar into the air with superhuman strength, leaps onto it mid-flight, and rides it across vast distances. He can control its trajectory through ki manipulation and body positioning.
Best Use: Long-distance travel that surpasses modern aircraft. Tao rode a pillar 2,300 kilometers across the ocean to reach Goku before the Saiyan could arrive by conventional means.
Common Mistake: Viewing it purely as a gag. While presented comically, this technique demonstrates Tao's incredible physical strength and refined ki control. It is also a tactical speed advantage.
Cyborg Enhancements (Post-Recovery)
Mechanism: After surviving his grenade injury, Tao spent his mercenary fortune on full-body cybernetic reconstruction. His new body included retractable blades, hidden missile launchers, finger guns, and enhanced physical parameters.
Best Use: The Super Dodon Ray fired from his cybernetic fingers was more powerful than his human version. Hidden blades and missiles gave him surprise attack options.
Common Mistake: Overestimating Cyborg Tao's power. Despite his enhancements, he was still far below the tournament power ceiling. Tien dodged his Super Dodon Ray effortlessly and eliminated him with a single punch, showing that technology could not bridge the training gap.
4 Build Recommendations
The Assassin Build (Human Tao)
Techniques: Dodon Ray, Tongue Strike, Pillar Throw, Grenade Tactics
Recommended Scenario: Fighting opponents below or near your power level. Use the Dodon Ray for quick elimination, pillar throw for strategic mobility, and keep a grenade as a surprise finisher.
Not Recommended: Against opponents who have trained with divine beings (post-Korin Goku). Your techniques are lethal but your stats cannot compete with transcendental training.
The Cyborg Build (Post-Recovery)
Techniques: Super Dodon Ray, Finger Guns, Retractable Blades, Hidden Missiles
Recommended Scenario: Tournament setting where surprise weapons can create openings. Use the Super Dodon Ray as a ranged opener, then follow up with hidden blades in close combat.
Not Recommended: Against elite Crane School disciples. Tien trained in the same style and knows all the tricks. Cyborg enhancements mean nothing against superior fundamentals.
The Speed Blitz Build
Techniques: Pillar Throw (approach), Dodon Ray (opening), Tongue Strike (surprise), Explosive Grenade (finisher)
Recommended Scenario: When you need to end the fight before the opponent understands your capabilities. Tao's speed and creativity make this build devastating against unprepared enemies.
Not Recommended: Against opponents with information on your fighting style. Once the element of surprise is lost, your techniques become predictable.
5 Strategy Guide
Phase 1: The Assassination Approach (Red Ribbon Army Saga)
Tao's strategy is pure efficiency. Locate the target, eliminate them with minimal effort, collect payment. His killing of General Blue establishes his ruthlessness — using his tongue as a weapon shows he will use any means necessary. Against Goku, Tao identifies the power gap immediately and uses the Dodon Ray for a decisive kill shot rather than engaging in prolonged combat. This phase demonstrates Tao at his peak effectiveness: his power is overwhelming, his methods are brutal, and his confidence is absolute.
Phase 2: The Rematch (Post-Korin Tower)
Goku returns from Korin Tower with dramatically increased power. Tao fails to recognize the shift and attempts the same tactics. His Dodon Ray is now dodged. His physical strikes are blocked. His grenade is kicked back at him. This phase illustrates a critical Dragon Ball lesson: static power that relies on natural talent will be surpassed by those willing to train under masters. Tao's overconfidence is his downfall — he refuses to retreat or adapt, assuming his reputation alone should win the fight.
Phase 3: Cyborg Tao (23rd Tournament)
Tao returns with cybernetic enhancements but the same arrogance. He faces Tien, who has trained under both the Crane School and Master Roshi. Tao's Super Dodon Ray, which he believes is unstoppable, is effortlessly dodged. His hidden weapons are systematically exposed and removed. Tien finishes him with a single punch that sends him out of the ring. This phase proves that technological upgrades cannot substitute for fundamental growth. Tao never understood that the gap was not physical but philosophical — he fought for money and revenge, while his opponents fought for growth and mastery.
6 Matchup Analysis
| Opponent | Difficulty | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Goku (pre-Korin) | Easy | Dodon Ray through the chest. Goku has no response to the speed and power of Crane School techniques. |
| Goku (post-Korin) | Very Hard | Goku's power increase is too dramatic. Tao cannot land any significant hit and his grenade is reflected. |
| Tien (23rd Tournament) | Impossible | Tien knows Crane School techniques intimately. Super Dodon Ray is dodged, hidden weapons are removed, one-punch elimination. |
| General Blue | Trivial | Killed with a single tongue strike. Blue had no chance to react or use his psychic powers. |
| Commander Red | Trivial | Killed by Tao for his money after his usefulness ended. A non-combatant. |
| Krillin (pre-Korin) | Moderate | Krillin has Turtle School training and would fare better than Goku, but Tao's experience and ruthlessness give him the edge. |
| Yajirobe | Even | Yajirobe's swordsmanship and survival instincts make him a dangerous opponent. Combat result would depend on terrain and opening move. |
7 Expert Tips
Tip 1: Tao's tongue strike is one of the most lethal non-energy attacks in early Dragon Ball. He killed General Blue, who had psychic powers, instantly. Never underestimate the creativity of a master assassin who weaponizes every body part.
Tip 2: The pillar riding technique is not just for show. Tao crossed 2,300 kilometers faster than Goku's Flying Nimbus. This speed advantage means he controls engagement distance. He chooses when and where to fight.
Tip 3: Tao's grenade strategy was sound — it failed because Goku's post-Korin power was unexpected. Against any opponent near his power level, the grenade creates an opening for a finishing Dodon Ray. Tao's tactical creativity is underrated.
Tip 4: Cyborg Tao's hidden weapons (finger guns, retractable blades, missiles) give him versatility that human Tao lacked. However, these additions made him slower and more predictable. The cybernetic rebuild traded agility for firepower.
Tip 5: In games like Dragon Ball FighterZ and Dokkan Battle, Tao's speed and piercing attacks make him a strong early-game character. His Super Dodon Ray often has armor-piercing properties that bypass block or defense mechanics.
Top 3 Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Overestimating Cyborg Tao. His cybernetic upgrades look impressive but his power level remained in the low hundreds. By the 23rd Tournament, the top fighters were approaching King Piccolo's level (~260+). Tao never bridged this gap.
Mistake 2: Treating Tao as a gag character. The pillar riding is comedic, but Tao is genuinely dangerous. He nearly killed the protagonist permanently. His comedic elements coexist with genuine lethality.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Tao's narrative significance. Tao's defeat of Goku was the first time the hero suffered a true, near-fatal loss. This defeat motivated Goku's training on Korin Tower, which became a template for every future training arc in Dragon Ball. Tao is structurally important to the series' power progression system.
