Origin
Mercenary Tao was trained by his brother the crane hermit Tsuru-sennin. Tao was hired by the Red Ribbon Army to find the Dragon Balls and kill Goku. Later Tao returns to fight in the World Martial Arts Tournament for revenge against Goku.
Abilities
When introduced, General Tao is one of the worlds most powerful martial artists. He was able to kill superhuman men like Bora with ease and could even kill a man with his tongue. He was the first villain Goku fought who could use an energy attack. After being defeated and rebuilt as a cyborg, General Tao’s power increased greatly though not enough to compete with his former pupil Tien Shinhan.
Techniques
Dodon Ray – A yellow beam fired from the index finger. This move is the signature attack of the Crane School.
Flying Pillars – Since Tao cannot fly he will launch a pillar or log into the air and ride that to his destination. He has used this as a method of attack.
Hidden Blade – After Tao was rebuilt as a cyborg he had a long knie blade hidden in his left arm. He could detach his left hand to use the blade for a quick attack. He noticeably gave Tien the scar on his chest with this move.
Pressure Point Attack – Tao has extensive knowledge of human pressure points and can uses his fingers or even his tongue to pierce them and kill his targets. He did this to General Blue.
Super Dodon Wave – After Tao was rebuilt as a cyborg he has his right hand replaced by an arm cannon with lock on features which he could channel a larger version of the Dodon Ray into.
Other Media
Video Games
Dragon Ball: Advanced Adventure – Mercenary Tao appears as a boss twice during story mode, once he is unbeatable and the second time as a normal boss. His human and Cyborg forms are available in tournament and free play mode.
Dragon Ball: Online – Mercenary Tao reappears as Tao Pai Pai X where he is residing in the former Red Ribbon Army base and is mining Korin‘s Sacred Land. His Cyborg form as been upgraded with what appears to be technology used by Freeza and his organization.
Dragon Ball: Origins 2 – Mercenary Tao appears in his cyborg form as Fortuneteller Baba’s 5th fighter during a bonus stage replacing Grandpa Gohan.
Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo – Mercenary Tao is the main villain in chapter 4 and is unlockable once you collect all his treasures during that chapter.
Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans – Mercenary Tao as a cyborg appears during story mode. Another version called TPP-EX which is a robot modeled after a pirate robot and Cyborg Tao appears as a boss following the Crane Hermit.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi – Mercenary Tao appears as a playable character.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 – Mercenary Tao appears as a playable character. There is a section during the Majin Buu saga where Videl and Gohan as the Great Saiyaman must apprehend him.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 – Mercenary Tao appears as a playable character.
Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku II – Mercenary Tao appears as a boss character during story mode.