Depending on the time period, there will be some races to choose from: Humans [Tien, Krillin], Nemekians [Piccolo/Kami, Nail], Majins[Buu], and everyones fave, Saiyans [Nappa, Radditz
].And I guess if someone really wants it, Androids[#17, #18, #16]. Majins will not be available for the past, and the Saiyans for the future (As far as I know, they were wiped out and the blood line from the two main characters should run too thin to count. No halfs for any race for play btw).
Each race has their own abilities and special traits.
Humans are strong spirited and willpowered, able to regenerate their Ki fast and can push their limits far. However they are more fragile than the other races. Players may add in a free non Ki attack and can use the after-image strike.
*Namekians are similer to humans, only green, have antennas, can stretch their limbs far, fast,can regenerate their body (with efficient power level or Ki Stock, you can do what Piccolo and Cell did) and some have been known to have ability to grow their body into giants.
Saiyans** have strong Ki based attacks, can transform into giant apes at the look of a full moon or something similer, and become stronger with each battle (even if they lose). However with these great strength comes a great weakness, the tail.
Majins are big pink humanoid blobs with an antenna on their head with a few holes next to them (that which release ?steam? when powering up) and they have strong regeneration abilities as well a very flexible body...like that of silly puddy or playdough. So they have strong defense and can ingore most blows or regenerate from them. They are slow and their Ki based attacks expensive, however they have high Ki-Stocks.
Androids*** are machines to look like human (most of them) or atleast humanoid, but have very powerful attacks, tough to break, and their Ki energy raises on it's own gradually, steady, and fast. Some droids trade that in for ability to absorb ki and add it to their own but neither can gain Ki on command (they're not living things )and have their limits with Ki-Stocks.
Not every trait or ability is listed but will automaticly be applied to your character.
*Namekian Notes
1. They have regeneration abilities.
2. They all can stretch their limbs far, but some can stretch REALLY far.
3. Their antennas can release Ki
4. They really only need water (but a full stomach of food can still help)
5. They can reincarnate themselves (at a huge, huge cost)
by coughing up an egg. Some can create mutated Nameks for minions or such at a lesser cost (King Picollo).
6. There's a shitload more info on Namekians that I probably wouldn't be able to fit here.
**Saiyan Notes:
1. As a Saiyan, you may choose to have any wave attacks in something like that of a Chou Makouhou (shoots from the mouth) or from the hands (but not both, so choose).
2. When/if you transform into an Oozaru (Giant Ape) you may choose two of these three special attacks:
Chou Makouhou: A large and powerful wave that blast from your mouth, but you cannot redirect it after firing.
Chou Makouhou Barrage: Launches a barrage of large blast types in rapid succession.
Chou Makousen: A less deadly Chou Makouhou but you'll be able to move your head about while firing a continuously stream.
(if you become powerful enough and able to control your Oozaru form, you may learn other abilities or defenses and can bring out your special abilities (this is for balance purposes as transforming increases power level by x10))
3. You can choose your own battle armor and scouter color.
***Android Notes
1. Players may choose either to have absorbing capabilities, or an energy generator. (absorbing can count as defense as it drains on the enemies Ki attacks)
2.Androids can auto detect power levels and read them, also can 100% hide theirs. (They also have other features for their eyes..like night vision ect,.)
3.Androids can only be killed if their heads are destroyed.
4.They don't need sleep, food, air, ect,.
5. ALL androids have self destructing explosives (those red ribbon bastards)