system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Dragonball Z] What is the difference between any beam-type energy attack?

Besides aesthetics, what is the difference between attacks like Kamehameha, Galick Gun, Final Flash, Masenko, generic 1-handed beam attack, or really any other beam attack ever. From the looks of it, the power of these attacks depend entirely on the user's power, and aside from that there is no other noticeable differences between them. If Vegeta were to learn the Kamehameha how would he use this in a fight any differently than his Galick Gun or Final Flash?
gpt
Ki attacks often represent the talents and goals of their creators, as they found a way to bend the energy so that it suited their talents best.

Your basic ki attack is nothing more than concentrating enough to turn your energy into an actual physical effect that can be thrown or channeled (a small beam).  Any channeled beam has the benefit of being able to continuously pump energy into it, to overcome anything the wave hits.  At low power levels, its a significant task to do this, which makes the rapid energy assaults of Nappa and such impressive (at that point).  Once you learn to control a significant amount of ki, transforming some into a sphere of energy to blast becomes a trivial effort.

The Kamehameha, Master Roshi's ultimate technique, shows his favor towards both patience and hiding his true power, by starting with a fairly low energy signature that rapidly grows as you concentrate on the  opening sphere (what forms between the user's hands) before you create a wave out of it.  As demonstrated by the exploits of Goku, Gohan, et al later on, the user's power acts as a direct multiplier of how fast energy can be gathered into it.  It also allows the user to hold back when necessary, showing the restraint necessary to use your power for good - or not hold back, such as when Cell attempted to destroy the earth with a Kamehameha wave.

Techniques such as the Galick Gun and Final Flash open with a strong burst of power that requires minimal concentration time, Vegeta's specialty.  The channeling lets him continue to add power as described above, making the move incredibly potent.

Masenko seems to be a special case.  Piccolo invented it, most likely as a way to challenge the Kamehameha in power without the focus time required.  However, it seems to lack the raw potency of its competitor, something Piccolo obviously learned as he would develop the Special Beam Cannon, which required more concentration time then any other beam attack in Dragonball, but gave it power and speed to make up for it.

Gohan used the Masenko after his training with Piccolo, most likely because its near instant prep time would be valuable to an inexperienced fighter (and Piccolo probably considered this when teaching Gohan techniques).  He rarely used it later, as he gained more fighting experience as well as mastered the Kamehameha, an overall superior technique.

Other beams vary in size and shape because of their purpose.  Freeza's "Finger beams", which seem to pierce even the most talented warriors (until Goku shows up), seem to be a more focused version of the Special Beam Cannon, with their incredibly fast travel speed and piercing power.