How is the Shadow Clone technique different from other cloning techniques?


I have recently started reading and watching Naruto. I was wondering in what
aspect does the clones made by different techniques differ? They all have the
same potential and capabilities.




Clone Techniques (分身術, Bunshinjutsu) are techniques that create a copy of the
user or objects used by them. Each techniques differ from each other either by
the usage of chakra or chakra type. I'm going to save you the trouble of
comparing each article on clone jutsu by explaining them here.

  1. The [**Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Clone_Technique) is the most basic cloning technique:

> It is a ninjutsu that creates an **intangible copy** of one's own body,
> without any substance. Since the **clone itself doesn't have the ability to
> attack** , and thus can only be used to confuse the enemy, it is mainly used
> in combination with other ninjutsu.

  2. The [**Shadow Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Shadow_Clone_Technique) is an advanced form of the Clone Jutsu and is one of Naruto's frequently used moves:

> Similar to the basic Clone Technique, this technique creates copies of the
> user. However, these clones are **corporeal** instead of illusions. The
> user's chakra is **evenly distributed among every clone** , giving each
> clone an equal fraction of the user's overall power. The clones are
> **capable** of performing techniques on their own and can even bleed, but
> will usually disperse after hit by a strong enough force. A characteristic
> that is unique to the Shadow Clone Technique is that any experience the
> clones gain during their existence is transferred to the user once they are
> dispersed. Because they are clones of the original, any chakra that the
> clone possesses will return to the original after being dispelled. Shadow
> clones **can't be distinguished from the original** with **Sharingan** ,
> **Byakugan** , **Rinnegan** or **Rinne Sharingan**.

There are cloning techniques based on the chakra natures.

  3. The [**Water Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Water_Clone_Technique) uses water as a source for making the clone:

> The Water Clone Technique is similar to the Shadow Clone Technique except it
> **creates clones out of water** that have **one-tenth of the original
> person's power**. The range of the clone is **limited** however, as it can
> not travel very far from the original body without losing control.

  4. Similarly,the [**Rock Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Rock_Clone_Technique) uses rocks as the base for the cloning jutsu:

> A clone that is **created of rock** , after it has been expelled from the
> user's mouth. Unlike other clones, ones generated by this method do not
> disappear when struck with sufficient force, but rather break apart.

  5. The [**Earth Release Shadow Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Earth_Release_Shadow_Clone) uses mud as the source:

> This technique creates a shadow clone **made of mud of the user**. Since its
> made of mud, it can continue to **reform** and **mould itself back to its
> original shape**. Once reverted to mud, the clone can serve as a powerful
> restraint that is capable of completely halting the opponents movements.

  6. Next is the [**Wood Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Wood_Clone_Technique). It is a highly efficient technique and is a [Kekkei Genkai](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Kekkei_Genkai):

> A clone that is created by using chakra to **alter the user's own cells into
> vegetation**. They have the ability to travel far from the user and are able
> to communicate with the original. By directly touching the wood clone with
> his hand, the user can absorb the information it gathered and change the
> shape of the clone.

Other types of cloning jutsu include:

  7. The [**Beast Human Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Beast_Human_Clone)

> Beast Human Clone is a modified and mixed version of the Transformation
> Technique and clone technique, which is **unique to the Inuzuka clan**. It
> allows a canine-user to **transform their animal companion into a perfect
> copy of themselves**. Like any transformation, the technique can be broken
> by identifying and attacking the animal, thus dispelling the transformation.

  8. The [**Crow Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Crow_Clone_Technique)

> A technique that produces a clone by projecting one's own chakra towards
> dozens of "crows". Because it uses crows as a medium, **it requires less
> chakra** than the normal Shadow Clone Technique, while still being **able to
> perform techniques**. The dozens of crows come together to form the body of
> a clone.

  9. The [**Haze Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Haze_Clone_Technique) and [**Insect Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Insect_Clone_Technique).

What differentiates all these clone jutsu are the chakra consumed for the
technique and the chakra release required for the execution. Most of these
clones can be distinguished from the original by looking at the imperfections
and chakra levels. Dojutsu such as Sharingan and Byakugan can distinguish
certain types of clones, but it seems that the Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clones)
cannot be distinguished. Although it has been stated that the Wood clone
cannot be distinguished from the original,

> Unlike other clone techniques, the wood clone doesn't disappear when hit and
> takes the damage to a certain degree. This according to Madara Uchiha makes
> it the perfect clone technique that only he with his dōjutsu, was able to
> see through.

This jutsu doesn't require specific chakra release and is dependent on the
user's skill with the technique and the chakra levels. Combined with the
ability to fight, use/mould chakra, relay information to the original and
avoid detection of being a clone, the Kage Bunshin makes itself as an ideal
Cloning technique.

Then comes Taju KageBunshin no Jutsu, or multiple shadow clone technique. The
difference b/w a simple Shadow Clone and Taju KageBunshin no Jutsu is just the
numbers. Many hundreds to even thousands of shadow clones are possible with
multiple shadow clone technique.




Clone Techniques (分身術, Bunshinjutsu) are techniques that create a copy of the
user or objects used by them. Each techniques differ from each other either by
the usage of chakra or chakra type. I'm going to save you the trouble of
comparing each article on clone jutsu by explaining them here.

  1. The [**Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Clone_Technique) is the most basic cloning technique:

> It is a ninjutsu that creates an **intangible copy** of one's own body,
> without any substance. Since the **clone itself doesn't have the ability to
> attack** , and thus can only be used to confuse the enemy, it is mainly used
> in combination with other ninjutsu.

  2. The [**Shadow Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Shadow_Clone_Technique) is an advanced form of the Clone Jutsu and is one of Naruto's frequently used moves:

> Similar to the basic Clone Technique, this technique creates copies of the
> user. However, these clones are **corporeal** instead of illusions. The
> user's chakra is **evenly distributed among every clone** , giving each
> clone an equal fraction of the user's overall power. The clones are
> **capable** of performing techniques on their own and can even bleed, but
> will usually disperse after hit by a strong enough force. A characteristic
> that is unique to the Shadow Clone Technique is that any experience the
> clones gain during their existence is transferred to the user once they are
> dispersed. Because they are clones of the original, any chakra that the
> clone possesses will return to the original after being dispelled. Shadow
> clones **can't be distinguished from the original** with **Sharingan** ,
> **Byakugan** , **Rinnegan** or **Rinne Sharingan**.

There are cloning techniques based on the chakra natures.

  3. The [**Water Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Water_Clone_Technique) uses water as a source for making the clone:

> The Water Clone Technique is similar to the Shadow Clone Technique except it
> **creates clones out of water** that have **one-tenth of the original
> person's power**. The range of the clone is **limited** however, as it can
> not travel very far from the original body without losing control.

  4. Similarly,the [**Rock Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Rock_Clone_Technique) uses rocks as the base for the cloning jutsu:

> A clone that is **created of rock** , after it has been expelled from the
> user's mouth. Unlike other clones, ones generated by this method do not
> disappear when struck with sufficient force, but rather break apart.

  5. The [**Earth Release Shadow Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Earth_Release_Shadow_Clone) uses mud as the source:

> This technique creates a shadow clone **made of mud of the user**. Since its
> made of mud, it can continue to **reform** and **mould itself back to its
> original shape**. Once reverted to mud, the clone can serve as a powerful
> restraint that is capable of completely halting the opponents movements.

  6. Next is the [**Wood Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Wood_Clone_Technique). It is a highly efficient technique and is a [Kekkei Genkai](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Kekkei_Genkai):

> A clone that is created by using chakra to **alter the user's own cells into
> vegetation**. They have the ability to travel far from the user and are able
> to communicate with the original. By directly touching the wood clone with
> his hand, the user can absorb the information it gathered and change the
> shape of the clone.

Other types of cloning jutsu include:

  7. The [**Beast Human Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Beast_Human_Clone)

> Beast Human Clone is a modified and mixed version of the Transformation
> Technique and clone technique, which is **unique to the Inuzuka clan**. It
> allows a canine-user to **transform their animal companion into a perfect
> copy of themselves**. Like any transformation, the technique can be broken
> by identifying and attacking the animal, thus dispelling the transformation.

  8. The [**Crow Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Crow_Clone_Technique)

> A technique that produces a clone by projecting one's own chakra towards
> dozens of "crows". Because it uses crows as a medium, **it requires less
> chakra** than the normal Shadow Clone Technique, while still being **able to
> perform techniques**. The dozens of crows come together to form the body of
> a clone.

  9. The [**Haze Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Haze_Clone_Technique) and [**Insect Clone Technique**](http://naruto.wikia.com/wiki/Insect_Clone_Technique).

What differentiates all these clone jutsu are the chakra consumed for the
technique and the chakra release required for the execution. Most of these
clones can be distinguished from the original by looking at the imperfections
and chakra levels. Dojutsu such as Sharingan and Byakugan can distinguish
certain types of clones, but it seems that the Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clones)
cannot be distinguished. Although it has been stated that the Wood clone
cannot be distinguished from the original,

> Unlike other clone techniques, the wood clone doesn't disappear when hit and
> takes the damage to a certain degree. This according to Madara Uchiha makes
> it the perfect clone technique that only he with his dōjutsu, was able to
> see through.

This jutsu doesn't require specific chakra release and is dependent on the
user's skill with the technique and the chakra levels. Combined with the
ability to fight, use/mould chakra, relay information to the original and
avoid detection of being a clone, the Kage Bunshin makes itself as an ideal
Cloning technique.

Then comes Taju KageBunshin no Jutsu, or multiple shadow clone technique. The
difference b/w a simple Shadow Clone and Taju KageBunshin no Jutsu is just the
numbers. Many hundreds to even thousands of shadow clones are possible with
multiple shadow clone technique.

