Beginner Tips For Dragon Ball Sparking Zero

Key Takeaways

• Master advanced moves like Z Burst Dash & Super Counter to gain an edge in combat.
• Utilize character skills strategically for buffs and game-changing effects in battles.
• Focus on Ki management, charge Ki whenever possible, and don’t rely solely on Ultimate Attacks.

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero’s combat system is nothing short of phenomenal. The game builds on its Budokai Tenkaichi roots while refining every mechanic for a smoother, more polished experience. On the surface, its gameplay is accessible with straightforward controls, allowing new players to get a hang of it quickly. However, beneath the surface lies a whole catalog of advanced moves and combat mechanics that tend to fly under the radar for inexperienced players.

While basic attacks and techniques might get players through the story mode and casual matches, climbing the ranked ladder demands a deeper understanding of the game’s strategies. Luckily, for players looking to go on a quick training arc, there are some essential tips, moves, and strategies that beginners can learn to see an immediate improvement in their gameplay.

1 Use The Z Burst Dash To Close The Distance

An Incredibly Useful And Easy Move To Perform

Since the game has an abundance of long-range attacks, inexperienced players often struggle to close the distance with their opponents. Many players rely on spamming Ki blasts to keep enemies at bay, making it difficult for their opponents to get close enough to land melee attacks. And without being able to land the foundational melee moves, some matches can feel almost impossible to win.

The solution to this problem comes in the form of the Z Burst Dash. By pressing R2 + X + X (on PlayStation) or RT + A + A (on Xbox), the player’s character will instantly dash toward the opponent and position themselves behind them. Not only is this move a quick and reliable way to close the gap, but it also provides a perfect opening to initiate a combo on the enemy.

2 Use The Super Counter To Break Combos

The Most Reliable Way To Escape Brutal Combos

Nothing feels worse in Sparking Zero than getting locked in a relentless combo, especially if the opponent is in Sparking! mode and attacking from behind. Escaping such combos might seem impossible, but that’s where the Super Counter comes in handy.

While there are many other types of counters and evasion techniques in the game, like the Z Counter and Revenge Counter, the Super Counter is the most versatile. It allows players to break any combo – even if the opponent is attacking from behind.

Executing this attack seems easy on paper as it only requires the player to press LS Up + Square (on PlayStation) or LS Up + X (on Xbox). However, it demands near-perfect timing, making it highly challenging to pull off. But once players have the timing down, they’ll never have to worry about getting locked in a combo again.

3 Utilize Your Character’s Skills

Skills Provide Amazing Buffs

Each character in Sparking Zero possesses two unique skills that beginners often overlook in favor of the flashy Blast and Rush Attacks. However, these skills can be real game-changers when used strategically.

Unlike traditional attacks, skills consume Skill Points instead of Ki and offer a variety of buffs, such as healing, damage boosts, or even instant Sparking! activation. The key to maximizing their impact lies in pairing them with Special Attacks. For instance, Jiren’s “Strength is Absolute!” skill significantly boosts his Blast Attack power. If activated before landing his Ultimate, it’ll decimate the opponent, turning the tide of battle in seconds.

To get familiar with a character’s skills, enter the Training Mode with them, pause the game, and navigate to the “Explanation of Controls” menu.

4 Don’t Only Focus On Ultimates

Special Attacks Are Just As Important

There’s no denying that the most satisfying element of Sparking Zero is the Ultimate Attacks. Not only do they deliver insane amounts of damage, but they also give players the chance to watch some gorgeous animations. But for players looking to get better at the game, it’s important not to solely focus on Ultimates.

While Ultimate Attacks pack a much bigger punch than the normal Blast and Rush Attacks, they also use up the most Ki. On top of that, if the attack misses, the player’s entire Ki reserve is wasted. Therefore, relying only on Ultimate Attacks is not a wise strategy. Blast and Rush attacks can be just as, if not more, useful than Ultimates. And since they use less Ki, they can be dished out more frequently, evening out the damage gap.

5 Charge Ki Any Chance You Get

Ki Is The Most Important Factor In Battle

Ki management is king in this game. In battles where both players are equally skilled in attacking, defending, and countering, the winner is almost always determined by superior Ki control. With more Ki at their disposal, players can perform more Z Counters, land more Special Attacks, and maintain better agility throughout the fight.

To stay ahead of the opponent, it’s crucial to charge Ki whenever possible. The best moments to do so are when the opponent is either knocked back flying or grounded, as they can’t interrupt the Ki charge process.

6 Don’t Overlook The Super Training Mode

The Best Place To Go On A Training Arc

When players first launch Sparking Zero, the game kicks off with a tutorial fight against Vegeta. While this introductory section is helpful for grasping the basic combat mechanics, it doesn’t really dive deeper into the more advanced techniques that are essential to know at higher ranks.

This is where the Super Training mode shines. It teaches the player every move in the game, making it an excellent way to learn and perfect advanced techniques. For players seeking to improve their gameplay, starting with Super Training is a must.

7 Check Alternate Objectives To Unlock New Story Paths

The Easiest Way To Unlock The What-If Episodes

While Sparking Zero‘s story mode may not be as fleshed out as previous Budokai Tenkaichi games, its What-If storylines are easily one of the best things ever featured in a Dragon Ball game. But despite that, it’s surprisingly difficult to figure out how to unlock them, especially for beginner players.

The game doesn’t explicitly explain how to access these alternate paths, leaving players to figure it out themselves. Fortunately, the process is quite simple: during each story fight, pause the game, navigate to Battle Details, and check for an Alternate Objective. Completing these objectives unlocks branching paths, leading to some awesome non-canon storylines.

8 Farm Zeni To Unlock New Characters

The Quickest Way To Unlock The Whole Roster

One of the most exciting aspects of the Budokai Tenkaichi series has always been exploring the massive rosters, trying out different movesets, and marveling at Ultimate Attacks. But sadly, in Sparking Zero, a considerable portion of the roster is locked at the start of the game.

Thankfully, unlocking characters in this game is very straightforward. Many can be unlocked by progressing through the story mode or simply leveling up, but the quickest method is purchasing them from the shop. For this, players need to farm Zeni, which the game makes extremely easy. The best strategy to farm Zeni is replaying the Super Saiyan Goku Awakens! episode from Goku’s Episode Battle saga. Each run takes just a minute or two and rewards 300,000 Zeni, allowing players to unlock the entire roster in no time.