Sparking Zero Reveals December 2024 Update Patch Notes

Summary

• Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is receiving a significant update on December 12 to address balancing issues and player feedback.
• The update will include new features like the High-Speed Dragon Dash, stage selection in local multiplayer, and character adjustments.
• Players can expect improvements to existing moves, character balances, and adjustments to skills, blasts, and overall functionality.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is getting its biggest update yet in December 2024, addressing some longstanding balancing issues and making some much-requested adjustments. Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero was met with a warm reception from fans of the old Budokai Tenkaichi series when it finally launched in October, quickly becoming Steam’s most-played game before it even came out and eventually breaking the record for the highest-selling title in the franchise in the US. In the months that followed, Sparking Zero’s player count has dropped, but Bandai Namco is continuing to support it through updates and planned DLC.

Back in November, developer Spike Chunsoft polled fans on what DLC updates they would like to see in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, with the options featured including new playable characters and skins, features like auto-play and increased experience, or new story content for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero‘s branching Episode Battle mode. Of course, there are still plenty of balancing and gameplay issues that players would like to see ironed out, as demonstrated by the controversial Sparking Zero tournament that was met with much criticism due to the game’s imbalanced roster and gameplay exploits that resulted in matches that weren’t very fun to watch.

The latest Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero update is set to go live on December 12, 2024, and looks to be the biggest one yet. For starters, the local versus multiplayer mode adds the ability to select any stage while playing offline, whereas previously only the Hyperbolic Time Chamber stage was playable by default due to supposed technical issues. There are also a handful of functionality adjustments, like being able to change a character’s display method in Battle Setup, skipping character animations in Ranked and Player Matches, and choosing to keep the player’s team hidden from their opponent while editing it before a Player Match.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s newest update features numerous adjustments to standard moves and attacks across the board. This includes a new quick movement attack called the High-Speed Dragon Dash, which allows the player to move quickly toward their opponent and close the distance during an intense Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero battle. Tweaks to existing moves include the player no longer being stunned by a Rush Ki Blast while charging a Smash Attack, Rush Ki Blasts taking longer to reset after the maximum number of shots, and Z-Search no longer losing track of the enemy when characters are being swapped with reserves.

Lastly, the upcoming Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero December 2024 patch will address some of the game’s most infamous balancing issues by altering some characters. Giant characters like the infamous Great Ape Vegeta will now take longer to charge a Smash Attack, and the damage the move inflicts will be lowered. Players will also be able to escape Cell Second Form’s throws, while the health absorbed by Android 19 and Dr. Gero’s throws have been adjusted. There are plenty of other changes in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero’s December 2024 update patch, which will be available to download starting December 12.

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero December 2024 Update Patch Notes

Game Mode Adjustments

All stages are now available in offline P1 vs. P2 battles.

Functionality Adjustments

Battle Setup

• A function allowing you to change a character’s display method has been added.
• The “My Sets” function has been added for Team Members.

Ranked Match / Player Match

• You can now skip the intro battle animations (requires both players to input the skip command).

Player Match

• •You can now set your team to hidden or revealed to your opponent when editing your team.

Custom Battle Mode

• Text can now be sorted alphabetically.

Options

• You can now set the battle camera distance to be closer.

Battle System Adjustments

High-Speed Dragon Dash (New Action)

• The new quick movement action, “High-Speed Dragon Dash”, where you can move quickly towards your opponent, has been added. Perform with R2 and holding X (PS5) or RT and holding A (XSX/S).

Smash Attack

• You will no longer be stunned when being hit by a Rush Ki Blast when charging a Smash Attack.
• When charging a Smash Attack during a Rush Attack, charge time reduction based on hit count has been increased.

Rush Ki Blast

• The time between being able to fire the next Rush Ki Blast after firing the maximum consecutive amount at once (different for each character) has been increased.

Rush Ki Blast Deflection

• You can now move while deflecting Rush Ki Blasts.

Steps

• You will now no longer be able to be hit by certain attacks immediately after performing a Step.
• Rush Ki Blast and Smash Ki Blast can now also be evaded.

Z-Burst Dash

• The amount of Ki consumed when activating it has been increased.

Burst Smash

• Ki will no longer be consumed when activating it and will instead consume an amount based on the distance traveled.

Blast

• Damage has been increased when using a boost.

Z-Search

• Z-Search will no longer lose track of your opponent when characters are swapped.
• You will now quickly regain sight of your opponent if they enter your line of sight from the front when Z-Search is not locked onto them.

Z-Counter

• The input window has been shortened.
• Z-Counter will become more difficult to perform if performed consecutively.
• Ki consumed has been increased when successfully performing a Z-Counter.
• Skill Count increase speed has been reduced when successfully performing a Z-Counter.

Revenge Counter

• Skill Count consumed when using Perception against Revenge Counter has been reduced from 2 to 1.

Rush Attacks during Sparking! Mode

• Gradual damage reduction of consecutive hits has been increased.

Combos

• The final attack of Aerial Combos and Aerial Slash Combos will no longer be interrupted by guarding.

Character Switch

• Health recovery rate of Standby characters has been reduced.

Z-Burst Dash (Giant Characters)

• The tackle done by Giant characters during Z-Burst Dashes is now guardable.

Skill Adjustments

Skills that cause instant Sparking! Mode

• Skill Count consumed has been increased.

Skills that increase stats in general

• Skill Count consumed has been decreased.

Afterimage Strike

• Effect duration has been reduced to 10 seconds and will be removed if your opponent uses Perception while you are under the effect.

False Courage

• Skill Count consumed has been increased from 1 to 2.

Technique: All I Need Is Five Seconds!

• Skill Count consumed has been increased from 3 to 2 and status increase upon activation has been increased.

Stardust Barrier

• You can now activate it while receiving melee attacks from the front.

Blast Adjustments

Long-Range Blasts and Ultimate Blasts

Super Vegito: Final Kamehameha

• Ki consumed and damage has been increased.

Goku (Mini): Quick Rush

• Trajectory can now be changed while Rushing.

Mr. Satan: Present Bomb

• Increased ending lag after activation.

Character Adjustments

Android 19/ Dr. Gero

• Health/Ki amount absorbed on successful throw has been adjusted.
• Dragon Dash, Quick Ascend, and Quick Descend now consume Ki.

Cell 2nd Form

• You can now escape the throw.

Cooler

• Amount of Health restored upon transforming has been increased.

Giant Characters

• Increased the time it takes to charge a Smash Attack and reduced its power.

Great Ape Vegeta / Dr. Wheelo

• Maximum health has been reduced.

Other

• We have improved performance and ease of use.