Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero: Quick Tips & Tricks to Dominate

Welcome, fighter. You stand at the precipice of a universe teeming with power, a world where the heavens break and the earth shakes with every blow. This is the world of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. You may have just thrown your first Ki Blast, or perhaps you are a seasoned warrior seeking to sharpen your edge. It matters not. The path to becoming a legendary fighter is long, paved with discipline, knowledge, and an unyielding spirit.

Consider this your training manual, a scroll passed down from a master who has witnessed countless battles across crumbling arenas and shattered planets. Within these pages, you will find the secrets to mastering the gravity-defying combat that defines this legendary series. We will begin with the fundamentals, the very stance a warrior must take. Then, we will ascend to new levels of power, exploring complex techniques and hidden mechanics. Finally, we will study the legends themselves, learning the unique strategies that make each of the over 200 fighters a force to be reckoned with.

This guide is your key. It is your Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Absorb its lessons, take them into the training grounds, and unleash the fighting spirit within you. Your journey to becoming the strongest in the universe starts now.

Chapter 1: Your First Steps on the Path to Power

Every great fighter begins with the basics. Before you can hope to trade blows with gods and monsters, you must first understand the instruments of battle, the flow of movement, and the core of combat. Master these fundamentals, and you will build an unshakeable foundation for all the power that is to come.

Understanding Your Instruments of Battle

Your eyes are your most important weapon. The information displayed on your screen, the Heads-Up Display (HUD), tells you everything you need to know about the state of the battle. Learn to read it at a glance.

Read the Colors of Your Health Bar. Your Health (HP) Gauge is more than just a bar; it’s a story. Each character has multiple layers of health, represented by different colors. The bar cycles from blue to green, yellow, and finally orange as you take damage. The number in the corner shows how many full bars you have left. Knowing this helps you gauge just how much punishment you and your opponent can still endure.
Respect Your Ki Gauge. Ki is the lifeblood of every fight in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. This gauge fuels your dashes, Ki Blasts, and powerful super attacks. You can charge it manually, but this leaves you vulnerable. It also fills automatically as you land combos.
Never Let Your Ki Turn Red. If your Ki Gauge is fully depleted, it will turn red. In this state, your character will be temporarily exhausted and unable to move or perform actions until it recharges. This is a moment of extreme vulnerability. Always keep an eye on your Ki and avoid spending your last drop unless it guarantees a victory.
Recognize the Skill Counter. Below your Ki Gauge is the Skill Count. This numeric gauge, which fills automatically over time, is your resource for the most powerful techniques in the game. This includes transformations, fusions, and critical defensive maneuvers. Think of it as your strategic reserve.
Spot the Transformation Icon. Next to your Skill Counter, an icon will appear when your character is able to transform. This is your visual cue that a new level of power is available, provided you have enough Skill Counters to spend.

Mastering Movement in a 3D World

The arenas of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero are vast, open spaces. Controlling this space is the key to controlling the fight. High-speed, three-dimensional movement is not just for travel; it is a core combat mechanic.

Learn the Basic Movement Trio. Master the three core movement actions: Step/Short Dash to quickly reposition on the ground or in the air, Ascend to gain altitude, and Descend to drop down. These simple inputs are the building blocks of all advanced movement.
Watch for the Speed Lines. As you move away from your opponent, you will eventually see speed lines appear around your character. This is a crucial visual indicator that you have left “close range” and entered “long range.” Your movement speed increases, and the effect of your dash button changes, opening up new offensive and defensive options.
Use Dragon Dash to Close the Gap. When you are very far from your opponent, hold the right trigger and press the dash button to perform a Dragon Dash. This is the fastest way to close a long distance and get back into the fight.
Master the Advanced Dragon Dash. During a Dragon Dash, you can spend an extra bar of Ki by pressing the dash button again. This will cause you to instantly zip behind your opponent for a surprise attack. This is extremely difficult for a human opponent to react to and block, making it a powerful gap-closing tool.

Choosing Your Fighting Style: Controls

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero offers two distinct control schemes to accommodate both new players and returning veterans. Finding the one that feels right to you is an important first step.

Start with Standard Controls. If you are new to the series, choose the “Standard” control layout. This modern scheme is designed to be intuitive for players familiar with contemporary action and fighting games.
Use Classic Controls for Nostalgia. If you are a veteran of the Budokai Tenkaichi series, the “Classic” control layout will feel like coming home. It is designed to replicate the feel of the original PlayStation 2 and Wii games.
Beware the Classic Controls Training Bug. Be warned: some training missions in the game can be difficult or even impossible to complete using the default Classic control scheme. This is due to a specific input conflict.
Fix Classic Controls with a Hybrid Setup. To fix the training bug, you can create a custom hybrid control scheme. In the settings, change the “D-Pad Input” option to “Standard” while leaving the rest of the controls on “Classic.” This will create a “Classic (Custom)” profile that allows you to complete all training missions while keeping the familiar feel for core combat. This small tweak reveals the modularity of the control system and can save you a lot of frustration.

The Core of Combat: Basic Offense and Defense

Now it is time to throw your first punch. Understanding the fundamental offensive and defensive actions is essential before you can begin to string them together into a true fighting style.

Learn Your Two Basic Attacks. Your offense starts with two buttons: the Rush Attack button for close-range melee combos and the Ki Blast button for ranged projectiles.
Charge Your Attacks for More Power. Holding down the Rush Attack button will unleash a powerful Smash Attack that can send opponents flying. Similarly, holding the Ki Blast button will fire a stronger Smash Ki Blast.
Understand the Limits of Guarding. Holding the Guard button will block incoming attacks from the front. However, you cannot block attacks from the side or behind. You also cannot block throws or certain special moves marked as “unblockable.”
Practice High and Low Guarding. Some melee attacks will target you high, while others will target you low. You can counter these by angling your guard up or down while blocking. This is a risk-reward system: if you guess correctly, you will break the opponent’s guard and open them up for a free combo. If you guess wrong, your own guard will be broken, leaving you vulnerable.

Chapter 2: Ascending Beyond a Super Saiyan

You have taken your first steps and learned to stand your ground. Now, the real training begins. To reach the next level of power, you must learn to manage the flow of battle, unleash your hidden potential with Sparking! Mode, and master the art of the combo. This is where a brawler becomes a true warrior.

The Flow of Battle: Managing Ki and Skill Counters

A fight is not just an exchange of blows; it is an exchange of resources. The fighter who manages their Ki and Skill Counters more effectively will almost always have the upper hand.

Charge Ki Only When It’s Safe. Manually charging your Ki is a high-risk, high-reward action. It leaves you completely open to attack. The only truly safe times to charge are when you have knocked your opponent far away or when there is a massive distance between you.
Treat Your Skill Counter Like Gold. Your Skill Counter is your most precious resource. It governs transformations, powerful defensive moves, and unique character abilities. Do not spend it frivolously. Every use should be a deliberate, strategic choice that will significantly swing the battle in your favor.

Unleashing Your Power: Sparking! Mode Explained

Sparking! Mode is your ultimate trump card, a temporary surge of power that can turn the tide of any fight. Knowing when and how to use it is critical for any aspiring champion.

Know How to Activate Sparking! Mode. To enter Sparking! Mode, you must first have at least one stock in your Skill Counter. Once you do, charge your Ki past its maximum limit. Your character will erupt in a powerful aura, signaling the activation.
Use Sparking! for Massive Combo Extensions. The primary benefit of Sparking! Mode is the dramatic extension of your basic rush combo. For example, Goku’s standard five-hit melee combo becomes a relentless 20-hit assault while in Sparking! Mode. This allows for immense damage potential from a single opening.
Unleash Your Ultimate Blast in Sparking! Mode. Your character’s most devastating attack, the Ultimate Blast, can only be used while in Sparking! Mode. This is your finisher, capable of wiping out entire health bars in a single, cinematic strike.
Don’t Waste Your Ultimate. Having access to your Ultimate Blast can be tempting, but firing it recklessly is a mistake. If a clear opportunity does not present itself, it is often better to let Sparking! Mode expire. You will still have a full Ki gauge, allowing you to easily re-enter Sparking! Mode for another attempt.

The Art of the Combo: Rush Chains and Extensions

A single punch is just a punch. A series of attacks woven together with purpose is an art form. Mastering combos is the heart of high-level offense in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.

Learn the Basic Combo Formula. The foundation of all combos is the Rush Chain. This is performed by pressing the Rush Attack button one to four times, followed by the Ki Blast button. This will end your combo with a powerful “Smash Attack” finisher.
Understand Your Smash Finishers. Not all Smash Attack finishers are the same. Each character has access to several different types, such as a Rolling Hammer, a Heavy Finish, or a Ki Wave. Each finisher leaves the opponent in a different state.
Use Finishers Strategically. Learn what your character’s finishers do. For example, a Heavy Finish may leave the opponent stunned and open for a follow-up super attack. A Rolling Hammer might spin the opponent around, exposing their back and preventing them from using forward-facing defensive options like Perception.
Always Follow Up a Knock-Away. When you send an opponent flying with the final hit of a combo or a charged Smash Attack, the fight is not over. You have several follow-up options. Press the dash button to perform a Dragon Homing and chase them down for a Dragon Smash, or press the Ki Blast button for a Vanishing Attack that teleports you to them for another strike.
Confirm Knock-Aways into Supers. A nearly guaranteed way to land a super attack (like a Kamehameha) is to use it immediately after a successful pursuit attack. If you have the Ki, you should almost always end your knock-away combos with a powerful Blast attack.
Break Your Opponent’s Mid-Combo Guard. A hidden mechanic allows players to begin holding the guard button even while being hit by a combo. If you notice your opponent doing this, you have two powerful counters.
Counter-Tactic 1: Charge Your Attack. Briefly hold the button for your next Rush Chain attack. This charged strike will break their guard and allow you to continue your assault.
Counter-Tactic 2: Use a Quick Side-Step. Press the guard button to perform a quick side-step. This will move you slightly to the side of your opponent, bypassing their forward guard and allowing you to continue your combo from a new angle.

More Than a New Hairstyle: Transformations & Fusions

Transformations are an iconic part of Dragon Ball, and in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, they are a key strategic element that has evolved significantly since the game’s launch.

Know How to Transform and Fuse. To access your transformations or fusions, hold Up on the D-Pad. This will bring up a menu showing your available forms. Select the one you want and spend the required number of Skill Counters to activate it. Fusions require you to have the correct partner on your team (for example, only certain versions of Goku and Vegeta can fuse).
Adapt to the New Transformation Strategy. A significant game update changed the function of transformations. Previously, transforming would heal a character, making it a valuable defensive tool. This is no longer the case.
Transform for Offense, Not Defense. The developers have removed the healing effect from transformations. Instead, transforming now grants your character a permanent attack power buff for the rest of the match (or until you revert). This fundamentally shifts the strategy: transformations are now a purely offensive investment.
Use Transformations to Press Your Advantage. Because transformations are now an offensive commitment, the best time to use them is when you already have momentum. Use a transformation to escalate your pressure and finish a fight, not to try and recover when you are on the defensive.

Chapter 3: Techniques of the Gods

You have ascended beyond the level of a common fighter. Now, it is time to learn the techniques of the gods. This chapter delves into the advanced and often hidden mechanics that separate the masters from the contenders. These are the systems that govern high-level play, the secrets whispered only in the halls of the Kais.

The Unbreakable Wall: Advanced Defensive Systems

A true master is defined not by the power of their attacks, but by the perfection of their defense. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero features a deep, layered defensive system that rewards precise timing and sharp reads.

Master the Perception Stance. By holding the Perception button, you enter a special stance. If an opponent hits you with a rush attack while in this stance, you will automatically counter them. This consumes Ki, so use it wisely.
Learn the Zero-Cost Sonic Sway. The true power of Perception lies in its advanced application. Instead of holding the button, a precisely timed tap just as an attack is about to land will perform a “Sonic Sway.” This evasive maneuver costs zero Skill Points and allows you to dodge an attack completely, creating an opportunity for a swift counter.
Use the Revenge Counter in Desperation. The Revenge Counter is your panic button. Activated by pressing the right stick, it costs Skill Points and creates a burst of energy that knocks opponents back. It is easy to perform but has a major weakness: it only works if you are facing your opponent.
Master the Super Counter. This is the pinnacle of defensive skill. By pressing Up and the Rush Attack button with perfect timing just as an opponent’s melee attack lands, you will perform a Super Counter. This technique costs zero Skill Gauge, works even if you are attacked from behind, and completely reverses the momentum of the fight. Mastering the timing of the Super Counter is what separates great players from the rest.
Play Mind Games with Your Defense. Advanced defense is about more than just reacting; it’s about prediction. You can bait an opponent into using their easy-to-perform Revenge Counter. If you anticipate it, you can enter a Perception Stance before they activate it. Your Perception will automatically counter their Revenge Counter, punishing them for their desperation.

When Titans Clash: Mastering Impact Actions

When two powerful forces collide, the result is an Impact Action—a cinematic clash that is decided by a quick minigame. Understanding how to win these clashes can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Know the Four Types of Impact Clashes. There are four types of clashes in the game: a Blast Impact (when two beams collide), a Speed Impact (when two dash attacks collide), a Power Impact (when two physical smash attacks collide), and a Crash Impact (when two grabs connect simultaneously).
Win Beam Clashes with the Hybrid Method. There has been much debate on the best way to win a beam struggle. The secret is that both mashing the button and timing your presses when the on-screen bar is full contribute to a hidden power gauge. Power added is proportional to how full the bar is.
The Hybrid Strategy: The optimal strategy is a hybrid approach. Begin the clash by timing two or three perfect presses when the bar is full. This will give you a significant initial lead. Then, immediately switch to mashing the button as fast as possible to add a flurry of smaller power increments before the clash ends.
Use Ki to Boost a Losing Clash. If you are about to lose a beam struggle, you can spend your own Ki to “boost” the size of the meter. This is a last-ditch effort that can help you snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but it will drain your resources.
Force a Beam Clash with Sparking! Mode. You don’t have to wait for a clash to happen by chance. You can force one. If you are in Sparking! Mode and your opponent activates their Ultimate Blast, you can activate your own Ultimate during their animation. This will override their attack and initiate a beam clash, giving you a chance to turn their ultimate power against them.
Use this Table to Master All Clashes. The game does a poor job of explaining these mechanics. Use this table as your guide.

Impact Clash Type	Trigger Condition	Winning Strategy
Blast Impact	Two beam or energy ball attacks collide.	Hybrid Method: Time 2-3 presses with a full bar, then mash. Use Ki to boost if losing.
Speed Impact	Two high-speed dash attacks collide.	Rapidly mash the indicated button. The faster player wins.
Power Impact	Two physical smash attacks collide.	Rapidly rotate the analog stick in the indicated direction. The faster player wins.
Crash Impact	Two grabs connect at the same time.	Rapidly mash the indicated button. The faster player wins.

Hidden Knowledge from the Kais

Some knowledge is not written in any tutorial. These are the hidden mechanics of the world itself, details that only the most observant fighters will ever discover.

Never Charge Ki Underwater. The environment matters. If you are fighting in a stage with water, be aware that charging your Ki while submerged will reduce your charging speed by 50%. This disruption of Ki control affects nearly every fighter in the game, including androids.
The Saibaman Exception. There is one, and only one, exception to the underwater rule: the Saibaman. For reasons unknown, these creatures are almost completely unaffected by being submerged and can charge their Ki at near-normal speeds. If you see a Saibaman player charging underwater, they are not a fool; they are using a unique character advantage.
Discover Hidden Team Synergies. Some characters have unique interactions when placed on the same team. For example, if Spopovich lands his energy-draining super attack, it will actually increase the damage of Babidi’s ultimate move if Babidi is on the same team. Experiment with different character combinations to uncover these secret synergies.

Chapter 4: Legends of the Tournament

Knowledge is useless without application. It is time to take everything you have learned and apply it to the arenas where legends are made. This chapter provides targeted strategies for the game’s most important modes and a scouting report on its most formidable fighters.

Building Your Ultimate Team for Ranked DP Mode

In ranked online battles, victory is often decided before the first punch is thrown. Team construction, governed by the Destruction Point (DP) system, is a deep strategic layer that defines the competitive meta of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero.

Understand the DP System. In ranked mode, you build a team with a total budget of 15 Destruction Points. Every character has a DP cost, ranging from 1 to 10, based on their power. You can have a team of up to five fighters.
Embrace the 5-Person Team Meta. While it may seem intuitive to pick two or three of the most powerful (and expensive) characters, the dominant strategy at high levels of play is to build teams of four or five low-cost characters.
Exploit Risk-Free Tagging. The reason for this meta is the game’s core tagging mechanic. Tagging a character out is a completely safe, risk-free action that your opponent cannot punish.
Use Your Bench to Regenerate Health. Any character that is not currently active on the battlefield will slowly regenerate their health. With a 5-person team, you have a massive collective health pool and can constantly rotate injured fighters out to heal, making you incredibly difficult to defeat. This strategy allows you to win by having more total health when the timer runs out.
Prioritize Characters with Afterimage Strike. The single most powerful skill in the competitive meta is Afterimage Strike. For the cost of three Skill Stocks, this ability makes your character automatically dodge all incoming rush attacks and Ki blasts for 15 seconds. It is found on many low-DP characters, making them invaluable members of a 5-person team.
Know the Afterimage Roster. The ten characters with this game-changing skill are: Goku (GT), Goku (Teen), Gohan (Kid), Krillin, Super Saiyan Vegito, Videl, Master Roshi, Pan, Dabura, and Zamasu.
Break Defenses with Unblockable Blasts. To counter defensive players, include characters with unblockable super attacks on your team. Fighters like Krillin (with his Destructo Disc), Final Form Frieza, and both versions of Broly can force damage through an opponent’s guard.
Remember the Afterimage Buff. A recent patch made Afterimage even stronger. It can now automatically evade even unblockable rush blasts, solidifying its place as the best defensive skill in the game.
Respect the King of Stalling: Yajirobe. Do not underestimate Yajirobe. He costs only 2 DP, has an unblockable attack, and possesses a unique skill: if he accumulates five Skill Stocks, he can eat a Senzu Bean to restore his health completely. This makes him the ultimate survivalist and the undisputed “king of stalling and time-outs” in ranked play.

Conquering the Story: Episode Battle Strategy

The Episode Battle mode pits you against AI opponents in recreations of classic Dragon Ball sagas. The AI can be brutally aggressive and often has unfair advantages, but it also has predictable weaknesses.

Exploit the AI’s Weakness to Sparking! Mode. The single most effective strategy for defeating almost any AI opponent in Episode Battle is to abuse Sparking! Mode.
The Anti-AI Combo: Get some distance, charge up to enter Sparking! Mode, then use a Z-Dash to teleport behind the enemy. Immediately unleash your extended 20-hit rush combo. The AI is poorly programmed to handle this specific sequence and will rarely counter it. Follow up the combo with a super or ultimate for massive damage.
Unlock “What If” Scenarios. Many battles have hidden conditions that, if met, will unlock alternate “What If” story paths. These conditions are often listed in the pause menu and usually involve defeating an enemy within a certain time limit, finishing with a specific move, or maintaining a high level of health.
Break Super Armor with Sparking! or Beams. Some story bosses, like Raditz and Great Ape Vegeta, have super armor, meaning your normal melee attacks will not make them flinch. To damage them, you must either enter Sparking! Mode, which breaks their armor, or stay at a distance and spam them with powerful beam attacks.

The World Tournament: Strategies for Ring Outs

In the World Tournament, victory can be achieved by knocking your opponent out of the ring. This opens up unique strategies for winning matches in seconds.

Win Instantly with an Opening Super. The fastest way to win a World Tournament match is to score a ring out at the very start of the fight. Choose a character with a fast-acting super attack that has high knockback, such as SSJ4 Gogeta’s x10 Kamehameha or Broly’s Gigantic Cannon.
Equip for a First-Second Finish. To use a super attack instantly, you need to equip Ability Items (or “capsules”) that allow you to start the match with extra Ki bars. Look for items like “Raising Fighting Spirit 3,” “God Ki,” or “Latent Power Unleashed 2.”
Fire Your Super Immediately. With the right items equipped, you will start the match with enough Ki to immediately fire your super. Do so the second the “FIGHT!” message appears. Against most opponents, this will result in an instant ring out. This is also the fastest way to farm for Dragon Balls.
Beware the Magnetic Ground. The World Tournament stage has a strange quirk. If your character is not in “flying mode” (activated by tapping the Ascend button), they are susceptible to walking or dashing right off the edge of the arena for a self-ring out. Always make sure you are actively flying when fighting near the boundary.
Expand the Arena to Remove Ring Outs. There is a hidden mechanic in the World Tournament stage. If you use a sufficiently powerful Ultimate Blast, it can destroy the spectator stands and the ring itself. This will expand the battlefield to the surrounding city area and completely remove the ring out condition for the rest of the match.

Scouting Report: Know Your Fighter

With a roster of over 200 characters, it is impossible to master them all. However, understanding the key strategies for the game’s most important and unique fighters is essential.

Goku (All Forms)

Goku (Early): Use Solar Flare to blind opponents, creating a perfect opening for a fully charged Kamehameha or a Spirit Bomb.
Goku (Mid): This version’s unique skill allows him to charge his Spirit Bomb up to three times, making it the single most damaging attack in the game if you can find the time to power it up.
Goku (Super Saiyan God): This form is a defensive powerhouse. Use his “Zenka!” skill to instantly refill your Skill Counter, then use that resource to spam his “Instant Transmission” skill to automatically dodge incoming attacks.
Goku (Ultra Instinct): Both Ultra Instinct forms have a unique passive ability: if you stand completely still, they will automatically dodge incoming rush attacks at the cost of Ki. Do not become over-reliant on this, but use it to frustrate aggressive opponents.

Great Ape Vegeta

Employ a Hit-and-Run Strategy. Great Ape Vegeta is a giant character with super armor. Do not engage him in close-quarters combat unless you are in Sparking! Mode.
Bait and Counter His Beams. The key to this fight is to keep your distance and bait him into using one of his beam attacks. Dodge to the side and immediately counter with a Kamehameha of your own while he is stuck in his animation. This will knock him down, giving you time to charge your Ki.

Frieza (All Forms)

Transform for Power, Not Health. Remember the patch: Frieza no longer heals when he transforms. Use his transformations to gain a permanent attack buff and access his more powerful later forms.
Pressure with Death Beam. Frieza’s signature Death Beam is a fast, cheap, and effective projectile. Use it to interrupt opponents who are trying to charge Ki or set up their own attacks.
Break Guards with Unblockable Supers. Frieza’s Full Power and Golden forms have access to powerful unblockable super attacks. Use these to finish off opponents who rely too heavily on guarding.

Piccolo (All Forms)

Base Piccolo is an Aggressive Rusher. Use his Paralyze Beam to stun opponents up close, then follow up with relentless melee combos.
Fused with Kami Piccolo is a Counter-Attacker. This form excels at defensive play. Use his “Wild Sense” skill to automatically counter melee attacks and “False Courage” to buff your defense.
DLC Piccolo (Super Hero) is a Survivor. This version’s kit revolves around sustainability, with powerful defensive skills that allow him to stay in the fight longer than his other forms.

Hit

Play as a High-Speed Assassin. Hit is a rusher. Your goal is to stay on the opponent and never give them a moment to breathe.
Use Time Skip to Create Openings. His signature Time Skip teleports you directly behind the opponent, causing them to temporarily lose their lock-on. Use this to bypass their guard and start your offense.
Set a Trap with Ki Clone. Hit’s Ki Clone skill is a preemptive counter. Activate it before you engage, and it will automatically dodge and counter the next melee attack your opponent throws.

Janemba

Start as a Giant, Finish as a Demon. The optimal strategy for Janemba is to start the match in his durable, 5-DP Giant form. Absorb damage with this form’s extra health bar, then, when his health is low, transform into the far more powerful Super Janemba (who has a value of 7 DP) to finish the fight.
Use Mystic Breath as a Defensive Tool. Super Janemba’s Mystic Breath is a cheap, unblockable, short-range blast that pushes enemies away. It costs only one Skill Stock and is an excellent “get off me” tool to counter aggressive opponents and punish Rush Supers.

The Ginyu Force

Assemble the Full Squad for a Special Intro. If you select all five members of the Ginyu Force for your team in the correct order (Ginyu, Burter, Recoome, Jeice, Guldo), they will perform their iconic group pose on the character select screen.
Guldo’s Rocks Are Surprisingly Good. Don’t underestimate Guldo. His low-cost rock throw ability is a highly effective projectile that deals good damage and can be spammed from a distance.
Burter is Still the Fastest in the Universe. Just as in past games, Burter’s greatest asset is his incredible attack speed. His rapid-fire combos can overwhelm opponents and shred through health bars.
Win the Game with Captain Ginyu’s Body Change. Captain Ginyu’s Ultimate Blast is his Body Change technique. If it lands, you will swap bodies—and health bars—with your opponent. This can instantly turn a losing battle into a winning one, making him one of the most dangerous characters in the game.

Chapter 5: The Ever-Evolving Battle

The world of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is not static. Through patches and downloadable content (DLC), the battlefield is constantly changing. A true master must be a student for life, always ready to adapt to new challenges and new fighters.

Adapting to the Latest Patch (Ver. 2014.013.003.009.008)

A major balance patch released on September 22, 2025, fundamentally altered several key game mechanics. Understanding these changes is crucial for staying competitive.

The Transformation Rework: As detailed earlier, transformations no longer heal characters. They now provide a permanent attack buff, shifting their strategic purpose from sustainability to pure offense.
The Paralyzing Smash Ki Blast Nerf: This move was a common source of frustrating stun-locks. The patch increased its Ki consumption and made it so that hitting an opponent twice with it in the same combo will now blow them away instead of re-paralyzing them.
The Afterimage Buff: The game’s best defensive skill got even better. Afterimage can now automatically evade unblockable rush blasts, making it an even more essential tool for high-level play.
The Perception Buff: Skilled defensive play is now more rewarding. After successfully landing a Perception counter, you can now hold the button to charge the follow-up attack, resulting in increased damage.
Increased Vertical Speed: The speed of ascending and descending at close range has been increased, making vertical movement a more viable and dynamic part of close-quarters combat.
Health Recovery on Transformation Removed: This is a critical change. Characters like Frieza who previously could extend their survivability by transforming to heal can no longer do so. This makes resource management and defensive play even more important.

Reinforcements Have Arrived: DLC Character Overviews

The roster of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero continues to grow, with new fighters bringing new techniques and strategies to the battlefield.

Meet the HERO OF JUSTICE Pack. This first major DLC pack brought characters from the movie Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero into the game, including the androids Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, and the monstrous Cell Max.
Unleash the Power of Dragon Ball DAIMA. Following the announcement of the new series, two character packs have been released featuring fighters from Dragon Ball DAIMA, adding eight new warriors to the roster.
Welcome Shallot from DRAGON BALL LEGENDS. The original character from the popular mobile game, Shallot, has joined the fight as a standalone DLC character, bringing his unique move set to the 3D arena.
The Roster Surpasses 200. With the latest DLC additions, the total number of playable fighters in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero has exceeded 200, making it one of the largest rosters in fighting game history.
Look to the Future. More content is already on the horizon. The developers have confirmed that another wave of DLC characters is scheduled for release in January 2026, ensuring that the fight will continue to evolve.
Don’t Forget the Music Packs. For fans of the anime, two Anime Music Packs are available as DLC. These allow you to replace the in-game soundtrack with classic music from the Dragon Ball Z, GT, and Super anime series, adding an extra layer of nostalgia and excitement to your battles.
Summon Shenron with the Season Pass. Purchasing the Season Pass not only grants you access to the first three major DLC packs but also includes a special bonus: the ability to summon Shenron.
Check Out the Free Updates. Not all new content costs money. The developers have also released free updates, such as the one that added the “First Demon World” stage, expanding the variety of arenas you can battle in.

Conclusion: You Are the Spark!

You have reached the end of this scroll. You have absorbed the knowledge of the masters, from the most basic stance to the techniques of the gods. You have studied the legends and prepared for the battles yet to come. The path has been laid out before you.

But knowledge alone does not make a warrior. True mastery is forged in the crucible of combat. The real training begins now. Take these 102 tips and tricks into the training mode. Practice your combos until they are second nature. Spar with the AI until you can read its every move. Then, step into the online arena and test your might against fighters from around the world.

There will be defeats. There will be moments of frustration. But with every battle, you will grow stronger. You will learn. You will adapt. Remember the lessons within this guide, but do not be bound by them. Experiment, create your own combos, and develop your own unique fighting style. The power is in your hands. Now go. Shake the earth. Break the heavens. You are the spark that will set the universe ablaze.

Disclaimer: This is an unofficial fan work, all trademarks and copyrights for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero belong to the developer Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.

Find the game here! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1790600/DRAGON_BALL_Sparking_ZERO/