Dragon Ball: SPARKING! Zero | How To Escape Combos

In Dragon Ball: SPARKING! Zero, knowing how to defend yourself and escape combos can be just as important as executing flashy attacks. To improve your defense, you need to learn mechanics like canceling auto combos, teleporting, recovering, and countering your opponent’s moves. Here’s everything you need to know about outmaneuvering your enemies.

Cancelling Auto Combos

While you're in an Auto Combo, the default string of attacks that come out when you start tapping Square or X; you can actually dash-cancel out of it. When the final hit of the auto combo hits, quickly dashing forwards will allow you to continue to attack or reposition yourself. After the dash, resume with a string of attacks by repeatedly hitting Square or change it up for a much stronger option by using Triangle for a Heavy Finish or character-specific ability, such as Vegeta's Final Flash.

However, if they can anticipate whether you attack high, low, or do a normal strike, then your opponent will counterblock the next move. Mix up your follow-ups when you dash-cancel so they will not attempt to block and possibly counter you.

Teleporting and Vanishing

Probably the most important technique to learn is to teleport out, especially when your opponent is performing a vanishing attack. If you time your teleport just right via Circle, you can completely avoid the damage of a vanishing attack and pop up behind them for a quick counter. This, of course, involves perfect timing, or you will be eating the full force of the attack if done too late. Practice this a bunch in training mode to hone your reaction timing.

Recovering Mid-Combo

Unlike past Tenkaichi titles, Sparking! Zero does not allow you to simply mash Circle in recovery. Now, players need to tap Circle immediately after getting hit to recover while mid-air or during a fall; if you fail to do this in a timely manner, you stay down, and you can easily be followed up on.

Managing Your Ki While Guarding

Although it might save you from receiving any damage, you are burning your Ki away. Once your Ki gauge runs out, you are left wide open to attacks. If your opponent breaks your guard and you're out of Ki, the only option available is to rely on advanced counters like Perception Counter. This move takes two skill points to unlock and can let you dodge certain heavy attacks at a great cost. When your Perception Counter runs out, try using up Square to counter your opponent's strong hits, and on some consoles, you will use up X.

Dragon Smash and Burst Smash Counters

Dragon Smash: This is where your opponent smashes you with a heavy attack and then dashes towards you for the follow-up. With good timing, press up on Square (or up on X) in order to block and counter. It is similar to when opponents teleport behind you and kick you, which is Burst Smash. Timing these perfectly may take a few tries before you get the timing down.

How to Dodge Lightning Attacks

Lightning attacks are among the fastest in the game. It is almost impossible to dodge before it hits an attack. The animation of the attack is so fast that when you would just begin trying to dodge, the hit would already land. So, if you manage to dodge a light attack, well, pat yourself on your back; you're pretty great. Most of the players won't be able to do it easily, so never be discouraged if it takes time.

Clashing to Win

Clashes occur when you and your opponent attack at the same time. Clashes can be won with a well-timed Square. If you are using an analog controller, you may feel that it is better in general during clashes. You may also use boosting to win; however, it eats up most of your Ki, so beware of that. When you boost with little to no Ki and end up losing the clash, you are literally open to attack.

Also, in grab clashes, you have to keep holding Square and release it at the very right moment to win. Focusing on timing during these moments will increase your chances of winning.

Online Match Handling

When translating those skills to online matches, focus will be key. Quite often, players will employ aggressive strategies that are full of mix-ups in order to keep you guessing. Lean on your teleporting, countering, and recovering knowledge to not feel overwhelmed. Also, remember that auto-combos are pretty easy to counter once a pattern is viewed, so use up Square judiciously to punish players for mashing buttons.

Also, check out my review of DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO, and stay tuned for more guides.