Dragon Ball FighterZ is one of the most acclaimed fighting games in recent years, and it is currently available on Xbox Game Pass. It's a high-octane-yet-strategic title that satisfies both franchise fans and gamers alike. Players the world over can enjoy an extensive story mode, exhilarating online matches, a varied character roster, and enough unlockables and developer support to keep people hooked for years.
All of this can seem overwhelming at first. FighterZ admittedly throws a lot of systems at the player at once. That's why fresh contenders should know a few things before jumping in. The mechanics here are quick to learn but difficult to master. One can train the length of every Dragon Ball show and still not uncover every trick fighter has to offer.
8 Have Some Music Ready During Story Mode
FighterZ deserves props for not taking players through the mainline Dragon Ball Z storyline again. Far too many of these games do that. The catch is that this Story Mode is excessively padded.
The plot revolves around an endless army of duplicates: mindless copies of iconic fighters that Android 21 created to tide her over until she can eat the real deal. Players fight these things for hours, only occasionally running into an actual character to fight.
It's almost not worth the hassle, but players have to slog through this mode to unlock Android 21. Plus, it's the most lucrative way to raise funds to buy Super Saiyan Blue Goku and Vegeta. Just throw on some tunes or boot up an audiobook, as it'll take a good while.
7 Use Assists
Having three fighters per match isn't just for show or variety. The game encourages players to call on these allies throughout the battle. Those who stick to one fighter at a time are at a disadvantage, as they're missing out on a vital gameplay system.
Depending on when the assist is activated and how full the meter is, the ally's attack can vary greatly. It can be as simple as a punch or as devastating as a tag-team Kamehameha. Players must experiment to weave these organically into their combos. Plus, swapping out can give the previous fighter some time to rest and recover some HP. That always helps.
6 Don't Trust The Show To Find The Best Fighter
The Dragon Ball series has a clear hierarchy of power. It's easy to see who the greatest warriors are at any given time. In the interest of game balance (or to simply mess with fans), the developers shifted around the pecking order.
Characters whom you expect to be invincible might be low-tier, and fighters who were practically useless in the show might dominate here. For instance, Frieza may have menacing might to rival the gods, but he's basically a glass cannon in the game. On the flip side, Yamcha is possibly the biggest loser in the franchise, yet FighterZ frames him as a killer in terms of counterattacks. Relying strictly on prior knowledge will get you into trouble.
5 Practice Before Going Online
This may seem like common knowledge. That said, it's no less applicable here, especially since the system here is more intricate than most other Dragon Ball brawlers. Training Mode and its wealth of customization options are there for a reason.
All of these fighters have advanced move sets. For players who know how to use them, one combo can flow seamlessly into the next, juggling enemies continuously until the battle's end. Those competing in online matches will have honed such skills. Newbies should do the same if they hope to stand any chance.
4 Some Characters Have Auto-Supers
For all the effort the developers put into game balance, some fighters still boast certain unfair perks. For the most part, players activate super attacks like Kamehameha separately from normal melee strikes.
Guys like Super Saiyan Blue Goku and Vegeta, though, fire off these blasts automatically at the end of their combos. Granted, this only occurs if they have enough energy stored up, but users should still beware, both when battling him and controlling him. Accidentally shooting such an attack can expend precious energy, sabotaging your effort to build up to a stronger blast.
3 Down Heavy
In a fighter this fine-tuned, you wouldn't think there'd be a move that throws strategy to the wayside, let alone one this simple. Sadly, the downward heavy attack does just that. It dumbs down matches to the point of becoming a joke among the player base.
Not only does this move freeze the Super Dash, an energized charge that knocks most enemies off their feet, but it nullifies practically all aerial attacks. This one maneuver is borderline broken. Exploit it if you wish, but don't get angry if it's turned back on you.
2 Watch Fights
Hands-on experience is important to learning in most situations, but it can be just as fruitful to step back and observe things from a new perspective. For that reason, players looking to improve their skillset should witness a few online matches as an outsider looking in.
Seasoned online players have had plenty of time to find their rhythm with their favorite characters. This provides a prime opportunity to see the full potential of those fighters. Hopeful competitors can see the multitude of complex combos at their disposal and how best to employ them. Alternatively, they could spot weaknesses and learn to counter said combos. This will help whenever newbies come up against these fighters in the future.
1 Don't Rely On Sparking Blast
FighterZ provides this power-up as a temporary reprieve from enemy assaults. It's indeed a big help, but players must be careful not to abuse it. After all, they only get one Sparking Blast per match. At the same time, don't expect it to pull you out of the fire.
The power-up might be a boon, but it doesn't turn the entire match around like the X-ray attacks from Mortal Kombat. It's simply a temporary buff that beefs up a fighter's damage and defense. The only direct effect it has on opponents is knocking them back if they're in close proximity, allowing for a follow-up combo. This makes it all the more important to pick the perfect time to activate it. In a sense, Sparking Blast is only as good as the player wielding it.