How to Unlock All Piccolo What If Storylines and Alternate Routes in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Key Takeaways:
- Alternate routes add depth – Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO features multiple diverging paths for each character, allowing for alternate storylines and hidden cutscenes.
- Piccolo’s episodes reveal hidden events – By making specific choices, players can unlock new battles and alternate outcomes in Piccolo’s storyline.
- Strategic choices impact the game – Opting to help characters at key moments can change the flow of the story and unlock powerful new moves and battles.
In Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, each character’s storyline offers the chance to relive iconic battles from the anime, but there’s more to it than just following the familiar Dragon Ball saga. The game also includes alternate routes, allowing you to steer the story in a new direction with just a few well-timed decisions. One of the most exciting characters to explore these alternate paths with is Piccolo, the Namekian warrior known for his fusion with Kami and mentorship of Gohan.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to unlock all of Piccolo’s alternate routes in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, focusing especially on his “A Mentor’s Guidance” Sparking Episode and other key branching paths that diverge from the canon timeline.
Piccolo’s Sparking Episodes: A Quick Overview
Piccolo’s story arc in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is primarily based on his major battles from the Android Saga in Dragon Ball Z. While Piccolo’s Episode may seem shorter compared to other characters like Goku or Vegeta, it contains some unique branching paths that lead to exciting alternate scenarios.
One of the key alternate routes for Piccolo is the Sparking Episode titled “A Mentor’s Guidance”, which opens up a whole new set of events during the Cell Saga.
Unlocking Piccolo’s “A Mentor’s Guidance” Sparking Episode
To access Piccolo’s “A Mentor’s Guidance” episode, you’ll need to trigger a specific event during the Android Saga. The steps to unlock this alternate route are simple, but timing and choice matter.
Step 1: Reach the Beginning of the Android Saga
First, progress through the game until you reach the Android Saga. Piccolo’s story begins to diverge here. While following the normal storyline, you’ll eventually reach a point where Goku battles Android 19.
Step 2: Choose to Help Goku Against Android 19
When prompted, choose to have Piccolo step in and assist Goku during his fight with Android 19. This single decision sets off a chain reaction that takes Piccolo’s story in a new direction. Instead of following the standard path, Piccolo and Gohan will train together in the Time Chamber, preparing for the upcoming battle with Cell.
Step 3: Prepare for Tough Battles with Perfect Cell
Once you’ve chosen this route, the storyline will lead you toward the Cell Games, where Piccolo and Gohan face off against Perfect Cell. These battles are among the toughest in Piccolo’s arc, as Cell is highly aggressive and uses powerful Super and Ultimate attacks. Expect Cell to vanish frequently from your combos and strike back with devastating force.
Throughout this route, you’ll fight Cell in his Semi-Perfect, Perfect, and Super Perfect forms, with the latter two posing the greatest challenge. It’s essential to have a strong command of Piccolo’s moveset during these battles.
Mastering Piccolo’s Moveset for the Android Saga
While unlocking alternate routes is exciting, it’s even more rewarding when you’re prepared for the intense battles that follow. Piccolo’s moveset evolves throughout the game, particularly after his fusion with Kami. Understanding these moves can make a big difference when facing powerful foes like Android 19 or Cell.
Before Fusion with Kami: Saiyan and Namek Saga Moveset
Before Piccolo fuses with Kami, his moveset is primarily built around abilities used during the Saiyan Saga and Namek Saga. At this stage, Piccolo’s key moves include:
- Paralyze Beam: A powerful stun attack that immobilizes enemies, giving Piccolo the chance to follow up with heavy combos.
- All-Out Skill: This skill allows Piccolo to enter Sparking Mode without having to charge his Ki. It’s especially useful for quickly gaining the upper hand in battles against tougher opponents like Android 19.
After Fusion with Kami: Enhanced Skills for the Cell Saga
Once Piccolo fuses with Kami, his moveset transforms, gaining more powerful attacks and abilities. One key change is that his old Ultimate Attack, the Special Beam Cannon, becomes a Super Attack instead. This allows you to use it more frequently during fights, especially as a follow-up to a combo that launches your opponent.
However, Piccolo’s All-Out Skill is replaced with False Courage, a weaker ability that only increases his defense. On the bright side, Piccolo gains access to more advanced attacks like Hellzone Grenade, a high-damage Ultimate Attack that can deal significant damage if used strategically.
Additional Alternate Routes for Piccolo in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
While “A Mentor’s Guidance” is one of the most prominent alternate routes for Piccolo, it’s not the only one. There are several smaller branching paths that you can unlock throughout the game, leading to unique fights and alternate endings.
The Saiyans Attack
In this alternate route, you must defeat Nappa quickly during the Saiyan Saga. By doing so, you can unlock a short alternate scenario where Piccolo plays a larger role in the battle.
Piccolo Returns to His Birthplace
Another alternate route appears during the Frieza Saga. To unlock this, you’ll need to defeat Frieza quickly in his third form. This results in a brief detour from the main timeline, offering a special cutscene and an additional fight.
Android 17 and Cell
During the Android Saga, Piccolo can unlock another alternate path by quickly defeating both Cell and Android 17. This route offers new dialogue and leads to a bonus battle that isn’t available in the main storyline.
How Alternate Routes Work in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Alternate routes are scattered throughout Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, and they aren’t always obvious. Unlocking these paths usually depends on making key decisions or completing specific objectives during battles. Here’s a closer look at how you can find and unlock these hidden routes:
1. Choosing Different Dialogue Options
Sometimes, the storyline can branch simply by selecting a different dialogue option when prompted. For example, during certain episodes, you might be given the choice to assist a character or take an alternate action, which can lead to a completely new scenario.
2. Completing Alternate Objectives
In other cases, alternate routes are unlocked by completing specific battle objectives. For instance, defeating an enemy within a certain time limit or avoiding the use of a particular move can trigger a new path.
How to Track Alternate Routes
Keeping track of the alternate routes you’ve unlocked is easy with the game’s Story Map. The Story Map shows the main storyline progression as a thick orange line, while alternate routes are marked by a smaller blue dotted line. You can hover over specific episodes to check if alternate routes are available and review the objectives needed to unlock them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How do I unlock Piccolo’s alternate route, “A Mentor’s Guidance”?
To unlock Piccolo’s “A Mentor’s Guidance” Sparking Episode, you need to reach the Android Saga and choose to help Goku during his battle with Android 19. This triggers a series of events leading to a new storyline where Piccolo and Gohan train together and face Cell.
Q2: What are the key moves Piccolo gains after fusing with Kami?
After fusing with Kami, Piccolo gains a new set of moves, including the Special Beam Cannon as a Super Attack and Hellzone Grenade as his Ultimate Attack. He also loses his All-Out Skill, which is replaced by False Courage.
Q3: Can I unlock alternate routes in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO by completing battles quickly?
Yes, many alternate routes in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO are unlocked by completing battles quickly or by avoiding the use of specific moves. For example, defeating Frieza or Cell rapidly can trigger unique cutscenes and alternate storylines.
Q4: How do I know if I’ve unlocked an alternate route in the game?
You can track your progress and check for alternate routes using the game’s Story Map. Alternate paths are marked with blue dotted lines, and you can hover over episodes to see the objectives required to unlock them.
