Unlocking Characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero – A Comprehensive Guide

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is packed with a massive roster of over 180 playable characters, but many of them need to be unlocked as you progress through the game. You won’t have access to the entire roster from the get-go, which is a common trend in the series. Luckily, there are numerous methods to unlock these characters, and we’re here to break it all down for you.

Whether you’re looking to buy characters using in-game currency, complete story-based missions, or take on special challenges, we’ve got the complete guide to unlocking characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero.

Unlocking Characters

In Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, the game includes 47 characters that need to be unlocked, and this number can reach into the 70s when counting all their transformations. However, the process of unlocking them isn’t always immediately obvious, and the game doesn’t provide clear instructions.

Fear not, though! You’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled all the available methods for unlocking characters, so you can grow your roster and explore the many forms of your favourite fighters.

Method 1: The Shop – The Quick and Easy Way

The most straightforward method to unlock characters is by purchasing them from the Shop, located in the “Shop & Customize” section of the Main Menu. The currency used here is Zeni, which you can earn by playing the game, and you won’t need to worry about microtransactions everything is earned through gameplay.

The caveat? Not every character is available in the shop right away. The list of purchasable characters expands as your Player Level increases. For example, by the time you reach Player Level 20, all characters should be available for purchase.

To speed up the process, you can use a Shenron or Super Shenron Summon to wish for an increase in player level. This gives a quick boost to your level and can significantly update the Shop inventory.

Method 2: Episode Battles – Unlock Characters for Free

If you’re not in the mood to grind for Zeni, another effective way to unlock characters is by playing through the Episode Battles, which serve as the game’s version of story mode. Here, you’ll naturally unlock many characters as you progress through the story, earning Zeni and increasing your player level along the way.

This method is one of the most efficient ways to unlock a large portion of the roster. Plus, you get the added bonus of saving Zeni for other purchases like Costumes or Ability Items.

Method 3: Branching Paths and What-If Battles

One of the coolest features in Dragon Ball games is the What-If Battles, and Sparking Zero is no exception. These alternate storyline battles allow you to explore creative scenarios, and some of these battles reward you with characters after you complete the episodes.

These branching path fights give you even more incentive to explore every corner of the game’s story mode and see how these alternate realities play out.

Method 4: Offline Tournaments

Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero features a variety of Offline Tournaments, each with unique rewards, including unlocking specific characters. These tournaments are a great way to add some of the more iconic characters to your roster. Here’s a breakdown of who you can unlock and where:

• World Tournament: Unlocks Goku (Teen)
• Cell Games: Unlocks Cell Jr.
• Other World Tournament: Unlocks Super Gogeta (Z)
• Tournament of Destroyers: Unlocks Frost
• Tournament of Power: Unlocks Anilaza
• Yamcha Games: Unlocks Saibaman

Each tournament provides a thematic battle environment, offering a fresh take on combat and story progression, along with new characters to master.

Method 5: Custom Episodes and Bonus Battles

Sparking Zero also introduces Custom Episodes, where players can create their own stories with dialogue cutscenes and unique battle rules. But if that’s not enough for you, there are developer-made Bonus Battles scattered throughout the game, many of which will reward you with even more characters upon completion.

For example, completing bonus battles can unlock characters like Caulifla, Future Gohan, and even Gogeta (Super). These battles are especially important for those who didn’t pre-order the game and need a way to unlock early access characters.

Method 6: Zen-Oh’s Orders

If you’re up for a challenge, check out Zen-Oh’s Orders from the main menu. This section offers a giant list of challenges that, when completed, reward you with Zeni, Titles, and even more characters.

When a character is available as a reward, an icon of that character will appear next to the challenge. Most of these challenges involve using a specific character a certain number of times in battle.

Method 7: Shenron Summon – Early Unlocks

The Super Shenron Summon allows you to unlock two characters early: Goku Black and Future Zamasu. These characters will eventually become available in the Shop once you reach Player Level 20, but summoning Shenron gives you a head start.

Additionally, Super Shenron allows you to wish for a million Zeni, which can be used to purchase more characters from the shop, or you can wish for an increase in player level to reach that coveted Level 20 even faster.

Unlocking Characters through Offline Tournaments and Bonus Battles

Here’s a quick reference of who you can unlock through specific modes in the game:

• World Tournament: Goku (Teen)
• Cell Games: Cell Jr.
• Other World Tournament: Super Gogeta (Z)
• Tournament of Destroyers: Frost
• Tournament of Power: Anilaza
• Yamcha Games: Saibaman

These tournaments are a fantastic way to quickly unlock characters without spending Zeni, all while offering fun, themed battles to enjoy.

Unlocking Characters Using Zeni

The most straightforward method of unlocking characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO is by purchasing them with Zeni, the in-game currency. As you progress and level up, you’ll unlock the ability to buy characters from the shop. This means you don’t have to rely solely on completing battles to unlock everyone.

The key here is to earn Zeni by participating in battles and tournaments. As long as you’re actively playing, Zeni will come naturally. Once you’ve earned enough Zeni, head to the shop to unlock your desired characters. Here’s a breakdown of some key characters and their Zeni cost:

This table covers only a few fighters, but the process remains the same for the rest. Keep in mind that purchasing characters with Zeni is tied to your Player Level, so some characters will only be available after reaching specific levels.

Unlocking Characters Through Battles

While Zeni is a great way to unlock characters, some fighters are tied directly to specific battles and tournaments. This means that you’ll have to complete certain objectives to add them to your roster. Most of these challenges can be found in Episode and Bonus Battles, so be sure to explore those modes.

Notable Battles to Unlock Characters:

• Jiren’s Episode Battle: Complete “Saiyans Awaken” to unlock Goku (Super) with Ultra Instinct -Sign-.
• Vegeta’s Episode Battle: Finish the “Number One Spot” mission to get Goku (GT).
• Future Trunks’ Episode Battle: Win the final battle against Zamasu to unlock Tapion.

Completing tournaments can also unlock characters. For example, by winning the World Tournament for the first time, you’ll unlock Goku (Teen), while finishing the Other World Tournament grants access to Super Gogeta (Z).

The good news is that when you unlock the base form of a character, all their transformations will automatically be available. This means unlocking Goku (GT) grants you access to his base form as well as Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 3, and Super Saiyan 4 versions.

Unlocking Characters with Zen-Oh’s Orders

Zen-Oh’s Orders add an extra layer of challenge to unlocking characters. These orders require you to perform specific tasks during battles, such as using a character a certain number of times. While these challenges take more effort, they’re worth completing as they unlock some of the most powerful fighters in the game.

Example Zen-Oh Orders:

• Gogeta (GT), Super Saiyan 4: Use Gogeta in battle 10 times to unlock this transformation.
• Super Garlic Jr.: Use Piccolo in battle 10 times to unlock this formidable fighter.
• Metal Cooler: Play as Cooler in 10 battles to unlock his metal form.

Zen-Oh’s Orders are perfect for players who want a more engaging way of unlocking characters rather than just grinding for Zeni.

Full Roster Breakdown

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO’s roster is filled with both popular and lesser-known characters from the Dragon Ball universe. Here’s a look at some of the key fighters you can unlock and their transformations:

As you can see, unlocking a character’s base form grants access to all their transformations. For example, unlocking Vegeta (GT) allows you to play as his Super Saiyan 4 form, while unlocking Goku Black grants access to his Super Saiyan Rose transformation.

Maximizing Efficiency: Tips and Tricks

Unlocking every character in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO requires strategy. Here are some tips to help you unlock characters faster:

1. Prioritize Episode Battles: Since many characters are tied to these battles, focus on completing them first.
2. Grind Zeni Efficiently: Replay easier battles to earn Zeni quickly. Once you have enough, buy characters from the shop to expand your roster.
3. Complete Tournaments Early: By winning tournaments, you unlock powerful characters like Goku (Teen) and Super Gogeta (Z), which can help you in later battles.
4. Focus on Zen-Oh’s Orders: These tasks might take some time, but they reward you with unique characters that can’t be unlocked through other means.

FAQ

Q: How do I unlock more characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero? A: Characters can be unlocked through several methods, including purchasing them with Zeni in the Shop, completing Episode Battles, finishing offline tournaments, and completing Zen-Oh’s Orders challenges.

Q: What is the fastest way to unlock characters? A: The fastest method is to buy them in the Shop with Zeni. You can also wish for a level boost through Shenron Summons to unlock them more quickly.

Q: Can I unlock all characters without spending real money? A: Yes! All characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero can be unlocked without microtransactions. Everything is earned through gameplay.

Q: What is Zen-Oh’s Orders? A: Zen-Oh’s Orders are special challenges that unlock rewards like Zeni, Titles, and sometimes characters. You can find these challenges in the main menu.

Q: Can I unlock transformations for characters? A: Yes, by unlocking a character’s base form, you also gain access to their transformations, such as Super Saiyan, which can be used in battle.