Z Burst Dash in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero – Ultimate Guide to Attacking and Countering

In the world of Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, speed is king. Whether you’re facing off against iconic characters like Goku, Vegeta, or Frieza, the ability to outmaneuver your opponent can be the difference between victory and defeat. One of the most essential moves in this high-octane 3D fighter is the Z Burst Dash. This teleportation-based move allows players to zip around their opponents, setting them up for devastating combos or avoiding deadly energy attacks. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down exactly how to execute the Z Burst Dash, its tactical uses, and the best strategies for countering it when your opponent pulls it off.

Understanding the Z Burst Dash in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

Before diving into the mechanics, let’s understand why the Z Burst Dash is such a crucial move. In a game where battles often come down to who can strike first, Z Burst Dash gives players the upper hand by allowing them to get behind their enemy in the blink of an eye. It’s more than just a flashy move; it’s a game-changer.

Executing the Z Burst Dash

To perform the Z Burst Dash, you’ll first need to initiate a Dragon Dash, which is your standard fast movement technique used to approach or evade your opponent. However, the Z Burst Dash builds on this by allowing you to take things up a notch.

Controls for Z Burst Dash:

• PlayStation 5: Press R2 + X, then repeat the same combination.
• Xbox: Press RT + A, then repeat the input.
• PC: Press Shift + F, then repeat.

Here’s the key: Make sure you’re still holding the Charge Ki button from your Dragon Dash when you input the Z Burst Dash command. If you let go, or if you press any directional button, the move won’t work.

When done correctly, your character will use up one bar of Ki to zip behind your opponent in a semicircle, leaving them wide open for follow-up attacks. This move is especially effective for dodging incoming Ki Blasts or Super Attacks while getting into a perfect position to retaliate.

When and Why to Use the Z Burst Dash

The Z Burst Dash isn’t just about teleporting behind your enemy; it’s about timing and strategy. Let’s take a look at some of the best situations to use it:

1. Dodging Beam or Blast Supers: If your opponent is charging a beam or energy blast Super Attack, it’s the perfect time to Z Burst Dash behind them. You’ll not only dodge the attack but also have the perfect opportunity to hit them hard while they’re still recovering.
2. Closing the Distance: After launching your opponent with a Super Attack or a powerful combo, you can use the Z Burst Dash to quickly close the gap and maintain the offensive momentum. This is particularly useful when a new character enters the fight in story missions, as it allows you to engage them quickly.
3. Aggressive Approach: The Z Burst Dash also serves as a great tool for approaching an opponent who’s been hanging back, charging Ki, or spamming energy blasts. With a well-timed dash, you can get behind them and land a quick series of combos or unleash a devastating Super Attack.

How to Counter the Z Burst Dash

While the Z Burst Dash is undoubtedly a powerful technique, it’s not without its counters. An experienced player can avoid being caught off guard by knowing how to anticipate and dodge it.

1. Perception and Super Perception

The best way to counter a Z Burst Dash is by using perception or super perception, which allows you to sense and evade the move as it happens.

• Perception:
  • Press R1/RB (Standard) or O/B (Classic).
  • Immediately follow up with O/B (Standard) or O + Triangle/B + Y (Classic).
• Super Perception:
  • Press Triangle + Circle/Y + B.

Super perception is a more advanced counter that consumes one skill point but offers better precision in dodging the Z Burst Dash.

2. Jumping and Sidestepping

While perception-based counters are ideal, there are other options if you’re quick enough:

• Jumping:
  • L1/LB (Standard) or R1/RB (Classic).
• Sidestepping:
  • Move the left stick to the right or left and press X/A (Standard and Classic).

3. Step Sway and Instant Transmission

• Step Sway: This involves sidestepping and pressing R1/RB (Standard) or O/B (Classic).
• Instant Transmission: Another advanced method of avoiding the Z Burst Dash is by pressing Square + X (Standard and Classic). This instantly teleports you out of harm’s way, but only certain characters can use it.

While these counters can be useful, they require precise timing, especially against a fast opponent. After successfully dodging a Z Burst Dash, you’ll have a small window to strike back, so be ready to land a brutal combo or activate Sparking Mode to finish the battle.

Tactical Tips for Mastering the Z Burst Dash

Now that you know how to perform and counter the Z Burst Dash, let’s take a look at some tactical tips to help you maximize its potential:

1. Stay Aggressive, But Don’t Be Predictable: The Z Burst Dash is a highly aggressive move, but don’t fall into the trap of using it too frequently. Experienced players will anticipate it and be ready with counters. Mix it up with other techniques like Dragon Dashes and regular combos to keep your opponent guessing.
2. Use Sparingly to Conserve Ki: Every time you perform a Z Burst Dash, you use up one bar of Ki. This means that spamming the move can quickly deplete your energy reserves, leaving you vulnerable. Use the Z Burst Dash strategically when you know it will give you an advantage.
3. Bait Your Opponent into Using a Counter: If your opponent is relying on perception-based counters, you can bait them into wasting skill points by feinting a Z Burst Dash. Start a Dragon Dash toward them, but stop just short and wait for their counter. Once they’ve used up their resources, you can attack freely.

FAQ Section

Q1: What is the Z Burst Dash in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero? The Z Burst Dash is a teleportation move that allows players to quickly dodge around an opponent and set up devastating attacks by moving behind them.

Q2: How do I perform a Z Burst Dash? To perform a Z Burst Dash, start with a Dragon Dash, then input the same dash command again while still holding the Charge Ki button. On PS5, it’s R2 + X twice; on Xbox, it’s RT + A twice; on PC, it’s Shift + F twice.

Q3: Can I counter the Z Burst Dash? Yes, counters like perception and super perception are effective against the Z Burst Dash. You can also use jumping, sidestepping, step sway, or Instant Transmission to avoid it.

Q4: Does the Z Burst Dash consume Ki? Yes, using the Z Burst Dash consumes one bar of Ki, so use it strategically to avoid running out of energy during a fight.

Q5: Can every character in the game use the Z Burst Dash? Yes, but certain characters with unique abilities, like Instant Transmission, may have alternate movement options that rival or surpass the Z Burst Dash.