To attack effectively in DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO, start with a Rush Chain or a charged Smash Attack, then choose a follow-up that fits the opponent’s launch and your distance from them. Build Ki while applying pressure, and manage Skill Count for abilities that need it. The button examples below use the game’s Standard controls; Classic uses a different layout.
Choose your control scheme before learning inputs
Bandai Namco recommends Standard controls; Classic is designed to resemble the layout of earlier Budokai Tenkaichi games. The official beginner guide’s examples use Standard. Button glyphs vary by platform, so check the in-game control display for your system and selected scheme before copying an input. Bandai Namco’s beginner guide shows the PlayStation and Xbox examples.
In the guide’s PlayStation Standard examples, Square is used for Rush Attack and Smash Attack, Triangle for Ki Blast, and R2 for Ki Charge. The same button can perform different actions depending on whether you tap or hold it: holding Square performs a Smash Attack, while tapping it starts a Rush Chain. Use the displayed platform-specific controls rather than assuming these glyphs apply to every controller.
How to start a basic attack combo
Use a Rush Chain for close-range pressure
At close range, press the Rush Attack button repeatedly—up to four times in the official examples—then press the follow-up attack button. On PlayStation Standard, that example is Square up to four times, then Triangle. The publisher says the action can vary by character, so the sequence is a starting point, not a guaranteed identical string for every fighter.
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![DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO - Standard Edition - Xbox Series X|S [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51a-pIaEDEL._SL160_.jpg)
- Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series
- This game contains breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, and movements too quick for the eyes to see
- Step into an arena that reacts to your every action including planet-razing ultimate attacks
- Watch the environment respond with stunning realism, and leave a trail of destruction in your wake as you battle to your heart’s content
Rush Chains are a straightforward way to begin hand-to-hand pressure. After the final hit, watch the opponent’s position and reaction before choosing another move; a follow-up that works after a launch may not connect if the distance or angle is different. See the official combos and features guide for the publisher’s descriptions of attack options.
Charge a Smash Attack when you want to launch the opponent
Hold the Smash Attack input to charge it. Its power changes with charge duration, so the timing affects the result. A fully charged Power Smash can send an opponent farther away and create an opportunity to chase with Dragon Homing or attack with a Vanishing Attack. Charging gives up time that could otherwise be spent attacking, so choose it when you have room to commit rather than treating it as an automatic improvement over a Rush Chain.
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- Brand video game Bandai Namco
- Color: Multicolor
- Dimensions: 16.8 x 13.5 x 1.5 cm
- Reference: S71010027
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Choose a follow-up based on the launch and spacing
There is no single follow-up string established as best for every character or situation. These are options the official combo guide describes; practice them in Training and confirm your character’s move list and inputs.
- Dragon Dash Attack: attack during a Dragon Dash to close distance and strike.
- Dragon Homing: pursue an opponent after they have been blown away.
- Vanishing Attack: follow a Vanishing Assault with an attack.
- Lightning Attack: send the opponent downward.
- Throws, Lift Strike and Grand Slash: additional moves to learn and test for your character and the situation.
After a launch, judge whether you can reach the opponent and which direction they are moving before committing to a chase. If the opponent is not at the expected distance, a follow-up may miss; use Training to learn how the move behaves with your character rather than relying on a universal combo recipe.
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- Engage in heart-pounding, high-speed 3D battles that stay true to the anime and video game series
- This game contains breathtaking visuals and authentic combat moves like beam clashes, rush attacks, and movements too quick for the eyes to see
- Step into an arena that reacts to your every action including planet-razing ultimate attacks
- Watch the environment respond with stunning realism, and leave a trail of destruction in your wake as you battle to your heart’s content
Manage Ki and Skill Count while attacking
Build Ki for special attacks and movement
Ki supports super attacks and other actions. You can charge it manually, and hand-to-hand combos add a small amount when they hit. That makes continued close-range pressure one way to build Ki, while charging gives you a direct way to replenish it when you have an opening.
At maximum Ki, you can fill the Sparking gauge. Sparking! Mode also requires at least one Skill Count, so reaching maximum Ki alone is not enough to activate it.
Rank #4
- UK PSN Account Requirement: UK PSN account may be required for any online features
- Legendary Budokai Tenkaichi Gameplay: Experience the iconic gameplay of the Budokai Tenkaichi series elevated to new heights with enhanced mechanics and controls
- Extensive Character Roster: Learn and master an incredible roster of playable characters, each with signature abilities, transformations, and techniques
- Authentic Dragon Ball Combat: Harness the destructive power of the strongest fighters ever to appear in DRAGON BALL with faithful recreations of their abilities
- Regional Compatibility: Physical game disc compatible with PlayStation 5 consoles in UK PAL regions
Keep Skill Count in mind
Skill Count replenishes over time and is spent on actions including transformations, fusion, Super Perception and Revenge Counter. Consider whether you want to reserve it for a defensive or character-specific action before using an ability that consumes it. The official beginner guide describes the resource rules and the actions that use Skill Count.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Adapt your attack approach to the fighter
Bandai Namco groups fighters by broad combat tendencies. These categories can help you decide whether to emphasize close pressure, range or mobility, but they do not guarantee a matchup result. Check your character’s own move list and training inputs.
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|---|---|---|
| Strength-focused | Heavy strikes and powerful Blasts | Look for chances to make heavy attacks count rather than assuming every exchange should be a rapid string. |
| Speed-focused | Rapid, sustained assaults | Use mobility and continued pressure as a broad guide to the fighter’s style. |
| Ki-blast specialist | Attacks from range | Consider ranged pressure when closing in is not favorable. |
| Giant | Trades speed for power and reach; some giants may have trouble hitting smaller opponents | Account for the fighter’s slower movement and the opponent’s size when choosing attacks. |
These are orientation cues, not promises about damage, reach in every situation, or the strongest character. The official fighter guide describes the categories and their broad traits.
Check controls and move behavior against your game version
Bandai Namco’s January 20, 2025 update notice identifies version 2008.007.003.005.004 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam. It records adjustments involving Training, charging attacks in Sparking! Mode, Rush Attack input recognition and Grand Slash follow-up behavior. That notice is a dated update snapshot, not confirmation of the complete live move behavior in October 2026. Check the current in-game controls and official update notices if an input or follow-up behaves differently from the examples here: Bandai Namco’s update notice.
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