10 Best Characters in Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero

Patrick_Yu · 11:25AM

Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero brings fans back to the Dragon Ball universe in a big way, combining iconic characters and flashy battles with gameplay inspired by Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, the beloved PS2-era series known for its 3D arenas and massive roster. With a character selection of over 180 fighters and the freedom to reenact or even rewrite key battles from Akira Toriyama's classic series, Sparking! Zero pays homage to Dragon Ball’s most memorable moments.

This game isn’t about tight, frame-counting combat like Tekken or Street Fighter. Instead, Sparking! Zero revolves around managing movement, key energy, and transformations while pulling off explosive ultimate moves. Its mechanics are layered enough to reward strategic play, making certain characters stand out as top choices for competitive matches. In this guide, we’ll highlight the top ten most powerful and "broken" characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, showcasing who truly dominates on the battlefield and why.

What makes a character OP or broken in Sparking! Zero

In Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, a character’s strength depends on how effectively they leverage core game mechanics to control battles and outmaneuver opponents. Here’s what we look for:

Key management and regeneration: Characters who regenerate or sustain key better stay on the offensive longer, winning critical “vanish wars” by outlasting their opponents’ energy reserves.
Access to core mechanics: Essential abilities like insta-spark, full power, and after-image strike give characters versatile ways to reset, evade, or apply pressure, providing major advantages in competitive play.
Endurance and health restoration: Self-sustaining abilities and high durability give characters the edge in longer matches, especially in team formats, by allowing them to survive and recover without relying on teammates.
Unblockable and hard-to-counter moves: Moves that bypass typical defenses force opponents into difficult situations and create openings that are tough to counter.
High damage and combo potential: Powerful combos and high base damage are critical, especially when these moves can’t be easily interrupted or countered.
Adaptability: Characters who perform well across different matchups, or have multiple forms or transformations, add strategic depth and flexibility to any team.

Characters that dominate these areas are the strongest in Sparking! Zero, making them top picks for competitive play.

10 best characters in Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

1. Broly (Z)

Z Broly is one of the most overpowered characters in Sparking! Zero, largely due to his incredible durability and key-sustaining abilities, which allow him to dominate opponents through powerful, hard-to-counter attacks. Broly’s unblockable moves make him a nightmare to face off against, especially since he can bypass most standard defenses and gain the upper hand in tight combat situations. His transformation into the legendary Super Saiyan boosts his power significantly, making him even more dangerous.

In competitive play, Broly’s toolkit shines in key management and pressure. Not only does he possess the insta-spark ability to quickly regain key, but he also transforms into a nine-cost powerhouse, meaning he’s stronger in transformed states and able to access more powerful moves and strategies. This heightened strength lets him outlast opponents in vanish wars, as he can efficiently replenish key while staying aggressive and keeping enemies on the defensive.

Z Broly’s combination of unblockable moves, high base power, and endurance creates a nearly unbeatable character, especially for players skilled in key and vanish management. His ability to perform high-damage combos and force opponents into constant defense means that Z Broly can control most battles, making him a top-tier choice for players looking to dominate in Sparking! Zero.

2. Broly (Super)

Super Broly is another top-tier powerhouse, combining sheer offensive power with efficient key management to dominate the battlefield. Like Z Broly, Super Broly benefits from his ability to transform into a nine-cost character, which gives him access to heightened stats and stronger attacks. However, where he truly excels is in his balanced strength across both base and transformed states, allowing him to maintain pressure regardless of his transformation status.

Super Broly’s versatility shines in competitive play. His transformations grant him insta-spark, allowing him to quickly regain key, making him nearly unstoppable in vanish wars, where outlasting opponents is critical. Super Broly is also equipped with heavy-hitting, hard-to-counter attacks that often leave opponents struggling to defend, especially when he combines them with well-timed key blasts. His strong combos, which can inflict heavy damage, make him a brutal force against weaker or poorly timed counters.

What makes Super Broly especially intimidating is his ability to adapt his play style based on the opponent. Against weaker players, his offensive output alone is enough to overwhelm; against high-level players, his insta-spark and ability to manage key effectively make him incredibly hard to take down. This versatility, combined with his raw strength and efficient key usage, makes Super Broly one of the most dominant characters in Sparking! Zero.

3. Yajirobe (Post-Nerf)

Despite recent nerfs, Yajirobe remains a viable choice for players who can master his revised mechanics. Previously, Yajirobe’s ability to use Senzu Beans to fully recover health with ease made him one of the most frustrating characters to face in the game. Now, after an update by Spike Chunsoft, he’s far less of a crutch and more of a skill-based character, but his endurance and unique toolkit still make him valuable in competitive play.

The nerfs primarily target Yajirobe’s Senzu Bean ability. Instead of the original five Skill Count, it now costs six, making it one of the game’s most expensive abilities to pull off. Additionally, Yajirobe starts with zero Skill Count (rather than the standard two), meaning he’ll need to earn Skill Count gradually in battle, making full health recovery a much rarer event. On top of this, his health has also been reduced, and he now begins a match with two and a half health bars instead of three, leaving him more vulnerable than before.

While these changes require players to put in more work to make the most of Yajirobe’s toolkit, his Senzu Bean ability still holds great strategic value, especially in longer matches. His speed, evasiveness, and the potential to recover health with skillful play make him a valuable support character in team settings. With these adjustments, Yajirobe is no longer overpowered but remains a solid choice for skilled players who can navigate his limitations effectively in Sparking! Zero.

4. Android 19 & Dr. Gero

Android 19 and Dr. Gero stand out in the game as two of the most broken characters due to their unique ability to regenerate key indefinitely. While most characters must manage their key carefully, these androids bypass the standard mechanics entirely by having key that never depletes. This infinite key allows them to stay aggressive and outlast opponents in vanish wars, giving them a tremendous advantage in high-level play.

The infinite key regeneration alone makes Android 19 and Dr. Gero formidable, as it allows them to spam key attacks, manage vanish wars effortlessly, and continuously pressure opponents. They don’t need to break off combat to charge or manage key levels, allowing them to maintain offensive momentum. As vanish wars are crucial in competitive play, having an endless key supply means Android 19 and Dr. Gero can sustain key maneuvers where others would be forced to fall back.

Though they lack some of the hard-hitting moves of other top-tier characters, Android 19 and Dr. Gero’s constant access to vanish, super attacks, and evasive moves makes them especially hard to counter. This ability to stay active and responsive regardless of their key levels renders these androids some of the most frustrating opponents to face, cementing them as a powerful, if unconventional, choice in the game.

5. Vegito

When it comes to versatility and adaptability, few characters can match the dynamic toolkit of Vegito. His ability to switch between multiple transformations makes him a strategic nightmare for opponents, as he can adjust his form and play style to suit almost any matchup. With his range of forms, Vegito allows players to tailor their approach, whether they’re facing a defensive character or an aggressive powerhouse.

Central to Vegito’s power are his access to insta-spark and after-image strike—two of the game’s most essential mechanics. The insta-spark lets him quickly recover key, maintaining offensive pressure and allowing him to stay dominant in vanish wars. Meanwhile, after-image strike gives Vegito a significant defensive advantage, letting him evade incoming attacks and setting him up for counterattacks when his opponent least expects it. Together, these abilities make Vegito a character who can seamlessly shift between offense and defense.

Vegito’s flexibility makes him an asset in competitive play, as each transformation can be used strategically to either gain the upper hand or adapt to a changing battlefield. His mix of offensive firepower, defensive options, and form-switching potential makes him one of the most versatile characters in the game, keeping him in top-tier ranks and a favorite choice for players who value adaptability.

6. Ultra Instinct Goku

It’s hard to ignore the advantages UI Goku brings to the battlefield. As one of the few characters with both insta-spark and high-level evasion, he’s built for players who prioritize quick, reactive gameplay. UI Goku’s key strength lies in his ability to dodge attacks effortlessly and turn the tables with powerful counters, which makes him highly effective in fast-paced battles where precise timing is essential.

A standout feature of UI Goku is his near-unbreakable vanish game. Thanks to his efficient key management and access to insta-spark, he can outlast most opponents in vanish wars, maintaining his evasion streak and staying safe from combos. He also gains access to the powerful “charge key blast” ability, which allows him to inflict heavy damage and keep up pressure, punishing opponents who try to approach recklessly. This combination of key management and evasive ability allows him to sustain a defensive stance longer than most characters, buying him time to unleash devastating counters.

UI Goku’s setup rewards those who can master vanish timing and key usage, and he’s a perfect match for players who value strong defensive play with powerful counters. In the right hands, he’s nearly untouchable, as opponents struggle to keep up with his evasion and find openings. His evasive mastery and precise offense make UI Goku one of the most challenging characters to confront in the game.

7. Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta

SSJ4 Gogeta isn’t just about raw damage; he’s a finely-tuned powerhouse that combines high stats, aggressive key control, and unique combo mechanics that make him one of the most punishing characters in the game. With his ability to integrate key blasts directly into combos, Gogeta breaks the typical flow of vanish-counter strategies, making it hard for opponents to defend or reset once they’re caught in his string of attacks. This chaining technique allows him to maintain relentless pressure, capitalizing on any opening to maximize damage output.

His high base stats further set him apart, boosting both his durability and damage potential. As one of the rare characters who can truly dominate vanish wars, Gogeta leverages his insta-spark to continuously regain key, extending his offensive capabilities without pause. Once he charges up, Gogeta’s powerful key blasts and swift transitions between ranged and melee combat create a nearly unbreakable momentum, pushing his opponent to the brink.

In addition, SSJ4 Gogeta’s ultimate attacks are some of the hardest to dodge, with fast animation speeds that make them difficult to counter or avoid. His entire setup caters to players who thrive on sustained aggression, using his blend of power and unbreakable combos to overwhelm opponents. For those seeking a high-risk, high-reward playstyle, SSJ4 Gogeta is a top-tier pick that’s as intimidating as he is effective in the right hands.

8. Whis

Whis brings a unique playstyle to the game, focused on defensive maneuvers that make him exceptionally hard to hit. Unlike most characters, Whis can avoid typical attacks just by standing still, bypassing grabs, standard melee hits, and even some key blasts. This unique stance gives Whis a built-in evasion ability that lets him sidestep attacks without needing to burn key on vanishes or other evasive moves, effectively giving him a free layer of defense that’s tough for opponents to work around.

Beyond his evasive stance, Whis’s stats make him an ideal choice for players who prefer a defensive approach with strong counter potential. His high base stats in both attack and defense mean he can absorb hits when necessary and deal punishing counters when the time is right. Additionally, his healing ability lets him recover quickly, sustaining him through long fights and keeping him a constant threat. In vanish wars, Whis’s evasion skills shine, as he can conserve key while his opponent expends theirs trying to land a hit.

For players who enjoy outlasting their opponent through patience and precision, Whis is one of the most challenging and rewarding characters in the game. His ability to evade most attacks effortlessly and his strong counter options keep him firmly in the high-tier ranks.

9. Android 17 (Super)

Android 17 (Super) brings a deadly mix of agility and energy control to the battlefield. Known for his rapid attack sequences and evasive abilities, 17 is one of the quickest characters in the game, which makes him tough to pin down. His insta-spark ability allows him to instantly recharge key, enabling him to stay mobile and aggressive without the typical limitations of key depletion. This agility is a huge asset in vanish wars, as 17 can outmaneuver and outlast opponents who can’t match his speed or energy recovery.

What sets Android 17 (Super) apart is his low-cost explosive wave ability, which he can activate quickly to push opponents away and reset the fight. This move, combined with his ability to dodge and counter easily, allows 17 to dictate the pace of battle, especially against slower or more rigid characters. His constant barrage of swift attacks and quick counters can easily overwhelm opponents who rely on slower, high-damage moves.

In competitive play, Android 17 (Super) appeals to players who prioritize speed and relentless pressure. His mix of evasive capabilities, quick attacks, and energy management ensures he’s a consistent threat on the battlefield, making him one of the more challenging characters to face in the game.

10. Beerus

Known in Dragon Ball lore as the God of Destruction, Beerus brings a commanding presence to the game with a playstyle that blends precision, power, and tactical key usage. Unlike some of the game’s pure bruisers, Beerus excels at controlling the battlefield through a calculated mix of high-damage attacks and strong key management. His insta-spark ability allows him to efficiently recover key, which means he can maintain offensive pressure while extending combos without the need to pause for a recharge.

What sets Beerus apart is the accuracy and tracking of his key blasts, making it difficult for opponents to dodge and often forcing them to burn key on evasive moves. His ability to land precise, long-range hits adds an extra layer of control over the battlefield, keeping opponents constantly on the defensive. When it’s time to close the gap, Beerus can unleash fast, high-damage melee attacks and ultimate moves with some of the quickest activation speeds in the game, making his close-range offense difficult to counter.

For players who prefer a strategic, commanding playstyle, Beerus offers both offensive and defensive versatility. His ability to control the fight at both close and long range—coupled with the lore-fueled intimidation factor as the God of Destruction—makes him a top-tier choice for those looking to dominate the battlefield with a balance of power and precision.