Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, Bandai Namco’s latest 3D fighter, has been released for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. One of the game modes that players have developed a liking towards is Episode Battles. This game mode includes the iconic moments from the anime and allows players to explore branching storylines with never-before-scene scenarios. This Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles guide will cover all branching paths and alternate endings for Piccolo.
Players should know that there are two types of branches: paths and alternate endings. Paths are complete changes in the timeline, with your decisions impacting future events. Alternate endings, on the other hand, are just different conclusions to existing battles of the series. Interestingly, some alternate paths also have Sparking! Episodes, which are original cutscenes created for the new moments. This guide will highlight all the branching paths and alternate endings for Piccolo and how to unlock them.
Related: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles Guide: Goku Saiyan Saga
Vegeta Vs Piccolo
The first alternate ending for Piccolo’s Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles arrives during his second fight in the Saiyan Saga. The ending is called Vegeta Vs Piccolo, and it can be unlocked if players can defeat Nappa quickly during ‘The Saiyans Attack’ mission, not giving him a chance to breathe.
If you pull it off successfully, Piccolo defeats Nappa and doesn’t have to die defending Gohan. Vegeta kills off Nappa as he always does and then battles Piccolo. You will have to battle Vegeta during this segment. A win against Vegeta will take you back to canon events, with Goku and Vegeta’s fight concluding the Saiyan Arc.
Related: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles Guide: Goku Android/Cell Saga
A Mentor’s Guidance
Next is a branching path for Piccolo in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero’s Episode Battles, which arrives during the Namek Saga. Players must defeat Frieza quickly during the Piccolo Returns to His Birthplace mission to unlock the’ A Mentor’s Guidance’ branching path.
As Piccolo reaches Namek, he gains immense power by absorbing a fellow Namkeian Warrior, Nail. With the newfound power, Piccolo rushes to protect Gohan and Piccolo from Frieza. Here, players must battle Frieza in his 2nd and 3rd forms. To unlock the secret ending, you must defeat Frieza very quickly. Spamming Special Beam Cannons and Sparking! Mode attacks seem to be the only way.
Succeeding in this task will unlock a new path where Frieza acknowledges Piccolo’s strength. You’ll battle Frieza in his final form until the battle ends. However, the end shows Piccolo struggling against Frieza, and Goku arrives later to save the day. All events that follow are similar to the anime, but Piccolo is dissatisfied with his lack of strength and wants to save Namek and Goku. Hence, Piccolo increased his training so he would not be in the same situation again.
Related: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles Guide: Goku Buu Saga
Backing Up Goku
The ‘A Mentor’s Guidance’ path connects to the anime storyline but branches further in the Cell Saga. During the ‘Faint Unease’ mission, Goku seems to be struggling with the Androids, and you are offered a decision: either ‘Continue to observe the battle’ or ‘Help Out Goku’. If you continue to observe, the anime’s events will play out. However, if you decide to step in, Piccolo will join the fight against Android 19 and 20 to save Goku.
Here, you will need to defeat Android 19. After the match, Goku doesn’t faint due to his heart disease as he usually does, but he still senses an issue settling in. Goku is rendered useless during this timeline as he cannot fight due to the growing virus, and the medicine can’t be used until the virus completely takes over.
Related: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles Guide: Goku Super Saga
Training Gohan
Hence, he requests Piccolo to train Gohan in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. However, before they can enter for training, Piccolo must battle against Cell, who has just absorbed Android 17. Here, you need to battle Cell’s second form. Goku comes to help, which allows Piccolo and Gohan to escape and train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Here, you will fight Kid Gohan and have the option to train his mind or body.
Related: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero: Gohan Black Guide
Cell Games
Then came the Cell Games; this time, Piccolo was ready to take the mantle of Cell’s first opponent. Here, you must fight Perfect Cell. Piccolo puts up a tough fight but isn’t strong enough. He starts getting beaten up to a pulp by Cell, and that’s when Gohan jumps in.
Gohan is enraged after seeing his mentor beaten and transforms into Super Saiyan 2. He brings the fight to Cell and shows him who the boss is. The rest of the events are a bit different from the anime storyline. Gohan does get his guard down, but his training with Piccolo allows him to calm down. Gohan asks Cell to surrender but enraged by this request; Cell tries to explode Earth. Goku teleports away with Cell and sacrifices himself.
Now Gohan is powerless against Cell and needs to recover. To give him that chance, Piccolo again jumps into battle, handling Cell until Gohan is ready. A new Sparking Episode will play if you beat Cell in this mission. Gohan will launch his Kamehameha, but this time, instead of Goku coming to help, Gohan uses Piccolo’s training to overcome Cell. Piccolo also plays a hand in tipping the scales over to Gohan’s side during the final clash.
Related: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles Guide: Gohan Cell Saga
Pride of a Champion
For this Piccolo Alternate ending in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battle, you must complete an objective during the ‘Android 17’ mission. Piccolo winds up battling against Android 17, and Cell interferes to absorb Android 17. A new ending plays out if you defeat both characters in this battle.
In this ending, Piccolo defeats Cell and overpowers Android 17. Looking at his strength, the Androids run away, and Cell is taken out for good. Finally, Piccolo saves the day but wants to continue training with Gohan to become even stronger.
Check out the Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles Guides Hub for details on branching storylines and alternate endings for other characters.
Related: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles Guide: Gohan Buu Saga
Related: Dragon Ball Sparking Zero Episode Battles Guide: Gohan Super Saga
If you are new to the game, check out the Attack, Movement and Defense guides. These are all the branching paths and alternate endings for Piccolo in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero’s Episode Battles. Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comments or our new community forum!
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