Dragon Ball Sparking Zero: Complete Character Unlock Guide (All 160+ Characters)

Dragon Ball Sparking Zero features an extensive character unlock system that sets it apart from traditional fighting games. With 181 playable characters in the base game and a staggering total cost of 3,390,000 Zeni to unlock everyone through the shop, understanding the four primary unlock methods is essential for efficient progression. Unlike many fighting games where characters unlock automatically through story completion, Sparking Zero requires strategic planning across Zeni purchases, Player Level progression, story completion, and Super Shenron wishes to build your ultimate roster.

Understanding the Four Unlock Methods

Zeni Purchases (Primary Method)

Zeni: The in-game currency earned as a reward for participating in battles. Consistent play is the key to funding character purchases.

The total cost to unlock every character through the Zeni shop is 3,390,000 Zeni. The game begins with 110 characters available, while the remaining fighters must be unlocked through gameplay or purchased.

Character costs and requirements vary:

• Anilaza: Costs 120,000 Zeni and requires Player Level 1 plus winning 'The Cell Games' tournament
• Goku Black: Available for 75,000 Zeni at Player Level 20
• Super Gogeta (Z): Costs 105,000 Zeni
• Hirudegarn: Can be purchased without any level requirements

The game features a refund system. If you purchase a character from the shop that you later unlock through gameplay, the Zeni cost is automatically refunded. By the time players reach Level 20, the entire roster will be available for purchase.

Story Progression Unlocks

Episode Battle Mode: The primary story mode where characters are unlocked by completing specific battles and chapters. Many characters unlock naturally through narrative progression.

• Pan (GT): Unlocked by clearing 'Defend Earth from the Frieza Force' mission in Gohan's Episode Battle
• Bojack: Unlocked by completing Gohan's Saga Chapter 4
• Majin Vegeta: Unlocked by completing Chapter 3 of Vegeta's Saga
• Dyspo: Unlocked by completing 'Virtuous Warrior, Virtuous Villain' mission in Frieza's Episode Saga

Some unlocks require specific battle conditions. The 'Defend Earth from the Frieza Force!' mission requires completing the fight with low damage taken. Defeating Raditz faster than Piccolo can fire his Special Beam Cannon unlocks alternate routes.

Jiren: Unlocked by choosing 'Wait and See' in Saiyan Rampage, then beating Frieza, Android 17, and Goku in Ultimate Climactic Battle.

Sparking Episodes: Unique what-if scenarios discovered in story mode that must be unlocked by fulfilling unique battle conditions. These provide additional character content and achievements like 'The All-Knowing,' which requires defeating Golden Frieza, Android 17, and Goku.

Player Level Requirements

Player Level: Increases for every fight in the game, with no specific tricks or shortcuts outside of using Dragon Balls to boost level. This is the primary gating mechanism for shop purchases.

Reaching Player Level 10 unlocks a new batch of characters for purchase:

• Goku (GT): Costs 75,000 Zeni
• Goku Black Super Saiyan Rose: Costs 120,000 Zeni
• Gohan (Future): Costs 60,000 Zeni

Player Level 20 is the final unlock threshold where nearly every character becomes available:

• Goku Black: Available for 75,000 Zeni
• Goku Black Super Saiyan Rosé: Available for 75,000 Zeni
• Metal Cooler: Costs 105,000 Zeni, or can be unlocked by using Cooler in battle 10 times in Zen-Oh's Orders mode

By the time players reach Level 20, the entire roster will be available for purchase. To unlock every character, you must complete Episode Battle mode, reach Player Level 20, and win every available tournament.

Super Shenron Wishes

Super Shenron: A special dragon that can be summoned using Super Dragon Balls to grant wishes that unlock characters early. This provides an alternative to reaching Player Level 20.

Super Dragon Balls: Distinct from regular Dragon Balls, these are found in specific sets throughout the game. They can be collected in Custom Match Lobby, Parallel Quests, and by completing specific in-game challenges. Completing Goku's Episode Saga is a primary collection method.

The main characters available through wishes are:

• Goku Black: Can be obtained through a wish instead of paying 75,000 Zeni at Player Level 20
• Fused Zamasu: Can be obtained through a wish instead of paying 120,000 Zeni at Player Level 20

Players can obtain multiple sets of Super Dragon Balls, allowing for multiple summons. There are five different ways to find Super Dragon Ball sets throughout the game.

Complete Character Unlock Table

Character Unlock Data

Character Name	Zeni Cost	Player Level Requirement	Alternative Unlock Method	Notes
Goku (GT)	75,000	N/A	Complete 'Number One Spot' in Vegeta's Episode Battle
Goku Black Super Saiyan Rosé	75,000	Level 20	Super Shenron Wish
Gohan (Future)	60,000	Level 10	Complete 'Face of Despair! Gohan vs Androids' mission
Spopovich	N/A	N/A	Clear 'Ultimate Fusion' in Goku's Episode Battle	Mission unlock only
Syn Shenron	120,000	N/A	N/A	Bundle unlocks another character
Vegeta (GT) Super Saiyan 4	120,000	N/A	Complete 'Pushing the Limit' in Goku's Episode Battle
Goku (Teen)	45,000	N/A	N/A	Shop purchase
Majin Vegeta	105,000	N/A	N/A	Shop purchase
Anilaza	120,000	N/A	N/A	Shop purchase
Bergamo	60,000	N/A	N/A	Shop purchase
Caulifla	60,000	N/A	N/A	Shop purchase
Cell Jr.	30,000	N/A	N/A	Shop purchase
Goku (Super) Ultra Instinct	120,000	N/A	N/A	Shop purchase

The total cost to unlock every character through Zeni purchases is 3,390,000 Zeni.

Strategic Unlock Priority Guide

Character unlocks in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero are gated by Player Level and Zeni costs. This guide breaks down the most efficient strategies for each progression phase.

Early Game Strategy (Levels 1-10)

Complete Episode Battle mode first in the early game. This approach unlocks characters through natural story progression while providing Zeni rewards, conserving your currency for later levels.

Episode Battle mode: Story-driven missions that unlock characters without Zeni cost. Zeni: In-game currency for shop purchases. Player Level: Determines which characters are available to buy.

Prioritize winning tournaments early for substantial Zeni rewards and exclusive unlocks. The Cell Games Tournament unlocks Caulifla and makes Anilaza available for 120,000 Zeni at Player Level 1.

• Goku (Super) Ultra Instinct -Sign-: Available at Player Level 1 for 120,000 Zeni
• Goku (Teen): One of the most affordable early purchases at 45,000 Zeni
• Cell Jr.: The cheapest character in the shop at 30,000 Zeni
• Pan (GT): Unlock through Gohan's Episode Battle mission "Defend Earth from the Frieza Force"
• Majin Vegeta: Unlock through Vegeta's Episode Battle in Chapter 3
• Bojack: Complete Gohan's Saga Chapter 4 to unlock at no Zeni cost

Save Zeni early for powerful characters that become available at Player Level 10. Goku Black Super Saiyan Rose costs 120,000 Zeni and should be prioritized over immediate shop purchases.

Mid Game Strategy (Levels 10-20)

At Player Level 10, several powerful characters become available for purchase. Prioritize Goku Black Super Saiyan Rose for 120,000 Zeni as a top-tier mid-game acquisition, while Gohan (Future) offers a cost-effective alternative at 60,000 Zeni.

Super Dragon Balls: Collectible items that can be used to summon Super Shenron. Super Shenron: Grants wishes that unlock characters early. Sparking Episodes: Bonus missions that unlock what-if scenarios and additional content.

Focus on completing specific Episode Sagas to unlock characters without spending Zeni. Frieza's Episode Saga unlocks Dyspo through the "Virtuous Warrior, Virtuous Villain" mission, while Future Trunks' Episode Battle unlocks Kale via "Vegeta's Promise".

• Collect Super Dragon Balls to summon Super Shenron for early access to Goku Black and Fused Zamasu before Level 20
• Complete bonus battles like "Welcome to Frieza Force!" to unlock Frieza Force Soldier
• Finish Vegeta's Saga Chapter 3 if you haven't already unlocked Majin Vegeta
• Complete Sparking Episodes to unlock what-if scenarios
• Earn "The All-Knowing" achievement by defeating Golden Frieza, Android 17, and Goku for related character content

Begin saving Zeni for expensive Level 20 characters like Super Gogeta (Z) at 105,000 Zeni. Continue prioritizing Episode Battle completions to save currency for these late-game purchases.

Late Game Strategy (Level 20+)

At Player Level 20, the entire character roster becomes available for purchase in the shop. This marks the final unlock threshold where you can buy any remaining character with Zeni.

Zen-Oh's Orders mode: A game mode where using specific characters in battle can unlock related characters. Refund system: Purchased characters are refunded if you later unlock them through gameplay.

Several powerful characters become available at Level 20. Super Gogeta (Z) costs 105,000 Zeni and should be a priority purchase, along with Goku Black for 75,000 Zeni if you haven't already obtained him through Super Shenron.

Some characters offer alternative unlock methods to save Zeni. Metal Cooler costs 105,000 Zeni but can also be unlocked by using Cooler in battle 10 times in Zen-Oh's Orders mode.

• Fused Zamasu becomes available for 120,000 Zeni at Level 20 if not already obtained through Super Shenron
• Complete all remaining Episode Battle missions to unlock characters naturally before purchasing them
• Finish all Sparking Episodes to unlock what-if scenarios and maximize roster completion
• Complete all tournament modes to unlock tournament-exclusive characters and earn maximum Zeni
• Prioritize purchasing characters that cannot be unlocked through gameplay
• Complete remaining bonus battles and special conditions to unlock final characters through gameplay

The total cost to unlock every character through Zeni purchases is 3,390,000 Zeni, requiring significant late-game farming. Take advantage of the refund system to optimize your Zeni spending.

Efficient Zeni Farming Methods

Battle Mode Optimization

Custom Battle mode offers the highest Zeni per hour when configured with 1 round, 1 minute time limit, and 1 health bar. This setup allows players to complete matches in under 30 seconds and earn 1,000 Zeni each time.

Custom Battle mode: A flexible battle mode where players can adjust settings to create short, repeatable matches for efficient farming. Players can earn consistent rewards regardless of win or loss.

Episode Battle mode provides substantial Zeni rewards while simultaneously unlocking characters through natural story progression. Tournament modes like Cell Games also deliver significant Zeni rewards while unlocking specific characters such as Caulifla upon victory.

For alternative unlock methods, Zen-Oh's Orders mode allows character acquisition through specific usage requirements rather than Zeni purchases. The refund system automatically returns Zeni if you purchase a character later unlocked through gameplay.

Strategic progression should follow this order:

• Complete Episode Battle mode first for natural unlocks and Zeni
• Finish bonus battles like "Welcome to Frieza Force!" for free character unlocks
• Participate in tournament modes for exclusive characters and rewards
• Use Zen-Oh's Orders for usage-based unlocks
• Farm Custom Battle mode only for remaining shop-exclusive characters

The total Zeni cost for all characters is 3,390,000, making efficient mode selection critical.

Time-Saving Techniques

The community has identified the most time-efficient Zeni farming method as Custom Battle with minimal settings, generating approximately 120,000 Zeni per hour. Set matches to 1 round, 1 minute time limit, and 1 health bar to finish each fight in under 30 seconds.

Zen-Oh's Orders mode: An alternative unlock system where using specific characters a set number of times grants access to new fighters without Zeni cost. For example, using Cooler 10 times unlocks Metal Cooler.

Optimize your farming setup with these techniques:

• Select characters with fast Ultimate attacks to defeat opponents quickly
• Set CPU difficulty to the lowest setting for guaranteed swift victories
• Repeat short matches continuously, earning 1,000 Zeni per attempt

Strategic progression saves significant time and currency. Complete Episode Battle mode first to unlock characters naturally, then tackle bonus battles and Sparking Episodes for condition-based unlocks. Sparking Episodes: Unique what-if scenarios that unlock through specific battle conditions rather than Zeni purchases.

Advanced time-savers include collecting Super Dragon Balls early to summon Super Shenron, which bypasses Player Level requirements for characters like Goku Black and Fused Zamasu. Complete all tournament modes for substantial Zeni rewards and tournament-exclusive unlocks while taking advantage of the automatic refund system for any overlapping purchases.

Super Shenron Wish Strategy

Dragon Ball Collection Guide

Super Dragon Balls: These are distinct from regular Dragon Balls and are required specifically for summoning Super Shenron. Players can obtain multiple sets throughout the game, allowing for several summons and character unlocks.

There are five different ways to find Super Dragon Ball sets. The primary collection method is completing Goku's Episode Saga.

• Custom Match Lobby
• Parallel Quests
• Specific in-game challenges

Collecting these artifacts during mid-game progression provides a strategic advantage. This approach unlocks powerful characters before reaching high Player Levels.

Wish Priority Ranking

Super Shenron wishes provide the only way to obtain certain characters before Player Level 20. Super Shenron wishes: These grant early access to characters that would otherwise require reaching Player Level 20, making them essential for early roster completion.

The optimal strategy prioritizes the most expensive shop characters to maximize Zeni savings. Goku Black and Fused Zamasu represent the two main characters available through this method.

• First Priority: Goku Black - Costs 75,000 Zeni in the shop
• Second Priority: Fused Zamasu - Costs 120,000 Zeni in the shop

Using wishes for both characters saves a total of 195,000 Zeni compared to shop purchases. The collection system allows for multiple wishes, making it possible to unlock both targets through separate summons.

Character Form Unlocks

Many characters in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero include their transformations automatically when you unlock the base character. For example, when you obtain Goku Black, his Super Saiyan Rosé form is included without additional requirements. This streamlined approach means you don't need to unlock each transformation separately, making character acquisition more straightforward than in previous games. The game focuses on unlocking the character roster rather than individual forms, allowing players to access each character's full move set and transformations immediately upon acquisition.

Common Unlock Issues & Solutions

If characters aren't appearing in the shop, check your Player Level first. Many characters require reaching specific level thresholds before they become available for purchase. The shop gradually unlocks new characters at Player Levels 10 and 20, so if you can't find a character you're looking for, continue playing to increase your level.

For insufficient Zeni issues, focus on the Custom Battle farming method with 1 round, 1 minute time limit, and 1 health bar settings. This provides the most efficient Zeni per hour at approximately 120,000 Zeni. Remember that Episode Battle mode provides both Zeni and natural character unlocks simultaneously, making it the most efficient starting point.

Dragon Ball collection problems can be resolved by focusing on Goku's Episode Saga as the primary collection method. The Super Dragon Balls are distinct from regular Dragon Balls and can be found in Custom Match Lobby, Parallel Quests, and specific in-game challenges. If you're having trouble finding them, complete the main story content first, as many collection opportunities become available through natural progression.

Conclusion

Unlocking the complete Dragon Ball Sparking Zero roster requires a comprehensive approach across all four unlock methods. With a total cost of 3,390,000 Zeni for shop purchases alone, strategic planning is essential. Focus on Episode Battle mode first to unlock characters naturally while earning Zeni, then use Super Shenron wishes to bypass Player Level requirements for expensive characters like Goku Black and Fused Zamasu. The refund system ensures you won't waste Zeni on characters you'll unlock through gameplay, making it safe to purchase characters early. By following this strategic approach and utilizing efficient farming methods, you can build your ultimate Dragon Ball roster while minimizing unnecessary grinding.