Facing Great Ape Vegeta in Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is no easy task. His immense size and power can be overwhelming, but with the right strategy, you can turn the tide of battle. Here’s how to beat this challenging boss effectively:
Great Ape Vegeta’s biggest strength lies in his brute force and durability. He uses powerful melee attacks, like his devastating headbutt, which can knock out large chunks of your health. Additionally, his defense is bolstered by super armor, which makes it difficult to stagger him with regular attacks. His ki blasts and mouth beams also deal massive damage, requiring precise timing to dodge.
However, his massive size also works against him. Being a giant target, he’s more susceptible to certain ranged attacks, especially powerful beam attacks like Goku’s Kamehameha, which can bypass his super armor when timed correctly.
Key Strategies to Beat Great Ape Vegeta
- Keep Your Distance: Close-range combat against Great Ape Vegeta is a recipe for disaster due to his powerful melee moves. Use the game’s step-dash and dragon-dash mechanics to maintain distance. This will help you avoid his headbutts and ground slams.
- Ranged Attacks Are Crucial: Attacks like the Kamehameha are your best bet in this fight. Not only do they deal massive damage, but they also prevent you from getting too close. When Great Ape Vegeta charges up his mouth beam, counter it with a Kamehameha to initiate a beam clash. This tactic can help you deal significant damage in a short amount of time.
- Use the Environment: The arena where you face Great Ape Vegeta is your friend. The battle takes place in an open canyon with plenty of rocks to hide behind. Use these natural barriers to dodge his ki blasts and give yourself time to recharge your ki. It’s also a great way to avoid his devastating Galick Gun, which he often fires early in the battle.
- Take Advantage of Sparking Mode: Activating Sparking Mode can give you a brief window of increased damage and faster ki regeneration. Use this mode strategically, either to escape a tight spot or to launch a high-damage attack when you see an opening. However, don’t rely solely on this mode to finish the fight, as Great Ape Vegeta’s health pool is vast, and it takes more than brute force to take him down.
- Be Patient: Rushing this fight can lead to mistakes, as Great Ape Vegeta’s attacks deal significant damage if you get careless. Play defensively, focus on dodging his larger attacks, and strike when you see an opportunity. Wait for him to use his ki blasts or mouth beam, and then retaliate with a beam attack or other high-damage ranged moves.
Cheese Tactics for Easier Victory
If you’re really struggling, there are a few ways to “cheese” the fight by exploiting the environment and Vegeta’s attack patterns. By constantly staying behind the large rocks in the battlefield, you can safely charge up your ki without taking damage from his massive attacks. This allows you to land several Kamehamehas without exposing yourself to danger.
Another cheesy method is focusing on long-range beam clashes. Once you’ve learned to time his mouth beam attacks, you can rely heavily on Kamehameha to engage in beam clashes. While it’s still a challenging maneuver, it’s easier than dodging every single attack.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcommitting to Melee: Many players try to engage in melee combat, thinking it will be quicker. However, Great Ape Vegeta’s sheer size and strength make this a dangerous option. Avoid getting too close unless absolutely necessary.
- Neglecting Ki Management: Spamming special attacks without managing your ki will leave you vulnerable. Always keep an eye on your ki bar and recharge whenever you find a safe moment, especially when behind cover.
- Ignoring Defensive Play: It’s tempting to go all-out on offense, but against Great Ape Vegeta, defense is crucial. Learn his attack patterns, block or dodge accordingly, and only strike when there’s an opening.
