Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 offers one of the largest playable rosters in any Dragon Ball game. However, not every fighter is available from the start. Many characters are locked behind story progress, parallel quests, wish mechanics, and special conditions. Understanding how these systems work will help you unlock characters faster and enjoy the full depth of the game.
The main story is the foundation of character unlocking in Xenoverse 2. As you complete Time Patrol missions and fix distortions in Dragon Ball history, several characters are unlocked automatically. These include important heroes and villains tied directly to story arcs like the Saiyan Saga, Frieza Saga, and Majin Buu Saga.
To unlock story-based characters efficiently:
- Complete every main mission as it appears
- Revisit altered timelines when prompted
- Finish required instructor battles tied to story arcs
Skipping side content early can slow your progress, so focus on completing each chapter fully before moving ahead.
Complete Parallel Quests
Parallel Quests are the most important method for unlocking characters. Many fighters, including fusion characters and movie villains, are rewards for completing specific quests. Some characters unlock simply by clearing the quest, while others require special victory conditions.
Key tips for Parallel Quests:
- Aim for Ultimate Finishes whenever possible
- Protect allied characters to avoid failed conditions
- Replay quests if the unlock does not trigger the first time
Higher difficulty quests tend to unlock stronger characters, so improving your build and skills early will make this process smoother.
Use Dragon Balls and Make Wishes
Collecting Dragon Balls is another major way to unlock characters. Dragon Balls drop randomly from Time Patrollers found in certain Parallel Quests. Once all seven are collected, you can summon Shenron and choose from several wishes.
Character-related wishes include:
- Unlocking new playable characters
- Gaining access to rare variations
- Opening special missions tied to fighters
Some characters are only obtainable through wishes, making this system essential for completion-focused players.
Train With Instructors
Instructors play a larger role than many players realize. By training under specific characters and completing their advancement tests, you can unlock them as playable fighters. Some instructors also unlock alternate versions of themselves once their full training path is completed.
Instructor unlock tips:
- Finish all required lessons and exams
- Increase friendship levels through repeated training
- Check for new instructors as the story progresses
Instructor progression also unlocks powerful skills, making it valuable beyond just character access.
Unlock Characters Through Expert Missions
Expert Missions introduce raid-style battles against giant bosses. While these missions mainly reward items and skills, certain characters and forms are tied to progression within this mode. Completing higher-tier Expert Missions can unlock advanced content that indirectly leads to new fighters.
Make sure to:
- Equip defensive skills for survivability
- Play online when possible for faster clears
- Farm earlier Expert Missions to prepare for harder ones
These missions become especially important in the later stages of the game.
Special Conditions and Secret Unlocks
Some characters require very specific actions. This can include completing multiple quests in a set order, achieving Z-ranks, or clearing content with particular characters. These unlocks are not always clearly explained, encouraging experimentation.
Common special requirements include:
- Completing all quests in a saga
- Winning battles within a time limit
- Triggering hidden cutscenes
Patience is key here, as some unlocks rely on random elements or repeated attempts.
