Budokai Tenkaichi: Mastering Combos and Counters

The Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi series is renowned for its fast-paced, dynamic combat, with each battle delivering the same intensity fans expect from the anime. To truly excel in the game, however, you’ll need to go beyond button-mashing and basic attacks. In this guide, we'll dive into advanced combat techniques that focus on mastering combos and counters, helping you dominate your opponents and rise to the top of the Tenkaichi Budokai.

The Foundation of Combos

Combos are essential in Budokai Tenkaichi to maximize damage output and keep your opponent on the defensive. To execute combos effectively, you'll need to master the basics first and build from there.

Key Components of a Combo:

Light Attacks (Square/X button): Quick strikes that can easily chain into each other.
Heavy Attacks (Triangle/Y button): Slower but more powerful, often used to launch enemies or knock them back.
Ki Blasts (Circle/B button): Basic energy blasts that can be woven into combos to extend their length or interrupt your opponent.
Dash Attacks: Close the distance between you and your opponent mid-combo for added pressure.
Special and Ultimate Moves: Strong finishers that can be added to the end of combos for massive damage.

Mastering Basic Combos

Before moving into advanced techniques, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of basic combos. Here's a simple combo that works for most characters:

Light Attack Chain: Press the light attack button repeatedly to land a series of quick punches or kicks. This basic string is a foundation for more complex combos.
Launcher (Heavy Attack): End your light attack chain with a heavy attack to launch your opponent into the air.
Pursuit Attack (Z Burst Dash): After launching your opponent, follow up with a Z Burst Dash to chase them and continue the combo mid-air.
Ki Blast Finish: End your pursuit combo with a Ki Blast, or transition into a special move for added damage.

Advanced Combo Techniques

1. Combo Canceling

Combo canceling allows you to interrupt a basic combo mid-way to chain into a different move or extend your attacks. This technique gives you flexibility and unpredictability in your attack patterns.

How to Perform: Mid-combo, press the guard button (L2/LT) to cancel out of your current attack string, then quickly transition into a different move, such as a dash attack, heavy attack, or special move.
When to Use: Combo canceling is ideal when you want to mix up your attacks or bait your opponent into making a mistake. By canceling, you avoid becoming predictable.

2. Juggling Combos

Juggling is when you keep your opponent airborne, preventing them from recovering or countering. This technique is a hallmark of high-level play.

How to Perform: After launching your opponent with a heavy attack or special move, chase them using a Z Burst Dash and continue your combo in mid-air. Use a mix of light and heavy attacks to keep your opponent suspended.
When to Use: Use juggling combos to maintain pressure and deny your opponent the chance to block or counterattack. The longer you juggle, the more damage you deal.

3. Knockback and Follow-up

Knocking your opponent back with a heavy attack or charged strike can create an opening for additional damage. After the knockback, follow up immediately.

How to Perform: After knocking an opponent back, press the Z Burst Dash button (X/A) to dash towards them and resume your combo. You can also use Ki blasts to further extend the combo.
When to Use: This is great for keeping the fight aggressive and overwhelming your opponent by staying on top of them.

4. Guard Break Combos

Some opponents will block frequently to avoid damage. A Guard Break combo is essential to breaking through their defenses and creating openings.

How to Perform: Perform a heavy attack or special move that has Guard Break properties (you’ll notice a distinct animation or sound). Once their guard is broken, quickly dash in to continue your combo.
When to Use: Use Guard Break techniques against defensive players who constantly block. Breaking their guard opens them up for big damage.

5. Ki Cancels

Ki Cancels allow you to quickly cancel out of a Ki Blast or special attack animation, giving you the ability to immediately follow up with another attack.

How to Perform: While performing a Ki Blast or special move, press the guard button to cancel the recovery frames of the animation. Follow up with another attack, such as a dash or combo.
When to Use: Ki Cancels are useful when you don’t want to leave yourself open after using a Ki-based attack. This lets you stay aggressive and control the pace of the battle.

Countering Techniques

In addition to mastering combos, learning how to effectively counter your opponent’s attacks is just as crucial.

1. Z Counter

The Z Counter is a defensive move that allows you to dodge an incoming attack and immediately counter with your own.

How to Perform: When an opponent attacks, press the guard button right before impact. If timed correctly, your character will teleport behind the opponent, allowing you to retaliate with a combo or heavy attack.
When to Use: The Z Counter is perfect for evading an enemy’s combo or ultimate attack and turning the tables on them. Practice the timing to avoid getting hit while setting up your counter.

2. Perfect Guard

Perfect Guard, or Just Guard, blocks an attack with perfect timing, reducing or negating damage and sometimes causing a stagger in your opponent, allowing you to follow up.

How to Perform: Press the guard button just before an attack lands. This will trigger a Perfect Guard animation, reducing damage or negating it entirely.
When to Use: Use Perfect Guard to reduce the risk of taking heavy damage from enemy combos. When executed perfectly, it can also create an opening for a quick counterattack.

3. Defensive Sidestepping

Sidestepping allows you to evade incoming attacks and reposition yourself for a counter.

How to Perform: While locked onto your opponent, press the left analog stick left or right and tap the guard button to sidestep incoming attacks.
When to Use: Sidestepping is effective against Ki blasts and straightforward attacks. Use this to dodge attacks and gain a better angle for your counter-combo.

4. Burst Limit Counter

A Burst Limit Counter is a powerful technique that can completely negate an enemy’s combo and knock them back, giving you breathing room.

How to Perform: While being attacked, press both guard and dash buttons at the same time to break the combo. This will consume Ki but can completely reverse the momentum of the fight.
When to Use: Use this in situations where your opponent is overwhelming you with a powerful combo. It’s a Ki-intensive move, so use it wisely to conserve energy.

Character-Specific Combo Strategies

Each character in Budokai Tenkaichi has a unique moveset, meaning some characters are better suited for certain combos or counter strategies.

Goku (Super Saiyan): Known for his well-balanced moveset, Goku excels at chaining light and heavy attacks into his signature Kamehameha. Use his fast dashes to maintain pressure.
Vegeta (Majin Form): Vegeta’s heavy attacks have strong knockback potential. Use them to push your opponent to the edge of the arena and follow up with a Big Bang Attack.
Broly (Legendary Super Saiyan): Broly’s massive size and strength allow for long-range attacks that deal heavy damage. Use his Ki blasts to stagger opponents and set up ground-breaking combos.
Piccolo: Piccolo’s extendable arms make him great at mid-range combat. His Hellzone Grenade is a powerful move that can trap opponents and lead to devastating follow-ups.

Mastering combos and counters in Budokai Tenkaichi is essential for anyone looking to dominate the competition. By utilizing advanced techniques like combo canceling, juggling, and guard breaks, combined with perfecting your counters, you’ll be able to adapt to any opponent and stay ahead in the fight.

With practice and dedication, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Tenkaichi Budokai champion, ready to face even the toughest of foes with confidence!