In Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, mastering the defensive side of combat is just as important as dishing out powerful attacks. Blocking, dodging, and counterattacking allow you to survive against tough opponents, create openings for devastating attacks, and control the pace of battle. This guide will teach you how to block, dodge, and counterattack like a pro, making you a more formidable fighter in any battle.

Blocking Basics

Blocking is your first line of defense in Budokai Tenkaichi, allowing you to reduce or nullify damage from incoming attacks. While it won’t eliminate all damage, blocking properly can prevent your opponent from overwhelming you with combos and energy blasts.

How to Block:

  • Button Input: Hold the R1 button (on PlayStation) or the corresponding block button on other platforms.
  • Effect: When blocking, you’ll reduce damage from basic melee attacks and Ki blasts.
  • Key Features:
    • Melee Attack Block: You can block most basic punches, kicks, and other close-range attacks.
    • Ki Blast Block: Standard Ki blasts are also blockable, though charged and ultimate attacks can still break your defense if they’re too powerful.

Advanced Blocking Techniques:

  • Perfect Block: If you block just before an attack lands, you can execute a “perfect block,” minimizing the impact and sometimes knocking the opponent off balance.
  • Guard Break Vulnerability: If you block too much or face strong charged attacks, your guard can be broken, leaving you vulnerable. Use blocking strategically rather than holding the block button constantly.

Dodging and Movement

Dodging is a more advanced defensive technique that allows you to avoid attacks altogether. The game’s free-form 3D combat system makes dodging essential for survival, especially against ranged attacks or powerful special moves.

Dodging Techniques:

  1. Sidestep Dodging:

    • Button Input: Tap left or right on the control stick while pressing R1 (block) to sidestep an incoming attack.
    • Effect: Sidestepping makes your character move quickly to the side, dodging melee and projectile attacks. This is especially useful for evading straight Ki blasts and energy waves.
    • Usage Tip: Sidestepping is great for staying close to your opponent while avoiding damage, allowing you to counter quickly after dodging.

  2. Dashing Dodge (Evade Dash):

    • Button Input: Press X (jump button) and move the left stick in any direction.
    • Effect: Your character will quickly dash away from an attack, creating distance between you and your opponent.
    • Usage Tip: Use this technique to avoid attacks from slower characters or powerful beam attacks, like Kamehameha, that can be difficult to block.

  3. Z Counter (Teleport Dodge):

    • Button Input: Press the block button (R1) and a direction right before an attack lands.
    • Effect: This is the ultimate dodge move, where your character teleports behind the opponent to dodge the attack and gain an advantageous position.
    • Usage Tip: Use Z Counter against fast melee combos or when your opponent is spamming Ki blasts. This move is difficult to time but incredibly rewarding as it gives you an immediate counterattack opportunity.

Advanced Dodging Strategy:

  • Utilize Free Movement: The 3D arena allows you to move in any direction. Don’t stay in one place; instead, keep moving to make it harder for your opponent to land hits.
  • Air Dodging: Dodging while in mid-air gives you more control over your character and makes it easier to evade attacks from multiple angles. Use this to escape situations where you are cornered.

Counterattacking Like a Pro

Counterattacking is one of the most rewarding techniques in Budokai Tenkaichi. When executed properly, it allows you to turn defense into offense, punishing your opponent after they’ve committed to an attack.

How to Counterattack:

Counterattacks require timing and anticipation. Here’s how to effectively counter different types of attacks:

  1. Melee Counterattack:

    • Z Counter Method: After performing a Z Counter (teleport dodge), your opponent will be left wide open for a combo. Immediately follow up with a melee attack to start your own combo chain.
    • Perfect Block Counter: If you time your block perfectly against a melee attack, your opponent will be briefly staggered. This is your chance to launch a counterattack with a combo or special move.

  2. Ki Blast Counter:

    • Teleport Counter: When an opponent fires a Ki blast or energy wave, use the Z Counter (teleport) to appear behind them and immediately attack. This is especially useful against opponents who rely heavily on ranged attacks.
    • Deflecting Ki Blasts: Press X while blocking to deflect small Ki blasts back at your opponent. While this won’t do much damage, it can disrupt their momentum and open them up for a counterattack.

  3. Ultimate Attack Counter:

    • Dodge and Punish: If your opponent uses an ultimate attack and misses, they are often left vulnerable for a few seconds due to the recovery time of these moves. Dash in immediately and counter with a full combo or even your own ultimate move.
    • Z Burst Dash: This advanced technique allows you to dash toward your opponent during their ultimate move, catching them off guard. Press L2 + X to perform this move.

Advanced Techniques for Blocking, Dodging, and Countering

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can combine blocking, dodging, and countering into seamless combat strategies.

Combo Breakers:

  • How to Use: If your opponent has you trapped in a combo, you can use Z Counter or Z Burst Dash to escape and counter. These techniques require precise timing, so practice is key.
  • Effect: Combo breakers can stop your opponent’s momentum, giving you a chance to regain control of the fight.

Ki Clash Defense:

  • How to Use: When two players launch powerful Ki attacks at the same time, it triggers a Ki clash. Rapidly press the designated buttons to win the clash, which will deal damage to your opponent and protect you from harm.
  • Effect: Winning a Ki clash is a powerful counter move, allowing you to out-damage your opponent and leave them open for follow-up attacks.

Z Burst Dash Counter:

  • How to Use: Z Burst Dash is not only for offense but also for defense. Use it to quickly close the gap and punish an opponent who is about to attack you from a distance.
  • Effect: Z Burst Dash can be used as a counter to Ki blasts or slow ultimate attacks like Frieza's Death Ball, making it an incredibly versatile move.

Tips for Mastering Defense and Countering

  1. Study Your Opponent’s Movements: Learn your opponent’s attack patterns. Knowing when they are likely to strike helps you anticipate attacks and time your blocks, dodges, and counters more effectively.

  2. Mix Up Your Defense: Don’t rely on just blocking or just dodging. Mix up your defense to confuse your opponent. For example, block a few attacks, then suddenly sidestep or teleport to throw them off.

  3. Keep an Eye on Your Ki: Both Z Counters and Z Burst Dashes consume Ki, so manage your Ki bar wisely. Don’t waste Ki on unnecessary counters, and ensure you have enough for when you really need it.

  4. Master Timing: The key to counterattacking is timing. Practice blocking and dodging in training mode to improve your reaction time. The more you practice, the more natural these counters will become.

  5. Stay Calm Under Pressure: If you’re under heavy attack, don’t panic. Focus on timing your defenses, and wait for an opening to counterattack. Panicking often leads to failed blocks or dodges, leaving you wide open.

Blocking, dodging, and counterattacking are essential skills for mastering Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi. By learning when to block, how to dodge efficiently, and how to execute the perfect counter, you’ll be able to turn defense into offense and dominate your opponents. Practice these techniques to improve your combat flow, and soon you’ll be fighting like a pro in the Tenkaichi Budokai!