Assist Mechanics

In Dragon Ball FighterZ, your team isn't just three individual fighters; they're a cohesive unit, and the Assist system is the glue that binds them. Mastering Assist Mechanics is crucial for extending combos, creating mix-ups, applying pressure, and even escaping dangerous situations. This section will break down everything you need to know to effectively utilize your teammates.

Understanding Assist Types (A, B, C)

Each character in Dragon Ball FighterZ has three distinct Assist types: A, B, and C. You select these in the Character Select screen before a match. Your choice significantly impacts your team's synergy and overall strategy. It's not just about picking your favorite move; it's about what that move brings to your team composition.

Assist A (Standard/Balanced): Often a projectile or a quick, multi-hitting attack. These are generally reliable for extending combos, providing cover, or applying light pressure. They typically have a moderate cooldown.
Assist B (Utility/Situational): These assists tend to be more specialized. They might offer unique properties like tracking projectiles, anti-air capabilities, or even command grabs. They often require more precise timing but can yield high rewards. Cooldowns can vary.
Assist C (Tracking/High Damage/Invincible): C Assists are universally powerful. They almost always track the opponent, deal significant damage, and often have invincibility frames on startup, making them excellent for combo extensions, getting out of tight spots, or punishing opponents from across the screen. The trade-off is a significantly longer cooldown, making their usage more strategic.

Actionable Step: Before every match, review your chosen team's Assist types. Consider how each Assist complements your point character's strengths and weaknesses. For example, if your point character lacks a good projectile, a Beam Assist (like Goku (Super Saiyan)'s A Assist) can cover that gap.

Calling Assists

Calling an Assist is straightforward, but timing is everything. You can call your first Assist by pressing the Assist 1 button (typically L1/LB on consoles) and your second Assist by pressing the Assist 2 button (typically L2/LT on consoles).

During Combos: The most common use. Call an Assist after a knockdown or during a juggle to extend your combo, allowing your point character to recover and continue the offense.
Neutral Game: Use Assists to cover your approach, create a wall of projectiles, or force your opponent to block, allowing you to close the distance safely.
Defense: Assists can be used to interrupt opponent's pressure, especially C Assists with their invincibility. However, be mindful of the long cooldown.
Mix-ups: An Assist can hold an opponent in place, allowing your point character to go for an overhead/low mix-up or a cross-up.

Walkthrough Example: Basic Combo Extension

Start with a basic ground combo: Light, Medium, Special Move (e.g., Goku (Super Saiyan) 5LL2M236L).
Immediately after the Special Move connects and the opponent is in hitstun, press Assist 1 (L1/LB).
Your chosen Assist character will appear and perform their move, continuing the combo.
As the Assist hits, your point character recovers, allowing you to continue with another attack or even a Super Dash.

Assist Cooldowns and Meter Gain

Every time you call an Assist, that character enters a cooldown period before they can be called again. The length of this cooldown depends on the Assist type (C Assists have the longest). You can see the cooldown represented by a grayed-out character portrait at the bottom of the screen. Once the portrait is fully colored again, the Assist is ready.

Important Note: While an Assist character is on screen, they are vulnerable to attack. If they are hit, they take damage and are forced off-screen, entering a much longer "stunned" cooldown period. This can be devastating, as it removes a valuable resource for an extended time.

Assists also generate a small amount of Super Meter for your team. Strategic use of Assists can help you build meter faster, giving you access to powerful Super Attacks and Vanish moves.

Advanced Assist Techniques

Delayed Assists: Instead of calling an Assist immediately, try delaying it slightly. This can create more complex blockstrings, catch opponents trying to escape, or allow for more intricate combo routes.
Assist Zoning: Characters with large, lingering projectiles (like Frieza's B Assist or Piccolo's A Assist) can be used to control space and restrict opponent movement.
Assist for Dragon Rush: If you land a Dragon Rush, calling an Assist can extend the duration of the grab, allowing your point character to gain more ground or set up a more damaging follow-up.
Defensive Assists (Guard Cancel): While blocking, you can press Forward + Assist 1 or Assist 2 to perform a Guard Cancel. This consumes one bar of Super Meter and calls your Assist character to perform an attack, pushing the opponent away and potentially giving you an opening. This is a crucial defensive tool, especially against relentless pressure.
Z-Change (Tagging): By holding Assist 1 or Assist 2, you can tag in the corresponding character. This is vital for managing health, gaining meter, and continuing pressure.

Actionable Step: Head into Training Mode and experiment with different Assist types for your favorite characters. Practice calling Assists at various points in your combos and blockstrings. Pay close attention to cooldowns and the vulnerability window of your Assist characters.

By understanding and effectively utilizing Assist Mechanics, you'll unlock the full potential of your team and elevate your gameplay in Dragon Ball FighterZ.