JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R/Dio Brando

Overview

Strategy

Combos

Matchups

Resources

Introduction

This article is about Dio Brando's Phantom Blood incarnation, primarily known as "Brando". For information about his Stardust Crusaders incarnation, see DIO.

Dio Brando, the central antagonist of Phantom Blood, the first part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, is a tricky rushdown character who utilizes moves that all have the same startup animation that leads to different attacks. Additionally, Dio utilizes Vampirism to steal health and meter from his opponent, giving him even more rewards on hit. Dio’s neutral isn’t very unique, but is nothing to scoff at either, utilizing his faster movement and good normals to close the distance on the opponent quickly and start his scary pressure. He can also utilize "Vaporizing Freeze" and "Frozen in your tracks!" to close the distance, as they can be canceled into his super jump. All of this leads to Dio being great at starting his gameplan.

On offense, Dio is very good at opening up the opponent with his various options. His "KUA!" series starts with a kick that can be canceled into several follow-ups, including an overhead follow-up. His "Vaporizing Freeze" special moves are a bit riskier, but can be set up after a knockdown to mix up the opponent. The move has low and overhead variations, and has the same startup animation as his "Frozen in your tracks!" counter; this makes it tricky to tell which move is being used, especially when the moves themselves can be canceled into his super jump to further mix up his options. Lastly, "How feeble!" is a fast command grab, making it easy to open up a blocking opponent while also stealing some resources.

On defense, Dio can struggle a bit as he does not have a meterless invincible reversal. His only invincible options are HHA, which does deal a high amount of damage, and GHA, which is much slower. Unfortunately, both of these options use at least a bar of meter and are very unsafe, making HHA the only viable option and even then, it is only viable against jump-ins.

• Vampirism: Dio's Style moves are different attacks that steal health or HH Gauge from the opponent, rewarding Dio more for his hits.
• Stone Mask: Dio incurs White Damage whenever he is hit, is susceptible to Hamon Damage, and can only be used in certain stages without completing certain in-game conditions.
• You are a mere dog!: Dio has access to a Super Jump ability that can be cancelled into from normals on both hit and block, giving him solid combo extensions and allowing for some situational mix-ups.
• Aerial Chain Beat: Dio can chain his aerial attacks, allowing him to have different combos and confirms.

Playstyle

Dio Brando is a character who utilizes his vampiric traits to steal Health and HH Gauge while rushing his opponent down.
Pros	Cons
Scary Mix-ups: Dio's pressure opens up many different options to mix up the opponent with highs, lows, throws, and stagger pressure to keep them on their toes. Fast Movement: Dio has above average run speed and a command jump, making it a bit easier for him to approach his opponent in neutral despite lacking a projectile. Resource Battery: Dio can steal both health and HH Gauge from the opponent while not using much for his own combos, making it very easy to build his own resources to cash out with HHA or GHA.	Weak to Stylish Evade: Sometimes, Dio's mix-ups have large gaps in them, allowing the opponent to Stylish Evade out and punish with very little effort (and sometimes very little risk). No Meterless Reversal: "Frozen in your tracks!" is Dio's only meterless defensive option, but as it does not activate until the end of its initial dash, he does not have any true meterless reversal. This leaves him open to setups that other characters could escape, and is further compounded by being tied for the lowest health in the game. Weak to Zoning: Dio does not have any projectiles aside from his HHA, making it hard for him to approach characters who excel at zoning or have extremely good projectiles. Below Average Damage: Dio deals below average damage in his combos, meaning he has to work more to finish off the opponent.

Vampirism

Dio Brando features the unique Vampirism Style, which manifests in attacks that can steal resources from the opponent. What is stolen is dependent on the attack:

• "I'll suck you dry!" is a multi-hitting attack that steals health.
• "How feeble!" is a command grab that also steals health.
• "USELESS, USELESS, USELESS!" is a hitgrab that will steal HH Gauge.

Stats

Style	Health	Low Health Mode	Hashtag(s)
Vampirism	800	Rumble	#ASBR_BRA #ASBR_D1O

Move List

Normal Moves

5L

5L	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 12 Mid 4 - - -2 +2 Dio performs a quick stab with his fingers. A quick jab, good for stopping dash-jumps.

5M

5M	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 21 Mid 10 - - -4 0 Dio performs a high knee attack. Moves Dio forward, making it a good counter-poke. Reaches high, bad for anti-airs due to its stubby angle. Launches quite high during juggles, making it a very important combo tool for Super Jump > Air Chain routes.

5H

5H	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 33 Mid 14 - - -6 0 Dio performs an overhead slash with his hand. Reaches very far, a good poke.

2L

2L	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 11 Low 6 - - -2 +2 Dio performs a crouching stab with his fingers. A quick jab, good for beating out other buttons.

2M

2M	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 10 Mid 10 - - -4 KD Dio performs a crouching uppercut slash with his hand. Launches on hit. Decent anti-air against cross-ups, although fairly inconsistent against most jump-ins. Dio's main relaunch tool after j.H during a combo.

2H

2H	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 36 Low 14 - - -6 HKD Dio performs a swiping slash at the opponent's feet. Causes hard knockdown. Reaches very far with a very low profile, good for pokes and counter-pokes.

3H

3H Punch right through you!	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 66 (26, 40) Mid 22(3)1 - - -30 -24 Dio performs an advancing punch that hits twice. Good for combo filler. Causes hard knockdown against airborne opponents. This hard knockdown is unique in that it does not override other hit effects.

JL

j.L	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 15 Overhead 8 - - - - Dio performs an elbow attack. Stubby normal. Alright for air-to-airs. Restarts descent momentum.

JM

j.M	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 25 Overhead 10 - - - - Dio performs a knee attack. Decent air-to-air. Mainly used as a jump-in and cross-up. Restarts descent momentum.

JH

j.H	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 38 Overhead 14 - - - Groundbounce Dio performs an overhead slash with his hand. Causes a groundbounce on hit. Reaches the farthest out, making it good for jump-ins. Restarts descent momentum.

Special Moves

28

You are a mere dog! Any jump after 1/2/3	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. - - - - - Total XX - Dio performs an inhuman leap. Can be cancelled into from normals on hit or block.

236X

KUA! 236L/M/H

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. Light 24 Mid 18 - - -20 -14 Medium 27 Mid 20 - - -18 -12 Heavy 30 Mid 20 - - -20 -14 Dio spins while performing a kick upwards. The version used alters the damage and distance covered by Dio. This move features several follow-ups on hit or block. L version: Keeps Dio mostly in place. M version: Moves Dio forward slightly. H version: Moves Dio forward more.

236X-L

That must be five or six ribs broken! 236L/M/H > L	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 28 (13, 15) Mid 16(11)1 - - -4 +2 Dio performs a double knee attack. Leaves grounded opponents standing. Has large pushback on both hit and block. When immediately chained after "KUA!", the sequence is gapless. Mainly used to as a pressure ender.

236X-M

Did you think you could defeat me, the great DIO?! 236L/M/H > M

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 30 (10, 20) Mid 10(25)1 - - -8 Crumple/KD Dio performs a freezing attack before following up with an open palm uppercut. The first attack causes crumple on hit, while the second attack launches. Only performs the second attack if the first hits. Has large pushback on block. Leaves a gap after chaining from "KUA!", allowing the opponent to Stylish Guard.

236X-H

WRYYY! 236L/M/H > H	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 60 Overhead 12 - - -20 Groundbounce Dio performs an overhead chop with both hands. Causes a groundbounce on hit. Has large pushback on block. Used as combo filler. Leaves a gap after chaining from "KUA!", allowing the opponent to Stylish Guard.

214L

Vaporizing Freeze (High) 214L	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 28 Overhead 48 - - -12 KD Dio flies back before charging forward and attacking the opponent with his knee, freezing them. Launches on hit. Startup can be canceled into "You are a mere dog!", allowing for 5L > 5M > Super Jump routes.

214M

Vaporizing Freeze (Low) 214M

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 28 Low 48 - - -12 Bind/Crumple Dio flies back before charging forward and performing a low kick, freezing the opponent. Binds the opponent, which transitions into a crumple against grounded opponents. Startup can be canceled into "You are a mere dog!". If used within a combo (whether to start or extend one), keep in mind that due to also causing crumple, landing "Did you think you could defeat me, the great DIO?!" (or viceversa) will cause it to drop.

214H

Frozen in your tracks! 214H Start Start Counter Counter Catch Catch	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 60 - 38(1)1 - - - Crumple Dio flies back before charging forward and performs a stance that counters the opponent's attack. Causes crumple on a successful activation. Startup can be canceled into "You are a mere dog!".

236S

USELESS, USELESS, USELESS! 236S

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 26 (5*5, 1) [56 (5*11, 1)] Low 16 - - -24 KD Dio stabs at the ground with his fingers, picking up the opponent and sucking their blood. Can be extended by pressing attack buttons repeatedly. Data in [] is for the Extended version. Steals 0.2 HH Gauge from the opponent, with the stolen amount increasing to 0.4 HH Gauge for the Extended version. Can hit OTG. Ends in a soft knockdown, unlike most hitgrabs.

214S

How feeble! 214S

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 47 (6, 10*4, 1) [107 (6, 10*10, 1)] Throw 8 - - - - Dio grabs the opponent before picking them up and sucking their blood. Can be extended by pressing attack buttons repeatedly. Data in [] is for the Extended version. This move recovers 50 health normally, with the Extended version recovering a total of 110 health. Does not cause hard knockdown, unlike most command grabs.

System Mechanics

Throw

Throw You impudent fool! 5/4 + Any Two Attack Buttons Forward Forward Back Back	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 110 Throw 6 - - - - Dio grabs the opponent by the neck and throws them. Forward Throw leaves the opponent a good distance away. Back Throw leaves the opponent much closer (though not at point-blank range).

Assist

Assist Frozen in your tracks!	Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 60 - - - - - Crumple Dio performs a stance that counters the opponent's attack. Assault Assist Stocks: 1 Reversal Assist Stocks: 2 Based on 214H Causes crumple on a successful activation. Very good assist, as all 3 uses are somewhat defensive.

5S

I'll suck you dry! 5S or 3S 5S 5S 3S 3S

Version Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 5S 42 (2, 4*7, 12) Mid 16 - - -18 HKD 3S 42 (2, 4*7, 12) Mid 8 - - -24 HKD Dio jabs the opponent with his fingers, sucking their blood. Launches the opponent away on hit, and causes hard knockdown. Deals Chip Damage. Either version of this move recovers 28 health on hit. Only on hit, the move can be canceled into "KUA!", "Vaporizing Freeze", "Frozen in your tracks!", or HHA, as well as be Flash Canceled. When comparing both moves, 5S has better horizontal range and less disadvantage, while 3S covers a more vertical trajectory and has faster startup (as well as upper body invulnerability).

Heart Heat Attack

Space Ripper Stingy Eyes! 236 + Any Two Attack Buttons You won't feel a thing! You won't feel a thing!

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 170 Mid 2+12 - - -46 Crumple Dio fires a beam of pressurized liquid from his eyes. Reaches fullscreen which, combined with the ability to score Counter Hits, makes it a strong option to punish attacks from practically anywhere. Causes crumple on grounded hit, allowing it to be used mid-combo and extend with Assists. Launches airborne opponents away on hit, and causes hard knockdown. Can be used as an anti-air due to its quick startup. Incredibly active, making it a deceptive anti-air even if used early during an opponent's jump. Invokes an Easter Egg when used against Jonathan: if he is KO'd, Jonathan will put up his hands to defend himself and call Erina's name.

Great Heat Attack

I'll give them all a good show! 236L+M+H You thought you stood a chance? You thought you stood a chance?

Damage Guard Startup Active Recovery Block Adv. Hit Adv. 330 (60+14*10+16+54+60) Mid 2+18 - - -56 HKD Dio charges forward with his hands extended and encased in ice. If his attack connects, Dio freezes the opponent before beating them down and finishing by shattering their frozen body. Safer on block than most GHAs, though still incredibly punishable. Leaves the opponent right in front of Dio, allowing for OTG and Taunt combos with Assists.

Costumes

Normal

Normal (Color 1)

Normal (Color 2)

Normal (Color 3)

Normal (Color 4)

Special

Special A (Color 1)

Special A (Color 2)

Special B (Color 1)

Special B (Color 2)

Special C (Color 1)

Special C (Color 2)

Notable Players

Disclaimer: This list is derived from community input and is in no way comprehensive or a form of ranking of any kind. Our community criteria can be found here.

Name	Usual Color	Region	Contact	Example Play
Cyanide Express		United States	@Cyanide_Express	Tournament Footage YouTube Channel
たれいち (tareichi)		Japan	@tareichi001	YouTube Channel