In Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, one of the standout features that expands on the game’s lore and challenge factor is Villainous Mode. This powerful enhancement originates from the dark influence of Towa and Mira, two characters responsible for tampering with the time stream. Villainous Mode is not a transformation available to the player but rather a special condition seen in many enemies during battles. Understanding how Villainous Mode works, when it appears, and how to defeat characters under its effect can help players navigate challenging Parallel Quests, Expert Missions, and story battles more effectively.
What Is Villainous Mode?
Villainous Mode is a special state in Xenoverse 2 where enemies are corrupted by dark energy. This energy, typically purple in appearance, grants them increased strength, durability, and access to more aggressive behavior patterns. Characters affected by this condition often appear with a glowing purple aura and red eyes, indicating they are under the control of Towa’s dark magic.
These enhanced enemies are known as Villainous Enemies and can be encountered throughout several quests and scenarios. While the player cannot use Villainous Mode themselves, it plays an important role in shaping the story, raising difficulty, and creating unique challenges.
Origins of Villainous Power
Villainous Mode was first introduced in Dragon Ball Xenoverse and returned in Xenoverse 2 with more intensity. Towa, a dark sorceress from the Demon Realm, manipulates time and powers up historical figures to alter major events in Dragon Ball history. By infusing characters with Villainous energy, she can turn allies into threats and give well-known villains a major power boost.
Key Features of Villainous Mode
When characters enter Villainous Mode, they gain several notable traits that distinguish them from their standard versions. These enhancements not only increase difficulty but also add strategic variety to battles.
- Stat Boosts: Villainous characters have higher health, defense, and attack power.
- Resistance to Stuns: Their super armor makes it harder to stagger them with standard combos.
- Faster Recovery: They recover from knockdowns more quickly.
- Unique Aura: A visual effect of dark energy surrounds them, making them instantly recognizable.
How to Recognize Villainous Enemies
You can easily identify Villainous enemies during battles by looking for the following signs:
- Purple and black swirling aura around the character.
- Glowing red eyes or a slight change in skin tone or visual appearance.
- Character name may be labeled with (Villainous) or presented with dark energy markers.
Where Villainous Mode Appears
Parallel Quests
One of the most common places to find Villainous enemies is in Parallel Quests. These side missions often include alternate outcomes to major Dragon Ball events, allowing enemies to be empowered by Towa’s influence. For example, you may face a Villainous version of Vegeta or Frieza who is significantly stronger than their normal counterpart.
Expert Missions
Expert Missions frequently feature enemies under Villainous Mode. These co-op style missions are some of the hardest content in Xenoverse 2 and include unique mechanics, such as mind control and synchronized attacks. Villainous energy plays a large role in these fights, often making bosses more dangerous with one-hit KO moves and unblockable techniques.
Story Mode Battles
Throughout the story mode, you’ll witness major characters being overtaken by Villainous energy. These moments usually occur at key points in the timeline where the villains try to rewrite history. Battles against Villainous versions of Goku, Cell, or Broly bring a darker twist to familiar moments from the anime.
Tips for Defeating Villainous Enemies
Bring the Right Loadout
Villainous enemies have enhanced durability and aggression, so you’ll need to prepare accordingly. Use Super Souls that boost stamina or grant damage reduction to survive their relentless attacks. Equip skills that can break their super armor or deal consistent damage over time.
Target Stamina and Ki
While Villainous enemies resist stagger effects, they still have stamina and ki limits. Breaking their stamina can temporarily remove their super armor and give you a window to punish. Techniques like Heavy Smash or Burst Rush can be helpful in creating openings.
Utilize Allies
Don’t go solo if you don’t have to. Whether you’re in Expert Missions or Parallel Quests, having allies AI or human makes a huge difference. Focus fire on one Villainous target at a time to reduce chaos on the field.
Villainous Mode vs Awoken Skills
Players often wonder how Villainous Mode compares to their own transformations, like Super Saiyan or Potential Unleashed. While Awoken Skills provide stat boosts and new abilities, they do not fully replicate the scale of power that Villainous enemies receive. This keeps the challenge high when facing multiple corrupted opponents.
No Playable Villainous Form
As of now, there is no way to play as a Villainous character or unlock Villainous Mode for your custom character. Some modded versions on PC may allow this, but in the standard game, the mode is restricted to AI-controlled enemies only.
Rewards for Beating Villainous Enemies
Taking down Villainous foes isn’t just for the thrill it often comes with great rewards. Many Parallel Quests and Expert Missions that feature these enemies offer rare drops, including:
- Exclusive Super Souls
- Rare clothing and accessories
- Unique skills and ultimate attacks
- High XP and Zeni
Some of the most sought-after skills, such as Emperor’s Death Beam or Gigantic Meteor, are tied to missions involving Villainous bosses.
The Role of Villainous Mode in Lore
Beyond gameplay, Villainous Mode adds to the rich lore of Xenoverse 2. Towa and Mira’s manipulation of time and characters introduces what-if scenarios that expand the Dragon Ball universe. It lets fans see how events might have changed if villains had been stronger or if heroes had been corrupted. This adds depth to the story and gives players a fresh narrative beyond what’s seen in the anime or manga.
Villainous Mode inXenoverse 2serves as both a gameplay mechanic and a storytelling tool. It presents a formidable challenge that pushes players to adapt their strategies and understand the deeper lore behind each encounter. While not accessible to players directly, this mode elevates the overall experience by offering intense battles, rewarding missions, and alternative versions of fan-favorite characters. For anyone looking to fully engage with Xenoverse 2’s content, mastering fights against Villainous enemies is a must. Their power may be overwhelming, but with preparation and teamwork, even the most corrupted foes can be defeated.