DIO from Stardust Crusaders also has the Stand Style, wielding The World which he can turn "on/off", changing movesets, as well as having access to the Stand Rush ability returning from the Capcom game, Capcom Fighters, being able to attack in conjunction with his Stand.
As with his Part 1 iteration, this DIO is also voiced by Takehito Koyasu for the first time.
DIO can summon or dismiss The World, altering his available abilities.
Time, stop!
x2 +
ON GROUND
(requires 1.5 stocks of HH)
If DIO has a minimum of one and a half stocks of the Heart Heat Gauge, he can use his signature Stand ability "Time, stop!". If the activating three-second animation plays uninterrupted, DIO will stop time for 3.4 ~ 6.9 seconds depending on how much of the HHG he has. All animations, including the HHG flame and the countdown on the battle timer, will temporarily cease, and the opponent is frozen in place and completely unable to act. Damage dealt to the opponent that is not a Throw, "I'll give you one chance", "Oh, this suits me well!", HHA, or GHA is reduced, but the opponent is otherwise absolutely vulnerable. When the ability ends and time resumes, the opponent will suffer all damage dealt to them at once. Any knives thrown using "And one more just in case!" or DIO's HHA hang in the air, notably doing more damage if they hit the opponent after time resumes than if they were to have connected immediately. He may use his HHA or GHA with impunity if he has enough of the HHG left to do so. DIO is even capable of hitting opponents that were down when the ability was activated, 'resetting' them into a standing position once hit. The ability is best used with normal attacks in mind in order to deal the most damage within the stopped time, as they execute quickly and their damage reduction within stopped time is insubstantial. If DIO's Throw, the attack variation of "I'll give you one chance", "Oh, this suits me well!", HHA, or GHA is used, time will immediately resume with the HHG drained to zero. If fighting against Jotaro or himself, DIO can use this ability to move within the other fighter's stopped time, and may even outlast his opponent if their HHG runs out first.
An absolute end
x2 + (Stand Off only)
ON GROUNDWHEN DOWNED
This skill can only be used when the opponent is down. DIO pulls out a sign and brings it down on them. Assuming the opponent gets up in time, this skill is still a middle attack that must be blocked standing.
So close!
(When hit) + (requires 2 stocks of HH)
ON GROUND
A combo-breaking skill that can only be used once DIO is hit by any non-Throw/HHA/GHA, or any attack that does not down or send him flying upon the first hit. DIO instantly stops time to escape, suddenly reappearing to the side of where he previously was in relation to the opponent (similar in effect to a Stylish Evade). Its activation consumes two stocks of the Heart Heat Gauge and 35% of the Guard Gauge in return for completely breaking out of an opponent's attack or combo, and functions in the exact same manner as Diavolo's "Such futility!" counter.
Special Moves (Stand Off)
"Right in front of me?!"
+ //
ON GROUND
Using its ability, The World suddenly appears at certain distances and delivers a melee strike. The resulting attack is dependent on the attack button inputted.
Light () - The World delivers an uppercut in front of DIO, knocking the opponent off their feet. This doubles as an anti-air attack. (Flash Cancel comboable)
Medium () - The World appears a distance forward and delivers a downwards punch, knocking the opponent straight to the ground to down them.
Heavy () - The World appears a distance forward, close to the ground, and delivers a low punch, knocking the opponent off their feet. This version of the attack is a low attack that must be blocked crouching. (Flash Cancel comboable)
If "Time, stop!" is active, The World does not flash forward and instead flies into position before attacking.
I'll give you one chance
+ //
ON GROUND
DIO swaggers toward the opponent before stopping to pose. The effect of the skill is dependent on the attack button inputted.
Light () - DIO gains super armor while walking, allowing him to shrug off non-Throw/HHA/GHA attacks while simultaneously approaching them. Once he begins walking, he may cancel this variation into any of his other specials.
Medium () - DIO will automatically perform a Stylish Evade if the opponent strikes him. This can only happen during a small window of his walking length, otherwise he is vulnerable.
Heavy () - If he makes contact with the opponent, DIO will uppercut them into the air as an unblockable Throw. (Flash Cancel comboable)
"He's... gone!"
+ //
ON GROUND
DIO raises his finger before suddenly stopping time and reappearing a distance forward to deliver an upward smack. The attack button inputted determines DIO's distance. If Heavy () is inputted, the move instead becomes a feint, with DIO flashing but without actually moving from his spot, and able to act instantly. If "Time, stop!" is active, DIO does not flash forward and instead delivers the attack from a stationary position. (Flash Cancel comboable)
Oh, this suits me well!
+ // (rapidly tap to drain more health)
ON GROUND
DIO swings at the opponent open-handed. If he connects, he'll knock them to the ground, plunge his fingers into them, and drain their blood, stealing a moderate amount of health.
This is the greatest 'high'!
Passive effect after "Oh, this suits me well!"
ON GROUND
If "Oh, this suits me well!" is performed on any member of the Joestar lineage from the original timeline: Jonathan, Joseph, Jotaro, Josuke 4, Giorno, or Jolyne, DIO will jab his finger into his head and twist it as he laughs maniacally, automatically granting him half a bar of his HHG. This ability can only occur once the entire match.
And one more just in case!
+ //
ON GROUND
DIO summons The World to quickly throw a knife straight forward. The attack button inputted determines the speed of the knife.
Special Moves (Stand On)
MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!
+ //
ON GROUND
The World rushes forward with a barrage of punches, advancing on the opponent and knocking them down. The attack button inputted determines the distance the Stand travels. This ability can initiate Rush Mode. (Flash Cancel comboable)
My Stand's full power!
+ //
IN AIR OK
While in midair, The World rapidly punches downward, finishing with an upward kick that sends the opponent high into the air. The first punch is a middle attack that must be blocked standing. A Stand Rush skill that DIO can disconnect from to freely act while it is executing.
This is...The World!
+ //
ON GROUND
After a brief delay, The World delivers a potent punch that sends the opponent flying into the stage wall if successful.
Medium () - DIO and his Stand reappear a short distance forward by stopping time before delivering the attack, and the punch becomes unblockable.
Heavy () - DIO and his Stand reappear a larger distance forward by stopping time before delivering the attack, and the punch becomes unblockable.
If "Time, stop!" is active, neither DIO nor The World move forward and instead deliver the attack from a stationary position.
Throw
What just happened?
2 ATK buttons at close range or
ON GROUND
The World picks the opponent up by the neck and briefly stops time. When time resumes, the opponent has been punched through the abdomen and is sent flying.
Heart Heat Attack / Great Heat Attack
Scared, are we?
+ 2 ATK Buttons
ON GROUND
DIO tauntingly points out how pale his opponent has gotten and performs a roundhouse kick sliding forward. If the kick connects, the opponent is sent flying into the air as DIO stops time and throws 48 knives that surround them at most angles, before resuming time and letting them get skewered. If "Time, stop!" is active, the HHA will change to simply DIO and The World both launching a multitude of knives in a fanning wave, but deal less damage. If quick enough, the HHA can be performed twice during stopped time if DIO's Heart Heat Gauge has three stocks, ultimately dealing more damage than the HHA's original version, but only if the knives strike after time resumes instead of immediately due to the damage reduction effect of stopped time. This HHA bears similarity to Shadow DIO's "Checkmate" super from the Capcom game.
This is a road roller!
+ 3 ATK Buttons, or
ON GROUND
DIO confidently sends The World out to attack with a heavy punch. If the Stand successfully strikes the victim, DIO will stop time, jump high into the air and off-screen, and bring the infamous road roller down on his victim. He then elbows the vehicle repeatedly, heavily denting it in the process, before jumping off and resuming time, thus allowing the damaged vehicle to explode while it is still crushing his opponent. If the same move is done against Jotaro, he summons Star Platinum to try to punch the roller away. If Jotaro specifically inputs his "I stopped time..." ability over the course of the GHA, a special animation will play where DIO is blindsided by Jotaro stopping time and reappearing behind him, before the two clash and break away from each other. While this doesn't negate the full damage of the whole attack, it does negate the damage of the road roller's explosion, making the GHA deal less than half of its total damage. DIO and Jotaro are also left at opposite ends of the arena, rather than DIO holding the advantageous position of his opponent being left downed and close to him after the attack.
Gameplay Overview
During combat, DIO can use a multitude of different attacks that were featured in Stardust Crusaders. The World possesses great utility, allowing him to effectively battle from most ranges, primarily midrange. Many of his moves utilize his Stand's ability and power to deliver surprise attacks and break through defenses with unblockable moves. Even in the absence of his Stand, DIO by himself has an above-average set of abilities that can still effectively counter a predictable offense, and even steal his opponent's health as per his vampire powers.
His control over time provides uniquely powerful options; not only within his characteristic time stop that leaves the opponent completely at his mercy, but also with the ability to escape combos at the cost of Heart Heat. This way, if DIO has enough Heart Heat, he can both force his opponent to approach and challenge him with the threat of him stopping time, and simultaneously keep them cautious when actually attacking him, as certain combos on their part cannot be guaranteed.
However, DIO has much lower than average health compared to the average character, making mistakes and losing interactions very costly for him. When not in Stand ON, his odd abilities can take some time to fully grasp, and thus he can feel a bit weaker without The World active. Finally, DIO's best combos are of a higher level of execution than most, requiring good practice and familiarity to properly execute. Aside from characters considered better than him, DIO has a natural enemy in none other than Jotaro, as Jotaro has specific means of countering DIO exclusive to him alone that can turn the advantage against him.
True to his character, DIO is a versatile and complex fighter, wielding an impressive variety of abilities and skills, and thus boasting many options for not only offensive but also defensive purposes. Overall, he builds upon a balanced, jack-of-all-trades character archetype, combining his time-stopping powers with vampiric abilities to unleash immense combo damage.
1600 G, Glossary: DIO, Nukesaku, Wilson Phillips, The World
Special Conditions
The enemy's health and Heart Heat Gauge fill over time.
Secret Missions
1. Land the "Hierophant's Barrier" skill. (1000 G) 2. Land a Great Heat Attack. (Hierophant Green Publicity Art) 3. Land the "Emerald Splash" skill. (1000 G)
Entrance Dialogue
Kakyoin: I'm gonna unravel the secret of your Stand, DIO! DIO: You fool. Know this... the power of The World allows you to rule over everything!
Victory Dialogue
Kakyoin: I got it! It's time! He can stop time itself!
Defeat Dialogue
DIO: You haven't even noticed that you're dead. No way you would ever realize it...
3-8
Entry to a Frozen World (静止した世界への入門Seishishita Sekai e no Nyūmon)
DIO playable (on all stages), Part 3 Another Battle, "End of Part 3" BGM, Part 3 Special Illustration, Glossary: Alessi, Anubis, Cairo Streets, Cameo, Daniel J. D'Arby, Devo, DIO's Mansion, Oingo and Boingo, Telence T. D'Arby
Special Conditions
The enemy's health and Heart Heat Gauge fill over time.
Secret Missions
1. Cancel stopped time with the "I stopped time..." special. (2000 G) 2. Win in Rush Mode. (2000 G) 3. Win a round with a Great Heat Attack. (1500 G)
Entrance Dialogue
Jotaro: You bastard! DIO: This is it... the final round!
Victory Dialogue
Jotaro: There's only one reason you lost, DIO... A simple one. You pissed me off.
Defeat Dialogue
DIO: Invincible! Immortal! And with the most powerful Stand! None can surpass me!
3-EX 2
The Secret of "The World" (『ザ・ワールド』の謎"Za Wārudo" no Nazo)
Unlock Conditions: Download the DLC character Old Joseph Joestar.
The player's health and Heart Heat Gauge fill over time.
Secret Missions
1. Use the "Now THIS is the greatest high!" special. (The World Publicity Art) 2. Use the "Oh, this suits me well!" skill. (1000 G) 3. Land a Great Heat Attack. (Road Roller Reference Sketch)
Entrance Dialogue
Jotaro: You bastard! DIO: This is it... the final round!
Victory Dialogue
DIO: Invincible! Immortal! And with the most powerful Stand! None can surpass me!
Defeat Dialogue
Jotaro: There's only one reason you lost, DIO... A simple one. You pissed me off.
3-EX 2
The Secret of "The World" (『ザ・ワールド』の謎"Za Wārudo" no Nazo)
Unlock Conditions: Clear Part 3 EX 2 in Normal Battle.
Each round lasts only 60 seconds. The player's health and Heart Heat Gauge fill over time.
Secret Missions
1. Win a round with a Heart Heat Attack. (Old Joseph Joestar Publicity Art) 2. Use the "Stop, time!" special. (1500 G) 3. Use the "He's... gone!" skill. (1000 G)
Entrance Dialogue
Old Joseph: Kakyoin's not one to fool around at a time like this... Why would he go that way? DIO: Joseph... You're next!
Victory Dialogue
DIO: Joseph! Grandson of Jonathan! I have smitten you at last!
Defeat Dialogue
Old Joseph: N--No! It can't be! DIO's "The World" can really stop time?!
Trivia
DIO was the most voted character for the fan-vote All-Star Battle League and even won the tournament, beating Jotaro Kujo in the final match.
DIO Normal
Costume B
Costume C
Costume D
The World Costumes A & B
