Dio Brando/Games

A summary of Dio Brando's history and movesets in video games. =Heritage for the Future=

Evil Incarnate / Shadow DIO
Evil Incarnate Dio (邪悪の化身ディオ) or "Shadow Dio" in the English localization is the form Dio takes for most of Part 3 while waiting for his body to completely assimilate. To reflect this, his moveset involves mainly open-hand light and heavy attacks (which ties into how weak the left side of his body was if Dio happens to have his animations be performed when facing right). The World in this form, is also depicted as a faint-and-clear silhouette.

In the game where Active Stands are prevalent, Shadow Dio is a passive stand user. He can deal a lot of damage with full offensive attacks without an Active Stand via a solid amount of frame-traps and pseudo-disjointed pokes with his silhouette-version of The World, even though he lacks the more defensive and utility-type traits of having an active Stand. He also has a counter-reversal move, a reference to his encounter with Hol Horse, that helps this play style to be more effective, which can be used either for offense as a reversal punisher, or defense when Dio himself is in pressure.

While not shown in the manga or anime in earlier chapters, Shadow Dio is capable of throwing knives. These knives, while not too fast for up-close combat, can push enemies further back and gives him a semblance of anti-air defense. The angle of the knives can be varied (straight forward or in a fanned-spread either upward or forward, and he can throw knives twice. The first knife throw has a large amount of hitstun and can be used to ease into combos, though either version is meant to control a certain range of space.

His eyebeam projectile can be charged to an incredibly powerful and unblockable level, sometimes causing a Stand Crash in one hit. But like his normal form, it can easily be ducked under.

His Stand attacks are effective as surprises, and capable of juggling and/or short bread-and-butter combo finishers. Combined with his own attacks, he deals a lot of damage in a short time, more so within The World, when he stops time.

His Super Combo, "Punishment", deals heavy damage if it connects. However, it cannot be incorporated into combos easily and works better as an out-of-pressure reversal or a frame trap. His other Super Combo, called "Charisma", takes two levels of power, but the buds coming out of his hair are unblockable and home in on the enemy. The slow start-up animation of this move requires it to be a part of the combo, in order to perform the move without being interrupted by the enemy's attacks (or to be used during the opponent's wakeup to lock them down more effectively).

If Shadow Dio is transformed by Alessi's Stand, he will transform into Wang Chan carrying Dio's severed head in a jar from the final few chapters of Part 1.

DIO
This is the appearance DIO takes for the final chapters of Stardust Crusaders. A majority of his "open-handed" attacks are now properly clenched into fists (his light and hard attacks), signifying his better control over the body.

His moveset now resembles Jotaro's, with a few touches of his own. In contrast to Jotaro, DIO is more effective with his Stand on. His Stand combos are effective at dealing a lot of damage to the enemy in a short time. As such, DIO specializes in quick disposal of an enemy.

His Blazing Strikes can be manipulated to hit low, where the enemy must guard low. This makes his attacks unpredictable, keeping opponents on their toes. His Space Ripper Stingy Eyes attacks, now with different commands, are now completely unblockable, though the animation is notably slower and lack any ability to cause a Stand Crash right off.

His Road Roller, though weak in JoJo's Venture, now deals greater damage in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. His Chi no Shoukan (Bloody Summoning), added in the second game, requires the enemy to be hit before he sucks their blood. The scene when he connects with the move is considerably graphic, with a cutscreen of the enemy's face being punctured by DIO's fingers.

While he does have considerable damaging potential, he does have handicaps; His super moves cannot be integrated into combos in such a way that they will chain together. However, his super moves have a degree of invincibility, which increase his effectiveness in close-quarter battles, even when predictable. DIO players tend to rely on frame traps or mistakes from the enemy to inflict damage. To be able to use him well, DIO players must have the reflexes to perform their super moves at the right moment and often with right judgement.

His The World - Time Stop is particularly deadly at 10 levels of power. He can deploy a lot of knives (particularly the Active Stand version of the Super Move) repeatedly, especially point blank on the enemy, and perform Road Roller before the power gauge goes below level 1. If the enemy is big in size, the more the enemy will take damage from the knives. It is a gamble though to successfully perform The World against a human player, but the damage it inflicts is worth the effort.

His time stop ability can be foiled by attacks that bring total invincibility to its user, Vanilla Ice being one such character. True to the manga and anime, Jotaro also can usurp the timestop from DIO if he does his own timestop command in the right moment.

In Story Mode, DIO will wear his jacket for the first round in the final battle against him, and his abilities will be limited. Upon being defeated once, he will shed his jacket and declare it to be the final round, regardless of how many rounds the player sets.

If DIO is hit by Alessi's Stand, he will turn into Nukesaku.

=Phantom Blood=

Phantom Blood (PS2)
Multiple different versions of Dio appear in the game, reflecting the events of the original story. Although two iterations can be used in 77 Rings Knights Mode, most of his playable variations are exclusive to Dio Mode, a mode where the player follows the story through Dio's perspective.

=All Star Battle=

All Star Battle (PS3)
Dio appears in the PS3 fighting game as two separate fighters; the first being "Dio Brando" from Part 1, and the second being "DIO", from Part 3. This marks him as one of the only three characters with two incarnations, the others being Joseph Joestar and Yoshikage Kira.

Dio Brando
Dio Brando (from Part 1) uses the rare Vampirism Style as part of his moveset, which allows him to follow up on any number of his skills with attacks that let him steal small amounts of his opponent's health or even Heart Heat Gauge. Dio has 900 HP.

Moveset
Dio Brando's moveset mostly comprises the vampiric feats he had done in the original manga. With a balanced mix of unblockable attacks, command throws, and high-low attack mix-ups, he can maintain an overwhelming offensive against a defending foe. This is compounded by his ability to freely cancel many of his skills into his dedicated Super Jump skill, rendering certain moves safe that would otherwise be punishable. Taking all of this into account, Dio possesses the means to repeatedly assault his opponent from multiple angles, with few obvious openings for counterattack, and exert constant pressure until he finally bypasses their defense.

Dio also has multiple ways to chain his attacks into his signature Vampirism-style abilities while attacking, in order to rapidly take both his opponent's health or Heart Heat for himself over the course of a match. As a whole, he is a tricky, aggressive, close-ranged fighter, using his above-average mobility options to get within melee range of his opponent and then continuously force them to guess how to properly defend against his physical onslaught.

DIO
DIO (from Part 3) is now of the Stand Style. DIO can turn The World on/off, changing movesets, as well as having access to the Stand Rush ability returning from the Capcom game, being able to attack in conjunction with his Stand. DIO has 900 HP.

Moveset
During combat, DIO can use a multitude of different attacks that were featured in Stardust Crusaders. The World possesses great utility, allowing DIO to battle from most ranges, primarily midrange. Many of his moves utilize his Stand's ability and strength to deliver surprise attacks, and breaking 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.

True to his character, DIO is a versatile and complex fighter, wielding an impressive variety of abilities and skills, and thus boasts many options for not only offensive but also defensive purposes. Overall, he builds upon a jack-of-all-trades character archetype, and suffers from no major weaknesses aside from a high learning curve. Aside from characters simply considered better than him, DIO's only other natural enemy is none other than Jotaro himself, as Jotaro has specific means of countering DIO that are exclusive to him alone.

Miscellaneous
DIO has the most unique pre-battle dialogues with other characters. This includes conversations with Jonathan, Jotaro, Old Joseph, Polnareff, Kakyoin, Avdol, Hol Horse, Vanilla Ice, Giorno, Enrico Pucci, and both parts of himself.

DIO (Part 3) was the most voted character for the fan-vote JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle League and even won the Tournament, beating Jotaro Kujo in the final match.

=Eyes of Heaven=

Eyes of Heaven (PS3/PS4)
Dio Brando (Part 1) was confirmed for the game alongside Iggy, N'Doul and Old Joseph, while DIO (Part 3) was confirmed alongside Vanilla Ice. He appears as one the 6 playable characters in the second demo.

Dio Brando
Dio Brando is of the Vampire style. As such, a number of his abilities allow him to not only drain his opponents' health, but also to enter a Vampiric Power-Up Mode, boosting his movement speed and attack damage, among other things. All damage to him aside from Ripple-based will become "white damage", that can be healed over time, and inversely, Dio will take more damage from Ripple-based attacks.


 * Style Action - Behold this magnificent power!: Dio grabs the opponent and siphons their blood to restore his own health, an ability that can be easily incorporated into many of his combos. Successfully landing this attack will enter Dio into Vampiric Power-Up Mode. The skill will have no cooldown if Dio is already in Vampiric Power-Up Mode.
 * Vaporizing Freeze: While Vampiric Power-Up Mode is active, Dio gains the ability to freeze opponents if he guards just before a non-projectile/DHA attack hits. This leaves them open to follow up attacks.
 * You Won't Feel a Thing!: Dio fires off Space Ripper Stingy Eyes, sending opponents reeling if it hits. If Vampiric Power-Up Mode is active, the execution speed and distance of the attack is increased, and opponents hit are instead left crumpling and open to further attack.
 * WRYYYYY!: Dio clasps his hands together then charges forward. If he connects with an opponent, he will lift them by the neck and drain their health, entering Vampiric Power-Up Mode if it is not already active. He will drain more health if the activating button is rapidly pressed. If Vampiric Power-Up Mode is active, the attack becomes unblockable and Dio will cover more distance.
 * Weak! WEAK!: Dio performs alternating knee kicks that knock opponents into the air before leaping, allowing him to continue his combo from the air. The brief pause that occurs upon his landing from the initial attack can be cancelled with a jump. If Vampiric Power-Up Mode is active, Dio receives super armor (unflinching to opponents' attack) during the attack, and will execute the followu-up leap quicker.
 * MUDA MUDA MUDA!: Dio performs a single, slow knee kick, freezing opponents hit and leaving them vulnerable to further attack. If Vampiric Power-Up Mode is active, the attack will execute quicker.
 * EX - You Won't Feel a Thing!: The skill gains the benefits of Vampiric Power-Up Mode whether or not it is actually active. It will also execute quicker, and Dio is granted complete invincibility during the attack.
 * EX - WRYYYYY!: The attack executes quicker and Dio's charging distance is increased further. He is also able to drain an even larger amount of health.
 * Trait - A fall from this height is nothing to me!: Dio is able to walk on certain walls and columns around the stage, granting him the ability to reach different areas of stages without needing to travel the conventional routes, or simply avoid attacks. Holding this activating button will allow him to climb higher, and he is able to attack from his vantage points.
 * Trait - I shall live for centuries... for eternity!: When Dio's health hits zero for the first time, if his partner is still alive, he will momentarily rise and fire Space Ripper Stingy Eyes one more time at the closest opponent before being Retired, dealing considerable damage.

JoJolities

 * Prepare to be frozen in your tracks!: Dio must connect "MUDA MUDA MUDA!" 3 times. (200 Points)
 * Do you remember how many breads you have eaten in your life?: Dio must connect his Style Action 5 times. (200 Points)
 * I, Dio, will kill you!: Dio must Retire an opponent. (300 Points)
 * I reject my humanity!: Dio must retain a Vampiric Power-Up Mode for 20 counts of the battle timer. (500 Points)
 * You thought you stood a chance?: Dio must win within 50 counts of the battle timer. (800 Points)

Dual Heat Attacks

 * Solo - A cruel death awaits you!: It works the same as the one from All Star Battle.
 * With DIO - The Sickest and the Strongest: Dio freezes the opponent and attempts to unleash Space Ripper Stingy Eyes, quickly interrupted by DIO stopping time and pummeling them with The World into the air. DIO resumes time to allow Dio to fire off the attack, tilting his head to the side to avoid getting hit and watches as the beams obliterate the frozen opponent.

He has special dialogue when teamed up with Jonathan, where both, while showing great disdain for the other, reluctantly accept each other as partners.

Much like every character from Part 1 through Part 3, his main color scheme and outfit is based on his anime appearance.

Tournament
Dio Brando is paired with Joseph Joestar (Part 2) in the Eyes of Heaven Tournament, defeating Caesar Zeppeli and Shigekiyo Yangu in the first round, but eliminated by Kars and Pet Shop in the second.

DIO
DIO is both a Stand User and a Vampire. As a Vampire, he is able to steal opponents' health. All damage to him aside from Ripple-based will become "white damage", that can be healed over time, and inversely, DIO will take more damage from Ripple-based attacks. As a Stand User, DIO is one of many characters with wildly varied abilities that grant him uniqueness in battle.


 * Style Action - Stop, time!: After a short period of vulnerability, DIO stops time for five whole seconds, rivaling the time stop of THE WORLD Diego. His partner and opponents are unable to move, and he is able to initiate any action or attack with impunity. However, other time-stopping characters may activate their own ability to enter DIO's stopped time. This ability's cooldown is equal to 40 counts of the battle timer, making it the longest cooldown of any ability in the game.
 * Oh, this suits me well!: DIO, from a combo, knocks an opponent to the ground, plunges his fingers into them, and start draining their blood. He absorbs a small amount of their health to replenish his own.
 * This is the greatest high!: If performed on any of the Joestar lineage (Jonathan, Joseph, Jotaro, Josuke 4, Giorno, Jolyne; Does not work on Johnny Joestar and Josuke 8), DIO will follow-up by jabbing his finger into his head and twisting it as he laughs maniacally. This grants him a point of the Dual Heat Gauge, and restores his stamina as well as his Flash Burst if it is on cooldown. This action will only happen once the entire battle.
 * This is... The World!: Through stopping time, The World instantly appears in front of opponents in range to strike them with an overhead punch. If time is stopped, The World will instead fly forward to deliver a punch to the abdomen.
 * MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA!: The World attacks by rapidly punching 12 times while advancing forward, the last hit sending opponents flying.
 * He's gone!: DIO raises his finger before stopping time and reappearing a distance in the direction the movement stick is held. If no direction is being inputted, DIO will simply "teleport" backwards. He is able to cancel into a Normal Attack once the skill succeeds. If time is stopped, DIO will simply perform an invincible Sidestep.
 * There's no escape!: DIO and The World throw five knives straight forward, or straight at their target if locked on. If time is stopped, they will freeze in mid-air after traveling some distance. This will also cause the skill to execute quicker, allow DIO to recover form using it faster, and boost the cooldown speed.
 * EX - There's no escape!: The knives fly faster and have increased range. They will now leave opponents crumpling, and temporarily slow their movement speed afterward.
 * EX - This is... The World!: The skill executes quicker, DIO recovers from using it faster, and the range of The World is increased.

JoJolities

 * It's only fitting that I finish you off with The World's true power!: DIO must use his Style Action. (200 Points)
 * WRYYAAAAA!: DIO must connect a Powerful Attack as the third step in a mid-air combo. (200 Points)
 * Heh heh heh! I knew you'd never be able to match The World's power and precision!: DIO must connect "MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA!" five times. (300 Points)
 * Idiot...: DIO must connect "This is... The World!" 3 times. (500 Points)
 * You haven't even noticed that you're dead.: DIO must land a Dual Heat Attack while time is stopped. (800 Points)

Dual Heat Attacks

 * Solo - THE WORLD!: DIO walks calmly and intimidatingly towards the opponent, and tells them to feast their eyes on his power while he's seemingly about to attack them. He suddenly stops time to appear behind his target as they're frozen by fear, then summons The World to punch through them with enough power to send them flying.
 * With Dio - The Sickest and the Strongest: Dio freezes the opponent and attempts to unleash Space Ripper Stingy Eyes, quickly interrupted by DIO stopping time and pummeling them with The World into the air. DIO resumes time to allow Dio to fire off the attack, tilting his head to the side to avoid getting hit and watches as the beams obliterate the frozen opponent.
 * With Giorno - Surpassing Existence!: DIO summons The World to batter the opponent, before being joined by Giorno and Gold Experience. After exchanging looks, both of them yell out their shared Stand Cry in unison and attack their target with steadily increasing power, before delivering a combined powerful strike that sends the opponent reeling.
 * With New Moon Pucci - Rulers of Time and Gravity: This DHA is only available with Pucci using Made in Heaven. DIO stops time and throws a barrage of knives. As time resumes, Pucci speeds up the knives' flight using Made in Heaven to make them hit their target with more power. Pucci then uses MiH's power to allow DIO the ability to get close to the enemy with extreme haste and deliver a singular punch that launches them off.

He also has special dialogue when paired with Jonathan: While Jonathan agrees to fight with DIO for the battle only, DIO notes that such a statement only proves that they are the same person.

Much like every character from Part 1 through Part 3, his main color scheme is based on his anime appearance.

Tournament
DIO is paired with Jonathan in the Eyes of Heaven Tournament, defeating Will Zeppeli and Koichi Hirose in the first round and Wamuu and N'Doul in the second. In the semifinals, they defeated Mariah and Esidisi in the first round, but were eliminated by Kars and Pet Shop in the second.

Relationships in Eyes of Heaven
(The information below derives from a Video Game not written by Araki. As such, it may not be considered canon.)


 * Giorno Giovanna: Intrigued that he had a son with such capabilities, he acknowledges Giorno's power if he wins. He has no problems fighting alongside him, as evidenced by their combined attack.
 * Mariah: DIO shows absolute faith in Mariah's abilities.
 * Will Zeppeli: While their relationship is essentially the same as in the manga, when Zeppeli encounters DIO from Stardust Crusaders, he will state that Dio seems even eviler and wonders if the Stone Mask is responsible, while DIO believes Zeppeli is even less of a threat than before since he acquired The World.
 * Kars, Esidisi and Wamuu: Dio recognizes each of them as Pillar Men and seeks to kill them. Kars says he isn't half bad for a vampire and would make a fine pawn, Esidisi sees him as a lowly vampire fit for nothing more than food, and Wamuu views himself as Dio's master while being intrigued by his Vaporizing Freeze, an ability which he had never seen before.

In the semifinals, DIO is introduced in another team, paired with Jotaro. They defeat Mariah and Esidisi in the first round, but were eliminated by Jolyne Cujoh and Gyro Zeppeli in the second.

Heaven Ascension DIO
A version of DIO exclusive to Eyes of Heaven. Named "DIO, Gone to Heaven" in the English localization. Through having defeated the Joestars in an alternate universe, DIO eventually achieves his goal of "obtaining heaven" and as a result, obtains a new form and Stand, The World Over Heaven.

His role in the game's Story Mode is that of the game's main antagonist and final boss.

=Diamond Records=

Diamond Records (Android/iOS)
Dio appears in Diamond Records as a playable character with various different iterations, ranging from Dio Brando in Phantom Blood, to multiple versions of DIO in Stardust Crusaders. Additionally, his severed head appears as part of Wang Chan's moveset.

Dio Brando (Phantom Blood)
=Pitter-Patter Pop=

Stardust Crusaders
=Jump Titles=

Cult Jump (GB)
DIO appears as one of the ten characters from the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise in the game.

Jump Super Stars (Nintendo DS)
DIO is one of the many playable characters in Jump Super Stars. He can only be unlocked after clearing the game once.

He has three potential "battle panel" formations: a 4-block, a 5-block and a 6-block. All three have his characteristic "MUDAMUDA!" stream of punches as one special attack. His other special attack varies depending on the formation: With the 4-block, it's "The World, Circle of Knives", with the 5-block it's "The World, Road Roller" and with the 6-block, it's "The World, Time Stop". He also features in two "support panels" - the 2-block "Eye-Crushing Kick" and the 3-block "WRYAAAAA!" - and one "help panel" which renders the player's battle character immune from damage for a short period of time.

In terms of playing style, he is best for long-range attacks and uses a combination of punches and kicks. The World gives him a longer range than most characters, but at the cost of his speed. Dio is able to drains an opponent's health in close quarters (via sticking his fingers in their neck) and transfers it to himself. He can use "Space Ripper Stingy Eyes" as a regular attack, and has an aerial move which involves throwing knives.

Interestingly, he receives a power boost when his "battle panels" are placed beside those of from Shaman King and/or  from Busou Renkin. He is also able to perform a special tag-team attack with from Naruto called "Sharingan World", whereby DIO's homing daggers and Sasuke's shuriken slice through all enemies on the screen.

Jump Ultimate Stars (Nintendo DS)
DIO returns in the Jump Super Stars ' sequel, Jump Ultimate Stars and retains his previous playing style.

In the game, DIO can receive a power boost when his panel is placed beside Giorno (whom asks if DIO is one person with two bodies), Jonathan (who mocks him with his iconic line "MUDAMUDA!") and Taizo from Taizo Mote King Saga (whom asks if DIO remembers how many pairs of underwear he had worn to date, parodying Dio's classic line)''. ''

DIO also provides an ally boost to from Dragon Ball Z  (he asks Frieza if he also seeks for immortality) and Dr. Mashirito from DR.Slump (he asks if Mashirito has his ideology; after winning comes world domination, a goal shared by both villains).

J-Stars Victory Vs (PS3/PS4/PS Vita)
Aside from being mentioned by Jonathan only once in Story Mode, he does not appear in any form in the game. However, hidden data was found in the game for him and Jotaro as playable characters (alongside other Weekly Shonen Jump characters Yoh and Dai, from and  respectively).

Jump Force (PS4/XBOX ONE/PC/Nintendo Switch
DIO was officially revealed him alongside Jotaro on February 1.


 * Throw: The opponent is thrown into the air and is punched by the world as DIO faces the player


 * Useless, Useless: The World does a volley of punches on the opponent until finally ending with a left hook.


 * Checkmate: The world appears in front of DIO and throws knives at the opponent


 * Blend: The World punches the opponent allowing DIO to grab them and suck their blood before knocking them away


 * The World: DIO summons The World and punches the opponent. DIO then jumps off-screen, coming back down on the opponent with a road roller. He smashes the road roller with a MUDA barrage, jumping off before it explodes.

=Miscellaneous Games=

GioGio's Bizarre Adventure (PS2)
DIO appears in the game's opening, during a scene where Giorno Giovanna looks at the picture of his father in his wallet (replicating the action taken in an early chapter from Vento Aureo).

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (SFC)
DIO will sporadically appear throughout the game to taunt the heroes and comment on what tarot cards have been chosen for them. He appears as the final boss of the game and, unlike the manga, the entire Joestar group is pitted against him (this includes Jotaro, Joseph, Polnareff, Kakyoin and the then-meant-to-be-deceased Avdol and Iggy.) He primarily uses his Stand, The World, and its time stop ability to deal major damage to the player characters. However, he has the glaring weakness of taking much more damage from attacks dealt by Jotaro within his own stopped time.

Stardust Shooters (Android/IOS)
DIO appears as one of the several Part 1 and Part 3 characters who possess a Metal Strike, with several different appearances.

For his Part 1 variations, his younger self's Finish Move attacks the opponent with a punch followed by a fingerprint (mimicking the same finishing blow he dealt to Jonathan in their first fight), while his vampire versions attack the opponent with his fingers while sucking their blood.

For his Part 3 variations, his Shadow Dio Finish Move makes him attack the opponent with his hair, while his normal version attacks the opponent with his Stand's "MUDAMUDAMUDA!" rush.

By being the greatest villain in the game, his Metal Strikers are naturally the hardest ones to obtain in the game, usually requiring special conditions and tasks to be earned.

Last Survivor (Arcade)
DIO was one of the characters first confirmed during the game's announcement.