- Playable Races: Choosing between confirmed options like Saiyans and Earthlings directly shapes your passive bonuses, transformation access, and overall combat style.
- Soul Switch System: This new mechanic lets you temporarily borrow the combat style and special abilities of legendary fighters such as Vegeta, Piccolo, and Krillin.
- AGE 1000 Setting: The campaign takes place in a highly developed West City, where you join the Great Saiya Squad and interact with a mix of classic and original characters.
- Launch Platforms: Officially confirmed for a 2027 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with wishlist pages currently active.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 Playable Races: Core Systems
The selection of dragon ball xenoverse 3 playable races is the single most important decision you make when starting your journey in the newly revealed AGE 1000 setting. Officially announced by Bandai Namco, this next-generation entry is scheduled to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Developed by Dimps Corporation, the game introduces a highly vibrant, fully explorable West City, where your custom protagonist's race determines your fundamental combat options, movement style, and transformation pathways.
The June 23, 2026 "Welcome to West City" gameplay trailer showcases how these racial systems integrate with new mechanics like Soul Assist and Soul Switch.
Video Highlights:
- West City Exploration: Showcases traversal mechanics, including soaring and boosting through the futuristic cityscape of AGE 1000.
- Great Saiya Squad: Introduces the player's core faction and the introduction of original characters Brett, Lilica, ROM, and Tap.
- Combat Showcase: Demonstrates high-speed Ki attacks and the tactical activation of the Soul Switch mechanic in real-time.
Your choice of race dictates how you interact with the environment and utilize energy-based offenses. While the full roster of playable races continues to expand as we approach the 2027 release window, official gameplay updates have highlighted the core differences between the Saiyan and Earthling paths.
| Race | Primary Focus | Combat Style | Transformation Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saiyan | High offensive scaling | High-speed aerial combat | Super Saiyan multiple forms |
| Earthling | Balanced utility | Versatile Ki and strike mix | Specialized technique boosts |
While Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S store pages are officially live for wishlisting, a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 version has not been confirmed by Bandai Namco. Refrain from planning builds around unannounced platforms.
Combat Impact and Soul Switch Synergy
The combat engine in this installment builds upon high-speed aerial battles, but introduces deep tactical layers via the Soul Switch and Soul Assist systems. Soul Switch allows your custom character to temporarily harness the soul power of iconic Dragon Ball heroes, altering your move set and granting unique stat multipliers. Because different dragon ball xenoverse 3 playable races possess distinct baseline statistics, pairing the right race with the correct Soul Switch is vital for optimizing your build.
For instance, a Saiyan avatar naturally excels at raw offensive output. When paired with a Vegeta Soul Switch, their Ki-based attacks receive massive damage multipliers, making them devastating ranged glass cannons. Conversely, an Earthling avatar focuses on balanced utility and rapid stamina recovery, making them highly compatible with the utility-focused souls of Krillin or Tien.
| Character Soul | Primary Combat Benefit | Best Synergy | Combat Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegeta | Increases Ki Attack damage | Saiyan offensive builds | Ranged/Burst DPS |
| Piccolo | Boosts health recovery | Defensive/Tank setups | Survival |
| Krillin | Enhances stamina recovery | High-mobility strikers | Utility/Evasion |
| Future Trunks | Speeds up strike attacks | Melee-focused builds | Close-quarters combat |
| Tien | Improves defense against Ki | Balanced tactical play | Anti-meta defense |
Always match your Soul Switch selection to your race's natural strengths. Mixing a melee-focused Earthling with Future Trunks' soul can create a stagger-heavy striker that dominates close-range encounters.
Character Customization & Initial Builds
Steam store listings confirm that the game features extensive character customization options. This allows you to shape not only your hero's physical appearance in West City but also their specific combat identity. When designing your initial build, you must balance your race's passive traits with chosen Ki attacks, strike supers, and physical attributes.
To help you prepare for the 2027 launch, we have mapped out three early build archetypes based on confirmed gameplay mechanics.
Ki Blast Saiyan
- Focus: Maximum ranged damage
- Transformations: Multi-tier Super Saiyan
- Soul Synergy: Vegeta / Future Trunks
Strike Earthling
- Focus: High-mobility physical combos
- Transformations: Technique-based power boosts
- Soul Synergy: Krillin / Tien
Balanced Defender
- Focus: High health and defensive utility
- Transformations: Racial defensive stances
- Soul Synergy: Piccolo
These archetypes utilize different aspects of the West City environment. For example, high-mobility Earthlings can navigate the vertical spaces of West City University and battlefield arenas much faster, while Saiyans rely on raw power to break through enemy guards during high-intensity combat encounters.
| Build Type | Offense | Defense | Mobility | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ki Blast Saiyan | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Moderate |
| Strike Earthling | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Easy |
| Balanced Defender | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | Hard |
Explore every corner of West City during the story mode. Official gameplay previews suggest that completing side activities with original characters like Brett and Lilica unlocks unique cosmetic gear and skill trainers.
How to Choose Your Race and Start Your Journey
Creating your protagonist and establishing your combat build requires a structured approach. Follow these steps to ensure your character is optimized for the challenges of AGE 1000.
Select Your Playable Race
Choose between the high-damage, transformation-heavy Saiyan or the highly versatile, balanced Earthling during the initial character creation screen.
Define Your Attribute Points
Allocate your early-game stat points to complement your race. Saiyans should focus on Ki and Attack Power, while Earthlings benefit from stamina and health.
Unlock Soul Switch Slots
Progress through the main story in West City to unlock temporary soul slots. Equip souls like Vegeta or Piccolo to offset your race's natural weaknesses.
Join the Great Saiya Squad
Complete the introductory faction missions with Gamma 1 to unlock advanced combat maneuvers, Soul Assist attacks, and high-tier gear customization.
The game will support multiple character slots, allowing you to experiment with different races and build paths without losing your main campaign progression.
Progression Milestones in AGE 1000
As you navigate the developed streets of West City and uncover the mysteries of the AGE 1000 timeline, tracking your progression is essential. The campaign introduces a fresh cast of characters brought to life in collaboration with Akira Toriyama's original vision, alongside returning icons like Bulma and Gamma 1.
Use this checklist to monitor your progression milestones and ensure your character is fully prepared for late-game combat.
AGE 1000 Campaign Goals:
- Complete the West City University introductory arc
- Unlock your race's primary transformation pathway
- Recruit Brett, Lilica, ROM, and Tap to your faction hub
- Master the timing of Soul Assist co-op attacks
- Acquire a complete set of high-tier customizable gear
Focus on faction quests offered by the Great Saiya Squad early on. These missions provide the fastest route to unlocking rare skill scrolls and powerful Soul Switch profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the confirmed dragon ball xenoverse 3 playable races?
Official Bandai Namco gameplay updates have confirmed Saiyans and Earthlings as playable races, with race selection directly affecting your transformation options and combat styles. More races are expected to be detailed closer to the 2027 release.
Q: How does the Soul Switch mechanic work with different races?
Soul Switch allows your custom character to temporarily channel the power of legendary fighters like Vegeta, Piccolo, or Krillin. This grants temporary stat boosts and unique moves that can either enhance your race's strengths or cover its defensive weaknesses.
Q: Can I change my character's race later in the game?
No, your custom hero's race is a permanent choice made during character creation. However, the game offers multiple character slots, allowing you to maintain separate builds for Saiyans, Earthlings, and other races.
Q: Is Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 coming to the Nintendo Switch?
Currently, Bandai Namco has only confirmed the game for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. There is no official confirmation for a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 version.
Official store pages are currently live on Steam, the PlayStation Store, and the Xbox Store. Add the game to your wishlist to receive immediate developer updates, beta announcements, and pre-order details ahead of the 2027 launch.