While playing through DBZ Kakarot, you will run into side quests you can complete called Substories. Check out this Dragon Ball Z Kakarot Substory guide to find and complete them all as you play. These will help you level up much quicker and also gives you plenty of rewards and Soul Emblems.
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot is divided into multiple parts representing the different Sagas from the Dragon Ball Z universe. After each saga is an intermission, usually some basic story quests and more side quests open at these points. Our guide below shows you each of the side quests available in the different sagas and the following intermission. Each Substory is also directly tied to one of the 7 different Community Boards, we’ve included that information in the brackets.
To save time exploring the entire world constantly, you can check the map and look for the blue ! icon on an area, this tells you there is a side quest in that area.
The turtle on Master Roshi’s island has hidden his magazine. Talk to Bulma, then the turtle, then go to the marker to dig up Roshi’s magazine. Hand it back to him to get some EXP and other items.
Nam will ask for your help on the East Ravine map. He needs to help with his cart business. Talk to the guy at the blue marker and he will give you a fossil. Follow the next marker to the fossil area and speak to the man in the hat. He will trade the fossil for food and water and you can return to Nam. You will get Nam’s Soul Emblem for this.
You can find this quest on the East Ravine map. Talk to Eighter there and he will ask for some help defeating a local Red Ribbon robots. Kill the support ones first, as they will heal the others. Destroy the others as you see fit. You will be warped back to Eighter when you are finished.
You can pick this quest up as you are playing Piccolo during the Saiyan Saga. Beat down Tien and this side quest opens up. This is a fight with Tien and Chiaotzu. Take out Chiaotzu first, he has less HP, then focus on Tien. Beat the both and you complete the quest.
You can do this quest when you are Piccolo during the Saiyan Saga. You first need to catch some deer for Yajirobe. When you return, he has run away because he doesn’t want to fight Piccolo. Use your Ki vision (L1) to spot this light blue cave in the area. Near the cave, up on the cliff, you can find Yajirobe and his Red Ki. Talk to him to complete the quest.
This one is found in West Area during the first intermission when you are playing as Gohan, it opens up after meeting with Roshi. The quest opens up in the West Area of the map and you have to help out Pilaf. Defeat the robots and you will complete the quest.
This quest opens up after you complete the Pilaf Gang Plan and find Launch for Master Roshi. Speak to Bulma at her home and she will ask for some help. Head to where you faced off with Raditz and grab the chip there. Return to Bulma to complete the quest.
This is a second quest from Bulma, you have to leave Capsule Corp and re enter to get it. You have to return to where Raditz landed and fight some Saibamen. You get a high quality vegetable after and unlock the Saibaman Soul Emblem.
Another Intermission side quest. Head back to Goku’s house and Tao Pai Pai will be there for a chat. Another mission to take down some Saibamen. Beat them down, return, and get your rewards.
When you complete the Intermission, Ox King will have a quest for you. Head inside the house and speak with Chi Chi to see whats wrong. The fridge needs food and you have to help. You need two pieces of beast meat and four carrots. I had 31 carrots on me so those can be bought in town. You can also buy Beast Meat, but I found mine in the Sacred Land of Korin. It will come from the Deer that roam around the woods.
At the start of this chapter head to Kame House. Speak with Krillin and start the Substory. You need to fight Nappa and the Krillin, both are simple enough fights.
Another Substory available at Kame House at the start of this chapter. Head inside Kame House and speak with Turtle. You need to pick up some ingredients for the fridge. You need to find 6 Eggs, 7 Rice and a Royal Tomato. You can find Eggs scattered around inside the Capsule Corporation. You can buy Rice at the food store in the Southeast Mountains. The Royal Tomato is in the Southeast Mountains Area, fast travel to Goku’s House and head to the nearby farm. You then need to find 10 Great Energetic Fish. You can find these underwater in schools of fish in the West City area, just travel outside West City to the nearby water and search there. Trade the fish with the farmer for the Royal Tomato.
Once you have them all, return to Turtle to complete the Substory. You get Turtles Soul Emblem.
Inside West City, speak with Oolong. You need to follow Yamcha’s “ghost” around town and watch him talking to various ladies. There’s a basic fight against three robots at the end and then you learn of Yamcha’s true nature.
After you meet Guru in the story on Planet Namek, this Substory will appear on the map. Kill Frieza’s goons and then find the 4 pieces of Namekian Fruit. Two are nearby, the other two are on the smaller island just to the East. Be sure to use your Sense Ki ability to find them easily.
After Vegeta finds 6 of the Dragon Balls in the story, Bulma will have a new Substory for you. She requires 3x Iron Ore and 2x Alien Whitefish Fin Muscle. The Iron is easy to find, look for the ore spots on the map. There’s a fishing spot just South West of Bulma. You can find the Alien Whitefish Fin Muscle there. It’s not a guaranteed drop, about 1 in 4 catches.
Appears on the map the same time as Selfish Bulma (R&D). Speak with the two tourists and they will ask you to find a Maristone. Figuring out where to find the Maristone seems tough at first, but it’s actually really simple. Head to the area provided on the map and use your Ki Blasts to blow up all the nearby large rock formations & mountains. The Maristone is inside one of them.
After you defeat the Ginyu Force on Planet Namek, this Substory will appear on the map. Beat him down and then help him find all the fruits. They aren’t difficult to find, head to each area and use your Kai Sense to find them.
There is a woman being attacked by Sabimen up the river from Goku’s house. They are level 32, so be ready for a scrap. You have to be Gohan to help her. After you beat them down, you complete the quest.
This quest is at the Kame House but Vegeta can’t be in your party. First chat with Oolong then Kami, he will send you to Vegeta. Beat Vegeta, then return to Oolong to complete the quest.
This can be found in West City, near Capsule Corp from Puar. I had to enter Capsule Corp and leave for this one to pop up for me, after I completed One Cool Dude. You will have to fight Yamcha as Gohan, which is a cake walk.
If you bring Raditz back with the Dragon Balls this is the side quest you get from him. You need to beat Raditz and the Saibamen to complete it. You need to be Piccolo to do this quest.
If you bring Nappa back with the Dragon Balls this is the side quest you get from him. You need to beat Nappa and the Saibamen to complete it. You need to be Gohan to do this quest.
If you bring Dodoria back with the Dragon Balls this is the side quest you get from him. You need to beat Dodoria to complete it. I was Gohan when I did it, but I don’t think it matters.
If you bring Zarbon back with the Dragon Balls this is the side quest you get from him. You need to beat Zarbon twice to complete it, this means two fights and two sets of EXP. I was Gohan when I did it, but I don’t think it matters.
If you choose to bring the Ginyu Force back with the Dragon Balls you get this mission. Captain Ginyu isn’t dead so he doesn’t fight with them, but the rest are there. Beat them down to some exp and their soul emblems.
After you defeat Trunks with Goku, you can visit the world map. On the world map, press the “Off Earth Area” button, it’s Triangle on PS4. This opens up King Kai’s Planet. Head there and speak with Bubbles. After you speak with Bulma, head to Blake Bog. They are easy to find in the objective area, use your Ki Sense to find the purple orbs on the floor.
Speak with Doctor Briefs in Capsule Corp. You need to find and deliver 1 Skull Robo Gear, 1 Densite and 1 Silver Ore. Silver Ore is common in ore locations, the other two are quest specific. The Robo Gear is easy, head to the location in West Area and defeat the robots. The Densite, the same, just blow up the large landmass at the location.
Head to Goku’s House and speak with Yamcha. Meet up with the group and then take down Vegeta in a fight. Then you have to complete a race on a bi-pedal robot. It’s a bit frustrating but just follow the arrows and use the green circles as boost to reach each checkpoint to extend your time.
After Goku’s driving license test, this Substory appears in the Sacred Land of Korin. Head there and speak with Yajirobe. You need to catch 2 Goliath Catfish and 1 Scarlet Catfish. Both fish can be found in the pond next to Yajirobe, target the fish with the biggest fins. The Scarlet one only seems to appear if you use bait. If you need help targeting specific fish, check out our DBZ Kakarot Fishing Guide.
After you gain control of Future Trunks in the Android Saga, this Substory appears in the North Mountains Area. Speak with Eighter. Defeat the two groups of robots in the area.
When you are playing as Piccolo in the Android Saga, this Substory appears in the West Area, Gingertown. It’s the tourist couple from Namek. Speak to them to start the Substory. Head to Gizard Wasteland and kill the dinosaur there to complete the Substory.
This one opens up after you leave the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with Gohan and Goku. Head up to Darlinge Polynya to get the quest. Eighter needs you help, speak to him and then go to Gero’s Hideout. There are four files you need to find. Fly up and use your Ki Vision to spot the purple orbs in the debris around Gero’s Lab. Collect all four and kill the robots to beat the quest.
This quest is from Fortuneteller Baba on the Papaya Town map. She will help you find some strong opponents. You will do three fights with some Frieza Goons and then complete the quest.
Pilaf and his goons have a quest for you in The Sacred Land Of Korin. Fly up above the area and use you Ki vision to find the purple orb. Return it to Pilaf and you will have to fight some robots. Beat them down and complete the quest.
You can get this quest from Roshi while training for the Cell Games. You need to beat Krillin with Goku. He has quite a bit HP but isn’t that much of a challenge.
This unlocks after you restore the Dragon Balls from Korin below his tower. He wants a mushroom from a certain cave. Go to the cave and you won’t be able to go in. Speak with Bulma and she will send you up to Popo. Popo will need a Golden Gazelle Antler and Four Meaty River Snails, which can be found in the Cell Games Arena area.
You need to find the gold deer in the woods near there, the snails are on the shore. I had to leave and come back a couple times to get enough snails. When you get all the items, you will be warped back and you can complete the quest.
If you’re struggling to find the Golden Gazelle, use your Ki Sense. There’s a group of 4 that roam nearby the lake.
Bulma will give you this quest on the East Ravine Area map. She needs help finding three rocks in the area. Talk to the guy near the rocks and he will point out their general area. Grab the purple orbs until you find the ones you are looking for.
After you help Dende improve the Dragon Balls in the Intermission, this Substory appears at Kami’s Lookout. You need to find 1x Phantom Sand, 2x Green Crystal and 2x Red Crystal. You can find the crystals in caves throughout, they are common. Check the map and see what materials are in each area, then head to a cave in that region. You can speak with Popo and he will tell you locations for everything. The Phantom Sand can be found near Yamcha’s Hideout.
After you complete Hyperbolic Time Chamber Renovations (Gods) this Substory appears at Kami’s Lookout. Speak with Mr Popo. Must be Gohan for this one. You need to get 15 Woodchips. Go to East Ravine, Olive Village. They are all along the ravine for the most part, purple orbs near the waters edge next to dead trees. If you need a map, check out our Where To Find Woodchips guide.
Again, after helping Dende with the Dragon Balls, this Substory appears but this time it’s near Goku’s House. Head there and speak with Ox King. Must be Piccolo. Then go to Kame House and speak with Krillin, defeat him and return to complete this Substory. You get the Soul Emblem for Ox-King.
This Substory appears at Kame House during Intermission 3. Speak with Krillin and then head to the cave, take out the robots, and complete the Substory.
After you become Great Saiyaman as Gohan head to Goku’s House, head inside and speak with Goten. You can find all three Blue Fish in the spot near Goku’s house. It’s a low chance, took me about 15 minutes. Then defeat Goten in a fight.
At the beginning of the Buu Saga you will find this Substory in Lacco Village. Speak with Marron down at the docks. Have to catch a single Blue Fish. You get Marron’s Emblem
After you get a different outfit to participate in the World Tournament, Trunks has a Substory outside Capsule Corp. Speak with him then head to Blake Bog to fight Trunks.
Head to Satan City for this Substory and speak to Erasa. Defeat another group of robots and then finish the race before hitting the ball out of the park. All simple stuff.
After you tell Krillin and the others about Goku returning for the World Tournament, this Substory appears at Kame House. Head inside and speak with Android 18. You need to find 3 Frozen Rabbit Meat, 3 High-Quality Onion and 12 River Shrimp. I had all of the items already. High-Quality Onions can be found on farms in Southeast Mountains area, River Shrimp can be found there in rivers also.
After the World Tournament a new area unlocks. You will find this Substory in the Aloe Outcrop area of Great West Desert. Speak with Nam. Go to West City, speak with the farmer, and then complete the time attack.
Head to the Sacred Land of Korin and speak with Bora and Upa then head to Capsule Corp and speak with Bulma. Defeat a group of robots then find the moss to complete the Substory. You get Upa and Bora’s Soul Emblem.
This Substory is at Kami’s Lookout. You can’t have Goku or Gohan in your party and you must be Piccolo, talk to Dende. Travel to Goku’s House and speak with Gohan. Depending on Piccolo’s level, your fight with Goku can be long, but he’s not a hard opponent to take down. If you struggle, make sure to train Piccolo with some new moves first.
Near Yamcha’s Hideout after you complete Continually Attacked Villager, leave the area completely and then return. Save the woman from the attackers. You get another special full course recipe
After you complete A Fathers Dignity, reload the area and speak with Mr Satan again. Head to Goku’s House and head North East to the fishing spot there, you can catch Big Fish here. After that, you need to find 4x Prime Marbled Dino Meat, 3x Shiny Rice and 1x Premium Gold Venison. Speak with Chi-Chi for advice on where to find each item. Dinosaurs in Central Plains and East Ravine, Grocer for Shiny Rice, then West Forest for the Golden Deer, on the road just South of the lake. You get Maijin Buu’s Soul Emblem and the Dogs.
Head to Capsule Corp and then exit the building. Go to the blue marker that tells you Bulma can be heard in the garden. Then enter Capsule Corp again, go to the right to the end of the corridor. You cannot have Goku in your party and you need to be Vegeta. Head to the outskirts of the city and take on Gotenks.
This Substory can be found in Darlinge Polynya, speak with Suno. You need to find 10x Great Energetic Fish, 10 Plain White Rice and 10 Rose Wheat. You can buy the Rice and Wheat at the vendor nearby. If you can’t remember where to get them, we’ve got a guide on where to find Great Energetic Fish.
This Substory is at Kame House. Speak with Krillin. When you look for the Meowmint, check the Western side of the island, near the fruit trees. Use your Ki Sense.
Travel to the Land of the Kais and speak with Elder Kai. You are tasked with tracking down all of the Dragon Balls, however, you have to hand them all over. You do not get to use any wishes when you get them to Bulma.
Another follow-up from Porunga Part 2. After you complete that Substory, Frieza appears in West City, just on the outskirts. Take him out to complete the Substory and get the emblem.
This Substory is in the city near Capsule Corp. You need to find 3x Pure Green Crystals, 3x Pure Red Crystals and 3x Pure Blue Crystals. You can find all of the crystals at mineral spots on New Namek.
Outside Capsule Corp there is a time machine with Bulma and Future Trunks nearby. Head to the Time Machine to unlock Future Trunks. Then, later, Bulma appears inside Capsule Corp. You need to be Future Trunks and speak with her. Take down Android 17 and you’re done.
Just inside the Entrance to Capsule Corps, near the desk on the right. You cannot have Vegeta or Goku with you. You must be Future Trunks. Beat down Vegeta after some cut-scenes to complete the Substory.
With the new DLC in Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, you can unlock Super Saiyan God mode. Check out this guide to find out how to unlock Super Saiyan God form in Dragon Ball Z Kakarot for Goku and Vegeta. You will need them to take on the side quests in the DLC.
Getting Woodchips for Mr Popo is a Substory in DBZ Kakarot. This guide tells you Where To Find Woodchips In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot as you need to find and collect 15 Woodchips, with very little information on where you can find them and what they look like.
The Flying Nimbus allows Goku to fly around the world atop a small cloud. This guide on How To Get Off Nimbus In Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot explains how to dismount the Nimbus when you want to run around and explore on foot or fly, as Goku can fly without Nimbus in much of the game.
While playing through DBZ Kakarot, you will run into side quests you can complete called Substories. Check out this Dragon Ball Z Kakarot Substory guide to find and complete them all as you play. These will help you level up much quicker and also gives you plenty of rewards and Soul Emblems. Dragon Ball Z …
Johnny Hurricane is the resident hardcore gamer here at Gamers Heroes. You'll usually find him diving deep into the latest releases as he attempts to conquer each and every game that crosses his path.
Mostly known for his ability to create detailed and comprehensive guides on even the most complex of game mechanics, you'll sometimes see the odd review and editorial topic but his true abilities lie in competitive gaming.
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