Don Lorenzo isn’t just another style in Blue Lock: Rivals; he’s a game-changer. As the first World Class style introduced, rocking an incredibly low drop rate and a unique “Ace Eater” reputation straight from the Blue Lock manga, he brings a level of defensive mastery and surprising offensive threat that can completely shift the tide of a match.
But let’s be real – pulling him is only half the battle. Mastering his intricate moveset, understanding his awakening, and learning the secret techs? That’s where the real MVPs are made. This guide is designed to be the only resource you’ll ever need for Don Lorenzo. We’ll break down everything – from his basic stats and moves to advanced strategies, meta positioning, and those juicy techs the pros use. No fluff, just pure value to help you dominate the field. Let’s dive in.
Based on the eccentric, money-loving defender from the Blue Lock manga’s Ubers team, Don Lorenzo stormed into Blue Lock: Rivals as its inaugural World Class style. This puts him in a tier above even Mythic and Legendary, highlighting his rarity and power.
- Rarity: World Class
- Obtainment Chance: A staggering 0.25% from regular style rolls, and a slightly better 1% from Lucky Spins. Yes, he’s that rare.
- Primary Role: Defender / Dribbler
- Nickname: “The Ace that Eats Aces”
His introduction wasn’t just a quiet update; it was a major event, adding a character known for his unorthodox, zombie-like movements and suffocating defense. In Blue Lock: Rivals, this translates to a style focused on incredible defensive plays, elusive dribbling, and the unique ability to transition defense into potent counter-attacks.
Why is Don Lorenzo Considered So Powerful (and Controversial)?
Don Lorenzo shook up the meta for several key reasons:
- World Class Status: The first of his kind, setting a new benchmark for style potential.
- Six Moves: Unlike most styles with 2 base and 2 awakened moves, Lorenzo boasts 3 Base Moves and 3 Awakened Moves, offering unparalleled versatility.
- Defensive Dominance: His kit, especially Golden Defense and awakened moves like Yo Michael, provides exceptional tools for shutting down opponents, even top-tier strikers.
- Surprising Offensive Potential: Moves like Zombie Dash and the awakened Counter Attack allow him to score effectively, making him a dangerous two-way player.
- Unique Mechanics: Abilities like the unstealable Undead Mode dash and the specific conditions for Golden Defense require a different approach to both using and playing against him.
Controversy
Some players find his awakening buggy (difficulty moving sometimes), argue his base form needs buffs, or feel his cooldowns are too long. Others claim he’s downright broken. This guide will give you the info to form your own opinion and maximize his potential regardless.
How to Get Don Lorenzo: The Grind is Real
Let’s not sugarcoat it: obtaining Don Lorenzo requires significant luck or a lot of spins.
- Method: Rolling for styles using in-game currency or Robux.
- Odds: 0.25% (Regular Spins) / 1% (Lucky Spins).
- The Reality: Prepare for potentially thousands of spins. Many players spend weeks or significant resources trying to pull him. As some players in the community say, “99% OF GAMBLERS QUIT BEFORE HITTING BIG “. It’s a test of patience (and maybe your wallet).
Note: Codes like “DONLORENZO” and “300KCROLLO” were released during his launch event but are likely expired now. Always check official game channels for current codes!
This is where Lorenzo starts showing his unique flavor. Three base moves offer more options than standard styles right from kickoff.
Zombie Dribble (C Key | 50s Cooldown)
- What it Does: A long, weaving dribble that automatically moves past multiple players, leaving a distinctive purple trail. Think of it as an elusive, extended sequence of sharp cuts.
-
How to Use It:
- Breaking Lines: Excellent for getting past the first or second line of defense quickly.
- Creating Space: Can buy you time and distance from aggressive defenders.
- Partial Control: Crucially, you can slightly influence the direction after initiating the move by looking where you want to curve towards. It’s not full control, but you can adjust the path somewhat.
- Zombie Shots Tech: Dribble towards the goal and shoot immediately as the move ends. This quick transition can catch goalkeepers off guard.
- Cooldown: At 50 seconds, it’s lengthy. Use it strategically when you have a clear path or need to evade immediate pressure.
Zombie Dash (V Key | 40s Cooldown)
- What it Does: Lorenzo flicks the ball up slightly behind him but then dashes forward, bypassing opponents. The ball travels forward along the ground (mostly), making it different from aerial flicks.
-
How to Use It:
- Quick Advancement: Good for a burst of speed past a single, close defender.
- Setup for Volley/Header: You can receive the ball mid-air after the dash for a potential volley or header.
- Zombie Dash Header Tech: After using Zombie Dash, jump at the right moment and angle yourself to head the ball directly into the goal. It requires practice but is a viable scoring option, especially in public matches. Can be enhanced with flows like Demon Wing for better height/power.
- Chemical Reaction (Nagi): Combine Zombie Dash + Golden Defense (or just Zombie Dash + Jump) to set up a high ball perfect for a Nagi teammate’s trap.
- Weakness: Can be intercepted by a well-timed enemy header if they read your intention.
Golden Defense (B Key | 30s Cooldown)
- What it Does: This is Lorenzo’s signature defensive move. It’s a block-and-pass ability used while moving laterally (left or right only). Lorenzo uses his body to intercept the ball, often sending it flying or passing it to a nearby teammate upon landing.
-
How to Use It:
- Shot Blocking: The primary use. Position yourself laterally to the shooter and time the ‘B’ press as they shoot. It’s similar in function to Gagamaru’s Handstand block. Cover the side your goalie isn’t on.
- Intercepting Passes/Crosses: Can pluck passes out of the air or off the ground if timed correctly.
- Quick Lateral Dash: Can be used without the ball nearby for a short, quick sideways dash to cover space or catch up to an opponent slightly ahead and to the side. (Not recommended as a primary dash due to the lateral requirement).
- Scoring Assist Tech: A successful block near the opponent’s goal can result in a direct pass to a teammate positioned for a shot.
- Scoring Tech (Advanced): In rare cases, often combined with Zombie Dash height and a teammate positioned perfectly in the goal line, the “pass” from Golden Defense can go directly in. Highly situational.
- Countering Head Dribblers: Use it while sprinting/jumping laterally to swat the ball away from players performing repetitive head dribbles.
- Key Constraints: Only works when moving left or right. Requires precise timing and positioning. Its effectiveness, particularly the passing aspect, is noted by the community (and devs) as needing refinement. It’s possible to score an own goal with this if poorly aimed near your net!
When Lorenzo’s Awakening gauge fills (often influenced by performance, ball possession, and MVP status, though the exact mechanics are debated), you can trigger his ultimate.
- The Animation: A unique cutscene plays showing Lorenzo seemingly discarded in an alleyway trash pile. He lifts his head, eyes glowing purple, mutters “Gimme… money…”, and is enveloped in a glittering golden aura resembling gold bars, finishing with a smile and a twinkle. It’s pure Lorenzo flavor.
- The Transformation: Requires the ball to activate. Upon completion, Lorenzo’s entire base moveset is replaced with three powerful new awakened abilities. He’s the first style to have this complete overhaul (“Truly Awakened” trivia).
Mastering the Awakened Moveset
Awakened Lorenzo is a different beast, blending suffocating defense with explosive offense.
Yo Michael (C Key | 80s Cooldown)
- What it Does: Named after his callout to Michael Kaiser in the manga. A cutscene plays briefly (“Yo Michael”), and Lorenzo instantly steals the ball from a nearby opponent (ground or air). It grants brief invincibility frames (I-Frames) during the animation.
-
How to Use It:
- Guaranteed Steal: Your go-to for dispossessing an opponent when in close proximity during your awakening.
- Transition Starter: Immediately follow up with Undead Mode or a pass to launch a counter-attack.
- Defensive Stopper: Use it to instantly halt an opponent’s dribble or offensive setup near your goal.
- Cooldown: Very long at 80 seconds. Use it decisively.
Counter Attack (V Key | 120s Cooldown)
-
What it Does: A versatile move triggered when the ball is near Lorenzo (air or ground). A cutscene plays where Lorenzo leaps/moves towards the ball and performs one of several actions:
- Powerful Shot: Launches the ball with force towards the goal.
- Clearance: Blasts the ball far away, similar to Aiku’s Serpent Interception.
- Pass: Directs the ball towards a teammate.
-
How to Use It:
- Shooting: Surprisingly effective, especially from range. Players recommend using it further out rather than close-up for better scoring chances. It can function like Kunigami’s Joker shot.
- Clearing Danger: Use it defensively to get the ball out of your penalty area quickly.
- Quick Pass: Can initiate a fast break if a teammate is positioned well.
- Countering Counters Tech: Can be used to intercept another player’s shot or specific move, like hitting Ren’s curve shot for a “chemical reaction” or countering an opponent’s Golden Defense block attempt (“Full Counter”).
- Countering Goalie Throws: If the goalie throws the ball out near you, Counter Attack can immediately send it back towards their net.
- Cooldown: Extremely long at 120 seconds (2 minutes!). This is a high-impact, infrequent ability.
Undead Mode (B Key | 60s Cooldown | Usable Twice)
-
What it Does: Lorenzo’s signature awakened mobility/possession skill. It has two variants depending on whether you have the ball:
- On-Ball: Acts like an enhanced dribble (similar to Bachira’s Infinite Dribbles). You automatically evade opponents you come into contact with, essentially becoming unstealable while the effect is active.
- Off-Ball: Provides a significant speed boost (like Karasu’s Crow Theft) and automatically steals the ball upon contact with the opponent who possesses it.
-
How to Use It:
- Unstoppable Rush: Use the On-Ball variant to sprint past defenders without fear of being tackled. Cover huge distances safely.
- Aggressive Ball Recovery: Use the Off-Ball variant to close down opponents rapidly and regain possession.
- Double Usage: Critically, this move has a short enough cooldown (60s) within the awakening duration that you can often use it twice – once right after awakening, and again shortly before it ends. This extends your dominance phase significantly.
- Copyable: This is the one Lorenzo move that a base Reo can copy if Reo is awakened.
- Weakness: While you can’t be tackled in On-Ball mode, and you auto-steal in Off-Ball mode, you can still be ankle-broken by certain dribble moves if using the Off-Ball variant. It’s not absolute immunity.
Beyond the basic move descriptions, here’s where mastery truly lies. Combining insights from the community and top players:
-
Golden Defense Mastery:
- Blocking Specific Moves: Learn the timing to block powerful shots like Ren’s Awakened shot, Kunigami’s Power Shot, King’s shot, Shido’s Awakening setup (small window), Hiori’s Laser Pass (block near the end of its travel), and even Gagamaru’s throw (needs good positioning past half-field).
- Covering Space: Use the lateral dash aspect proactively to cut off passing lanes or intercept through balls kicked into open space.
- Bait and Pass: Position yourself so an opponent approaches the ball, then use Golden Defense laterally into the ball just before they arrive, intercepting and passing simultaneously. Requires high-level prediction.
- Taking Space: Kick the ball slightly forward, look opposite to where you want to go, then use Golden Defense laterally to dash into space without hitting the ball. Tricky but effective for repositioning.
-
Zombie Dash Combos:
- Header Scoring: Practice the jump timing for consistent goals. Remember the Demon Wing flow boost.
- Nagi Setup: Communicate with Nagi teammates for the Trap combo.
-
Awakened Play:
- Yo Michael -> Undead Mode: The classic steal-and-sprint combo for devastating counter-attacks.
- Counter Attack Range: Prioritize shooting with Counter Attack from mid-to-long range.
- Undead Mode Timing: Maximize the double usage – don’t forget the second activation before the awakening ends!
-
Chemical Reactions: Look for opportunities to combine moves with teammates:
- Don + Don: One uses Zombie Dash, the other uses Awakened Counter Attack on the resulting ball.
- Don + Ren: Hit Ren’s curve shot with Awakened Counter Attack.
- Don + Nagi: Zombie Dash (with jump/Golden Defense) into Nagi Trap.
| Flow | Rarity | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Soul Harvester | World Class | 10% cooldown reduction, increased movement speed, +1 Air Bonus, +1 Dribble Bonus |
| Demon Wing | Mythic | Increases header power and jump height, great for Zombie Dash Header tech |
| Dribbler | Mythic | Enhances already strong dribbling abilities |
| Prodigy | Mythic | Solid all-around choice |
| Awakened Genius | Mythic | Can help get awakenings faster |
Don Lorenzo’s Place in the Blue Lock: Rivals Meta (As of Early 2025)
- Tier: Consistently ranked S+ Tier (the highest) alongside other powerhouses like Kaiser, NEL Isagi, Awakened Kunigami, Rin, and Shido.
- Role: A meta-defining Two-Way Player. While categorized as a defender, his ability to instantly transition to offense and score makes him incredibly versatile.
- Impact: Considered by many as one of the most, if not the most, overpowered styles due to his six moves, defensive capabilities (countering aggressive strikers), and the broken nature of Undead Mode. He forces opponents to play differently.
- Counter Play: Requires teamwork, anticipating Golden Defense timings, trying to bait out awakened abilities due to long cooldowns, and potentially using ankle-breaking moves against Off-Ball Undead Mode. Styles with strong aerial play or quick, unpredictable shots might have some success.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| (+) Unmatched versatility with 6 unique moves | (-) Extremely difficult and costly to obtain (RNG heavy) |
| (+) Exceptional defensive capabilities (“Ace Eater”) | (-) High skill floor – requires practice to use effectively |
| (+) Surprisingly potent offensive threat and counter-attacking power | (-) Long cooldowns on many abilities necessitate careful management |
| (+) High skill ceiling with numerous advanced techs | (-) Potential bugs reported by the community (e.g., Awakening movement glitches) |
| (+) Unique and powerful mechanics (Undead Mode, full awakening change) | (-) Golden Defense can be tricky/inconsistent, especially the passing aspect |
| (+) World Class status and rarity (flex factor!) | (-) Vulnerable during cooldown periods |
Is Don Lorenzo Worth the Grind?
Yes, if:
- You enjoy a high-skill-ceiling defensive or two-way playstyle.
- You value versatility and having answers to multiple situations.
- You are competitive and want access to one of the meta’s strongest styles.
- You have the patience (or resources) for the low acquisition chance.
- You’re a fan of the character from the manga.
Maybe not, if:
- You prefer purely offensive striker roles.
- You get easily frustrated by RNG or long grinds.
- You prefer simpler, more straightforward styles.
- You are highly sensitive to potential bugs or abilities needing polish (like Golden Defense).
Conclusion: Embrace the Ace Eater
Don Lorenzo isn’t just a style; he’s an investment. An investment of time, luck, and practice. But the payoff is access to one of the most unique, powerful, and game-defining characters in Blue Lock: Rivals. His blend of suffocating defense, elusive movement, and shocking offensive bursts truly embodies the “Ace Eater” persona.
Mastering him takes dedication – learning the timings, the techs, the flow synergies, and when to deploy those long-cooldown awakened moves. But if you put in the effort, Don Lorenzo can elevate your game to a World Class level.
- Master Golden Defense: Learn the precise timings to shut down various shots and create counter-attacking opportunities.
- Perfect Zombie Dash Headers: Practice this unique scoring method to surprise opponents.
- Manage Cooldowns: Plan your move usage carefully to avoid being vulnerable.
- Maximize Awakening: Remember the double Undead Mode technique to extend your dominance.
- Focus on Team Play: Look for chemical reaction opportunities with teammates.
Now get out there, practice those Golden Defenses, perfect your Zombie Dashes, and maybe, just maybe, start asking opponents for… money.
