New Eridu is a mess. If you've spent more than five minutes in the hollows, you know that picking the right Zenless Zone Zero characters isn't just about who looks the coolest in a street-style jacket. It’s about not getting flattened by a rogue Ethereal because your team synergy is non-existent.
Honestly, the way HoYoverse handled the launch roster is kind of brilliant. They didn't just dump a bunch of generic fighters on us. Instead, they gave us these distinct Factions—the Cunning Hares, Belobog Industries, Victoria Housekeeping—and told us to figure out the math. It’s deep.
The Cunning Hares: More Than Just Starters
Most people write off Anby Demara because she’s a freebie. Big mistake. Anby is basically the backbone of any F2P (Free to Play) account. Her ability to build Daze quickly with her "Thunder" attacks makes her a premier Stun character. You need Stun. Without it, bosses in the late-game Shiyu Defense will just ignore your damage and delete your HP bar.
Then there’s Billy Kid. He’s the "Pistol" guy. Some players find his playstyle a bit repetitive, but his ultimate is one of the best AOE (Area of Effect) clears in the game. If you're surrounded, Billy is your best friend. Nicole Demara, the leader of the Hares, is the first Ether support we get. Her black hole ability clusters enemies together. It’s satisfying. You pull them in, you swap to a DPS (Damage Per Second), and you go to town.
Why Belobog Heavy Industries Hits Different
If you want raw, unadulterated power, look at the Belobog crew. Ben Bigger is a literal bear. He’s the only character who can actually block and parry in a way that feels heavy. He’s a Defense unit, which some people think is "boring," but try doing high-level Hollow Zero without a shield. You'll regret it.
Koleda Belobog and Grace Howard are the real stars here, though. Koleda is a fire-breathing gremlin with a hammer. She works incredibly well with Ben; they actually have unique joint animations if they’re on the same team. It’s a nice touch that adds flavor to the combat. Grace, on the other hand, is all about that Anomaly buildup. She’s an Electric specialist. She doesn't just hit things; she shocks them into submission, creating openings for "Disorder" procs that melt health bars faster than you can say "Proxy."
Anton Ivanov is the "Bro" of the group. He’s a Pierce DPS who thrives when the enemy is already shocked. It’s a very specific loop: Grace shocks them, Anton drills them. Simple. Effective. Brutal.
The Victoria Housekeeping Elite
This is where the game gets fancy. Ellen Joe, the shark-tailed maid, was the first limited banner character for a reason. She is an Ice powerhouse. Her mobility is insane. You’re not just walking; you’re skating across the battlefield. If you missed her initial run, you’ve likely felt the FOMO every time an Ice-weak boss shows up.
Lycaon is the butler everyone wants. He’s an Ice Stunner. His kicks are elegant, sure, but his Daze multipliers are the real story. Pairing him with Ellen and Soukaku (the blue oni girl from Section 6) creates the "Ice Mono Team," which was the undisputed king of the meta for the first few months.
Corin Wickes is... interesting. She uses a chainsaw. She’s Physical. She deals massive damage to stunned enemies. The problem? She’s a bit of a glass cannon. You have to time her long chainsaw rev-ups perfectly, or you’ll get interrupted. It’s a high-risk, high-reward style that rewards players who actually bother to learn enemy attack patterns.
Section 6 and the Hollow Special Operations
Zhu Yuan changed the game. As an Ether-type Attack character, she brought a tactical, burst-heavy playstyle that rewarded precise shell management. She doesn't just spam clicks. You have to manage her ammo. It’s a bit more "sweaty" than playing someone like Billy, but the damage numbers don't lie.
Soukaku is technically a support, but ask any veteran player—she hits like a truck. Her "Fly the Flag" buff is essential for any Ice team. She provides a massive Attack boost that scales with her own stats. Plus, watching a tiny girl swing a giant frozen fan is just peak Zenless Zone Zero.
Understanding the Roles: It's Not Just "Attack"
You can't just slap three Attack characters together and expect to win. It doesn't work that way. The game uses a specific "Trinity" (and then some) system:
- Attack: Your primary damage dealers. (Ellen, Zhu Yuan, Anton).
- Stun: Their job is to fill the yellow bar under the enemy’s health. (Anby, Lycaon, Koleda).
- Support: They provide buffs or energy. (Nicole, Soukaku, Rina).
- Anomaly: They focus on elemental debuffs. (Grace, Piper).
- Defense: They mitigate damage and provide stability. (Ben).
If you’re struggling, look at your team composition. Are you running a Stunner? If not, that’s your problem. You’re fighting uphill.
The Mystery of the "Unknown" Factions
We’re seeing more characters from groups like the Sons of Calydon. Piper Wheel and Lucy are the early standouts there. Piper is a Physical Anomaly unit who spins around with a giant axe—think Link’s spin attack but with more exhaust fumes. Lucy summons guard pigs. Yes, pigs. They explode. It’s chaotic and wonderful.
The depth of Zenless Zone Zero characters lies in these interactions. A character might seem mid-tier until a new support comes out that perfectly complements their element or faction. It’s a shifting puzzle.
Common Misconceptions About Tier Lists
Don't trust every tier list you see on Reddit. Most of them assume you have "Signature W-Engines" (the weapon gacha) and perfect "Drive Disks" (the artifact system).
A "B-Tier" character like Anton can outperform an "S-Tier" Ellen if the enemy has Electric weakness and you’ve built a team around Shock procs. The game heavily incentivizes matching elements to the stage weaknesses. Resistance is a real mechanic here, and it’s punishing. If a boss resists Ice, Ellen Joe is going to feel like she’s hitting them with a wet noodle.
The Importance of Bangboos
You can’t talk about characters without talking about the little guys. Your Bangboo choice is essentially your fourth party member. If you’re running a Cunning Hares team, you want Amillion. If you’re heavy on Belobog, you want Safety. These little robots provide the final synergy piece that triggers additional passive buffs. They aren't just mascots; they are tactical assets.
How to Prioritize Your Resources
Resources are tight in New Eridu. You can't level everyone.
Focus on one "Hypercarry" first. Usually, this is your primary Attack character (like Ellen, Zhu Yuan, or even a high-constellation Corin). Get them to the level cap first. Next, focus on your Stunner. Their level matters because Daze scales. Your Supports can usually sit 10 levels behind the main DPS and still do their job effectively.
Don't sleep on "Skill levels." A character might have the right stats, but if their multipliers are low because you haven't farmed the tactical chips, they’ll feel underwhelming. It’s a grind, but it’s a focused one.
Essential Next Steps for Players
To actually master your roster, stop auto-playing and start practicing "Switch Parries" and "Defensive Assists."
- Check the "Details" tab on your characters to see which stats they actually need. Grace needs Anomaly Proficiency, not just raw Attack.
- Go to the VR Trainer and practice the "Chain Attack" timing. Every character has a different window.
- Audit your teams. Ensure you have at least one character of the same Faction or Element to trigger the "Additional Ability" passive. This is non-negotiable for high-level play.
- Save your "Master Tapes" for characters that fill a hole in your elemental coverage. If you have Ellen, you don't necessarily need another Ice DPS right away; look for a Fire or Ether unit instead.
The meta will shift as New Eridu expands, but the core mechanics of Stun, Anomaly, and Faction synergy will remain the foundation. Build smart, not just fast.
