So, you’ve hit that 300-pull milestone in Zenless Zone Zero. Or maybe you just lost a 50/50 and you’re staring at the screen wondering if that S-Rank pull actually ruined your account. Most people panic. They see an S-Rank that isn't the shiny new limited unit and think they've wasted their hard-earned Polychromes. Honestly? That's rarely the case in ZZZ. The Zenless Zone Zero standard banner characters—the "Star-Studded Cast"—are surprisingly resilient. Unlike some other gacha games where the initial pool gets powercrept into oblivion within three months, HoYoverse built these agents with specific mechanical niches that are still holding up.
But here is the catch. Not all S-Ranks are created equal. If you’re choosing your free selector at 300 pulls, or just trying to figure out if Lycaon is better than Koleda for your specific playstyle, you need to look at the math and the team synergies. It’s not just about "who hits hardest." In New Eridu, it’s about Daze application, Attribute Anomalies, and whether or not you actually enjoy the rhythm of their combat.
The Stun Meta: Why Lycaon and Koleda Rule the Standard Pool
If you ask any high-level Shiyu Defense player which of the Zenless Zone Zero standard banner characters they value most, they’ll probably point to Von Lycaon. It's almost a meme at this point, but the wolf butler is objectively cracked. Why? Because he isn't just a Stun unit; he's a debuffer who amplifies Ice damage.
Lycaon’s kit revolves around his charged attacks. You hold the button, he kicks things, and the Daze bar explodes. When he stuns an enemy, they take 25% increased Stun DMG Multiplier. That is massive. If you’re running Ellen Joe—the premier Ice DPS—Lycaon is non-negotiable. Without him, your burst windows feel sluggish. He makes the game feel faster.
Then there’s Koleda Belobog. People sleep on Koleda because her animations feel a bit clunky at first. She’s small, her range is short, and she jumps around like a caffeinated firecracker. But here is the thing: her Daze burst is nearly instant if you timing her explosive follow-ups correctly. Also, if you run her with Ben Bigger, they get unique coordinated attack animations. It’s the only "duo" mechanic in the game right now. Is it optimal? Maybe not for every floor of Shiyu, but the invulnerability frames (i-frames) you get during those coordinated attacks are a literal lifesaver when you're fighting aggressive bosses like Nineveh.
Grace Howard and the Anomaly Complexity
Grace is weird. I mean that in the best way possible. While everyone else is worried about "Attack" or "Stun" stats, Grace cares about Anomaly Proficiency. She is the only S-Rank Electric Anomaly character in the standard pool, and she plays an entirely different game than the rest of the cast.
Using Grace is all about the "Shock" status. You aren't looking for big, singular yellow numbers. You're looking for a constant stream of Electric procs that lock enemies down and shred their HP over time.
- Pro: She is the core of the "Disorder" meta.
- Con: She requires a high level of investment in specific gear (Discs) that most players don't farm early on.
If you pull Grace, you’re basically committing to a high-skill-ceiling playstyle. You have to manage her grenades, her dashes, and her energy far more closely than you would with a straightforward attacker like Nekomata. But when you pair her with someone like Rina or even a future Fire/Physical Anomaly unit, the resulting Disorder damage is some of the highest burst in the game. It's basically a chemical reaction but with more explosions and robots.
The "Lower" Tier? Rethinking Nekomata and Rina
Let's be real for a second. Nekomata gets a lot of hate. People call her "Standard Banner fodder" because she’s a Physical Attack unit, and Physical damage is often seen as "boring" compared to freezing things or setting them on fire.
But Nekomata’s mobility is unmatched. She has a unique backstab mechanic. If you dodge an attack or use a "Quick Assist," her next move deals 35% more damage. She moves through enemies, not around them. For players who love the "character action" aspect of ZZZ—think Devil May Cry or Bayonetta—Nekomata is the most rewarding character to pilot. She doesn't have the raw ceiling of a limited unit like Zhu Yuan, but for clearing daily content and mid-tier Shiyu Defense, she’s a literal blur on the screen.
Then we have Alexandrina Sebastiane, or Rina. She’s a Support. In gacha games, Supports are usually "future-proof." Rina increases the team's PEN Ratio. In plain English: she lets your team ignore a portion of the enemy's defense.
Rina is tricky because her buffs are tied to her puppets, Drusilla and-Minstrel. If the puppets aren't on the field, the buff isn't active. This means you have to constantly swap her in, use an EX Special or a Chain Attack, and then swap out. It’s a very "switch-heavy" playstyle. Honestly, if you don't like constant character swapping, you will hate playing Rina. But if you want your Electric team to actually hurt high-level bosses, you're going to want her PEN buffs.
Soldier 11: The Rhythm Game Character
Soldier 11 is the most "honest" character among the Zenless Zone Zero standard banner characters. She doesn't have fancy gimmicks or weird puppet mechanics. She has a sword and a timer.
To play Soldier 11 correctly, you have to time your clicks to the beat of her attacks. If you click too fast, you do physical damage. If you click with the right rhythm, your blade ignites and you do massive Fire damage. It’s a literal rhythm game.
Most people struggle with her because the visual cues are subtle. You have to feel the vibration of the controller or watch the flash on her sword. But once you master the "Fire Suppression" timing, her DPS is incredibly consistent. She is the cornerstone of the Monofire team (Soldier 11, Koleda, and Ben or Lucy). It's a "boring but effective" team that can clear almost any content in the game because it has a perfect balance of Defense, Stun, and Attack.
How to Choose Your 300-Pull Selector
Don't just pick the character that looks the coolest. Well, actually, do that if you don't care about the endgame. But if you want to optimize your account, you need to look at what you’ve already pulled.
- Did you pull Ellen Joe? Pick Lycaon. No questions asked. He completes her.
- Do you have Grace Howard? Consider Rina. They are the Electric dream team.
- Do you lack a dedicated Stunner? Pick Koleda. Trying to clear high-level content without a dedicated Stunner is like trying to eat soup with a fork. It’s possible, but you’re going to have a bad time.
- Are you a "waifu/husbando" collector? Just pick Lycaon anyway. The wolf is top-tier.
The reality of the Zenless Zone Zero standard banner characters is that they aren't just "placeholders." They are foundational. You'll likely be using Lycaon or Rina a year from now, even when the roster has doubled.
Actionable Insights for Account Growth
Stop spending your "Master Tapes" (the silver ones) on the limited banner. It sounds obvious, but I see people do it. Save your Polychromes for the limited Encrypted Tapes and only use the standard tapes you get from leveling up characters or the battle pass on the standard banner.
When you get an S-Rank on the standard banner, check their "Core Skill" requirements. Most of these characters need a teammate of the same Element or Faction to unlock their full potential. For example, Soldier 11 needs another Fire character or another member of the Obol Squad to get her 10% Fire DMG bonus. Building a team that doesn't trigger these passives is leaving free damage on the table.
Focus on your "Stun" units first. In ZZZ, the flow of combat is: Stun the enemy -> Chain Attack -> Burst with your DPS. If your Stunner (Lycaon or Koleda) isn't leveled, your DPS (Soldier 11 or Nekomata) will feel weak. It’s not a DPS problem; it’s a Daze problem. Level those impact-focused Discs, get their Skill levels up, and watch your clear times drop by half.
The standard banner isn't a trap. It's a toolkit. Use it right, and you won't feel the need to whale on every single limited banner that rolls around.
