Zenless Zone Zero 2.0 introduces a brand-new "Anomaly Buster" role and several new A-Rank W-Engines, making more A-Ranks worth investing in than ever before. Today, let’s break down the A-Rank W-Engines that are highly recommended to build in Version 2.0—some of these are even used by whales and speedrunners alike, offering top-tier performance and cost-effectiveness!
[1] Burning Rhapsody (Attack Role)
W-Engine Analysis:
Originally an event W-Engine from Version 1.4, Burning Rhapsody has now become the top-tier A-Rank for the Attack role. Its advanced stat grants CRIT Rate, and its effect provides an ATK buff when using Enhanced EX Special Attacks or Chain Attacks. If the enemy is under an abnormal status, the buff is doubled. While it doesn’t quite match up to S-Ranks, it has great overall stats and high versatility.
Recommended Characters:
Pretty much all Attack characters can benefit from Burning Rhapsody, as long as they frequently trigger Enhanced EX or Chain Skills. If they can maintain abnormal status uptime on enemies, synergy is maximized.
The best users currently include Asa, Evelyn, and Anton, but any Attack character can use it effectively.
[2] Precious Fossilized Core (Stun Role)
W-Engine Analysis:
This W-Engine has the highest ceiling among A-Rank Stun engines. It increases Daze inflicted by up to 32% against high-HP enemies, making it incredibly effective in speedrun scenarios. For one-cycle clears, it can even outperform some S-Ranks. Even in longer fights, its performance remains on par with other A-Ranks.
Recommended Characters:
It fits all Stun-role characters, although units like Rangat and Nicole may have additional stat requirements beyond just Impact, meaning they might not fully utilize it unless you’ve heavily invested in them. Still, it’s a very strong choice.
[3] Electro-Lip Gloss (Anomaly Role)
W-Engine Analysis:
Electro-Lip Gloss is the most consistent A-Rank W-Engine for Anomaly roles. It offers three key buffs: Anomaly Mastery, ATK, and DMG Bonus, covering all major scaling aspects for Anomaly characters. The buffs are stable, and there’s no worry about stat dilution.
While Twin Helix is often mentioned as an alternative, it’s less consistent—Electro-Lip Gloss is the safer and better choice unless you're playing completely F2P.
Recommended Characters:
This W-Engine has excellent versatility. Besides regular Anomaly characters like Lycaon, even Rina uses Electro-Lip Gloss as her best budget option. The effectiveness and uptime of its buffs are nearly maxed out for most Anomaly units.
[4] Static Walk (Anomaly Buster Role)
W-Engine Analysis:
With the new Anomaly Buster role added in 2.0, many players found that there weren’t many suitable A-Rank W-Engines for Ellen. That’s where Static Walk comes in. Its advanced stat boosts HP, and its effect provides Penetration when using Chain or Ultimate skills, which is very useful.
Recommended Characters:
While the full mechanics of the Anomaly Buster role are still unfolding, Static Walk seems highly compatible with Ellen. Though the common recommendation is to run Ellen at C0+1, players with more budget can go C2+0, making Static Walk a very solid W-Engine choice.
[5] Light & Shadow Carver (Defense Role)
W-Engine Analysis:
At last—an A-Rank Defense W-Engine that’s actually good for Koleda! Its advanced stat boosts Impact, and its effect reduces damage taken when teammates’ HP is high. While it doesn’t offer any offensive boosts, it's far better than using a Stun W-Engine that doesn’t synergize with Defense roles.
Recommended Characters:
Koleda remains one of the strongest Defense characters. For those without her signature W-Engine, Light & Shadow Carver is highly recommended. Its damage reduction essentially increases her shield strength, and since it's a free event reward, all players can get it.
[6] Aggressive A-Pow (Support Role)
W-Engine Analysis:
Lucy’s signature A-Rank W-Engine, Aggressive A-Pow, is arguably the most universally useful Support W-Engine. Its advanced stat grants energy regen, and its effect gives a teamwide ATK buff each time any ally deals damage, stacking up to 4 layers (for a total of +16% ATK).
Most teams maintain at least 3 stacks during combat, making it extremely reliable. Lucy and Nicole can easily reach max stacks, and even other Support characters can use it effectively. For non-Lucy users, it’s best to equip this on Support characters that can also deal some damage, to help generate extra stacks.
Recommended Characters:
Aggressive A-Pow works well on almost all Support units. Lucy is the most optimal user, followed by Soukaku and Nicole. For those not using Lucy’s signature W-Engine on Nicole or Ellen, this engine is a solid alternative.
Final Thoughts:
Which A-Rank W-Engine do you think is the strongest?
Let us know what you're building in ZZZ 2.0!