ZZZ 2.4 has completely flipped the script on team building. We're seeing a massive shift toward Rupture and Electric comps, with powerhouse agents like Miyabi, Yixuan, and Yuzuha absolutely dominating Boss Rush through their defense-ignoring mechanics. This tier list breaks down the optimal team compositions for Shiyu Defense Critical Nodes – including those proven S-Tier comps like Ellen/Lycaon/Soukaku and solid F2P strategies that lean heavily into anomaly gameplay.
The State of the Meta in ZZZ Patch 2.4
Here's the thing about patches 2.3-2.4: they've basically killed freeze strategies. We're talking about a complete meta overhaul from freeze to Rupture and Electric compositions, and honestly? It was inevitable given how many bosses now have freeze immunity and beefed-up anomaly resistance.
The SS-Tier agents are running the show through defense-ignoring mechanics that just... work. Miyabi's leading the Frost burst revolution with that insane +100% critical hit rate on charged attacks via Flash Freeze Charges. Yixuan's delivering premier Rupture DPS using Sheer Force to completely bypass enemy defenses (which, let's be real, is broken in the best way). And Yuzuha? She's providing Attribute Anomaly boosts with Astra's global ATK buffs for those sweet 15-second damage loops.
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Impact of New Agents and W-Engines
Lucia (S-Rank Ether Support) is fascinating because she functions as a hybrid damage dealer with 25% Ether bonus and Aftershock for AoE applications. At 100 Dream Value, she enters Dream state providing +5% squad max HP for 30 seconds, while her EX Special applies +900 Sheer Force lasting 20 seconds. Her banner runs October 15-29, 2025 – mark your calendars.
Then there's Yidhari (S-Rank Ice Rupture), who features these wild HP-scaling mechanics: +80% ATK damage as HP drops and -25% incoming damage below 40% HP. Her Core Passive generates 0.1 Sheer Force per max HP point with +100% damage multipliers under 50% HP. She absolutely excels against high-defense bosses – it's not even close.
Shiyu Defense 2.4: Buffs and Enemy Lineups
Shiyu Defense comes in three phases this time around. Phase I (October 10-24) emphasizes burst focus, Phase II (October 24-November 7) demands sustained DPS, and Phase III (November 7-21) requires versatile compositions.
The Stable Nodes (Levels 25-50) remain F2P accessible – thank goodness – while Critical Nodes (Levels 50-70) impose strict time limits that heavily favor SS/S-Tier synergies. Here's what's really going to shake things up: the November 14, 2025 reset introduces enemies with enhanced anomaly resistance, making Rupture's ignore-defense mechanics absolutely essential.
Zenless Zone Zero 2.4 Team Tier List Overview
SS-Tier compositions are achieving consistent sub-90 second clear times on Critical Node 7. That's the benchmark we're working with here.
Our rankings prioritize three key factors: raw DPS against high-defense targets, energy efficiency for sustained rotations, and adaptability across Shiyu Defense phases. SS-Tier agents demonstrate their superiority through unique mechanics that just can't be replicated – Miyabi's +100% critical hit rates, Yixuan's defense-bypassing Sheer Force, and Yuzuha's +600 ATK buffs lasting 40 seconds.
The optimal team structure maintains that classic 1 DPS + 2 Support configuration, maximizing damage amplification through coordinated buffs and energy generation. Role distribution breaks down like this: Attack agents for primary DPS, Stun agents for damage windows, Support agents for buffs, Anomaly agents for status buildup, Defense agents for survivability.
S-Tier Comps: The Kings of Boss Rush
The Premier Ice Team: Ellen, Lycaon, Soukaku
This trio is absolutely devastating. Ellen delivers AoE freeze with +100% critical hit rate via Flash Freeze Charges for multi-enemy control that's just beautiful to watch. Lycaon provides stun support as the highest HP Impact agent, with charged attacks reducing Ice resistance by 25% and +80% Daze effectiveness. Soukaku completes the composition through Fly the Flag transfers, providing +1000 ATK via 3 Vortex stacks from EX/Ultimate/Chain abilities.
Victoria Housekeeping synergy unlocks faction passives while Butler Bangboo enhances energy regeneration. The rotation is clean: Lycaon stun initiation → Ellen charged attacks during daze windows → Soukaku ATK buffs between cycles. Quick Assists maintain energy flow with Phase Cancel creating those crucial 0.2-second vulnerability windows.
Burst Ether Squad: Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, Nicole
Zhu Yuan operates through Assault/Suppressive modes, building shotshells for Enhanced Shotshells with +20% damage against stunned targets. Her EX Special generates 3 Shells instantly for burst sequences that can absolutely melt bosses.
Qingyi provides +80% Stun multiplier via Flash Connect Voltage, accumulating 10 Subjugation stacks for amplified stunned damage. Nicole contributes -40% defense vortex effects and +25% team Ether damage with reload mechanics building ether meter. The rotation flows like this: Qingyi stun application → Zhu Yuan shotshell sequences during daze → Nicole defense reduction maintenance.
Disorder Anomaly Setup: Anton, Anby, Grace
Anton builds 8 Zap stacks for +130% Buildup and +18% Shock damage, entering Burst Mode via EX Special Electric Infusion. Grace provides 4-piece Anomaly Proficiency synergy, maximizing Zap accumulation for optimal Shock output. Anby contributes melee Daze with Cunning Hare CRIT bonuses.
This composition directly addresses 2.4's anomaly emphasis over freeze strategies – it's incredibly effective against freeze-immune bosses. Consistent Disorder triggers create massive damage spikes while faction synergies enhance performance through attribute bonuses.
A-Tier Comps: Solid & Reliable
Fire Suppression Team: Soldier 11, Koleda, Lucy
Soldier 11's 15-second Fire Suppression converts Physical to Fire over 8 hits for consistent burn applications. Koleda provides Furnace Fire Daze while Lucy contributes Guard Boars for chain combinations, with Rocketboo enhancing fire synergy. The burn mechanics provide damage over time effects that complement direct damage output nicely.
Physical Stun Combination: Nekomata, Anby, Billy
Nekomata's Physical burst combines with Anby's stun and Billy's charged DPS for a balanced F2P composition. Cunning Hare CRIT bonuses enhance team damage while Amillion Bangboo provides CRIT support. This represents optimal F2P progression utilizing freely available agents.
Best F2P Teams for Shiyu Defense
Billy/Anby/Piper follows that optimal 1 DPS + Stun + Buff structure we love to see. Billy provides Physical charged DPS, Anby delivers stun application, and Piper contributes +18% team damage via Power stacks. Cunning Hare faction bonuses enhance CRIT effectiveness while Amillion Bangboo provides additional CRIT support.
This setup's viable for Shiyu Defense Stable Nodes (Levels 25-50) without any limited banner investments. Agent availability is solid: Anby and Billy through standard progression, Nicole via early rewards, Soukaku through Eridu Frontier completion.
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Alternative F2P Configurations
Nekomata/Anby/Nicole works great for Physical burst with Ether Vortex applications. Grace/Piper/Lucy delivers Electric anomaly with team damage enhancement. Grace/Piper/Lucia focuses on Electric anomaly utilizing Grace's Zap buildup with Piper's Power activation.
Here's something crucial: skill upgrade prioritization matters more than you think. Skills provide 18% better scaling efficiency than level increases. Focus DPS agent skills first, then support capabilities, while maintaining W-Engine upgrades and 4-piece Disc sets.
Optimizing Your Rotation: Stun vs. Anomaly
Mastering the Daze Window
Stun rotations prioritize damage windows through agents like Lycaon's +80% Daze effectiveness. Quick Assists and Chain combinations maintain energy flow while maximizing daze duration. Phase Cancel techniques create those 0.2-second vulnerability windows with +15% mobility enhancement.
Timing coordination between stun application and DPS burst sequences is absolutely essential. Lycaon's charged attacks provide Ice resistance reduction foundation, while Qingyi's voltage mechanics offer Ether alternatives with 10 Subjugation stack accumulation.
Triggering Disorder for Massive Damage
Anomaly strategies emphasize Disorder optimization through Jane's Physical Anomaly Assault and Yanagi's 15-second Shinrabanshou loops. Jane's Passion Stream provides mobility for Disorder positioning while building Passion via evasions for +ATK and Anomaly Buildup enhancement.
Disorder creates damage spikes that exceed traditional burst strategies against high-HP bosses where sustained anomaly buildup overcomes defense values. With 2.4's anomaly resistance shift, Disorder timing becomes critical for optimal effectiveness.
Bangboo Synergy Guide for 2.4 Teams
Amillion provides CRIT enhancement for F2P optimization – particularly effective with Yidhari compositions where CRIT scaling amplifies HP-based damage. Butler Bangboo offers energy regeneration for Victoria Housekeeping synergy, maintaining rotation consistency. Rocketboo enhances Fire synergy for Soldier 11 compositions with faction-specific bonuses.
Standard Bangboos provide essential functionality without premium investment, focusing on energy regeneration and survivability for consistent rotation maintenance. Selection should prioritize energy efficiency and survivability over raw damage output.
Common Team Building Mistakes to Avoid
Resource distribution errors are everywhere – I see players spreading investments across multiple agents rather than focusing core DPS optimization. Prioritize skill upgrades over levels (remember that 18% better scaling efficiency).
Faction synergy neglect reduces effectiveness significantly. Victoria Housekeeping and Cunning Hare combinations offer measurable benefits exceeding individual optimization.
Complex rotation over-optimization creates execution barriers that reduce practical performance. Focus on simple, repeatable patterns that maintain consistency. Perfect sub-stat prioritization over main stats wastes resources – prioritize correct main stats and 4-piece set bonuses before diving into sub-stat optimization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What's the best team in Zenless Zone Zero 2.4? Miyabi + Yanagi + Yuzuha delivers premier SS-Tier performance with 15-second damage loops through Frost stacking and +600 ATK buffs.
Who's the best support for Ellen in ZZZ? Lycaon and Soukaku provide +80% Daze effectiveness, -25% Ice resistance, and +1000 ATK via Vortex stacks with Victoria Housekeeping synergy.
How do I clear Shiyu Defense Critical Node S-Rank? Use 1 DPS + 2 Support compositions with SS/S-Tier agents, prioritize Rupture mechanics for defense-ignoring damage, optimize rotations through Quick Assists during stun windows.
Is an all-S-Rank team necessary for ZZZ endgame? F2P teams like Billy/Anby/Piper remain viable for Stable Nodes (25-50), while Critical Nodes (50-70) benefit from S-Rank agents due to time limits.
Which Bangboo works best for Ice teams? Butler Bangboo provides energy regeneration for Victoria Housekeeping synergy, while Amillion offers CRIT enhancement for damage optimization.
What's the best F2P team for Zenless Zone Zero? Billy/Anby/Piper offers optimal F2P performance through Physical DPS, stun application, team damage buffs, and Cunning Hare faction bonuses.