Zenless Zone Zero's 2.5 patch hits December 30, 2025, at 11 AM UTC+8—runs a solid 50 days through February 17, 2026. We're talking Substat Tuner (bumps up to 2 enhanced sub-stats), PvE co-op across 8 stages, new Zhao and Ye agents juicing the Ice meta, and Shiyu Defense S+ at 90k points (nets 720-780 Polychrome). F2P folks? You can farm 28.8k Polychrome total—300 daily. Hollow Zero 100+ clears demand real optimization now.
ZZZ 2.5 Soft Relaunch Breakdown
Version 2.5 splits into Phase 1 (Zhao banner, Dec 30–Jan 21) and Phase 2 (Jan 21–Feb 17). F2P haul: 300 Polychrome per day times 48 days equals 14.4k—enough for 90 pulls and single pity. Snag free Zhao through events and logins. Easy.
Here's your starter plan:
Audit that pity timer—28.8k Polychrome locks in the guarantee (180 pulls).
Knock out Arcade and Notorious Hunt dailies daily (300 Polychrome each time).
Stockpile Ether Batteries (60 Backup Charges plus 1 Prepaid Power Card = one full charge).
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Substat Tuner: The Real Game-Changer
This Tuning Calibrator lets you pump 1 sub-stat per point spent, capping at 2 enhanced ones on Drive Discs. For Zhao builds, we're eyeing HP body or ATK% mains to hit that insane 4234.7% Ice DMG on Ultimate.
Quick steps post-launch:
Hit the menu to access it—grab materials from co-op research.
Prioritize your top 2 subs, like Stun Multiplier and CRIT DMG.
Test in Notorious Hunt: slot RES Pen for those +40% Ice RES bosses.
(Quick editor note: This thing obsoletes half the guides out there—trust me, I've scrapped my own ATK-stacking relics.)
How It Reworks Agent Builds
Old builds? Straight-up obsolete. The tuner caps you at 2 subs, and HP-scaling owns the meta now. Zhao thrives on HP W-Engines (sword, axe, or Ice sword types). Her Ultimate? 4234.7% Ice DMG over 12s Ether Veil—packs +40% CRIT DMG, +650 Sheer Force, +30% squad DMG, invuln frames, and heals. EX Special dishes 4s multi-hits plus heals; pushes Shiyu scores past 120.
Build her right:
HP% main stats, CRIT DMG or RES Pen subs; HP% and CRIT on Drive Discs.
Module 1 skips 12% RES off-field (+0.05 ATK per HP).
Post-tuner, dismantle anything non-meta—no mercy.
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New Co-Op Modes: Finally, Squad Goals
PvE co-op matchmaking lets the host pick stages, agents, and roles—DPS, Break, Support, or Daze Master. Eight stages, 20 investigation levels deep. Missions run the gamut: Annihilation, Elite, Timed Challenges, Elemental Domains, Alarm Hacking, Treasure Hunt, Final Battle. Loot includes research items, gadgets, clues, chests, revives, badges, and temp builds.
Unlock it via Ropesmith commissions (30-min cap, one active at a time). Queue as Daze Master Zhao: chain Basic (0-4s i-frames) into EX (4s), Ult (12s), then swap. Rack up site points like Carrot Points or Site Credibility for 600+ Polychrome.
Who queues solo anymore? This changes everything.
Meta Shifts and Optimization Tips
Ice meta dominates: Zhao, Ellen, Lycaon, Soukaku; pair with Butler Bangboo for +80% Daze alongside Lycaon (saves 80 Boopon). Boss 1 tweaks? 30 DEF, 200% Stun DMG mult, 37.5% Daze, -20% Phys RES. Ellen's Flash Freeze? +100% CRIT. Soukaku stacks 3 Vortex for +1000 ATK; Ye brings 2000% Chain mult and 40% DMG up.
F2P priorities:
Lycaon first (25% RES shred), then Soukaku, Ellen—ditch standards.
Rotation: Soukaku Vortex > Zhao Basic/EX/Ult > Ellen (clears Hollow Zero 100+).
Hypercarry vibe: Ye + Zhao/Ellen for 3s stagger, 30% vuln, +40% CRIT DMG.
(Data shows these comps based on beta clears—your mileage varies with gear.)
Shiyu Defense and Hollow Zero Plays
Five stages, 60k points max each (90k S+ total, S-ranks every room); stage 5 has 3 rooms with speed multipliers. Rewards: 720-780 Polychrome, Awakening Currency, Merits, Potentials/weapons/Boopons. Zhao squads hit 120+ scores easy.
Stack Daze hard:
Zhao (tank) + Ellen (37.5% Daze) + Lycaon or Pan Yinhu.
Rotation: Basic i-frames > EX heals > Ult Veil > swap to DPS.
Pre-2.5, farm Arcade and hoard Batteries for the long haul.
F2P Farming and Pity Smarts
14.4k Polychrome gets single pity (90 pulls), 28.8k seals the deal; W-Engine needs 12.8k (80 pulls, 1% S-Rank shot). Dailies at 300 x48 days plus events cover Phase 1 fully. Free Zhao on login.
Hoard smart:
Skip standards, chase Ice (Ellen/Lycaon/Soukaku/Butler).
Dailies lock in 300/day; events fill gaps.
Redeem 600+ Polychrome from commissions.
FAQ
What's this Substat Tuner in ZZZ 2.5?
Pumps 1 sub-stat per point, max 2 on Drive Discs. Post-launch access for HP/Stun/RES Pen tweaks. Wipes out those dusty ATK guides.
How do the new Co-Op modes work?
Matchmake across 8 stages/20 levels; pick roles like Daze Master. Score revives and temp builds. Unlock through 30-min Ropesmith commissions.
Why do old ZZZ build guides flop post-2.5?
Tuner caps at 2 subs; Zhao's HP-scaling hits 4234.7% DMG; bosses shift RES (-20% Phys/Ether); co-op screams Stun focus.
Best F2P team for Hollow Zero/Shiyu in 2.5?
Zhao/Ellen/Lycaon/Soukaku: +80% Daze, +1000 ATK Vortex, 120+ Shiyu scores (720-780 Polychrome S+).
Zhao's kit highlights?
S-Rank Ice tank: Basic with 4 hits i-frames, EX 4s heals/invuln, Ult 12s Veil (+40% CRIT DMG, +30% squad DMG). Free from events.
F2P Polychrome for 2.5 banners?
28.8k total: 300 daily x48 + events nails Zhao Phase 1. Hoard Batteries, skip standards.