Zenless Zone Zero's v2.5 hits servers December 30, 2025, at 11 AM UTC+8. It'll run about 50 days. Expect S-Rank Zhao, the Ice Defense powerhouse who's all about support, plus Ye Shunguang as your new Physical Attack DPS beast. PvE co-op drops with 8 stages across 20 levels. Shiyu Defense caps at 60k points per stage. Social commissions shake things up, bosses get a 12-second stun window, and Ether Battery QoL makes farming smoother. Hoard 14.4k Polychrome for Zhao pity—banners might phase Dec 30–Jan 21 then Jan 21–Feb 17, or run side-by-side if leaks hold.
v2.5 Breakdown: Launch Deets and What to Expect
Mark your calendar: December 30, 2025, 11 AM UTC+8 start, wrapping around February 17, 2026. Phase 1 banners roll Dec 30 to Jan 21, Phase 2 from Jan 21 to Feb 17. Zhao and Ye are locked in from beta tests and Agent Records. Server co-op? Unlocks 20 levels over 8 stages—pure fire for squad play.
Prep like this:
Pin the Dec 30 maintenance end time.
Scope news 24 hours out.
Hop into server Discord for those sweet unlock alerts.
Want to stock up fast? Grab Zenless Zone Zero agent recharge from BitTopup—instant top-ups, killer prices, zero-risk compliance, every agent covered, and reviews that don't lie.
Meet the New Blood: Zhao and Ye Shunguang
Zhao. S-Rank Ice Defense. HP-scaling tank who laughs at damage. Basic Attack? Four hits with i-frames to dodge like a pro. EX Special dishes multi-hits over 4 seconds plus HP heals. Ultimate? Aerial explosion into a 12-second Ether Veil that buffs CRIT DMG hard.
Then Ye Shunguang, S-Rank Physical Attack. Sword summons everywhere, HP-burst nukes, and killer synergy with Dialyn—3-second stagger, 30% vuln debuff, 40% DMG up, and a ridiculous 2000% Chain attack.
Snag a free Zhao through events. He supercharges Ice teams—think Zhao + Ellen. (My take as a beta grinder: Zhao's the glue your squads have been missing.)
Gear him right:
Farm those HP W-Engines.
Test Physical comps in Notorious Hunt.
Slap on Zhao's sword, axe, or ice sword.
Co-Op Mode: Finally, Squad Up in PvE
PvE co-op with matchmaking. Host calls the shots—agents, stages, roles like DPS, Break, Support, or Daze Master. Eight stages, 20 levels deep: Annihilation, Elite, Timed Challenges, Elemental Domains, Alarm Hacking, Treasure Hunt, Final Battle.
Rewards flow: research items, gadgets, clues, chests, quick chat pings, revives, badges, even temp builds.
Get squad-ready:
Grind roles in Arcade or Notorious Hunt solo first.
Host DPS lobbies to flex Ye.
Smash clears for server progress and high-risk reps.
—Side note: Co-op's gonna change how we farm. Ever wished for friends who actually show up?
Banners and Gacha Lowdown
Banners tease phased: Zhao leads Phase 1 (Dec 30–Jan 21), or leaks say simultaneous—pull for Zhao meta first. Pity math: 14.4k Polychrome for single (90 pulls, soft pity 70-80), 28.8k guarantees it (180 pulls). W-Engine? 12.8k for 80 pulls at 1% S-Rank odds.
F2P grind: 300 Poly daily, 48 days hits single pity. Low-spenders? $222 single, $444 guarantee—halves on first buys.
Pull smart:
Stash 14.4k+ Poly, skip W-Engines.
Track pity and events for that free Zhao.
Amp your pulls via buy ZZZ in-game currency on BitTopup: lightning-fast, prices that slap, ironclad security, options galore, solid after-sales, rave reviews.
v2.5 Events: Grind for Glory and Poly
Shiyu Defense: Five stages, fifth with three rooms—60k points max per stage via speed multipliers. S+ demands 90k total plus S-ranks. Haul? 720-780 Poly, Awakening Currency, Merits.
Social commissions: 30-minute cap, snag one via Ropesmith or Board. Rack points on stamina, chats, clears—for Carrot Points, Site Credibility, titles. Redeem 600+ Poly in Unveil Shop.
Dominate:
Max Shiyu points (damage, enemies, speed).
Drop daily commissions.
Swap points for Poly straight up.
QoL Tweaks and Boss Buffs
Ether Battery shines: 60 Backup + 1 Prepaid fills for auto-clears (auto-dismantles A/B ranks). Tuning Calibrator? One sub-stat equals one point, cap at two enhanced.
Bosses nerfed smart: 30/60 DEF, 200% Stun DMG multiplier, 12-second stuns, -20% Physical/Ether RES. Daze? 37.5%/25% buildup.
Optimize now:
Hoard Batteries for Hollow runs.
Tune W-Engines to two sub-stats.
Stack Daze teams for boss melts.
These changes? Data shows they'll cut grind time—trust the beta logs.
Lock In Before v2.5: Your Prep Checklist
Bank 14.4k Poly for Zhao pity—worst case, 360 pulls with carryover and events for a free copy. Ice dream team: Zhao/Ellen/Pan Yinhu hybrid support-DPS with Daze/Stun focus.
Checklist:
Audit Poly and pity, smash dailies (300/day).
Build Zhao as Ice hybrid.
Dodge standard banners; reassess post-launch.
Skip the hype—save smart.
FAQ: Quick Hits on v2.5
When does ZZZ v2.5 drop?
December 30, 2025, 11 AM UTC+8. About 50 days long.
New agents?
Zhao (S-Rank Ice Defense with Ether Veil) and Ye Shunguang (S-Rank Physical Attack, sword summons).
Co-Op details?
PvE matchmaking, roles (DPS/Break/Support/Daze Master), 8 stages/20 levels—Annihilation, Treasure Hunt, and more.
Banner scoop?
Phased Zhao in Phase 1 or simultaneous; 14.4k Poly for single pity.
How to prep?
Hoard 14.4k+ Polychrome, gear Ice teams, farm events for free Zhao.
Event loot?
Shiyu Defense: 60k pts/stage, 600+ Poly; social commissions: Carrot Points and titles.