Zhu Yuan ZZZ Overview
Welcome to our Zenless Zone Zero Zhu Yuan guide, where we cover everything you need to know about her like her skills, builds, teams, and more.
Zhu Yuan is an S Rank Agent from the CISRT Faction with the Ether Attribute and Attack Specialty. Zhu Yuan is a Limited Agent, meaning you can only obtain her from her limited-time banner. You can find more details about the ZZZ Gacha System here.
Zhu Yuan |
CISRT |
||
S Rank |
Ether |
Attack |
Zhu Yuan release is finally here, and she is the second Limited Attack Agent in ZZZ. As a limited S-Rank, her performance greatly outshines A-Rank options like Corin or Anton, making her a valuable pick up for almost any account.
Furthermore, Zhu Yuan is also very F2P friendly, as you can build a strong team with free units like Anby + Nicole. Even still, there are ways to upgrade this team with future releases.
We know that more CISRT Agents are coming next patch (Qingyi, Seth, and Jane). This will provide more teambuilding options to activate Zhu Yuan’s AA (Additional Ability).
Lastly, her additional ability activates when ANY Support Agent is on her team. This makes future teambuilding very compelling, as she can pair with any future S-Rank Limited Agent.
Let’s jump into the guide.
ZZZ Zhu Yuan Skills
Core Skill
Core Passive: Special Ops Ammunition (Lv 1)
When Zhu Yuan is under Suppressive Mode, using Enhanced Shotshells increases her DMG by 20%. When attacking Stunned enemies, this DMG buff is increased by an additional 20%. When Zhu Yuan enters the battlefield, she immediately gains 6 Enhanced Shotshells.
Additional Ability: Tactical Coordination
When another character in your squad is a Support character or shares the same Faction:
Increases Zhu Yuan’s CRIT Rate by 30% for 10s after using an EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate.
Basic Attack
Basic Attack: Don’t Move!
Assault Mode: Press Basic Attack to activate
Unleash a flurry of martial arts, bullets, and Ether Buckshots in a series of up to 5 attacks, dealing Physical DMG and Ether DMG.
When the 4th or 5th hits strike an enemy, obtain 1 Enhanced Shotshell. A max of 1 can be obtained per skill use.
While using this skill, drag the stick/joystick and press Basic Attack to activate Dash Attack: Firepower Offensive and readjust to face the selected direction. While under Assault Mode, hold Basic Attack to switch to Suppressive Mode.
Basic Attack: Please Do Not Resist
Suppressive Mode: Hold Basic Attack to activate.
Unleash up to 3 Shotshell piercing attacks, dealing Physical DMG. If Zhu Yuan has Enhanced Shotshells upon firing, 1 Enhanced Shotshell will be consumed, dealing massive Ether DMG.
While using this skill, drag the stick/joystick to activate her Dash Attack: Overwhelming Firepower and readjust to face the selected direction. While in Suppressive Mode, release Basic Attack to return to Assault Mode.
Dodge
Dodge: Tactical Detour
Press Dodge to activate: A rapid dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Dash Attack: Firepower Offensive
Assault Mode: Press Basic Attack during a dodge to activate: Uses handgun to attack, dealing Physical DMG.
Dash Attack: Overwhelming Firepower
Suppressive Mode: Drag the joystick during Basic Attack: Please Do Not Resist to activate:
Unleashes a Shotshell piercing attack, dealing Physical DMG. If Zhu Yuan has Enhanced Shotshells when firing, 1 Enhanced Shotshell will be consumed, dealing massive Ether DMG.
Dodge Counter: Fire Blast
Press Basic Attack during a Perfect Dodge to activate. Shoots enemies in front with an Ether Buckshot, dealing Ether DMG.
Gain 1 Enhanced Shotshell on skill use. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist
Quick Assist: Covering Shot
When the on-field character is launched, press Assist to activate. Shoots enemies in front with an Ether Buckshot, dealing Ether DMG. Gain 1 Enhanced Shotshell on skill use. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Evasive Assist: Guarded Backup
When the character on field is about to be attacked, press Assist to activate. Dodges the enemy’s attack and activates the Vital View. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist Follow-Up: Defensive Counter
Press Special Attack after an Evasive Assist to activate. Attack with a combination of martial arts and shotshells, dealing Physical DMG and Ether DMG. Upon activation, gain 3 Enhanced Shotshells. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Special Attack
Special Attack: Buckshot Blast
Press Special Attack to activate: Shoots Ether Buckshots that deal Ether DMG. This can be repeated 3 times by repeatedly pressing Special Attack. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill.
EX Special Attack: Full Barrage
With enough energy, press Special Attack to activate: Shoots a series of Ether Buckshots, that explode and deal massive Ether DMG. Upon activation, gain 3 Enhanced Shotshells. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Chain Attack
Chain Attack: Eradication Mode
When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate: Uses Modified Master Firearm to execute a saturated attack, firing lasers and seeking missiles to deal massive Ether DMG. Upon activation, gain 3 Enhanced Shotshells. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Ultimate: Max Eradication Mode
When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press Ultimate to activate. Uses Modified Master Firearm to execute a saturated attack, firing lasers and seeking missiles to deal massive Ether DMG. Upon activation, gain 3 Enhanced Shotshells. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Zhu Yuan ZZZ Mindscape Cinema
M1 | Quick Reload: When Zhu Yuan activates Chain Attacks/Ultimates, gain the Quick Reload effect. When Zhu Yuan has the Quick Reload effect and uses up all Enhanced Shotshells, the Quick Reload effect will be consumed to instantly gain 6/9 Enhanced Shotshells. |
M2 | Ether Ember:In Suppressive Mode, Zhu Yuan’s Anti-Interrupt level is increased and DMG taken reduced by 10%. When Zhu Yuan hits an enemy with Enhanced Shotshells, the target takes 10% more Basic Attack: Please Do Not Resist and Dash Attack: Overwhelming Firepower DMG, stacking up to 5 times and lasting for 5s. Each shot adds one stack of this effect, and repeated triggers reset the duration. |
M3 | Public Security Special Training: Basic Attack, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2 |
M4 | Ether Perforation: When Zhu Yuan hits an enemy with Enhanced Shotshells, her Basic Attack: Please Do Not Resist and Dash Attack: Overwhelming Firepower ignore 25% of the target’s Ether RES. |
M5 | Special Ops Experience: Basic Attack, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2 |
M6 | Expanded Energy Pack III: When Zhu Yuan consumes a total of 12 Enhanced Shotshells, she receives the Ether Afterglow effect, and the Energy cost of the next EX Special Attack is reduced by 30. Launching an EX Special Attack will consume Ether Afterglow and shoot an additional 4-bullet Ether Buckshot. Each extra bullet deals DMG equal to 220% of Zhu Yuan’s ATK. |
Zhu Yuan ZZZ Build Guide Overview
As with all Attack Agents, building up Zhu Yuan’s personal damage will be the main goal. There are lots of ways to scale damage in this game with things like Crit, PEN, ATK, DMG bonuses, etc.
W-Engine:
- Riot Suppressor Mark VI
- The Brimstone
- Starlight Engine R5
Drive Disc:
- Chaotic Metal (4)
Woodpecker Electro (2) - Woodpecker Electro (4)
Chaotic Metal (2)
Main Stats (Base Stat):
- (4) Crit Rate%/Crit DMG%
- (5) Ether DMG%
- (6) ATK%
Substats (Random Stats):
- Crit Rate%/Crit DMG%
- ATK%
- ATK
- PEN
ZZZ Zhu Yuan W-Engines
Riot Suppressor Mark VI
ATK: 48/713 | Crit Damage: 19.2%/48%
Increases Ether DMG by 25/31.5/38/44.5/50%. Launching an EX Special Attack grants the equipper 8 Charge stacks, stacking up to 8 times. Whenever the equipper’s Basic Attack or Dash Attack deals Ether DMG, consumes a Charge stack and increases the skill’s DMG by 45/56/67/78/90%.
When it comes to W-Engines in ZZZ, every Agent has a signature weapon. You can definitely tell as one W-Engine will match the aesthetic and kit of every character.
For Zhu Yuan, her signature W-Engine is Riot Suppressor Mark VI. This W-Engine is also Limited, meaning you can only obtain it on the W-Engine banner during Zhu Yuan’s banner timeframe.
As expected, the Engine has very high base stats for both ATK and Crit. The passive also gives a ton of extra damage, scaling up Zhu Yuan’s Ether DMG. As with almost every Agent in the game, their signature will be the best option.
The Brimstone
ATK: 53/684 | ATK: 12%/30%
Upon hitting an enemy with a Basic Attack, Dash Attack, or Dodge Counter, the equipper’s ATK increases by 3.5/4.4/5.2/6/7% for 8s, stacking up to 8 times. This effect can trigger once every 0.5s. The duration of each stack is calculated separately.
If you were fortunate enough to pull The Brimstone, you can also use it to great effect. The Brimstone is a “universal” Engine, meaning it will be good on just about any Attack Agent.
Activating the passive is quite easy for any Attack Agent, and the ATK buff you receive is “in-combat.” This means the buff is multiplicative with your “final” ATK, not your base ATK.
Starlight Engine R5
ATK: 46/594 | ATK: 10%/25%
Launching a Dodge Counter or Quick Assist increases the equipper’s ATK by 12/13.8/15.6/17.4/19.2% for 12s.
Starlight Engine is also a very good option that is both free and craftable. Like The Brimstone, Starlight Engine is a universal Attack Engine, and you can craft more copies to easily reach R5 (4 dupes).
This makes the passive very strong, providing an “in-combat” 19.2% ATK buff. Crafting extra copies is time-gated by Weekly Bosses (Notorious Hunt), but it shouldn’t take too long to do.
For A-Rank options, we recommend crafting Starlight Engine as your best option for Attack Agents across the board.
ZZZ Zhu Yuan Drive Discs
Chaotic Metal
- (2): Increases Ether DMG by 10%.
- (4): The equipper’s CRIT DMG increases by 20%. When any character in the squad triggers Corruption’s additional DMG, this effect further increases by 5.5% for 8s, stacking up to 6 times. Repeated triggers reset the duration.
Woodpecker Electro
- (2): Increases CRIT Rate by 8%.
- (4): Triggering a critical hit with a Basic Attack, Dodge Counter or EX Special Attack increases the equippers ATK by 9% for 6s. The buff duration for different skills are calculated separately.
As with most Attack Agents, you can look to run the Woodpecker Electro set as a strong universal DPS set, or use the corresponding Attribute Set. (Chaotic Metal)
Generally, Woodpecker gives you good value as you are able to use it across many different Agents. However, Chaotic Metal is farmed in the same level as Swing Jazz, another very strong and universal set.
Because of this, it’s recommended to farm that dungeon for both Chaotic Metal and Swing Jazz. As for the 2-piece bonus, it doesn’t matter too much what you use.
Woodpecker (Crit Rate), Swing Jazz (Energy Regen), or Hormone Punk (ATK%) are all viable options with minimal differences. You should aim to use the pieces with the best Main Stats and Substats.
If you’re already farming Chaotic Metal/Swing Jazz, going for Chaotic Metal (4) and Swing Jazz (2) will be a strong AND efficient option.
ZZZ Zhu Yuan Stats
Main Stats
- (4) Crit Rate%/Crit DMG%
- (5) Ether DMG%
- (6) ATK%
When it comes to Main Stats, every piece is important to further increase the damage of Attack Agents.
Crit Rate or Crit DMG are ideal for Partition IV, since the other two Partitions can’t have Crit Main Stats.
Ether DMG/ATK%/PEN Ratio are all good options for Partition V, but Ether DMG will be the best.
Lastly, you have the option of ATK% or Energy Regen% for Partition VI. Both are good, but ATK% is preferred.
Substats
- Crit Rate%/Crit DMG%
- ATK%
- ATK
- PEN
When it comes to Substats, things are mostly the same. Crit, PEN, and ATK are all the offensive Substats to increase the personal damage of Zhu Yuan.
Anomaly Proficiency can be a nice bonus, but shouldn’t take priority over Crit/ATK/PEN stats. Most of your damage will come from traditional multipliers rather than Anomaly.
Zhu Yuan Skill Priority
Basic Attack = Special Attack = Chain Attack > Assist > Dodge
In general, you want to max out all of the skills of your Attack Agent. Basic, Special, and Chain Attack/Ultimate are all important for Zhu Yuan’s damage. Assist is important because you likely will be triggering Quick Assist a good amount from your team’s Support.
Lastly, Dodge has the least application as you generally will want to attack an enemy while they’re stunned, but leveling up the Dodge Counter and Dash Attack is a nice bonus.
ZZZ Zhu Yuan Teams
Zhu Yuan is the first Agent releasing with different Additional Ability requirements than the rest of the ZZZ roster. Instead of the usual matching Attribute/Faction, Zhu Yuan can pair with ANY Support or CISRT Faction member.
This opens up a lot of teambuilding options for Zhu Yuan. It was expected that Nicole would be her only option, but you can use Lucy, Rina, or Soukaku to great effect as well. Even still, Nicole is such a great teammate that we still recommend it. (and she’s free)
In terms of the meta, Zhu Yuan will definitely be part of the Best ZZZ Teams you can build in the current game.
Zhu Yuan Cunning Hares Team
Zhu Yuan, Anby, Nicole
[Link to ZZZ Anby Guide] [Link to ZZZ Nicole Guide]
Currently, this is our main recommended team for Zhu Yuan. While other Support Agents will work with Zhu Yuan, Nicole’s DEF reduction and Ether DMG buff make her the perfect teammate for Zhu Yuan.
Nicole is a very universal Support, requiring low-field time and being flexible across just about any team. Her DEF shred is built into her kit, while her Additional Ability helps buff Ether DMG. Since Zhu Yuan benefits from both of these, they make a great pair.
The last slot is flexible for a Stun/Anomaly/Defense Agent, but we pick Anby as her Additional Ability will also activate alongside Nicole. Zhu Yuan also gains a lot of benefit from a Stun Agent. She gains more Shotshells when using Chain Attack, and deals more damage to stunned enemies.
While this team may not have the highest ceiling, it’s very approachable since Anby and Nicole are both free Agents you receive at the start of the game.
As more Agents release, there will be more opportunities for Zhu Yuan to shine even more. If her DPS on release is strong enough to rival top teams with two F2P teammates, the future will only be brighter.
Zhu Yuan S-Rank Stun Team
Zhu Yuan, Koleda/Lycaon, Nicole
[Link to ZZZ Koleda Guide] [Link to ZZZ Lycaon Guide]
While it is true that you can pair Zhu Yuan with Anby/Rina, Lycaon/Soukaku, or Koleda/Lucy, Nicole is still her best Support. Because of this, you can simply look to replace Anby with Koleda or Lycaon.
We will need time for more testing, but in general, Koleda/Lycaon should apply more Daze than Anby. However, Anby’s Additional Ability grants a lot of Energy, so she might be on par with Koleda/Lycaon in a Zhu Yuan team.
Koleda/Lycaon really shine with their AA. Lycaon provides 35% stun damage multiplier and Koleda provides a Chain Attack buff. In this type of team, you’ll miss out on these buffs, but they can still do their job of inflicting a lot of Daze/Stunning enemies.
This will let Zhu Yuan Chain Attack more frequently, gain Shotshells more frequently, and overall, deal more damage. If you pulled for Ellen and are using Lycaon/Soukaku, you can use Koleda/Nicole on Zhu Yuan’s team and have essentially the two strongest teams in the game.
Closing Words
This wraps up our guide for ZZZ Zhu Yuan. If you’d like to see her place in the meta, don’t miss our ZZZ Tier List.
Since Zhu Yuan is releasing as the second ZZZ Banner of Version 1.0, there is debate on who to pull for. Ellen is Ice Attribute, and she already has a strong team with Agents like Lycaon being Ice/Stun.
However, Zhu Yuan is easier to build around with Anby/Nicole. Either way, both units are strong Agents that will carry your account. The current Shiyu Defense also has Ice or Ether weak enemies on every level, making them both very powerful.
Being able to farm for Chaotic Metal and Swing Jazz in the same stage also makes Zhu Yuan an extremely efficient Agent to farm gear for. I can confidently say that Zhu Yuan will carry any account for a long time.