Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), HoYoverse’s latest action-packed adventure, throws you headfirst into the neon-drenched metropolis of New Eridu. Here, you’ll assemble a squad of eccentric agents, each boasting unique combat styles and personalities. But acquiring these elite fighters involves a structure known as the “pity system,” which might sound intimidating to new players. Fear not, citizens of New Eridu! This guide will break down the Zenless Zone Zero pity system, so you can confidently navigate the gacha and build your dream team.
Understanding the Gacha
The gacha system in Zenless Zone Zero functions similarly to other HoYoverse titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail. It involves spending in-game currencies like “Master Tapes” or “Polychrome” on character and weapon banners. Each pull on a banner grants you a random Agent (character) or W-Engine (weapon). The coveted S-rank Agents and W-Engines boast the highest rarity and power, making them highly sought after.
Here’s where the pity system steps in. It acts as a safety net, guaranteeing you a high-rarity pull after a specific number of attempts, preventing endless frustration. Let’s break down the basics of the gacha and pity system so you can plan ahead with your pulls.
Banner Types in Zenless Zone Zero
Zenless Zone Zero employs a gacha system as the primary method for acquiring new Characters (Agents), W-Engines, and Bangboos. It’s generally the exclusive way to obtain the highest rarity versions of these. Here’s a breakdown:
Character (Agents) Banner
This banner focuses on obtaining new Agents. The base rate for pulling an S-rank Agent is approximately 0.6%, while the chance of getting an A-rank Agent is around 9.4%. There are two types of character banners, namely:
Stable Channel: This permanent banner features a wider pool of Agents and W-Engines. It offers a guaranteed S-rank Agent or W-Engine at a hard pity of 90 pulls, with a chance for an S-rank before that point. Instead of a separate beginner’s banner, ZZZ instead offers a discount that cuts the cost of the set amount of ten-pulls by bringing it down to only eight films. This allows you to get your first S-rank Agent during the first 50 pulls and with less Master Tapes required.
Exclusive Channel: These limited-time banners showcase specific Agents with an increased drop rate. It also offers a guaranteed S-rank Agent at a hard pity of 90 pulls, with a chance for an S-rank before that point. Similar to other HoYoverse games, players have a 50/50 chance of obtaining the featured Agent or a standard pool S-rank Agent. If you don’t obtain the featured Agent on the first S-rank pull, the next guaranteed S-rank pull will be the featured Agent.
W-Engines Banner
These temporary banners showcase specific W-Engines with an increased drop rate. Here, reaching the 80th pull offers a 75% chance of getting the featured W-Engine. If you miss it, the 160th pull guarantees the featured W-Engine.
Bangboo Banner
In addition to Agents and W-Engines, Zenless Zone Zero features Bangboos – adorable companions that offer in-battle support. Unlike the other two banner types, the Bangboo Banner uses a unique currency called Boopons, earned through gameplay and events.
A refreshing change from the standard gacha system, the Bangboo Banner allows players to directly select their desired S-rank Bangboo. With a guaranteed S-rank Bangboo within 80 pulls, players can strategically build their team without the risk of unwanted S-rank units.
Pity System Breakdown: Hard and Soft Pity
The Zenless Zone Zero pity system operates with two key concepts: hard pity and soft pity. To better understand your chances of acquiring S-rank Agents and W-Engines, it’s essential to grasp the concepts of hard pity and soft pity.
Hard Pity: This is the guaranteed pull. Each banner type has a set hard pity number. If you haven’t gotten an S-rank Agent or W-Engine before reaching this number, the game guarantees you one on your next pull.
Here’s a breakdown of hard pity counts for different banner types:
| Banner Type | Pity System | Currency Required |
| Stable Channel (Standard Banner) | Guaranteed S-rank Agent or W-Engine at 90 pulls. Guaranteed A-Rank every 10 pulls. | Master Tape |
| Exclusive Channels (Limited Character Banner) | Guaranteed S-rank Agent at 90 pulls. Guaranteed A-Rank agent every 10 pulls. | Encrypted Master Tape |
| W-Engines Exclusive Channel (Limited Weapon Banner) | 75% chance of the featured W-Engine at 80 pulls, guaranteed featured W-Engine at 160 pulls. | Encrypted Master Tape |
Soft Pity: While not guaranteed, the chances of getting an S-rank Agent or W-Engine increase as you approach the hard pity count. This “soft pity” window typically starts around 65-75 pulls. Although not confirmed by the developers, anecdotal evidence suggests a gradual increase in the S-rank pull rate during this period.
Pity Carryover Explained
Now, here’s the good news! Pity carries over for the same banner type. Let’s say you pull 70 times on a Limited W-Engine Banner without getting the featured one. When the next Limited W-Engine Banner arrives, you’ll only need 90 more pulls (160 total – 70 previous pulls) to hit the guaranteed featured W-Engine pull. However, pity doesn’t carry over between different banner types. Pulling on a Character Banner won’t contribute to the pity count of a Limited W-Engine Banner, and vice versa.
Making the Most of the Pity System
Now that you understand the core mechanics, here are some tips to maximize your chances of acquiring the Agents and W-Engines you desire:
- Plan Your Pulls: Be strategic about which banners you spend your resources on. If a specific Agent or W-Engine piques your interest, wait for their banner instead of pulling on the Standard Banner.
- Track Your Pulls: ZZZ’s in-game menu will display your current pity count on each banner. This helps you judge how close you are to a guaranteed pull.
- Save Your Resources: Don’t waste Encrypted Master Tapes or Polychromes on random pulls. Stick to your plan and save your resources for banners featuring the Agents and W-Engines you truly want.
- Watch Out for the Agent Selector: In the Stable Channel, after reaching 300 pulls without an S-rank of your choice, an “Agent Selector” system allows you to select a specific standard S-rank Agent from the existing pool.
Navigating the Gacha with Confidence
Understanding the Zenless Zone Zero pity system is crucial for maximizing your chances of acquiring your desired Agents and W-Engines. While the gacha system can be a thrilling aspect of the game, it’s essential to approach it with a clear head. Don’t let the excitement of pulling for your favourite character lead to impulsive spending. Always prioritize your enjoyment of the game over the chase for the rarest items.
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