Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 First-Day Checklist (2025): The Ultimate Guide for New & Returning Players

The Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 update, titled “To Be Fuel for the Night,” officially launched on December 30, 2025, and it stands out as one of the most generous and game-changing patches in the game’s history. Between a free S-Rank Agent, the first-ever real-time co-op combat mode, and major power buffs for older Agents, Version 2.5 feels like a soft relaunch of Zenless Zone Zero itself.

Whether you’re a brand-new Proxy stepping into New Eridu for the first time or a returning player wondering if now is the right moment to come back, this update is absolutely the answer.

This first-day checklist guide walks you through exactly what to do in your opening hours—so you don’t miss limited rewards, waste resources, or fall behind the new meta.


πŸ“… Your First 24-Hour Priority List

To maximize your gains from this massive update, follow this priority checklist. It’s designed to help you secure the most valuable rewards in the shortest possible time, even if you can only play casually.

PriorityAction ItemWhat You Get & Why It’s Important
ImmediateLog in to claim free S-Rank Agent Zhao via the Special Visitor eventA top-tier Ice Defense Agent for zero pulls, plus materials to instantly boost her to Lv. 40
ImmediateClaim all launch rewards from the mailbox and check-in pageIncludes 1,000+ Polychrome, Jane Doe’s free “Nocturne of Light” outfit, and other premium resources
HighStart the Main Commission: Season 2, Chapter 6 – “To Be Fuel for the Night”Unlocks new areas, advances the story, and gates much of the new content
HighPlay the Sword Seeker Chronicles eventEarn the free A-Rank W-Engine: Cauldron of Clarity, a strong early-game weapon
HighConfigure new Quality-of-Life (QoL) settingsSet up Drive Disc Auto-Dismantle and Quick Sweep to drastically reduce daily grind

πŸ†• Mastering the New Major Features

Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 First-Day Checklist (2025)

Version 2.5 doesn’t just add content—it fundamentally changes how Zenless Zone Zero is played moving forward.


πŸ”₯ Headline Feature: First-Ever Co-Op Mode

Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze is Zenless Zone Zero’s first true 3-player cooperative combat mode, launching on January 3, 2026.

Requirements to participate:

  • Reach Inter-Knot Level 15

  • Complete the Agent Story “Mole in the Hole”

This mode introduces brand-new team mechanics, including:

  • A shared Chain Overdrive meter

  • The ability to revive fallen teammates

  • Coordinated combat roles that reward communication

While the mode offers Polychrome and upgrade materials, its biggest impact is experiential—it marks the beginning of ZZZ’s multiplayer future.


πŸ™️ Social & Gameplay Systems: Outposts & Agent Buffs

Proxy Outposts (Guild System)

Proxy Outposts function as a guild-like social hub. Their standout feature is the Intel Board, which allows you to:

  • Post difficult commissions (such as Notorious Hunts)

  • Have other Outpost members clear them

  • Still collect the rewards yourself

It’s a massive quality-of-life upgrade for solo players struggling with high-difficulty content.


Potential Vision System (Agent Buffs)

Older Agents are receiving long-term relevance through the Potential Vision system.

The first wave of buffed Agents includes:

  • Soldier 11

  • Grace

  • Burnice

  • Ellen

  • Soldier 0 Anby

You can unlock up to six new power levels per Agent using Daily Performance currency, earned from weekly activities. For returning players especially, this is a huge incentive to revisit previously shelved characters.


⚙️ Must-Use Quality-of-Life Improvements

Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 directly addresses some of the community’s biggest frustrations.


⚡ Quick Sweep Function

You can now craft Ether Batteries to instantly clear previously completed:

  • Combat Simulation stages

  • Area Patrol missions

This turns repetitive farming from a time sink into a minutes-long task.


πŸ’Ώ Drive Disc Management Revolution

Two systems completely overhaul gear optimization:

  • Auto-Dismantle: Automatically scraps low-tier Drive Discs as you acquire them

  • Targeted Sub-Stat Tuning: Spend Resonating Cores to guarantee upgrades on up to two selected sub-stats

For the first time, perfect Drive Discs are no longer purely RNG-based.


πŸ‘₯ Tailored Next Steps for Your Playstyle

Once your first day is complete, your priorities should shift depending on whether you’re new or returning.


πŸ†• For Brand-New Players

  • Progress the Main Story: Follow red speech balloon commissions to unlock core systems and your free starter team (Anby, Nicole, Billy)

  • Build Your Free Powerhouse: Use Special Visitor materials to fully level Zhao, a defensive anchor that fits almost any team

  • Join a Proxy Outpost Early: Use the Intel Board to overcome tough story encounters without hitting progression walls


πŸ” For Returning Players

  • Recheck Your Roster: Use the Potential Vision system to upgrade Agents like Soldier 11 or Grace for free power gains

  • Optimize Farming Immediately: Set Drive Disc Auto-Dismantle rules and rely on Quick Sweep to compress daily playtime

  • Plan for Upcoming Banners: The Exclusive Rescreening banner launches on January 21, 2026, featuring Alice, Soldier 0 Anby, and Astra Yao, with a selectable rate-up and guaranteed first S-Rank pull


πŸš€ Final Thoughts

Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 is clearly designed as a welcome-back moment—not just a standard patch. With a free S-Rank Agent, deep system upgrades, multiplayer combat, and some of the best quality-of-life improvements the game has seen, it’s one of the strongest updates HoYoverse has delivered.

By following this first-day checklist, you’ll lock in limited rewards, save hours of grinding, and position yourself perfectly for the explosive finale of Season 2.           

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