Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 Character Guide: Should You Pull for Ye Shunguang or Claim Free Zhao?

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The final chapter of Season 2 has arrived, and with it comes one of the most important pulling decisions Zenless Zone Zero players have faced so far. Version 2.5, “To Be Fuel for the Night,” doesn’t just close a major story arc—it introduces two S-Rank Agents who can fundamentally change your account, including an unprecedented free S-Rank giveaway.

On one side, we have Ye Shunguang, the game’s first dual-form Void Hunter and a potential new top-tier DPS. On the other, Zhao, a powerful Ice defender-support hybrid that every player can claim for free.

So the real question isn’t who is stronger—it’s who is worth your Polychrome.

This guide breaks down kits, synergies, meta impact, banner strategy, and pull value, helping you make the smartest possible decision for your roster—whether you’re free-to-play, returning, or a long-term veteran.

✨ Meet the New Agents: Core Identities at a Glance

Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 Character Guide

Before diving into mechanics, it’s important to understand what each character is designed to do.

AgentRarity & SpecialtyAttributeRole & Playstyle
Ye ShunguangS-Rank AttackHoned Edge (Physical)Main DPS. A high-skill carry that switches forms by building Qingming Sword Force to enter Enlightened Mind for massive damage.
ZhaoS-Rank Defense (FREE)IceSupport/Defense hybrid. Off-field buffer and healer with long-duration team buffs via Ether Veil. Extremely easy to use.

⚔️ Deep Dive: Skills, Mechanics, and Playstyle

Ye Shunguang – The Dual-Form Void Hunter

Ye Shunguang introduces a completely new combat identity with the Honed Edge attribute and a transformation-based kit.

Core Mechanic – Enlightened Mind
Ye Shunguang builds Qingming Sword Force through her own attacks and from teammates applying Ether Veil. Once enough is accumulated, she enters Enlightened Mind, a powered-up state where:

  • Basic Attacks consume Sword Force for massive Honed Edge damage

  • Her Ultimate gains enhanced effects

  • Her DPS output spikes dramatically

This makes her a high-ceiling, high-investment carry that rewards proper team building and rotation management.

Key Synergy
Ether Veil generation is essential. The faster it’s applied, the faster Ye Shunguang transforms—making Zhao her best partner by far.

Best-in-Slot Gear

  • Signature W-Engine: Cloudcleave Radiance

  • Drive Discs: White Water Ballad (boosts Critical Rate while under Ether Veil)

Zhao – The Benevolent Bunny Defender

Zhao is designed to be powerful, flexible, and extremely accessible—even for new players.

Core Mechanic – Frostbite & Ether Veil
Zhao passively builds Frostbite through team actions. When full, swapping her in activates Ether Veil: Wellspring, a long-duration buff (around 40 seconds) that:

  • Boosts team-wide Attack and damage

  • Increases Max HP

  • Enables partial enemy Attribute Resistance bypass

Additional Utility

  • Team-wide healing via Special Attack

  • Strong off-field presence with minimal micromanagement

  • Excellent survivability scaling with Max HP

Best-in-Slot Gear

  • Signature W-Engine: Half-Sugar Bunny (team Attack + Crit Damage buffs)

Zhao is intentionally designed to be plug-and-play, offering huge value even at base copy.

πŸ† Meta Analysis & Pull Value

Ye Shunguang: Is She Worth Pulling?

Pull if you:

  • Need a top-tier Physical/Honed Edge DPS

  • Enjoy technical, transformation-based playstyles

  • Already have (or plan to use) strong Ether Veil supports

You can skip if you:

  • Are low on Polychrome

  • Already have multiple built S-Rank DPS units

  • Prefer simpler or lower-investment characters

Meta Position: Early Tier 0 DPS due to extremely high damage ceiling.

Zhao: The Free S-Rank You Should Never Skip

Unmatched Value

  • Free for all players via the Special Visitor event (available through Version 2.7)

  • No pulls required

  • Immediately useful on nearly any team

Should You Pull on Zhao’s Banner?
Only if you want early Mindscape Cinema upgrades. For most players, the free copy is more than enough.

Meta Position: High Tier 1+ Support, valued for accessibility and consistency.

🀝 Team Synergy & Comparisons

Best Pairings

  • Ye Shunguang + Zhao:
    The strongest synergy. Zhao’s Ether Veil drastically reduces Ye Shunguang’s setup time, accelerating Enlightened Mind uptime.

  • Other Strong Partners:
    Dialyn (Chain synergy), Soukaku (Attack buffs), Astra Yao (premium support alternative)

Where Zhao Doesn’t Shine

Zhao is not ideal for dedicated Rupture teams, as her long-duration buffs don’t align well with short burst windows.

πŸ“… Banner Strategy & Resource Planning

Version 2.5 Banner Timeline

  • Phase 1 (Dec 30):
    Ye Shunguang & Zhao debut banners (plus signature W-Engines)

  • Phase 2 (Jan 21):
    Exclusive Rescreening Banner

    • Choose Alice, Soldier 0 Anby, or Astra Yao

    • First S-Rank is guaranteed to be your selected character (no 50/50)

Pull Economy Insight

Free-to-play players can expect ~110 pulls during Version 2.5—enough to reach soft pity for one S-Rank.

✅ Final Pull Recommendations (Quick Guide)

  • All Players:
    ✔ Claim your free S-Rank Zhao immediately.

  • Need a premier DPS?
    ✔ Pull for Ye Shunguang.

  • New or support-starved accounts?
    ✔ Use free Zhao and save for Phase 2 guaranteed banner.

  • Veterans with built rosters?
    ✔ Pull Ye Shunguang only if she fills an elemental or playstyle gap.

πŸŒ™ Final Thoughts: Who Wins in Version 2.5?

Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 delivers one of the smartest character releases the game has seen. Ye Shunguang offers cutting-edge DPS potential, while Zhao reshapes expectations for free characters entirely.

No matter which path you choose, this update ensures every player walks away stronger—and better prepared for what comes after Season 2’s dramatic finale.              

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