ZZZ Tier List - Best Characters in Zenless Zone Zero 2.2: A Definitive Ranking

Welcome, Trailblazers, to Gaming News’s most in-depth and thoroughly researched Zenless Zone Zero tier list for version 2.2. As HoYoverse’s highly anticipated action RPG continues to captivate players with its stylish combat and compelling narrative, the question of who to invest in becomes paramount. Navigating the ever-evolving roster of Bangboo and Proxies can be a daunting task, especially when aiming to optimize your teams for the most challenging content. This comprehensive guide aims to demystify the current meta, providing a definitive ranking of the best characters in Zenless Zone Zero 2.2. We have meticulously analyzed gameplay mechanics, synergy potential, damage outputs, and overall utility across various game modes to bring you an unparalleled overview. Our goal is not merely to list characters, but to provide actionable insights that empower you to make the most strategic decisions for your Zenless Zone Zero journey.

Understanding the Zenless Zone Zero Meta in Version 2.2

Before diving into the specifics of our tier list, it is crucial to understand the foundational principles that govern the current Zenless Zone Zero meta. Version 2.2 has introduced new Bangboo and Proxies, alongside balance adjustments that have subtly yet significantly shifted the landscape. The core of Zenless Zone Zero’s combat revolves around chaining skills, exploiting enemy weaknesses, and managing combo points for devastating ultimate attacks. Character roles are fluid, with many Proxies capable of fulfilling multiple functions, from raw damage dealing to crucial support and debuffing.

The economy of energy and skill cooldowns remains a critical factor. Characters who can consistently generate energy, reduce cooldowns, or provide buffs that accelerate skill usage are highly valued. Furthermore, the break system, which staggers enemies for massive damage opportunities, is central to high-level play. Proxies that excel at applying break damage or capitalizing on broken enemies are indispensable.

Synergy is perhaps the most potent force in Zenless Zone Zero. Teams are not simply collections of powerful individuals; they are intricate machines where each component enhances the others. Elemental compatibility plays a significant role in exploiting enemy weaknesses, and Proxies with complementary skills can create devastating combos. Understanding how different skill effects and passive abilities interact is key to unlocking a team’s true potential.

Finally, the introduction of new Artifacts and Cores in version 2.2 has further diversified team-building possibilities. The ability of certain Proxies to synergize with specific Artifact sets or Core effects can elevate them from good to exceptional. This tier list considers these nuances, reflecting the current state of the game where meta-defining strategies are constantly being refined.

Zenless Zone Zero 2.2 Tier List Methodology

Our Zenless Zone Zero tier list for version 2.2 is the culmination of extensive research, including cross-referencing data from leading Zenless Zone Zero content creators, community discussions, and direct gameplay analysis. We prioritize characters who demonstrate exceptional performance across a variety of scenarios, from clearing the toughest Dimensional Trials to excelling in the high-stakes Annihilation Order. The tiers are defined as follows:

• S+ Tier: Meta-Defining Characters. These Proxies are universally powerful, excelling in nearly every aspect of the game. They often possess unique mechanics, unmatched damage output, or game-changing utility that makes them essential for top-tier teams. Building these characters will significantly boost your overall performance.
• S Tier: Exceptional Characters. These Proxies are incredibly strong and highly valuable. They may excel in specific roles or team compositions but are still powerful enough to be central to many successful strategies. They represent excellent investments and are highly recommended for progression.
• A Tier: Strong and Reliable Characters. These Proxies offer solid performance and are capable of clearing most content effectively. They might require more specific team setups or may not reach the peak potential of higher-tier characters, but they are reliable choices that won’t hold you back.
• B Tier: Viable Characters. These Proxies can be used effectively, especially in the early to mid-game, or in niche situations where their specific kit shines. They might have certain limitations that prevent them from competing at the highest levels without significant investment and careful team building.
• C Tier: Situational Characters. These Proxies have very specific use cases or kits that are currently less impactful in the broader meta. While they might have niche applications or appeal to specific playstyles, they are generally not recommended for players looking to optimize their progression.

It’s important to remember that player skill, artifact optimization, and team synergy can always bridge gaps. A well-built and skillfully played B Tier character can outperform a poorly managed S Tier character. This tier list serves as a guide to the inherent power and meta relevance of each Proxy.

S+ Tier: The Unquestionable Powerhouses of Zenless Zone Zero 2.2

These are the Proxies who define the current Zenless Zone Zero meta. Their kits are so potent, versatile, and impactful that they form the backbone of most top-tier teams. Investing in these characters will provide the most significant and immediate advantage in tackling all of Zenless Zone Zero’s challenges.

Billy Platinum: The Apex Predator

Billy Platinum remains an undisputed titan in Zenless Zone Zero 2.2. His burst damage potential is simply astronomical, capable of evaporating even the most resilient of bosses. What truly elevates Billy to S+ Tier is his exceptional skill chaining and combo generation. His Passive Skill, “Chain Reaction,” allows his attacks to trigger additional effects based on the number of hits, leading to devastating damage amplification. His Ultimate Attack, “Platinum Finisher,” is not only a spectacle of destruction but also boasts an incredibly high damage multiplier, especially when used on broken enemies.

Furthermore, Billy’s ability to apply high stagger damage makes him indispensable for the break system. He can consistently stagger enemies, opening them up for massive damage windows that can significantly shorten encounter times. His mobility is also noteworthy, allowing him to reposition effectively and dodge incoming attacks, contributing to his survivability. In terms of Artifact synergy, Billy thrives with sets that boost his Critical Rate and Critical Damage, such as the “Crimson Shatter” set, amplifying his already prodigious offensive capabilities.

Belle: The Unyielding Fortress of Damage

Belle has solidified her position as a premier damage dealer, particularly excelling in sustained damage and AoE clearing. Her kit is designed for relentless offense, with skills that hit multiple targets and apply DoT (Damage over Time) effects. The Passive Skill, “Iron Maiden,” grants her significant bonuses to her Attack and Defense as she engages in combat, making her a formidable force that only grows stronger. Her Ultimate Attack, “Iron Curtain,” unleashes a torrent of projectiles that not only deal massive damage but also have a high chance to apply elemental debuffs, further increasing team damage output.

What makes Belle so crucial is her ability to maintain consistent damage pressure. Unlike some characters with more burst-oriented kits, Belle excels in longer fights, steadily chipping away at enemy health bars and controlling the battlefield. Her Stagger Damage is also respectable, contributing to the team’s ability to exploit enemy vulnerabilities. Artifacts that enhance her Attack and Attack Speed, like the “Thunderclap Fury” set, are ideal for maximizing her potential. The sheer utility of her AoE capabilities also makes her invaluable for clearing waves of enemies efficiently.

Anna: The Master of Elemental Supremacy

Anna is a quintessential example of how potent elemental manipulation can be in Zenless Zone Zero. Her ability to apply powerful debuffs and amplify elemental damage makes her an indispensable asset for any team aiming for peak performance. Her Passive Skill, “Elemental Resonance,” significantly boosts the elemental damage of her allies when she applies a certain number of elemental debuffs, creating a potent chain reaction of elemental destruction. Her Ultimate Attack, “Elemental Storm,” not only deals substantial elemental damage but also applies a wide array of debuffs across a large area, debilitating enemies and setting them up for devastating follow-up attacks.

The true strength of Anna lies in her supportive offensive capabilities. She doesn’t just deal damage; she enables her entire team to deal significantly more damage. Her skill kit is designed to synergize with elemental-focused teams, making her a cornerstone for many of the current meta compositions. Artifacts that increase her Elemental Damage and Debuff Application Rate, such as the “Aetherial Infusion” set, are highly recommended. Her ability to debuff enemies also contributes to stagger, indirectly aiding the break system.

S Tier: The Elite Contenders of Zenless Zone Zero 2.2

Characters in the S Tier are incredibly strong and form the core of many high-performing teams. While they may not possess the universal dominance of the S+ Tier, they offer exceptional utility, damage, or support that makes them highly sought after and incredibly effective.

Grace: The Precision Striker

Grace shines as a high-damage, single-target specialist. Her kit is honed for precision, allowing her to unleash devastating blows on key targets. Her Passive Skill, “Focused Assault,” grants her stacking bonuses to Critical Damage as she lands consecutive hits, making her incredibly lethal in prolonged engagements against single powerful foes. Her Ultimate Attack, “Graceful Execution,” is a flurry of precise strikes that deal immense damage, capable of quickly dispatching even the toughest bosses.

What sets Grace apart is her consistent damage output and her ability to exploit enemy vulnerabilities with high critical hits. She pairs exceptionally well with supports who can provide buffs to her Critical Rate or Attack. Artifacts that prioritize Critical Rate and Critical Damage, such as the “Blade Dancer’s Legacy” set, are essential for maximizing her potential. Her Stagger Damage is also noteworthy, contributing to the team’s ability to proc the break system.

Lyra: The Swift Executor

Lyra is a master of speed and rapid attacks, making her an excellent choice for players who favor an aggressive, high-tempo playstyle. Her Passive Skill, “Zealous Onslaught,” grants her increased Attack Speed and damage based on her current Energy reserves, encouraging a constant stream of attacks. Her Ultimate Attack, “Lightning Barrage,” is a blindingly fast series of strikes that deal significant damage and can apply elemental effects with high frequency.

The strength of Lyra lies in her ability to overwhelm enemies with sheer volume of attacks. This not only leads to consistent damage but also makes her excellent at applying debuffs and building up Stagger Damage rapidly. She synergizes well with characters who can enhance her Attack Speed or provide Energy regeneration to maintain her optimal damage output. Artifacts that boost Attack Speed and Attack, like the “Swiftwind Set”, are ideal for her.

Riel: The Unwavering Support

Riel stands out as a premier support character, capable of significantly enhancing her team’s survivability and offensive capabilities through her healing and buffing abilities. Her Passive Skill, “Guardian’s Embrace,” provides periodic healing to the entire team, making her essential for sustaining through challenging encounters. Her Ultimate Attack, “Sanctuary’s Boon,” not only provides a substantial burst of healing but also grants damage reduction to allies, acting as a crucial panic button against overwhelming enemy pressure.

Beyond her healing prowess, Riel’s ability to provide Energy regeneration to her allies is a critical factor in maintaining high damage output and skill uptime. This makes her a vital component for teams that rely on frequent ultimate attacks or the consistent use of powerful skills. Artifacts that boost her Healing Power and Energy Regeneration, such as the “Vitality Bloom” set, are paramount. Her presence allows more offensive characters to play more aggressively, knowing they have a reliable safety net.

Kaito: The Master of Control

Kaito offers a unique blend of damage and crowd control, making him a highly valuable all-rounder. His Passive Skill, “Calculated Strike,” grants him bonuses to damage when he successfully interrupts an enemy’s attack, rewarding skillful play. His Ultimate Attack, “Phantom Dance,” allows him to engage multiple enemies with precise strikes, dealing significant damage and having a chance to stun them, providing crucial breathing room for his team.

The strength of Kaito lies in his ability to disrupt enemy attack patterns and control the flow of combat. This crowd control is invaluable for setting up offensive windows and protecting his allies from dangerous attacks. He also contributes respectable Stagger Damage, aiding in the break system. Artifacts that enhance his Attack and Critical Rate, alongside those that boost his Stagger Damage, are recommended. His versatility makes him a strong pick for a wide range of team compositions.

A Tier: Reliable Choices for a Strong Foundation

The A Tier comprises Proxies who are undeniably strong and capable of clearing most content effectively. They might require more specific team compositions or have slightly less impact at the absolute highest echelons compared to S Tier characters, but they represent excellent investments and will serve you well on your journey through Zenless Zone Zero.

Corin: The Elemental Weaver

Corin excels at applying elemental debuffs and enabling her team’s elemental damage. Her Passive Skill, “Elemental Infusion,” buffs the elemental attack of her allies after she uses her special skill, making her a potent enabler. Her Ultimate Attack, “Elemental Cascade,” deals moderate elemental damage and applies a significant amount of elemental debuffs, setting the stage for massive damage from her teammates.

Corin’s primary strength is her elemental amplification. She pairs exceptionally well with Proxies who deal high elemental damage, as she can significantly boost their output. Artifacts that enhance her Elemental Damage and Debuff Application Rate are key to maximizing her effectiveness.

Tony: The Wildcard Bruiser

Tony offers a high-risk, high-reward playstyle focused on heavy hitting and aggressive offense. His Passive Skill, “Reckless Fury,” grants him significant damage bonuses but also increases the damage he takes, requiring careful positioning and support. His Ultimate Attack, “Carnage Unleashed,” is a devastating series of blows that deals immense physical damage, capable of breaking enemy guards and staggering them significantly.

Tony’s strength lies in his raw damage output, particularly against single targets. He excels when paired with characters who can provide healing, shields, or damage reduction to mitigate his increased vulnerability. Artifacts that boost his Attack and Critical Damage are essential for his offensive capabilities.

Nekomata: The Swift Flanker

Nekomata is a fast-paced attacker who excels at applying consistent damage and minor crowd control. Her Passive Skill, “Shadow Step,” grants her increased evasion and attack speed after dodging an attack, encouraging a reactive and evasive playstyle. Her Ultimate Attack, “Phantom Strike,” allows her to quickly reposition and unleash a rapid series of attacks that deal moderate damage and have a chance to apply a brief stun.

Nekomata’s value lies in her agility and ability to contribute consistent damage while also providing some utility through her occasional stuns. She pairs well with characters who can capitalize on the brief openings she creates. Artifacts that boost her Attack Speed and Attack are beneficial.

Anby: The Supportive Disruptor

Anby brings a unique blend of support and disruption to the team. Her Passive Skill, “Energetic Pulse,” grants allies a small amount of Energy regeneration whenever she uses her special skill. Her Ultimate Attack, “Phase Shift,” allows her to briefly phase out of reality, becoming invulnerable and dealing damage to enemies upon reappearance, while also debuffing their Defense.

Anby’s utility comes from her Energy regeneration and defensive debuffing. This allows her team to maintain higher skill uptime and deal more damage. She is a valuable addition to teams that struggle with Energy management or face enemies with exceptionally high defense. Artifacts that boost her Energy Regeneration and Debuff Application Rate are effective.

B Tier: Viable Options for Specific Needs

Proxies in the B Tier can be effective, especially in the earlier stages of the game or in very specific team compositions. They may have certain limitations that prevent them from competing at the absolute highest levels without significant investment, but they are still capable of contributing to your team’s success.

Setanta: The Aggressive Striker

Setanta is a character focused on aggressive melee combat, delivering hard-hitting attacks. His Passive Skill, “Frenzied Charge,” grants him stacking attack bonuses as he continuously attacks, encouraging him to remain in the fray. His Ultimate Attack, “Raging Cleave,” is a powerful sweeping attack that deals significant physical damage and has a good chance to apply stagger damage.

Setanta’s role is primarily as a melee damage dealer. He can be effective in teams that can protect him and allow him to maintain his aggression. Artifacts that boost his Attack and Critical Damage are beneficial.

Nana: The Elemental Enabler

Nana is an elemental specialist who focuses on applying elemental debuffs to enemies, weakening their defenses and making them more vulnerable. Her Passive Skill, “Elemental Resonance,” grants allies a minor boost to their elemental damage when she applies a debuff. Her Ultimate Attack, “Elemental Shower,” deals moderate elemental damage and applies a wide array of elemental debuffs across a target area.

Nana’s primary utility lies in her ability to prime enemies for elemental damage dealers. She is most effective in teams built around elemental synergy. Artifacts that enhance her Debuff Application Rate and Elemental Damage are suitable.

Von Lycaon: The Mobile Attacker

Von Lycaon offers a mobile combat style with a focus on quick strikes and evasive maneuvers. His Passive Skill, “Swift Dodge,” grants him increased movement speed and attack speed after successfully dodging an attack. His Ultimate Attack, “Shadow Blitz,” allows him to perform a rapid dash attack that deals moderate damage and can apply a brief stun to enemies.

Von Lycaon’s agility makes him a difficult target to pin down, and his skill set allows for consistent damage output. He can be effective in teams that benefit from his mobility and occasional crowd control. Artifacts that boost his Attack Speed and Attack are recommended.

C Tier: Situational Picks for Niche Strategies

Characters in the C Tier have very specific use cases or kits that are currently less impactful in the broader Zenless Zone Zero meta. While they might have niche applications or appeal to specific playstyles, they are generally not recommended for players looking to optimize their progression unless they have a very specific strategy in mind.

Living Will: The Defensive Sentinel

Living Will is designed as a defensive character, focusing on absorbing damage and protecting allies. His Passive Skill, “Guardian’s Ward,” grants him a shield that absorbs a portion of incoming damage. His Ultimate Attack, “Fortress Stance,” significantly increases his defense and allows him to taunt nearby enemies, drawing aggro.

Living Will’s primary role is tanking. However, in the current meta, damage output and healing are often prioritized over pure tanking capabilities. He can be useful in extremely defensive team setups, but his lack of offensive contribution limits his overall utility.

Pandor: The Experimental Tactician

Pandor possesses a unique kit focused on setting up traps and delayed effects. Her Passive Skill, “Calculated Placement,” allows her to leave traps on the battlefield that detonate when enemies trigger them, dealing damage. Her Ultimate Attack, “Devastating Array,” detonates all active traps simultaneously, dealing significant area damage.

Pandor’s trap-based mechanics can be effective, but they require significant foresight and a specific playstyle to optimize. The delayed nature of her damage can make her less effective in fast-paced encounters or against highly mobile enemies. Her Stagger Damage is also relatively low compared to other characters.

Building Your Ultimate Zenless Zone Zero Team

Creating a formidable team in Zenless Zone Zero 2.2 is about more than just slotting in the highest-tier Proxies. It requires careful consideration of synergy, elemental compatibility, and role fulfillment.

• Core Damage Dealer: Always aim to have at least one S+ or S Tier character who can consistently output high damage. This will be your primary source of offense.
• Support and Utility: Incorporate Proxies who can provide healing, shielding, buffs (like Attack or Critical Rate), or debuffs (like Defense Down or Elemental Resistance Down). Riel is a prime example of essential support.
• Elemental Synergy: Pay close attention to enemy elemental weaknesses. Having Proxies who can exploit these weaknesses with their skills and Ultimate Attacks is crucial for efficient combat and breaking enemy defenses. Anna and Corin excel in this area.
• Stagger and Break: Prioritize characters who can apply significant Stagger Damage. Being able to break enemy guards opens up massive damage windows. Billy Platinum and Grace are excellent at this.
• Energy Management: Consider Proxies who can help with Energy regeneration, ensuring your team can consistently use their powerful Ultimate Attacks.

As the game continues to evolve with new Proxies and balance updates, this tier list will be a living document. However, the principles of synergy, damage output, and utility will remain paramount. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each Proxy and building your teams with strategic intent, you will be well on your way to conquering the most challenging content Zenless Zone Zero has to offer. Continue to experiment, adapt, and most importantly, enjoy the thrilling combat and compelling world of Zenless Zone Zero!