Zhao Kit, Gameplay & Signature W-Engine ZZZ 2.5

Version 2.5 of ZZZ is just around the corner, and the brand-new character Zhao is set to make her debut! Voiced in Chinese by Nuoya—known for roles such as Higokumaru in Honkai Impact 3rd, Diona in Genshin Impact and March 7 in HSR—Zhao brings a unique playstyle to the game.

Let's take a closer look at Zhao's skills and her signature W-Engine to see how she becomes an member of your team!

 

Zhao Overview

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Rarity	Weapon	Type	Element
S	Defense	Slash	Ice

Zhao is an S-rank Ice Defense unit built to protect and empower her team. She combines strong survivability with healing and a unique HP-consumption mechanic, while her Core Passive and Signature W-Engine boost her squad’s ATK, CRIT DMG, and Attribute RES Ignore. A versatile frontline support, Zhao turns defense into a powerful advantage for any team.

Meta Analysis: Zhao is the second S-rank limited Defense unit. The first, Caesar, specializes in heavy shielding and direct ATK boosts to ensure safety. Zhao, however, offers a more aggressive utility kit suited for high-DPS environments. Beyond survivability, she brings penetration boosts (RES Ignore) similar to specific supports, adding offensive utility that goes far beyond just defense. She is expected to synergize perfectly with upcoming units like Ye Shunguang.

You can find more trending news about Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 on LDShop.

 

Basic Attack

Basic Attack: Piercing Judgment

Press  to activate:

Unleashes up to 5 slashes ahead. The first hit deals Physical DMG, and the last four hits deal Ice DMG.

*1st~5th DMG Multiplier：147.1% / 132% / 232.4% / 371.5% / 740.4%

*1st~5th Daze Multiplier：83.7% / 74.5% / 127.3% / 232.7% / 421%

Basic Attack: Final Judgment

Hold  to activate:

Enter charging state. Release to perform a slash forward, dealing massive Ice DMG;
During charging, Zhao can accumulate up to 5s of charge time. When [Basic Attack: Final Judgment], [Chain Attack], or [Assist Follow-Up]'s Finishing Move hits, it will consume the charge time to deal additional DMG. For every 1s of charge time, deal additional DMG equal to 24.0% of Zhao's Max HP;
While in [Ether Veil], charging can be performed off field;
Upon activating this skill, if [Frostbite Point] is full, consume all [Frostbite Point] to activate [Ether Veil: Wellspring] and trigger [Quick Assist]. If switched out during this time, will automatically link to [Basic Attack: Final Judgment] and enter charging state;
During skill activation, Anti-Interrupt level increases, and DMG taken is reduced by 40%;
Character is invulnerable while using this skill when off field.

*DMG Multiplier: 140.1%

*Daze Multiplier: 78.7%

 

Special Attack

 Special Attack: Ice Shatter Blast

Press to activate:

Unleash a slash forward, dealing Ice DMG;
Upon activating this skill, consume 5% of current HP, restoring HP for all squad members based on 1.7% of max HP per second for 5 seconds. The HP consumption effect from [Special Attack: Ice Shatter Blast] and [EX Special Attack: Frostbound Earth] can be triggered once every 30 seconds.

*DMG Multiplier: 114.1%

*Daze Multiplier: 85.5%

EX Special Attack: Frostbound Earth

With enough energy, press to activate:

Continuously slash forward, dealing massive Ice DMG;
Upon activating this skill, consumes 5% of current HP to restore HP for all squad members based on 1.7% of max HP per second for 5 seconds. The HP consumption effects of [Special Attack: Ice Shatter Blast] and [EX Special Attack: Frostbound Earth] can trigger once every 30 seconds;
Upon activating this skill, gain 20 [Frostbite Point]. When [Frostbite Point] is full, consume all [Frostbite Point] to activate [Ether Veil: Wellspring];
Upon activating this skill while under [Ether Veil], triggers [Quick Assist]. If switched out during this state, automatically chains into a charged [Basic Attack: Final Judgment];
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

*DMG Multiplier: 2421.9%

*Daze Multiplier: 1215.9%

*Energy Cost: 80

 

Chain Attack

Chain Attack: Temporary Alliance

When a [Chain Attack] is triggered, select the character to activate:

Perform continuous slashes forward, dealing massive Ice DMG;
Upon activating this skill, accumulate 5 [Frostbite Point]. When [Frostbite Point] is full, consume all [Frostbite Point] to activate [Ether Veil: Wellspring];
Upon activating this skill, if under [Ether Veil], [Quick Assist] will be triggered. When switched out during this state, automatically chain into [Basic Attack: Final Judgment] and charge;
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

*DMG Multiplier: 1541.9%

*Daze Multiplier: 498%

Ultimate: Bunny Blade Barrage

When Decibel Rating is at [Maximum], press to activate:

Perform a forward attack followed by a falling slash on enemies, dealing massive Ice DMG;
Upon activating this skill, accumulate 20 [Frostbite Point], if [Frostbite Point] is full, consume all [Frostbite Point] to activate [Ether Veil: Wellspring];
Upon activating this skill, if under [Ether Veil], trigger [Quick Assist]. When switched out in this state, automatically chain into a charged [Basic Attack: Final Judgment];
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

*DMG Multiplier: 4375.2%

*Daze Multiplier: 304.0%

 

Core Skill

Core Passive: Best Colleague

Zhao gains additional CRIT Rate based on initial Max HP, increasing CRIT Rate by 1.4% for every 1000 points of initial Max HP;
When entering the battlefield, Zhao gains 100 [Frostbite Point]. In Investigation Zone mode, this effect can trigger once every 180 seconds, with a maximum of 100 points;
When on-field Agents deal DMG, Zhao accumulates 6 [Frostbite Point], triggering at most once every 3 seconds;
When [Frostbite Point] is full, switching Zhao to on-field position activates [Entry Skill];
When Zhao activates [Entry Skill], consumes all [Frostbite Point] and activates [Ether Veil: Wellspring];
While [Ether Veil: Wellspring] is active, all squad members' Max HP increases by 5% for 40 seconds. When Zhao activates it again, the existing [Ether Veil: Wellspring] will be deactivated;
When Zhao activates [Ether Veil: Wellspring], increases ATK of all squad members by 1,000 for 50 seconds.

Additional Ability: Cohesion

Triggers when there is a [Attack], [Anomaly], or [Support] character in the squad:
While Zhao is within [Ether Veil], increases DMG dealt by the whole squad by 10%. When Zhao's initial max HP exceeds 15,000, for every 400 points of initial max HP exceeded, the DMG boost increases by an additional 1%, up to a maximum of 40%. When initial max HP reaches 27,000, this buff reaches its maximum effect.

Stay tuned to LDShop Zenless Zone Zero Hub for first-minute updates.

 

Dodge

 Dodge: Speed Demon Strike

Press to activate:

A quick dash dodge;

Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

Dash Attack: Bounce Dash

Press during a dodge to activate:

Slashes forward, dealing Physical DMG and Ice DMG.

Dodge Counter: Flash Step

Press  during a Perfect Dodge to activate:

Perform a falling slash forward, dealing Ice DMG.

Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

 

 

Assist

Entry Skill: Frost Burst

When [Frostbite Point] is full, press to activate:

Perform consecutive attacks followed by a slash, dealing massive Ice DMG;
Upon activating this skill, consume all [Frostbite Point] to activate [Ether Veil: Wellspring];
Upon activating this skill, trigger [Quick Assist]. When switched out in this state, automatically chain into a charging [Basic Attack: Final Judgment];
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

*DMG Multiplier: 1361.2%

*Daze Multiplier: 345.7%

Quick Assist: Fill in the Gaps

When the active character is launched, press to activate:

Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

*DMG Multiplier: 352%

*Daze Multiplier: 132%

Defensive Assist: Frost Trance Control

When the on-field character is about to be attacked, press  to activate:

Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze.
This skill excels at parrying enemy attacks and reduces the consumption of Assist Points when the character is under intense attacks.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

*Light Defensive Daze Multiplier: 514.4%

*Heavy Defensive Daze Multiplier: 514.4%

*Chain Defensive Daze Multiplier: 250.4%

Assist Follow-Up: Radiant Reflection

Press  after a Defensive Assist to activate:

Perform consecutive slashes forward, dealing massive Ice DMG;
Upon activating this skill, if [Frostbite Point] is full, consume all [Frostbite Point] to activate [Ether Veil: Wellspring];
Upon activating this skill, if under [Ether Veil], trigger [Quick Assist]. When switched out in this state, automatically chain into a charging [Basic Attack: Final Judgment];
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

*DMG Multiplier: 732.4%

*Daze Multiplier: 477.6%

 

Mindscape Cinema

M1: Solemn Verdict

When Zhao is switched to a non-active character, the whole squad's DMG ignores 15% of target's Attribute RES for 50 seconds.

M2: Krampus Senior

When Zhao's HP is restored, increase ATK by 20% and increase other squad members' ATK by 15% for 50 seconds.

M3: Frost Cicada Ice Blade

Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2

M4: Swift as a startled rabbit

When Zhao activates [Ether Veil], gain 250 Decibels; increases CRIT DMG of [Ultimate], [Chain Attack] and [Basic Attack: Final Judgment] by 40%

M5: Fluffy Listener

Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2

M6: Priceless is still a price

[Core Passive: Best Colleague] Increases CRIT Rate effect to 125% of the original value; [Basic Attack: Final Judgment] Increases the additional DMG from accumulated charge duration to 140% of the original value, and accumulated charge duration will not be consumed during attacks.

 

Signature W-Engine

Half-Sugar Bunny

Rarity	Type	Base ATK	HP
S	Defense	713	30%

W-Engine Effect

Equipper's Energy Regen increases by 0.46 points/sec; all squad members' ATK increases by 10%, Max HP increases by 10%, this effect is unique to the squad; when the equipper activates or extends [Ether Veil], increases the whole squad's CRIT DMG by 30% for 60 seconds, repeated triggers refresh the duration.

 

Conclusion

After going through Zhao’s full kit and signature W-Engine, it’s hard not to get excited for her 2.5 debut. She tanks, heals, buffs, and even converts HP into teamwide power—turning pure defense into real damage and utility.

Want to unlock Zhao faster, level up her skills, and get her signature W-Engine at the best value? Top up through LDShop to enjoy the most affordable and secure Zenless Zone Zero recharge options.