Zenless Zone Zero 1.0 Tier List: Best Launch Characters Revisited in 2026

In 2026, Zenless Zone Zero has evolved far beyond its version 1.0 launch. New agents, new factions, and new endgame modes have completely reshaped the meta. Still, looking back at the original 17-character roster is a fascinating exercise. The launch tier list from GameSpot offered a snapshot of who mattered when New Eridu first opened its doors. Here is that snapshot, updated with a modern perspective and a few hard-earned lessons.

The Criteria That Shaped the 1.0 Rankings

The original tier list weighed three big factors. First, character availability: free agents like Nicole, Anby, and Billy had an edge because players could unlock them without spending. Second, specialization and attack sequences: Attack, Defense, Stun, Support, and Anomaly all played different roles, but Stun agents gained extra value because daze buildup triggered chain attacks. Third, team composition and additional passive perks: an agent's core passive always worked, but their additional passive required a same-faction or same-element teammate.

Factor	Why It Mattered in 1.0
Availability	Free characters reduced gacha pressure
Specialization	Stun and Support often carried teams
Team perks	Same faction or element unlocked bonus passives

That framework explains why some agents soared and others stumbled. It also explains why a few free characters outperformed their rarity.

Top-Tier Standouts at Launch

Ellen Joe: The Shark That Broke the Meta 🦈❄️

Ellen Joe sat at the very top. Her Ice Attack kit combined fast movement, multi-hit combos, and freeze, shatter, and frostbite status. Freezing enemies was almost like an extra stun. As a limited-time banner agent, she rewarded players who pulled early. In 2026, Ellen has been through power creep, but her launch dominance is still legendary.

Nicole Demara: Free, Flexible, and Fierce 💥

Nicole was a free A-rank Support from the Cunning Hares, yet she ranked among the best. Her Ether element inflicted corruption, and her Stuffed Sugarcoated Bullet EX special and Ether Grenade ultimate created gravitational fields that pulled enemies together. Think of it as a smaller Venti-style vortex. Grouping foes let teammates unleash devastating area damage. No kidding, a free character becoming a top-tier support was a gift for free-to-play players.

Lycaon: The Wolf Who Stunned Everything 🐺❄️

Lycaon combined Physical and Ice damage with quick combos. As an Ice Stun specialist, his punches and kicks built daze fast. He worked in non-Ice teams, but he truly excelled alongside Ellen and Soukaku in a pure-Ice composition. That team reliably froze enemies and shattered them.

Nekomiya: Catlike Speed, Physical Fury 🐱⚔️

Nekomiya was a Physical Attack agent whose animations made everyone else look slow. She zipped across the screen, ripped apart targets, and avoided hits. Physical damage also caused flinch, which increased daze buildup, so she functioned like a Stun agent too. Her only downside was a steep control curve. Once mastered, she was a monster.

Rina and Grace: The Electric Duo ⚡

Rina was an Electric Support with ridiculous range. Her Bangboo dolls created electrical fields, and her core passive increased penetration for the squad. Grace was an Electric Anomaly agent who built shock quickly and boosted shock damage taken by targets. Even though they belonged to different factions, their shared Electric element activated their additional perks. A Rina and Grace duo was ideal for Electric-focused teams.

Zhu Yuan: Almost S-Tier, But Not Quite 🔫

Zhu Yuan arrived in the second half of version 1.0. Her martial arts and pistol combos dealt Physical and Ether damage, and her Special Ops Ammunition passive boosted damage against stunned targets. Her Tactical Coordination perk gave a massive +30% crit rate after EX special, chain attack, or ultimate. The only problem? She was the sole New Eridu Public Security member, so maximizing her potential required Nicole. That faction gap kept her just below the top tier.

Solid Role Players and Free Options

Soukaku was the weakest Ice character at launch, mostly because Ellen and Lycaon were so strong. Her Rally/Fly the Flag special gave a huge ATK boost, and her Group Set Meal perk helped Ice teams. Billy was a free Physical Attack agent with hilariously easy ranged DPS. Spamming attacks made him fire dual pistols across the room. Ben Bigger was the only Defense agent, and his Guardian passive converted 40% of his DEF into bonus ATK. Koleda was a Fire Stun agent with slow animations but powerful Fire damage, especially when paired with Ben. Soldier 11 was a decent Fire Attack agent, but she lacked Obol Squad teammates. Lucy spawned Guard Boars, though their AI pathing was wonky. Anby was a free Electric Stun agent, but her core passive required precise timing in a spammy combat system.

Character	Role	Launch Verdict
Soukaku	Ice Support	Strong buffer, slow attacks
Billy	Physical Attack	Easy ranged mob clearer
Ben Bigger	Fire Defense	Unique tank, free
Koleda	Fire Stun	Better with Ben
Soldier 11	Fire Attack	Good, but isolated faction
Lucy	Fire Support	Useful minions, inconsistent AI
Anby	Electric Stun	Free, but outclassed

Lower-Priority Picks at Launch

Corin had potential as a Physical Attack agent with a chainsaw and Physical resistance shred, but that shred required Cinema 2. By default, her animations were slow and she needed field time. Anton was an Electric Attack agent who needed Burst Mode uptime, but Grace and Rina often outperformed him. Piper was a Physical Anomaly agent with unreliable DPS and slow animations. Even Corin at higher Cinema ranks was often a better Physical option.

What This Means in 2026

The 1.0 tier list is now a history lesson. In 2026, Zenless Zone Zero has many more agents, factions, and systems. Power creep has shifted the rankings, and new players should absolutely check the current meta before investing. Still, the old lessons hold: free characters can be excellent, team synergy matters, and a well-built squad beats a random collection of high-rarity agents. Here's the thing: tier lists are snapshots, not gospel. Players should experiment, test team comps, and see what feels right. After all, the best character is often the one that fits a player's style. ...