Zenless Zone Zero 1.1: An Undercover R&B Update Deep Dive
Zenless Zone Zero is about to undergo its first significant update with version 1.1 after first release. Dubbed "Undercover R&B," this update offers fresh narrative material, a trio of gripping characters, and enticing banners for players ready to delve right in. Let's examine more closely what this fascinating update holds.
Release Date Zenless Zone Zero 1.1
Zenless Zone Zero 1.1 is scheduled to release on August 14, 2024, as stated by HoYoverse on their pre-patch livestream. Emphasizing the lore around the New Eridu Public Security (N.E.P.S.) faction and exploring their part in the story of the game, the update will Though their narrative is about to develop further in this next update, this faction—which includes characters like Zhu Yuan and Qingyi—made a noteworthy appearance in the Chapter 2 Interlude, "Mission Unthinkable," of ZZZ 1.0.
ZZZ 1.1 features new characters Qingyi, Jane Doe, and Seth Lowell.
Apart from the fresh narrative material, ZZZ 1.1 presents three fascinating characters: Seth Lowell, Jane Doe, and Qingyi. The two limited banners that will be active across the patch will help one to acquire all three characters. S-ranked Agents Qingyi and Jane Doe are Physical Anomaly and Electric Stun specialist respectively. Conversely, Seth Lowell ranks as an A-grade Electric Defense Agent.
First limited Stun character in the game, Qingyi excels in causing fast Daze buildup and significant damage. Her set consists on fast-paced combo attacks with an original meter mechanism. Qingyi builds her meter as she causes Electric damage; once it reaches 75% or more, she enters a special state whereby holding the Basic Attack input releases a devastating attack that causes great damage and Daze on enemies, so improving the damage multiplier against stunned foes.
As an anomaly character, Jane Doe deliberately uses the elemental status effects of the game, especially in combining Assault with other elemental status effects to set off the Discord mechanic. Her package emphasizes either damage-causing or stackable buff building from Dodge Counters, Perfect Assists. She enters a unique condition at maximum stacks that improves her stats, opens a special attack, and eats a stack of her buff with every hit. Her Core Passive notably gives the Assault status effect the possibility to be a critical hit.
Fascinatingly, Jane Doe corresponds with the same faction as Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Seth for gameplay reasons even though she is shown with a different faction. Any one of these characters can thus set off the secondary passives of another.
Joining Ben as the second Defense character in the game, Seth Lowell provides teammates with shielding ability when they swap through a Quick Assist or Chain Attack. Like Qingyi, Seth has a special meter that can be accumulated by different motions and directed on a designated Basic Attack. This attack increases Electric damage and consumes 75% of the meter. Seth is the first non-Support character able to aggressively create a Quick Assist opportunity by striking enemies with his Defensive Assist follow-through.
1.1 Banners by ZZZ and Additional Changes
Following HoYoverse's custom, Zenless Zone Zero 1.1 will comprise two limited character banners, each active for separate "halves" of the patch. First limited banner will show Qingyi as exclusive S-rank alongside Anby and Billy as rate-up A-ranks. After this banner ends, the second limited banner will start with Jane Doe as S-rank next to Seth and Corin as featured A-ranks.
The banner featuring Jane Doe and Seth might have a small advantage for players who are not especially drawn to one banner over the other since Seth will probably not be available on the Standard banner until after patch 1.1 ends.
Each will have a limited W-Engine banner in addition to the character banners. The first banner will show Qingyi, Anby, and Billy's signature W-Engines; the second will show Jane, Seth, and Corin's. For players, W-Engine banners usually have second importance since few W-Engines are most beneficial for the particular limited characters they are meant for. Players who like a specific limited character, however, could also wish to get their matching W-Engine as well.
Apart from the banners, ZZZ 1.1 will apply several enhancements in quality of living. These include major changes to the Chain Attack mechanism that let players activate Manual Chain Attack mode, in which case Chain Attack won't automatically start on stunned enemies. Players also become able to stop Chain Attacks halfway through execution. New combat challenge modes, a better enemy preview in Shiyu Defense, and more UI customizing choices for mobile devices are other additions.
Zenless Zone Zero is ready to enter version 1.1 with great momentum; its first big update is scheduled to release on August 14th. Although the patch might not greatly alter the central narrative of the game, concentrating on highlighting a rather less developed faction will help to bring important innovations that will open the path for next 1.x patches and finally result in a significant 2.0 patch for Zenless Zone Zero.
