Introduction to Anomaly Agents

In Zenless Zone Zero, Anomaly characters are distinct agents who excel at controlling the battlefield by applying powerful status effects to debilitate enemies and trigger high-damage reactions. These effects, such as Shock, Burn, Freeze, Shatter, Scorch, Frostbite, Assault, and Polarity Disorder, weaken foes and open opportunities for massive bonus damage through synergy-based skills. Unlike characters who rely solely on raw power, Anomaly agents dominate through precisely timed debuffs and strategic team compositions.

Top-Tier Anomaly Characters

The current meta in Zenless Zone Zero heavily favors team compositions that leverage Attribute Anomalies. Here are some of the strongest Anomaly characters, ideal for players looking to build meta-relevant teams:

Miyabi: The Frostburn Burst DPS

Miyabi is consistently ranked as one of the strongest Anomaly characters in Zenless Zone Zero, often considered the top burst DPS. As of version 2.1, she is noted for delivering massive anomaly and critical damage with exceptional Frostburn buildup. Her gameplay often leans more towards an Attack Agent, prioritizing Crit Rate and Crit Damage over Anomaly Proficiency. Miyabi's powerful 3-stage charged slash is unlocked by utilizing her Fallen Frost stacks, which can be gained by unleashing her EX Special Attack (2 stacks) or Ultimate (3 stacks). Holding her Basic Attack consumes these stacks for increased damage and AoE, with the six-stack version being the most potent.

Vivian: The Ether Anomaly Sub-DPS

Vivian is recognized as a top Anomaly sub-DPS in the current meta, fitting perfectly into any anomaly team that benefits from strong off-field support. As an Ether Anomaly unit, she boosts team anomaly damage and applies corrosion damage. Her unique Anomaly Release mechanic adds extra damage based on the enemy's status. Vivian's EX Special Attack triggers 'Featherbloom,' which consumes one 'Guard Feather' to deal Ether Damage that always CRITs and boosts her ATK by 12%. Managing her Feathers wisely through EX Skill, Combo, Ultimate, and Support Assault is crucial for optimal performance.

Yanagi: The Electric Disorder Nuker

Yanagi is the go-to Electric Anomaly DPS for players who prefer fast, front-loaded burst damage without lengthy buildup. Her EX Special and Ultimate attacks deliver powerful Polarity Disorder nukes that trigger Disorder effects without consuming existing Anomaly buildup, providing a significant advantage in rapid engagements. Yanagi's aggressive playstyle makes her ideal for quick damage output. While Anomaly Proficiency is generally key, Yanagi also benefits from Crit Rate and Crit Damage to some extent.

Alice: The Physical Anomaly Main DPS

Alice is a powerful physical main DPS who excels at fully charging the Anomaly Gauge to trigger 'Assault' from her core passive. Once any Physical Anomaly is triggered, Alice deals consistent high damage over time, similar to a DoT (Damage over Time) effect, every 0.95 seconds. Her dynamic gameplay includes a 5th Basic Attack that launches her into the air with 'Rabbit Kicks the Hawk,' granting invincibility while airborne.

Jane Doe: The Mobile Physical Anomaly Assassin

Jane Doe is a highly mobile Physical Anomaly Agent known for her lethal critical hits and rapid 'Assault' debuff application. She builds 'Passion Stream' by performing Perfect Dodges, triggering Defensive Assist, or dealing damage. Once fully accumulated, 'Passion Stream' allows her to enter a 'Passion state,' which grants a 25% increase to Physical Anomaly Buildup Rate and enables frequent critical strikes. Jane's Ultimate also offers reliable crowd control, making her a flexible choice as either a main DPS or a powerful sub-DPS, especially in teams with Alice. Her double-dodge mechanic allows for seamless repositioning, and her 'Salchow Jump' provides uninterruptible attacks with her EX ability.

Piper: The Standard Banner Queen

Piper is considered a strong standard banner DPS character, often referred to as the 'queen of standard banner DPS'. As a standalone unit, she is highly effective, and a team of Piper + Pulchra + Lucy is considered one of the strongest all-A-rank teams. Piper's true value shines when she is used as a point character or a Disorder enabler for non-Physical Premium Anomaly agents, significantly smoothing the path to achieving a 3-star Disorder Anomaly clear. New players can effectively use her hold-EX ability to progress through most content.

Burnice: The Scorch Specialist

Burnice is a Fire Anomaly sub-DPS who excels at off-field Anomaly support. Wielding dual flamethrowers, she efficiently spreads 'Scorch' through her 'Nitro-Fuel Cocktail State,' setting up 'Afterburn' damage that complements main DPS agents. Her high mobility allows her to weave in and out of combat while maintaining pressure on enemies. Burnice is an excellent fit for Burn, Disorder, and Anomaly compositions and works well with characters like Yanagi for chain reactions.

Grace: The Electric Anomaly Support

Grace is an Electric Anomaly support character who constantly applies 'Shock' and interrupts enemies. She extends combo chains and ensures enemies remain disabled long enough for main DPS characters to finish them off. Grace is particularly strong in multi-Anomaly team setups and fits smoothly into both beginner and meta team compositions. Although her damage may not surpass Piper's, her synergy with Lucy makes her a more F2P-friendly option.

Building Anomaly Characters: Key Stats and Gear

When building Anomaly characters, the primary stat to prioritize is generally Anomaly Proficiency. However, there are exceptions:

Understanding how an agent's skills affect Anomaly buildup and damage is crucial for optimizing builds. Disk choices, including 'Freedom Blues' and A-rank W-Engines, are also important considerations for Anomaly agents.

Team Composition Strategies for Anomaly Agents

Effective team compositions in Zenless Zone Zero often revolve around Attribute Anomalies. Synergizing multiple Anomaly units in a team allows for the consistent application of debuffs and the triggering of Disorders, leading to massive bonus damage. It is important to understand how to optimize rotations to efficiently trigger Anomalies and Disorders.

Frequently Asked Questions