Zenless Zone Zero Update Version 1.4 Announcement

Introduction to Update Version 1.4 Announcement

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Version 1.4 update, A Storm of Falling Stars! This update brings new characters, events, gameplay features, and improvements. Check out the details below, including update times and compensation info.

Maintenance & Compensation Details

Update Schedule

Release Date: December 18, 2024, at 06:00 (UTC+8)
Estimated Downtime: 5 hours

Compensation Details

Server Update Compensation

• Reward: 300 Polychrome
• Eligibility: Players who reached Inter-Knot Lv. 4 before December 18, 2024, at 06:00 (UTC+8)
• Claim Deadline: Available until the end of Version 1.4

Issue Fix Compensation

• Reward: 300 Polychrome
• Eligibility: Players who reached Inter-Knot Lv. 4 before December 18, 2024, at 06:00 (UTC+8)
• Claim Deadline: Must be claimed before January 17, 2025, at 23:59 (UTC+8)
• How to Claim: Compensation will be sent via in-game mail after the update is complete. Be sure to collect it within 30 days before it expires!

Note: Version 1.4 will run for 5 weeks and end on January 22, 2025, at 06:00 (UTC+8).

How to Update

PC: Exit the game, restart, and select “Update.”
Android: Follow the in-game pop-up instructions after logging in.
iOS: Go to the App Store and tap “Update.”
PS5™:

1. Open the PS5 home screen.
2. Highlight Zenless Zone Zero.
3. Hold the Options button on your controller.
4. Select Check for Updates.

New Characters

Hoshimi Miyabi (Anomaly – Frost)
Hoshimi Miyabi wields the Frost attribute and comes with a unique Attribute Anomaly Buildup gauge. She enhances the entire squad’s Anomaly Buildup Rate, making it easier to trigger Attribute Anomalies on enemies. By coordinating with teammates to activate Disorder, she accumulates Fallen Frost points, allowing her to unleash a devastating blade slash that deals massive damage.

Asaba Harumasa (Attack – Electric)
Asaba Harumasa is a ranged DPS with high burst potential. His combat style revolves around Electro Quivers, which trigger Ha-Oto no Ya to mark enemies with X-Marked. Once marked, he enters an Awakened state, dashing in for a powerful Electric slash that deals heavy damage.

New W-Engines

S-Rank W-Engine: Hailstorm Shrine (Anomaly)
A powerful W-Engine specialized for Anomaly-based playstyles. Available through Signal Searching on the Dissonant Sonata channel.

S-Rank W-Engine: Zanshin Herb Case (Attack)
An elite Attack-type W-Engine designed for high-damage output. Obtainable via Signal Searching on the Dazzling Choir channel.

A-Rank W-Engine: Marcato Desire (Attack)
An Attack-type W-Engine that can be acquired through the limited-time event “Into That Pale Wasteland” in Version 1.4.

Make sure to grab these powerful W-Engines and optimize your squad!

New Bangboo

S-Rank Bangboo: Agent Gulliver
A top-tier Bangboo that can be obtained through the An Outstanding Partner channel.

A-Rank Bangboo: Brawlerboo
Earn this fierce combat companion by increasing your License Level in Hollow Zero: Lost Void.

Don’t miss out on these powerful allies to enhance your squad!

New Story

Main Story Chapter 5: A Storm of Falling Stars

Unravel the secrets and strike down the threats looming over New Eridu.
Availability: Permanently available after Version 1.4 goes live.
Requirements: Complete Chapter 4: Tour de Inferno and the Special Episode Virtual Revenge. For more information about this event. Check out this link!

Asaba Harumasa’s Agent Story: A Name Written in Water

“That is the scar left by his healed wound.”
Availability: Unlocks on 2024/12/30 at 12:00 (server time).
Requirements: Complete Leisurely Lull: Goldfinch’s Escape (available after finishing Chapter 5).
Early Access: Play the story in advance via the “Advance Screening” function.For more information about this event. Check out this link!

Agent Trust Event

New Trust Events added for:
Hoshimi Miyabi
Soukaku
Asaba Harumasa

Availability: Permanently available after Version 1.4 goes live.
How to Unlock: Obtain the corresponding Agents and complete their required stories (Workbench > Partner Archive).

Note: Asaba Harumasa’s story “A Name Written in Water” is also included in his Trust Events—you can choose whether to experience it there.

Quality Time Events – Get Closer to Your Agent

Starting in Version 1.4, spend time with your Agents through Quality Time Events, which include:

Wish Events – Completing these for the first time increases Trust and grants Polychromes & other rewards.
Fun Events – Experience special moments with your Agents and collect unique interactions.
Quality Time Spots – Visit New Eridu’s arcade and enjoy games with your Agents. More locations coming soon!

Availability: Permanently available after Version 1.4 goes live.
Requirements: Obtain the corresponding Agent and raise their Trust level to “Friendly.”

Future Update: Agent Soldier 11 will get her own Quality Time and Trust Events in later versions.

Explore the city, snap photos, visit trendy spots, and make lasting memories with your favorite Agents!

New Areas

Port Elpis

Unlocked in: Main Story Chapter 5 A Storm of Falling Stars (Available after Version 1.4 goes live)

Once a thriving port, now mostly swallowed by the Hollow. For more information about this update. Visit this link!

Key Features:

• The Torchlit Lighthouse still shines in the dark, guiding the upper layers.
• Twisting walkways filled with lost souls, searching for a long-gone rescue number.
• A labyrinth of containers, holding secrets yet to be uncovered.

Reverb Arena

Unlocked after:

• Version 1.4 goes live
• Reach Main Story Chapter 1 – Intermission
• Complete Agent Story “Mole in the Hole (I)”

A repurposed underground tunnel turned vibrant gathering hub for various communities. If you’d like to get some information about this update. Check this link!

Who hangs out here?

• Music lovers & idol fans
• Ethereal researchers & Intelligent Construct enthusiasts
• Bangboo fans & collectors

If you’re into underground culture, Reverb Arena is the place to be!

H.S.O.S. 6 Office

Unlocked after: Completing Main Story Chapter 5 and obtaining Miyabi’s token.

Following Miyabi’s authorization, new areas of HAND Headquarters are now accessible.

What’s inside?

• The main office of Hollow Special Operations Section 6.
• A crucial location in the unfolding H.S.O.S. storyline.

New Gameplay

Hollow Zero: Lost Void

Unlocked after: Completing the Agent Story Mole in the Hole (I)

Delve into the Lost Void and experiment with diverse Gear and Resonia effects to enhance your combat strategies. Adapt your playstyle, overcome powerful enemies, and claim rare rewards! You can visit this link to learn more about this gameplay

Key Updates:

• Available permanently after Version 1.4 goes live.
• Investigation Points from Hollow Zero: Withered Domain will no longer have a weekly cap after the update.
• From 2024/12/16 to 2024/12/23, both Investigation Points and Shadow Crystal Data will count toward weekly Bounty Commissions.
• After 2024/12/23, Withered Domain Bounty Commissions will no longer update—only Lost Void Bounty Commissions will be available.

Deadly Assault (Permanent Challenge Mode)

Unlocked after: Reaching Inter-Knot Lv. 40 and unlocking Shiyu Defense
Release Date: 2024/12/20 04:00 (server time)
Resets Every Two Weeks (Next reset: 2025/01/10)

Face relentless enemies in this high-stakes challenge mode! Defeat powerful foes and earn:
Polychrome
Investigation Merits
Dennies

The Mystery of Arpeggio Fault – Challenging Mode

After the Version 1.4 update, Proxies can choose between:

Normal Mode (standard difficulty)
Challenging Mode (enhanced difficulty for greater rewards)

What’s different in Challenging Mode?

• Crimson Silk acquisition +50%
• No Agent recruitment allowed
• Tech Tree effects trigger at half rate ⚙
• Stronger enemies

Familiarize yourself with this gameplay. Visit this link!

New Systems

Special Training Plan for Agents

Proxies can now customize upgrade plans for their Agents! Access this feature in the Agent interface to:

View detailed upgrade plans – Check material requirements and navigate quickly to upgrade or material acquisition screens.
Set personalized goals – Track progress for Agents, skills, and Drive Discs with clear upgrade targets.
Batch set upgrade plans – Streamline multiple upgrades at once.
Mark a “Training Target” Agent – Required materials will be highlighted in various content, including HIA Club, Routine Cleanup, Notorious Hunt, music store, and Compendium screens for easy tracking.

Agent Combat Readiness System

Provides recommended upgrade paths for Agents.
Allows quick navigation to upgrade screens.
Helps optimize Agents’ combat potential with guided recommendations.

Inter-Knot “Journey” System

Track your Main Story progress and unlockable features with the new Journey system!

What’s included?

• A detailed overview of Main Story chapters, unlockable features, and commissions.
• Milestone rewards – Reach specific nodes to claim chapter-based rewards.

Other New Content

New Enemies

Prepare for fresh challenges with these new foes:

• Tyrfing (Infested)
• Alpeca (Infested)
• Special Sacrifice Entity
• Shatterbug
• Autonomous Assault Unit – Typhon Destroyer
• Notorious – Marionette

New Combat Challenges & Systems

• Routine Cleanup: New “Monster Duet” challenge – Obtain the new Drive Discs “Branch & Blade Song” and “Astral Voice”.
• Notorious Hunt: New “Special Sacrifice Entity” challenge.
• Expert Challenge: New “Thracian” challenge.
• New Item: “Hamster Cage Pass” – Exchangeable at Casper’s Association Supplies store in Scott Outpost.

New Features & Additions

• TV Shows: Coffee Mate, Nihility, and Lumina Square Ad.
• Mobile Resource Management: Proxies can now delete or download story resources via Options > Other.
• New Avatars & Wallpapers:
  • Inter-Knot style avatars
  • Dynamic Agent Wallpapers (Hoshimi Miyabi, Soukaku, and Asaba Harumasa) – Unlock by increasing Trust.
• New Achievements: Including hidden ones for categories like Main Story, Trust, Combat, and Hollow Exploration.
• Custom Achievement Avatars: Earnable via “I’m Shiyu” (Shiyu Defense) & “Sweep the Battlefield” (Deadly Assault) achievements.
• PS5™ Trophy Set:
  • “ZZZ: A Storm of Falling Stars”
  • “ZZZ: Special Challenge Group”

City & Exploration Updates

• Character Selection Expansion: Switch between all obtained Agents to freely roam the city.
• New Item – Victoria Housekeeping Coupon: Earnable through Hollow Zero: Lost Void License Level & Bounty Commissions. Use it in Routine Cleanup to auto-claim Drive Disc rewards.
• Street Corner Encounters: Now available in HAND Headquarters.
• New Battle Stages & Maps:
  • “Melinoe” (featured in Into That Pale Wasteland event).
• Ridu Weekly: New missions added (total weekly mission count unchanged).
• Port Elpis Expansion:
  • Officer Mewmew arrives after Chapter 5 – Complete Mewmew Challenges to earn medals.

Performance & UI Enhancements

• “Very Low” FX Quality Option (PC).
• FX Quality Reset: PC settings will reset to default post-update.
• Scratch Effects for Attacks: Available on PC, PS5™, and PS5™ Pro (Enable in FX Quality: High).

Shiyu Defense – Critical Node Updates

Schedule Changes

• Biweekly Refresh (Fridays at 04:00 server time).
• Next Refresh: January 3, 2025.

New Quick Sweep Function

• Earned an S Rating? Skip lower-tier challenges next season:
  • S in Fourth Frontier → Auto S for first 3 Frontiers.
  • S in Third Frontier → Skip first 2 Frontiers.

Currently applies only to the first 3 Frontiers.

Phase Buffs (Post-Update)

• Phase 1:
  • +25% Electric & Ice Anomaly Buildup Rate.
  • CRIT DMG & Attribute Anomaly DMG +20% (stacks up to 3, lasts 30s per stack).
• Phase 2:
  • +20% Electric & Ice DMG.
  • +20% CRIT Rate & +40% CRIT DMG vs. Anomaly-affected enemies.
• Phase 3:
  • +25% Anomaly Buildup Rate.
  • Support Agent EX Special Attack/Chain Attack/Ultimate → +15% ATK & +20 Anomaly Proficiency for all squad members (stacks 2x, lasts 20s per stack).

Adjustments & Optimizations

Agent Adjustments & Visual Enhancements

• Agent Display: Agents will appear faded when viewed from specific angles.
• 3D Model & Effects Optimizations:
  • Hoshimi Miyabi receives visual upgrades.
  • Agent Model Precision Improved (PC, PS5™, PS5™ Pro) for:
    • Tsukishiro Yanagi, Hoshimi Miyabi, Asaba Harumasa, Soukaku, Caesar, Lighter, Burnice, Belle, and Wise.
  • High-Precision models now appear in:
    • Agent screen, city exploration, story playback, and combat (PS5™ & PS5™ Pro).
• Agent Story UI: Video animations improved.

Enemy & Combat Optimizations

• Lighting Effects Enhanced for certain enemies.

System Optimizations & Gameplay Adjustments

Decibels System Adjustments

• Decibels Gain Rework:
  • More Decibels from attacking enemies.
  • Less Decibels from applying Attribute Anomaly & Disorder effects.
  • Some Decibels redistributed to squad members.
• Assist Points Nerf: Using an Ultimate now restores 1 Assist Point (was 3).
• Ultimate Animation Changes:
  • Pauses all other Agents’ and allied units’ actions until the animation ends.
• Skill Upgrade Suggestions: Adjusted order for some Agents.
• Decibels-related Resonia: Now only affects one Agent.
• W-Engine: Slice of Time:
  • Energy restoration now applies only to the equipper.
  • Additional Decibels effect applies only to the Agent who activates the skill.

Trust System Enhancements

• Quick Jump to Partner Archive from DM interface.
• New “Go Invite” Button in the Partner Archive for quick Trust events.
• Trust Level Event Optimization:
  • No waiting required—events now trigger instantly on Inter-Knot.
• New Daily Mission:
  • “Complete an Agent Invite Event” – Grants 200 Engagement Points.

W-Engine & Drive Disc Upgrades

• Enhancement & Overclocking merged into “Enhance” button for Drive Discs.

Story & Commission Adjustments

• Main Commission (Prologue – Chapter 3) adjusted for better pacing.
• W-Engine Channel: Now features demonstration videos for each effect.
• “Character Details” feature enhanced in story & trial character interfaces.

Casper’s Association Supplies Store (Scott Outpost)

• New Item: “Hidden Treasure” available for exchange.
• “Reserved Relic” removed – Unused items can be exchanged for “Sycophant’s Refinement” (Core Skill enhancement material).
• Z-Merit Exchange Update: Allows direct selection of Precious Relic rewards.

Travel & Teleporter Updates

• Store Teleport Points: New setting “Open Function Interface on First Visit”.

Graphics & UI Improvements

• Ray Tracing Added:
  • Enabled by default on PS5™ Pro.
  • Manually enabled on PS5™ (default: off).
• Double Drop Rewards: Display order optimized.
• Compendium UI Updates:
  • Improved stage details display in Compendium – Tactics.
  • Hollow Zero UI improved in Compendium – Combat.
  • Quick Jump to “Deadly Assault” now available.

Badge & Title System Improvements

• New Badge: “Deadly Assault: Line Breaker” (Unlocks via Deadly Assault).
• Title System: Red dot notifications optimized.

Critical Node QoL Updates

• New Lineup-Saving Feature: Save squad deployment for future battles.

Combat Experience Optimizations

• Combat Simulation: Agents start with fixed Energy in each challenge.

Camera & Photo Mode Enhancements

• NPCs now look at the camera when taking photos in the city.

Coffee Shop Adjustments

• Reduced coffee variety for simpler choices:
  • Novice Proxies: Espresso (Restores 60 Battery Charge, +100% Combat Simulation drop for 1 Enemy Card).
  • Certified Proxies: Tin Master Specials (Restores 80 Battery Charge).

Main Story Achievement Change

• “Effective Utilization” Achievement Updated:
  • Before: Push the box to the trigger switch in “The Ultimate Collectibles”.
  • After: Find the W-Engine in “The Ultimate Collectibles”.

Gameplay Updates & QoL Features

Arcade Mode – “Bizarre Brigade”

• Auto-Save Feature Added:
  • Resume progress or abandon save when re-entering the arcade game.

Other Adjustments

Performance & Storage Optimization

• Reduced Storage Usage across all platforms.
• PC Version: Slight decrease in scene texture quality for better performance.
• Improved NPC Models & Visual Enhancements in Simulated Battle Trial.

World & City Details

• Fixed repeated vehicle license plates in Lumina Square.
• Improved Projection Effects for Wise, Belle, & Agents’ Models.

Simulated Battle Trial Unlock Change

• Before: Inter-Knot Lv. 36 + Chapter 3 Completion.
• After: Just Complete Chapter 3.

Final Notes

• Massive QoL improvements across all systems.
• Better visuals, smoother gameplay, and optimized UI.
• Ray tracing on PS5™ Pro & enhanced Trust/Event interactions.

Ready to dive into Version 1.4?

Issue Fixes

Agent Fixes & Adjustments

• Tsukishiro Yanagi:
  • Fixed issue where Mindscape Cinema (“Know Thy Self, Know Thy Enemy”) incorrectly consumed the “Clarity” effect.
• Lighter:
  • Fixed hit count issue in follow-up Basic Attack after a Shuffle Dodge.
  • Fixed issue where Basic Attack skips 1st hit if not pressed during Dodge or Dash.
  • Fixed issue where Freeze did not pause Collapse timer when both were applied.
• Rina:
  • Fixed issue where Decibels were not properly gained from EX Special Attack, Ultimate, and summon-based interrupt skills.
• Ellen:
  • Fixed issue where tail visual effects did not display correctly when exiting Roaming state.
• Lycaon:
  • Fixed issue where skin tone was displayed incorrectly under certain circumstances.
• Anomaly Proficiency Scaling:
  • Fixed issue where increases beyond 600 were less effective than intended.

Bangboo Fixes

• Exploreboo & Luckyboo: Fixed eye display issues.
• Bangboo Pathfinding: Fixed issue where Bangboo could not follow properly near stairs in certain scenes.

System & UI Fixes

• Controller Mode:
  • Fixed abnormal button prompts in certain interfaces.
  • Fixed issue where screen switching in “Special Episode” did not function properly.
  • Fixed issue where Partner Archive selection window was unresponsive.

Gameplay & Combat Fixes

• Bizarre Brigade (Arcade Mode):
  • Fixed issue with relic “Despair” causing unintended effects.
• Simulated Battle Trial:
  • Fixed issue where Bangboo sound effects were abnormal during the preparation phase.

World & Environmental Fixes

• Fixed issue where floating models appeared in certain scenes.
• Fixed abnormal wall rendering on some devices.

Other Fixes & Localization Improvements

• Android Rendering:
  • Fixed visual rendering issues affecting Agents, environments, and scenes on some devices.
• Text & Localization:
  • Fixed typos in various in-game texts.
  • Improved translations in multiple languages (no gameplay impact).

Final Notes

• Bug fixes enhance gameplay stability and UI responsiveness.
• Improved rendering for characters and environments across platforms.
• Better controller support, smoother arcade mode, and fixed scaling issues.

Time to jump back into New Eridu!