Zenless Zone Zero"s Version 2.2 is serving up two exceptional S-Rank Attack agents from the Obol Squad faction, and frankly, choosing between them feels a bit like picking your favorite coffee blend—they"re both excellent, just different moods entirely. Let"s dig into what makes each one tick.
ZZZ Version 2.2 Banner Overview & Timeline
Banner Schedule and What to Expect
Version 2.2 launches early September 2025 (livestream hits around August 22nd, so mark your calendars). Phase 1 brings Seed"s debut alongside a Trigger rerun—and that"s actually genius timing since they"ve got serious Electric synergy going on. Phase 2 rolls out Orphie & Magus with Evelyn returning for Fire element coverage.
That Trigger rerun? Pure gold. This S-Rank Electric Stun agent basically enables both new characters through off-field Aftershock attacks, ridiculous Daze output, and team-wide crit rate buffs. If you"re missing Trigger, this might be your priority pull.
The Pity Game (Same Rules, Different Day)
Exclusive Channel sticks with the familiar 90-pull guaranteed S-Rank, soft pity kicking in around pull 75. The 50/50 system"s still there to break your heart on the first S-Rank pull. A-Rank every 10 pulls, 0.6% base S-Rank probability—you know the drill.
W-Engine banners run 80-pull pity with a 75% featured weapon rate. Not terrible odds, honestly.
Polychrome Reality Check
Guaranteed character costs 14,400 Polychromes (90 pulls), though most players snag their target between 75-85. F2P accounts get roughly 161 pulls per patch cycle—not bad!
Want both characters? You"re looking at 28,800 Polychromes or some strategic Zenless Zone Zero Top Up action.
Seed Character Analysis: The Electric Revolutionary
Kit Breakdown (It"s Actually Wild)
Seed operates as an on-field Electric main DPS, but here"s where it gets interesting—they"ve got this revolutionary Partner System that automatically links to whichever teammate has the highest ATK. When your partner uses their EX Special Attack, Seed gets ATK and Critical Damage buffs while restoring the partner"s energy and amplifying their damage output.
It"s multiplicative scaling at its finest.
The combat revolves around an Overheat system managing mecha abilities. Seed rides this distinctive scooter (yes, really) and calls in “Seed Sr.” mecha for devastating punching attacks that consume Overheat resources. The Ultimate features a first-person firing mode that hits like a truck.
Damage Testing Results
From what we"re seeing in testing, Seed"s damage potential significantly upgrades existing Electric DPS options—potentially powercreeping Soldier 0 Anby in sustained scenarios. The Partner System amplifies effective damage way beyond raw multipliers through that multiplicative scaling I mentioned.
Performance really shines in extended encounters thanks to sustainable Overheat management and continuous partner buffs. This isn"t your typical burst-and-pray DPS.
Optimal Gear Setup
Signature W-Engine “Cordis Germina” provides 713 base ATK and 24% Critical Rate—solid foundation. The effect grants additional 15% Critical Rate plus stacking Electric damage buffs reaching 25%. With two stacks, Basic Attacks and Ultimate ignore 20% enemy defense. Pretty spicy.
The new “Dawn"s Bloom” Drive Disc set offers 15% Basic Attack damage (2-piece) and an additional 40-45% Basic Attack damage when using EX Special Attacks or Ultimate (4-piece). Alternatives include 4-piece Woodpecker Electro or mixed sets with Thunder Metal, depending on your substats.
Orphie & Magus Deep Dive: Double Trouble Done Right
The Dual Character Experience
First dual-character unit featuring Orphie (the shy horned thiren) and Magus (the dominant Captain who manifests as her tail—don"t ask, just roll with it). Their kit revolves around Aftershock damage and off-field contribution, which honestly feels refreshing in the current meta.
Core Passive enables automatic EX Special Attack casting from the backup position when energy hits 60+, consuming 30 energy for Fire Aftershock damage. Set it and forget it vibes.
The Heat resource system starts at 60-80 Heat, capping at 125. Their Additional Ability “Forged by Furnace” provides squad-wide Focus effect: 20% ATK increase and 20-25% defense ignore for 10-12 seconds when laser attacks connect. Team utility for days.
Synergy Central
Peak performance happens in Follow-up Attack and Aftershock teams—no surprises there. The premier combination pairs with Soldier 0 Anby (main DPS) and Trigger (Stun support). Soldier 0 Anby provides those crucial Aftershock Critical Damage bonuses, while Trigger contributes Stun capabilities plus their own Aftershock damage and team-wide crit rate buffs.
F2P alternatives include Soldier 11 + Nicole, though you"re definitely sacrificing synergy compared to the premium composition. Still functional, just not as smooth.
Head-to-Head: The Real Comparison
DPS Output (Numbers Don"t Lie)
Seed excels in sustained on-field scenarios with the Partner System running continuously. The damage ceiling scales exceptionally well with investment—perfect if you need a powerful Electric main DPS.
Orphie & Magus specializes in off-field damage while enabling others, focusing on burst windows and consistent Aftershock pressure. Different approaches, both effective.
Here"s the thing: Seed achieves higher personal damage due to on-field focus, but Orphie & Magus contributes more to total team damage through enabling capabilities and off-field consistency.
Utility Factor
Seed"s utility centers on the Partner System"s energy restoration and damage amplification—it"s targeted but powerful. Orphie & Magus provides broader utility through squad-wide buffs, Aftershock coverage, and flexible positioning. That Focus effect benefits everyone regardless of builds.
Learning Curve Reality
Seed requires active management for on-field positioning and Partner System optimization. There"s definitely a learning curve, but mastery rewards you with exceptional performance.
Orphie & Magus? Straightforward gameplay with automatic off-field contributions. More accessible execution while maintaining effectiveness. Honestly, sometimes simple is better.
Team Building 101
Seed"s Best Friends
Premier composition: Seed + Orphie & Magus + Trigger creates a dual-DPS setup that fully leverages the Partner System. Trigger"s Stun capabilities enable optimal Chain Attack windows while contributing Aftershock damage.
Alternative: Seed + Soldier 0 Anby + Trigger for established synergies. Budget option: Seed + Anton + Nicole for F2P accessibility.
Pro tip: Prioritize Buy Zenless Zone Zero Polychrome allocation toward signature W-Engine and optimal Drive Disc sets—the scaling rewards are worth it.
Orphie & Magus Optimization
Peak performance: Soldier 0 Anby + Trigger + Orphie & Magus maximizes Aftershock synergies. Soldier 0 Anby handles on-field DPS with Aftershock Critical Damage bonuses, Trigger adds Stun capabilities plus their own Aftershock damage and team buffs.
F2P alternative: Soldier 11 + Orphie & Magus + Nicole sacrifices synergy for accessibility. The flexibility allows experimentation with various main DPS options, which is nice for roster building.
Investment Strategy (The Real Talk)
F2P Decision Framework
Prioritize based on actual roster gaps, not FOMO. Choose Orphie & Magus if you"re lacking Fire DPS or need to complete Aftershock teams. Select Seed for Electric main DPS, especially if you"ve got adequate partner support already built.
Budget 14,400 Polychromes per guaranteed character. And please—avoid “building pity” on banners you"re not committed to. Disciplined saving for guaranteed outcomes provides way better progression.
Spender Optimization
Players investing in Zenless Zone Zero Recharge should seriously consider both characters plus signature W-Engines. The synergy creates multiplicative value that justifies increased investment. W-Engine banners operate on 80-pull pity with 75% featured rates—not the worst gamble.
Constellation vs New Character Math
M1 constellations offer significant improvements (Orphie & Magus M1 increases initial Heat to 100 and extends Focus duration), but securing both characters at M0 with signature W-Engines provides better overall account strength than high constellation single character optimization.
It"s about roster depth vs vertical investment—choose wisely.
Endgame Performance Check
Hollow Zero Effectiveness
Both excel in Hollow Zero thanks to sustained damage and team synergy. Seed"s Partner System provides valuable energy management during those extended expeditions, while Orphie & Magus"s off-field capabilities allow flexible rotations and safer positioning.
Combined performance? They tackle the highest difficulty levels without breaking a sweat.
Shiyu Defense Applications
The time-pressure format favors both characters" burst damage and team synergy. Seed"s scaling meets DPS checks, Orphie & Magus optimizes rotation efficiency. That Aftershock focus aligns perfectly with coordinated burst windows.
Plus, elemental coverage (Electric/Fire) provides flexibility for weekly modifiers. Always nice to have options.
Future-Proofing Considerations
Design trends suggest increasing team coordination requirements, and these characters are built for exactly that. The Partner System and Aftershock mechanics represent evolving elements that"ll likely influence future designs.
Early investment positions accounts well for upcoming challenges. The meta"s evolving toward unique mechanics and team-enabling capabilities—these two are ahead of the curve.
Resource Management Reality
Polychrome Budgeting
Full patch provides roughly 161 pulls for F2P players. Multi-banner strategies require advance preparation or supplemental purchases. Address essential team roles before chasing optimization characters.
Track separate pity counters for Character and W-Engine banners—don"t mix them up.
Pity Planning (Expect the Worst, Hope for Better)
Soft pity occurs between pulls 75-85, rarely reaching 90-pull hard pity. Budget for worst-case while expecting around 80 pulls average. The 50/50 system uncertainty can double your investment, so maintain reserves for guarantees rather than relying on luck.
Future Banner Intel
Version 2.3+ will likely introduce characters that interact with Aftershock and partner systems—it"s the natural progression. Rerun schedules follow 6-8 month cycles typically.
Balance current meta strength against future potential as the design philosophy emphasizes team coordination complexity.
Common Mistakes & Final Verdict
Pulling Pitfalls (Learn from Others" Pain)
Most common mistake? Pulling without considering team synergy requirements. Both characters achieve peak performance in specific configurations—don"t ignore that.
Avoid “building pity” on uncommitted banners. Don"t neglect W-Engine investment either—signatures often provide bigger upgrades than constellation levels.
Account-Specific Decisions
Evaluate your current roster honestly. Got strong Electric DPS already? Maybe prioritize Orphie & Magus for elemental coverage. Consider playstyle preferences: Seed requires active management vs Orphie & Magus"s straightforward contribution.
Account age influences strategy too—newer accounts benefit from versatile characters, while established accounts can pursue specialized synergies.
Long-term Account Planning
Version 2.2 represents a meta shift toward team-dependent characters and complex synergies. The Obol Squad faction suggests future releases will expand these synergies further.
Maintain flexibility as rapid development introduces new mechanics that can shift optimal strategies overnight.
Bottom line: Both represent excellent investments for different needs. Seed offers powerful on-field Electric DPS with unique partner mechanics. Orphie & Magus provides versatile off-field Fire damage and team synergy. Your choice depends on roster gaps, available resources, and long-term goals.
FAQ (The Questions Everyone"s Asking)
Should I pull for Seed or Orphie & Magus if I can only choose one? Choose Orphie & Magus for Fire coverage or completing Soldier 0 Anby + Trigger teams—their off-field capabilities provide more versatility. Select Seed for Electric main DPS with existing off-field Attack partner support.
How much polychrome should I save for Version 2.2? Budget 14,400 per guaranteed character (most people get lucky around 80 pulls). Both characters require roughly 28,800 Polychromes. Add 12,800 per signature W-Engine if you"re going all-in. F2P gets about 161 pulls per patch.
Are they worth pulling without signature W-Engines? Both function with alternatives, but signatures provide substantial upgrades. Orphie & Magus can use “Heartsring Nocturne” or “Severed Innocence.” Seed works with standard Attack W-Engines but loses scaling potential without “Cordis Germina.”
Can I skip Version 2.2 without hurting my account? Players with strong Electric/Fire DPS can skip safely. However, these unique synergies may become valuable as content scales up. Consider your current team strength and future goals—sometimes patience pays off, sometimes it doesn"t.
Ready to secure these agents? Visit BitTopup for fast, secure polychrome top-ups with competitive rates and instant delivery to maximize your Version 2.2 strategy.
