Diving into ZZZ 2.5 Banners
The 2.5 Banner Timeline
Version 2.5 hits at 11 AM UTC+8 on Dec 30, 2025—about 50 days out. Phase 1: Zhao, the S-Rank Ice Defense star, Dec 30 to Jan 21. Phase 2: Ellen Ice Attack rerun, Jan 21 to Feb 17.
Quick steps to prep:
- Hammer those Daily Signal Searches right after launch.
- Pre-farm for Zhao: snag 4 Basic, 32 Advanced, 30 Defender Seals, and 800,000 Denny to hit Lv60.
- Keep an eye on Phase 2 for Ellen team synergy.
Ever wonder why this choice hits different? Zhao unlocks those insane 120+ Shiyu Defense scores in Hollow Zero. Meanwhile, the Angels of Delusion crew debuts in 2.6, sometime after Feb 17. Worst case? You're looking at 360 pulls to grab both Zhao and Ellen—F2P that's 14,400 Poly just for Zhao's single pity.
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Breaking Down Zhao: Kit, Role, and Why She's a Beast
Her Core Kit and How She Plays
Zhao's this S-Rank Ice Defense hybrid—HP scaling with +0.05 ATK per HP point. Basics hit 740.4% DMG and 421% Daze; Charged Attack ramps to 1501.9% DMG. Her EX Special? 1688.9% DMG plus heals at 1% of her HP per second for 5s and 40 Energy. Ultimate explodes for 4234.7% DMG, dropping an Ether Veil shield for 30s with +40% squad CRIT DMG.
Rotation feels smooth:
- Build off-field Ice Points to max 100.
- Swap in—Skill dumps a full Freeze Gauge, total invulnerability.
- EX Special amps squad DMG by +30% for 12s.
Synergies and Killer Teams
Slot her into Ice squads: she buffs and penetrates, Ellen shreds as DPS, Lycaon or Soukaku pile on Daze, and Butler Bangboo funnels Energy. She edges out Caesar with 12% off-field RES ignore and +15% ATK for 15s on M2. Discs? HP% on 4/6-piece, HP%/Ice DMG on 5. W-Engines: her signature for 713 ATK and +40% squad CRIT DMG; Tusks at S4 gives +60% Shield strength.
Build her like this:
- Priority: Core > EX > Switch > Ult > Basic > Dodge (+2 Lv on M3/M5).
- Mats: 25 Basic, 75 Advanced, 250 Specialized Freeze Chips, plus 5 Hamster Cage Passes.
E0 vs E2: Pull Worth It?
E0's already S-tier for Daze and Ice pen—M1 bumps interruption RES over 50% HP with off-field RES ignore. M6 guarantees Crit on Charged Slash. E2? +1000 ATK for 40s. Single pity runs 14,400 Poly—soft pity around 70-80 pulls.
Sneak Peek at 2.6's Angels of Delusion
The Idol Trio and Their Roles
Angels of Delusion: three idols dropping in 2.6 after Feb 17, 2026. Summer's your S-tier Ice Support (green hair, trumpet/hammer vibes). Aria's S Ether Anomaly (black-pink hair, flail wielder). Nangong Yu goes Physical Stunner (pink hair, robot forms).
Leaks and What to Expect
Beta leaks show killer angel designs and a new skin (retro phone/hammer aesthetic). They're tying into an exclusive Drive Disc from 2.5, plus the 404 Livehouse event. Official name leaked April 8, 2025—links to Tales of Midsummer Dreams.
Eyes on:
- Pre-farm those idol mats from events.
- 2.6 spans ~50 days phased; hoard 28,800 Poly for guarantee.
Phases? Likely right after 2.5, staggered debuts.
Pull Rates and Pity: The Real Math
Soft vs Hard Pity
For characters: soft pity 70-80 pulls, hard at 90 with 1% S-Rank shot, or 180 guarantee. A-Rank+ every 10 pulls. W-Engines: 80 hard pity at 50% featured, 160 guarantee—25,600 Poly.
The costs break down:
- Single pity: 14,400 Poly (~$222 USD).
- Full guarantee: 28,800 (~$444).
That 50/50 Gamble
50/50 on featured S-Rank—lose it, next one's guaranteed. Event banners discount the first five 10-pulls by 20%.
Lock in your S-Rank:
- Stockpile 16 Encrypted Master Tapes (80 pulls).
- Grind 300 Poly daily.
- Steer clear of standard banners.
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Pull Zhao Now? Pros, Cons, and the Spike
Why Jump In for Instant Power
She catapults Ice cores in Shiyu and Hollow Zero—Ellen gets +100% CRIT DMG. Hybrid heals, that +40% CRIT Veil. Pre-farm Freeze Chips for Shiyu/Notorious Hunt.
Pros: Enables full Ice meta; invuln kit shines.
Cons: 360-pull nightmare for both phases; Defense slot's crowded.
Meta risk? Nab Zhao first, guarantee Ellen in Phase 2.
Or Save for Angels? Long Game Pros/Cons
Betting on Future Roster Flex
Idol faction hype is real—S-tier Summer Support incoming. Synergies bloom post-2.5 events.
Pros: Fresh designs; ride the post-hype wave.
Cons: Access delayed; F2P gets stretched thin.
Leaks check out across beta/socials, but kits? Still unconfirmed—hype's high, risks too. (My take: exciting, but don't bet the farm yet.)
Crunching the Value: Costs and Sims
Polychrome Breakdown
Zhao single: 14,400 Poly; Angels TBD. Whales drop $800-1200 for full char/W-Eng/Bangboo. F2P: 10k Poly/version + tapes.
Pull sims show 80 pulls viable for F2P—Zhao edges Ellen in meta right now. Tier wise: Miyabi > Yixuan > Zhao, based on data.
F2P vs Whale: F2P Zhao in 90 pulls/14,400 Poly. Whales clear 360+ for 50k+ Poly.
F2P Poly Farming Blueprint
Your Daily/Weekly Goldmines
Dailies: 2,520 Poly from Errands. Shiyu/Deadly Assault: 2,760. Hollow Zero: 800. Nets ~300/day. Events pump 3,210+ per version; Bangboo banner saves 12,800 Poly (80 Boopons).
Game plan:
- Hoard 14,400 for Zhao.
- Skip W-Engines unless they upgrade you big.
- Watch that in-game pity counter like a hawk.
Coming from 2.4? You've got 10,190 Poly + tapes banked.
Pitfalls That Wreck Noobs
Don't Fall for Impulse Pulls
W-Engines too early (80 pity vs 90 chars). Ignoring Ice gaps? Wasted S-Ranks. Beta dates clashed—Jan 7 leaks vs Dec 30 reality.
Dodge these:
- Standards over events.
- Pity tracking? Non-negotiable.
My Final Call and Pull Roadmap
Tiered Pull Priorities
Zhao's S-tier for Ice meta—pull her. Ellen Phase 2? Optional. Angels? Save low Poly post-pity.
Roadmap:
- Hit Phase 1 for Zhao.
- Farm Phase 2 mats.
- Stock 28,800 Poly for 2.6.
Ascend her to Lv60, test Hollow Zero squads.
FAQs and Community Wisdom
Is Zhao worth pulling in ZZZ 2.5?
Hell yes—S-tier for Ice teams, 14,400 Poly single pity powers Shiyu 120+ with Ellen.
What’s the Angels of Delusion group in Zenless Zone Zero?
Three idols: Summer Ice Support, Aria Ether Anomaly, Nangong Yu Physical Stun—2.6 after Feb 17.
F2P save for 2.6 banners?
Zhao first (300 Poly/day grind); pivot to idols post-pity.
ZZZ 2.5 schedule and rates?
Dec 30-Jan 21 Zhao; 90-pull pity, 50/50 featured.
Zhao’s kit and best teams?
HP Defense scaler; Zhao/Ellen/Lycaon/Butler—EX heals, Veil buffs.
Pull Zhao or wait for idols?
Zhao for instant meta; Angels on hype, kits unconfirmed.
