What Actually Got Announced in the ZZZ 2.5 Special Program
The December 26 livestream hits at 6 AM ET, 3 AM PT, 11 AM GMT, 12 PM CET, 10 PM AEDT, and 7 PM SGT. Three redemption codes totaling 300 Polychrome will drop during the broadcast—and they expire fast, so don't sleep on this.
What works best is watching live rather than catching highlights later. You'll miss those time-sensitive codes otherwise.
The program follows the usual developer commentary format, but Version 2.5's additions are anything but usual. We're talking about the first PvE co-op mode with actual role-based mechanics, an Ether Battery system that'll streamline resource management, and a Tuning Calibrator for Drive Disc optimization that should've existed from day one.
For players planning serious pulls on upcoming banners, Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 version top up through BitTopup ensures you've got sufficient Polychrome with competitive pricing and instant delivery.
Version 2.5 Release Date and What to Expect
December 30, 2025, at 11 AM UTC+8. That's your launch window.
The version runs 50 days until February 18, 2026—standard duration, but the content density feels heavier this time. Phase 1 banners run December 30 through January 21, 2026. Phase 2 continues January 21 through February 17, 2026.
Maintenance typically lasts 3-5 hours. In practice, it's usually closer to 4 hours with compensation rewards hitting your mailbox immediately after.
Pre-download becomes available 1-2 days before release. Mobile players need 2-4 GB additional storage (PC and console require more). Complete your daily missions and claim pending rewards before maintenance starts—learned this the hard way when progress got wiped during a previous update.
All ZZZ 2.5 Redemption Codes (And How to Actually Claim Them)
Current active codes: DIALYN1125 (60 Polychrome, 6,666 Dennies), ZZZ24KRAMPUS (60 Polychrome, 6,666 Dennies), and ZENLESSGIFT (50 Polychrome, 2x Investigator Log, 1x Bangboo Algorithm Module, 3x W-Engine Power Supplies).
The December 26 Special Program introduces three new codes following their usual 300 Polychrome total pattern.
In-Game Redemption (Fastest Method):
- Press Esc → More → Redemption Code
- Enter code exactly—it's case-sensitive
- Hit Redeem and collect from mailbox
Website Alternative:
- Visit the official redemption page, log in, confirm your server
- Enter code precisely and click Redeem
- Collect from in-game mailbox within 30 days
Codes expire within 24-48 hours of announcement. What experienced players know: set phone reminders for livestream times. Unclaimed mailbox rewards expire after 30 days, so don't let them sit there.
New Characters: Ye Shunguang and Zhao Deep Dive
Ye Shunguang: S-Rank Physical Attack Specialist
This agent operates through dual-stance combat with Sword Will and Sky Force resources. The sword summoning mechanics and Qingming Sword transformation create distinct burst damage phases that'll reshape Physical team rotations.
Core Mechanics:
- Dual Resource System: Sword Will and Sky Force enable stance transitions—think of it as managing two different energy bars
- Aether Shroud: Demonbane: Provides invincibility frames, damage amplification, plus Daze/Shroud Vulnerability
- Stance Variants: Earth and Heaven stances consume different resources for varied combat approaches
Combat Abilities:
- Basic Attack: Four-slash combo where the fourth hit deploys six swords
- Hold Attack: Generates Sword Aura stacks (+2% CRIT Rate per stack, max 5)
- Ultimate: Creates sword formation plus enhanced stance with +4 Sword Will, 12-second Ether Veil
- Special Attack: Sword-stepping mobility that collects Sword Aura, converting to Sword Will
Zhao: Ice Defense with Hybrid Support Capabilities
Ice Defense agent with maximum HP scaling damage, healing, Ether Veil application, and elemental resistance manipulation. What's interesting here is the hybrid nature—defense that actually contributes meaningful damage.
Core Mechanics:
- Ice Point System: Accumulates from damage/daze/eliminations (100 maximum)
- HP Scaling: +1.4% CRIT Rate per 1000 maximum HP
- Ether Veil: Health: 50-second duration from full Ice Point switch-ins
Combat Abilities:
- Basic Attack: Five-slash Ice damage combo with charged variants
- Hold Attack: Charged slash adding 24% max HP damage per charge second
- Entry Skill: Auto-activates with full Ice Point, provides team-wide Ether Veil
- Boost State: +800 ATK for 25 seconds via EX Special or Entry Skill
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Banner Schedule and Pull Strategy That Actually Works
Phase 1 (December 30 - January 21): Zhao debut banner with supporting A-Rank rate-ups and signature W-Engine banner. Phase 2 (January 21 - February 17): Ye Shunguang debut with potential reruns and Lone Light in the Clouds W-Engine.
Pity Mechanics (The Real Numbers):
- Character pity: 90 pulls (14,400 Polychrome), guaranteed featured at 180 pulls (28,800 Polychrome)
- Soft pity: 70-80 pulls with increased rates, 50/50 system for first S-Rank
- W-Engine pity: 80 pulls (12,800 Polychrome), guaranteed featured at 160 pulls (25,600 Polychrome)
F2P Strategy: Prioritize character banners over W-Engines—always. Daily generation hits 300 Polychrome from various sources when you're consistent. Event participation adds 600+ Polychrome per major event.
Track your pity counts religiously and skip banners that don't align with your team goals. Don't get caught up in FOMO pulls.
New Content: PvE Co-op and Enhanced Shiyu Defense
PvE Co-op Mode: Finally, Actual Teamwork
Eight stages with role-based gameplay: DPS, Break, Support, Daze Master. Online matchmaking with lobby-based agent selection and host stage control.
Mission Types: Annihilation, Elite encounters, Timed challenges, Speed challenges, Elemental domains, Alarm hacking, Treasure hunts, Final battles with unique mechanics.
Features: Temporary build system using cards/emblems, quick chat, revive mechanics, 20 investigation levels, commission system generating rewards every 30 minutes.
In practice, this feels like what co-op should've been from launch. The role-based system prevents the usual everyone brings DPS problem.
Shiyu Defense Gets Serious
Five-stage progression with points-based scoring. Maximum 60,000 points per stage with speed multipliers affecting scores. S+ rank requires S ranks in all rooms plus 90,000 total points. Five Critical Nodes with score-based fifth node requiring three teams.
Rewards: Polychrome shop increases from 720 to 780, Awakened Potentials added, event weapons via merit exchange, enhanced Awakening Currency distribution.
Limited-Time Events
Unveil Event: Convert Lemnian Hollows items to Exploration Points, earning 600 Polychrome through progression. Additional Events: Hotpot Restaurant (social dining with stat boosts), 404 Livehouse (Sixth Street exploration), Social System Integration (Ropesmith Station activities).
Free Rewards Calculation for Version 2.5
Livestream Rewards: Three codes totaling 300 Polychrome (expire 24-48 hours post-announcement). Daily Resources: 60 Polychrome from Errands/Compendium, variable Commission rewards, 80 Polychrome per first-clear Hollow Zero battle. Event Rewards: 600 Polychrome from Unveil Shop, stat boosts from Hotpot Restaurant, Carrot Points from Social System.
Conservative estimate: 8,000-12,000 free Polychrome during Version 2.5 through consistent daily participation and complete event engagement. Additional Master Tapes available through Battle Pass, achievements, and special events.
Priority Activities: Daily Errands/Compendium completion, livestream code redemption, Unveil event progression, first-time Hollow Zero clears.
New W-Engines and Equipment Meta
Ye Shunguang Signature: Lone Light in the Clouds
- Base ATK: 743, HP 30% secondary stat
- Physical DMG PEN: +15-20%, Ether Veil synergy: +30-48% DMG, +20-32% CRIT DMG for 30 seconds
Zhao Signature W-Engine
- Energy Regeneration: 0.46/second, team benefits: +10% ATK and max HP
- Ether Veil enhancement: +30% CRIT DMG for team under Veil effects
New Drive Disc Sets:White Water Balled (Ye Exclusive): 2-Piece: Physical DMG +10%, 4-Piece: Ether Veil grants +12% CRIT Rate for 15 seconds
Shining Aria: 2-Piece: Ether DMG +10%, 4-Piece: Basic Attack grants +36 Anomaly Proficiency for 8 seconds, field stun effects: +25% DMG for 18 seconds
Meta Analysis: What's Actually Changing
Meta Shifts: Ice teams get enhanced by Zhao's support capabilities and Ether Veil synergy. Physical damage elevated through Ye Shunguang's burst potential and Dialyn synergy. Hybrid compositions become viable through universal support effects.
Optimal Teams:
- Ye Core: Ye + Dialyn + Zhao for maximum synergy and Chain Attack optimization
- Zhao Support: Zhao + Ellen + Pan Yinhu for Ice focus with defensive utility
- Co-op: Role-balanced compositions covering all four specializations
Investment Priority: High: Zhao for universal support, signature W-Engines for main DPS. Medium: Ye for Physical team players, existing character Mindscapes. Low: Duplicate copies beyond first Mindscape, non-signature W-Engines.
How to Prepare for Version 2.5 Launch
Resource Checklist: Maintain daily 60 Polychrome generation, complete remaining achievements, clear first-time Hollow Zero battles, stockpile character ascension materials and W-Engine enhancement resources.
Pull Planning: Single character guarantee requires 28,800 Polychrome (180 pulls worst-case), dual character acquisition needs 57,600 Polychrome. Track current pity counts and guarantee status—prioritize character banners over W-Engines.
Account Optimization: Complete current story content, maximize Inter-Knot level, organize inventory space, update team compositions, complete Battle Pass objectives before reset.
Quality of Life Improvements (Finally)
Ether Battery System: Automated resource management combining 60 Backup Battery Charge + 1 Prepaid Power Card = 1 Battery with auto-clear functionality and A/B dismantle settings.
Tuning Calibrator: Drive Disc sub-stat enhancement (1 sub-stat = 1 point, 2 sub-stats = 2 points, maximum 2 enhanced sub-stats per disc) for targeted character builds.
Additional Updates: Side panel integration for quick shop/team access, customizable wallpapers, Burnice attack trigger improvements, EX ability invulnerability frames, one-click AFK Suibian Temple farming.
FAQ
When is the ZZZ 2.5 Special Program? December 26, 2025, at 6 AM ET / 3 AM PT / 11 AM GMT. Three codes worth 300 total Polychrome drop live—tune in before they expire.
What's the Version 2.5 release date? December 30, 2025, at 11 AM UTC+8, running 50 days until February 18, 2026. Two banner phases: Dec 30-Jan 21 and Jan 21-Feb 17.
Who are the new S-Rank characters? Ye Shunguang: Physical Attack specialist with dual-stance mechanics and sword summoning. Zhao: Ice Defense agent with HP-scaling damage and team Ether Veil support.
How much Polychrome can F2P players earn? 8,000-12,000 Polychrome through daily activities (60/day), events (600+ from Unveil), livestream codes (300), and achievements over 50 days.
What are current active codes? DIALYN1125, ZZZ24KRAMPUS (each: 60 Polychrome, 6,666 Dennies), ZENLESSGIFT (50 Polychrome, 2x Investigator Log, 1x Bangboo Algorithm Module, 3x W-Engine Power Supplies). Redeem immediately.
What new content is coming? PvE co-op mode (8 stages, 4 roles), enhanced Shiyu Defense (60k point caps), new Drive Disc sets, Ether Battery system, Unveil event (600 Polychrome), quality-of-life improvements.
