Featured Characters and Schedule
Phase 1 runs three weeks starting February 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC+8. Two S-Ranks run simultaneously on separate Exclusive Channel banners:
- Sunna: Ice-element support specialist
- Aria: Ether-attribute Anomaly Main DPS
- Nangong Yu: Physical-element stunner (A-Rank rate-up)
Stable Channel continues offering permanent S-Ranks (Grace, Koleda, Lycaon, Nekomata, Rina, Soldier 11). New players get 20% discount on first 50 pulls with guaranteed S-Rank—significantly better than standard 90-pull pity.
For Zenless Zone Zero pulls needed, BitTopup provides secure Polychrome top-ups with competitive pricing.
W-Engine Banner Lineup
Seven W-Engines available:
- S-Rank: Cloudcleave Radiance, Half-Sugar Bunny, Cauldron of Clarity
- A-Rank: Severed Innocence, Practiced Perfection, Elegant Vanity, Sprout
W-Engine Channel has 80-pull hard pity with 75% featured rate (vs 50% on character banners).
Drop Rate Breakdown
Base Rates:
- S-Rank: 0.6%
- A-Rank: 7.2%
- B-Rank: 92.2%
When you pull an S-Rank on Exclusive Channel, there's 50% chance it's the featured character. If you get off-banner S-Rank, your next S-Rank is guaranteed featured.
Two Scenarios:
- Lucky Path: Pull featured S-Rank first try (0.3% per pull)
- Guaranteed Path: Pull off-banner first, then featured second (up to 180 total pulls worst-case)
A-Rank pity activates every 10 pulls, but no guarantee for specific A-Rank characters—just increased odds for Nangong Yu.
Guaranteed System: 50/50 vs 100%
Your account maintains one of two states:
- 50/50 Status: Next S-Rank has equal probability of featured or off-banner
- Guaranteed Status: Next S-Rank will definitely be featured character
This status carries over between Exclusive Channel banners across all versions. It never resets unless you pull the featured S-Rank.
Critical: W-Engine Channel operates separately with 75% featured rate. Pulling on W-Engine banners doesn't affect character banner pity or guarantee status.
Example: Pull 60 times on Sunna's banner, get Koleda (off-banner). You now have guaranteed status. Stop pulling and wait until Version 2.7—that guarantee remains active for any future Exclusive Channel character banner.
Pity System: Soft Pity, Hard Pity, Counter Mechanics
Hard pity: 90 pulls guarantees S-Rank Soft pity: Starts at pull 75 with escalating probability
Average Pull Statistics (player-reported data):
- Most S-Ranks arrive between pulls 75-82
- ~65% of S-Ranks occur during soft pity window
- Only 8-12% reach hard pity at 90
- Average pulls to S-Rank: 78-82 pulls
Budget for 80 pulls as realistic baseline. Conservative players should plan for full 90 pulls.
Pity counter resets when you obtain any S-Rank. Guarantee status (50/50 or guaranteed) operates independently—two separate systems.
Tracking Your Pity
Access Signal Search menu > history tab. Count backwards from most recent pull until you find last S-Rank. That number equals current pity count. Game doesn't display this directly.
For precise tracking, use ZZZ banner pity calculator through BitTopup's gaming resources.
Pull Requirements: Resource Calculation
Scenario 1 - Worst Case (50/50 Status, Zero Pity)
- First S-Rank: Up to 90 pulls
- Lose 50/50, second S-Rank: Up to 90 pulls
- Total: 180 pulls maximum
Scenario 2 - Guaranteed Status, Zero Pity
- Single S-Rank needed: Up to 90 pulls
- Total: 90 pulls maximum
Scenario 3 - 50/50 Status, 60 Pity
- First S-Rank: Up to 30 pulls (90 minus 60)
- If lost, second S-Rank: Up to 90 pulls
- Total: 120 pulls maximum
Each pull requires one Encrypted Master Tape (160 Polychromes).
Polychrome Costs:
- 180 pulls: 28,800 Polychromes
- 90 pulls: 14,400 Polychromes
- 80 pulls (realistic average): 12,800 Polychromes
Version 2.6 provides 40-60 pulls worth of free resources through events, login rewards, and Inter-Knot Reputation.
Master Tape vs Encrypted Master Tape
- Encrypted Master Tapes: Exclusive Channel only (limited banners)
- Master Tapes: Stable Channel only (permanent banner)
Both cost 160 Polychromes but aren't interchangeable. Never convert Polychromes to standard Master Tapes unless targeting Stable Channel's 300-pull S-Rank selector.
A-Rank Rate-Up System
Nangong Yu and Soldier 0 Anby are featured A-Ranks. A-Rank pity guarantees A-Rank drop every 10 pulls, but includes both characters and W-Engines—no guarantee for specific A-Rank.
Featured A-Ranks typically have ~50% of total A-Rank rate, meaning roughly 3.6% chance per pull for Nangong Yu specifically.
Reality Check:
- Pulling specifically for A-Rank constellations is inefficient
- Most players obtain C6 A-Ranks passively over time
- A-Rank agents eventually enter standard pool
- Prioritize S-Rank acquisition over A-Rank constellations
A-Rank agents function effectively at C0 or C1. Never pull beyond S-Rank target solely for A-Rank copies.
Pull Planning Strategy
Decision Framework:
- Do you lack this character's specific role?
- Does this character enable new team compositions?
- How many pulls do you have available?
- What's your current guarantee status?
- Are Phase 2 or future characters higher priority?
F2P Resource Management:
- Target one S-Rank every 2-3 versions
- Build pity only on characters you're willing to obtain
- Never pull just for the 4-stars
- Maintain emergency reserves for unexpected releases
Version 2.6 provides ~50-70 pulls through events, dailies, and exploration. Combined with carried-over resources, most F2P players can secure one guaranteed S-Rank per version if they skip every other banner.
Rerun Predictions
Popular S-Ranks receive reruns ~4-6 months after initial release. Players who skip Phase 1 should expect 3-5 month minimum wait for Sunna or Aria reruns.
Phase 2 announcements typically emerge during Phase 1's second week. Wait for Phase 2 reveals before committing all resources, especially if near pity without guaranteed status.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Myth: 10-pulls increase S-Rank rates Single pulls and 10-pulls share identical probability. Game calculates each pull individually regardless of batch size.
Myth: Rate-up means easy to get 0.6% base rate remains extremely low. Rate-up only determines which S-Rank you receive when 0.6% triggers, not how frequently S-Ranks appear.
Myth: You're due for an S-Rank after many pulls Each pull operates independently until pity activates at pull 75. Before that, every pull is independent 0.6% chance.
Myth: Guarantee status expires Your 50/50 or guaranteed status persists indefinitely across versions. Players who lost 50/50 in Version 1.0 still carry guaranteed status in Version 2.6 if they never pulled another S-Rank on Exclusive Channel.
Maximizing Pulls: Resource Farming
Daily Income:
- Daily Commissions: 60 Polychromes
- Monthly login: Variable Encrypted Master Tapes
Weekly Income:
- Hollow Zero missions: Polychromes and materials
- Shiyu Defense: Polychromes based on performance
Version-Limited Sources:
- Story chapters: 300-800 Polychromes per chapter
- Events: 420-1,200 Polychromes per major event
- Exploration achievements: 20-60 Polychromes each
- Character trials: Encrypted Master Tapes
Aggressive farming during launch weeks yields 30-40% of total version income.
For additional resources, BitTopup offers secure Polychrome top-ups with competitive pricing, fast delivery, and 24/7 support.
Pull Schedule Optimization
- Complete all Phase 1 events and story first week
- Evaluate total resources by week 2
- Wait for Phase 2 announcements before final commitment
- Reserve 10-20 pulls for unexpected Phase 2 priorities
This prevents premature resource depletion while maintaining flexibility.
Pity Tracking Tools
In-game Signal Search history records last 500 pulls. Access through Signal Search menu > select banner type > tap history icon.
Manual Pity Counting:
- Open Signal Search history for Exclusive Channel
- Scroll newest to oldest
- Count pulls until you find S-Rank agent (gold rarity)
- Number of pulls between that S-Rank and present = current pity
- Note whether S-Rank was featured or off-banner for guarantee status
Maintain external records noting:
- Current pity count per banner type
- Guarantee status (50/50 or guaranteed)
- Last S-Rank obtained and date
- Total Polychromes and tapes available
Stable Channel operates independently with own pity counter (50 pulls for new players with 20% discount, 90-pull standard pity). Pulling on Stable Channel never affects Exclusive Channel pity or guarantee.
FAQ
How does the ZZZ 2.6 Phase 1 banner pity system work?
Exclusive Channel guarantees S-Rank within 90 pulls (hard pity) with increased rates starting at pull 75 (soft pity). When you pull S-Rank, there's 50% chance it's featured. If you get off-banner S-Rank, next S-Rank is guaranteed featured. This guarantee carries over between banners indefinitely.
What are the exact drop rates for S-Rank characters?
Base S-Rank rate is 0.6% per pull on Exclusive Channel. A-Ranks have 7.2% rate, B-Ranks 92.2%. Soft pity starting at pull 75 progressively increases S-Rank probability.
How many pulls do I need for guaranteed S-Rank?
With guaranteed status (lost previous 50/50): maximum 90 pulls. On 50/50 status: worst-case 180 pulls—90 for first S-Rank (might be off-banner), then 90 more for guaranteed featured. Realistic budget: 75-82 pulls per S-Rank based on soft pity averages.
Does pity carry over between banners?
Yes, pity and guarantee status carry over between all Exclusive Channel character banners across versions. W-Engine Channel and Stable Channel maintain separate pity counters that don't interact with Exclusive Channel.
What's the difference between 50/50 and guaranteed?
50/50 status: next S-Rank has equal probability of being featured or one of six permanent S-Ranks. Guaranteed status: next S-Rank will definitely be featured. You gain guaranteed status by losing 50/50, and it persists until you pull featured S-Rank.
Should I pull Phase 1 or wait for Phase 2?
Wait for Phase 2 announcements during Phase 1's second week before committing all resources. Evaluate whether Sunna or Aria fill critical roster gaps and compare against leaked Phase 2 characters. Prioritize characters that enable new team compositions or fill missing roles.
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