Banner Overview
W-Engine Channel launches February 6, 2026 (11:00 AM UTC+8) for 21 days until February 27. This compressed timeline versus typical 28-day cycles reduces free Polychrome accumulation, creating urgency for pull decisions.
The banner operates independently from character banners with separate pity counters. Need Polychromes fast? Top up ZZZ polychrome through BitTopup for instant delivery and competitive pricing.
Featured S-Rank W-Engines
- Cloudcleave Radiance: Ignores 20% Physical RES, grants +25% DMG and +25% CRIT DMG for 40s—optimized for Physical DPS
- Half-Sugar Bunny: +0.46 Energy Regen/s with squad buffs (10% ATK, 10% Max HP, 30% CRIT DMG) lasting 60s
- Cauldron of Clarity: Specialized weapon with niche passive abilities
Four A-Rank options included: Severed Innocence, Practiced Perfection, Elegant Vanity, Sprout (7.2% rates, guaranteed every 10 pulls).
Timeline Impact
The 21-day Phase 1 provides 40-60 free pulls total across both phases. Daily Commissions reward 60 Polychromes/day (1,260 during Phase 1—about 7-8 pulls). Careful budgeting required for multiple S-Rank pursuits.
Banner Mechanics
Pity System
Hard pity: 80 pulls guarantee S-Rank (10 pulls better than character banner's 90) Soft pity: Starts pull 76, average S-Rank at pulls 78-82 Pity reset: Immediate upon any S-Rank drop
Check pity: Navigate Signal Search > History > count backwards from last S-Rank.
Featured Guarantee
75% chance your S-Rank is featured (one of three banner weapons). If you get standard pool weapon, next S-Rank is guaranteed featured.
Worst case: 160 pulls (25,600 Polychromes) for featured weapon Average case: 78-120 pulls depending on guarantee status
Cost Breakdown
- 80 pulls (hard pity): 12,800 Polychromes
- 160 pulls (worst-case featured): 25,600 Polychromes
- Version 2.6 free pulls: 6,400-9,600 Polychromes worth
F2P resources cover 50-75% of single guaranteed S-Rank. Must choose between character and W-Engine investments.
For additional resources, Zenless Zone Zero polychrome recharge via BitTopup offers secure transactions with excellent service.
Featured W-Engine Analysis
Cloudcleave Radiance
20% Physical RES ignore functions as damage multiplier against high-resistance enemies. Dual +25% DMG and +25% CRIT DMG buffs last 40s for sustained damage.
Best for: Physical DPS agents like Nangong Yu. RES ignore becomes critical in endgame where enemies have elevated defenses.
Half-Sugar Bunny
Most universally applicable. +0.46 Energy Regen/s accelerates Ultimate cycling. 60s squad buffs (10% ATK, 10% Max HP, 30% CRIT DMG) amplify entire team.
The 30% CRIT DMG squad buff benefits all three members, potentially outperforming single-target damage increases. Extended duration ensures near-permanent uptime.
Cauldron of Clarity
Niche applications for specific agent mechanics. Lacks broad applicability of Half-Sugar Bunny or raw damage of Cloudcleave Radiance. Only pull if you have compatible agents.
Base ATK Scaling
S-Rank signatures: 600-750 Base ATK at Level 60 A-Rank alternatives: 450-550 Base ATK
This 150-250 stat gap translates to meaningful damage before considering passives, as Base ATK directly scales damage calculations.
Damage Analysis
Testing Methodology
Accurate comparisons require:
- Identical agent levels and skill ranks
- Standardized Drive Disc sets
- Consistent team buffs
- Repeated encounters to average variance
Track total encounter damage, not peak burst numbers.
Performance Improvements
Signatures typically provide 15-30% damage increases over best A-Rank alternatives:
- Physical DPS with Cloudcleave Radiance: 25-35% (higher due to RES ignore)
- Support signatures like Half-Sugar Bunny: 10-15% team-wide improvement
- High-dependency agents: 25-35% gap
- Low-dependency agents: 10-18% gap
Shiyu Defense Impact
15-30% damage increase = 10-20s faster clear times in optimized rotations. Can convert two-star clears to three-star.
However, teams already clearing max difficulty comfortably gain minimal practical benefit. Signatures don't compensate for fundamental team composition or skill issues.
Pull Recommendations by Player Type
F2P Players: Generally Skip
Character acquisitions provide more value per Polychrome. 25,600 Polychrome worst-case = 2-3 months accumulation, risking missed character banners.
Exception: Complete rosters with months before anticipated releases. Then invest in signatures for most-used DPS agents.
Light Spenders: Selective Investment
Monthly subscribers gain flexibility for high-value signatures. Prioritize:
- Signatures for primary DPS agents (frequent usage)
- Universal support W-Engines (Half-Sugar Bunny-style)
- Signatures filling critical performance gaps
Avoid collection completion or niche signatures for rarely-used agents.
Whale Players: Refinement Analysis
Refinements provide 5-10% damage per rank—diminishing returns vs initial acquisitions. Resource cost (80+ pulls per duplicate) makes this lowest priority even for whales.
Focus refinements on most-used agents in competitive content only.
New vs Veteran Accounts
New players: Avoid W-Engine banners until establishing 6-9 agent roster covering all damage types. Character versatility > weapon optimization.
Veterans: Mature rosters gain more value from W-Engine investments after completing character collection goals.
Budget Alternatives
Top A-Rank Options
- Severed Innocence: +30% CRIT DMG baseline, stacking +10% CRIT DMG (max 3 stacks, 30s), +20% Electric DMG at max stacks
- Practiced Perfection: +60 Anomaly Mastery, +20% Physical DMG through stacks (max 2, 20s)
- Elegant Vanity: Squad Energy generation (5 Energy on Assist, 5s cooldown), +10% DMG stacks (max 2, 20s)
These appear as rate-ups on Phase 1 banner with 7.2% combined rates.
Standard S-Rank Pool
Stable Channel offers 20% discount on first 50 pulls with guaranteed S-Rank within 50 pulls. Cost-effective for generic S-Rank weapons.
Standard pool lacks specialized synergies but offers higher Base ATK and versatile passives. You'll accumulate these through lost 50/50s naturally.
Performance Gap Reality
15-30% differential translates to:
- 10-20s longer clear times
- 5-15% lower damage output
- Minimal impact on clearability for proper teams
Gaps matter at performance margins. Comfortable clears see negligible differences; threshold struggles may benefit from signatures.
F2P Progression Path
- Character acquisitions (6-9 agents, all damage types)
- Drive Disc optimization
- Skill level investments
- A-Rank W-Engine collection (natural accumulation)
- Selective signature pulls (only after steps 1-4)
Character-Specific Recommendations
High Signature Value
Physical DPS agents gain maximum value from Cloudcleave Radiance. Nangong Yu (Physical Stunner) represents prime candidate—weapon amplifies damage while 40s duration matches rotations.
Support agents with Half-Sugar Bunny create force-multiplier effects. High Ultimate impact agents benefit from +0.46 Energy Regen/s.
Low Signature Dependency
Many agents perform at 80-90% effectiveness with strong A-Rank alternatives. Self-sufficient kits not relying on W-Engine passives show minimal degradation.
If your agent performs well in current content with existing equipment, signatures provide luxury improvements, not necessary upgrades.
Universal Value Rankings
Phase 1 featured weapons by applicability:
- Half-Sugar Bunny: Squad buffs benefit multiple compositions
- Cloudcleave Radiance: Strong for Physical DPS, limited to damage type
- Cauldron of Clarity: Niche applications only
Universal weapons provide better long-term value as rosters expand.
Common Misconceptions
Myth: Signatures Are Mandatory
Endgame content clearability depends on team composition, investment levels, Drive Discs, and execution—not signature ownership. Players regularly achieve max Shiyu Defense scores with A-Rank weapons.
15-30% damage increase provides comfort and speed, but doesn't fundamentally change accessibility.
Myth: All Signatures Equal Value
Signature value varies dramatically. Some agents gain 30%+ with no alternatives; others see 10-15% easily replicated by A-Ranks.
Each banner requires individual evaluation based on featured weapons, roster needs, and alternatives.
Myth: Refinements Worth Chasing
Refinements provide 5-10% per rank at 80+ pulls per duplicate—extraordinarily poor value. Resource investment for Rank 5 (320+ pulls) could secure 3-4 new S-Ranks instead.
Reality: Content Clearable Without Signatures
Current endgame remains fully clearable with A-Rank weapons. Difficulty balancing assumes accessible equipment, preventing pay-to-win scenarios.
Signatures provide optimization, not unlocked content.
Resource Planning
Phase 2 Predictions
Phase 2 features different signatures aligned with Phase 2 characters. Pity doesn't carry between W-Engine rotations within same version—partial Phase 1 investments become wasteful if switching to Phase 2.
Reserve resources for Phase 2 character signature synergies if interested in upcoming agents.
Version 2.7 Considerations
Unconfirmed leaks suggest new agent archetypes requiring specialized W-Engine support. Conservative management involves maintaining reserves for unexpected high-value releases.
Long-Term Optimization
Prioritize investments providing lasting value across multiple cycles. Signatures for frequently-used core team agents deliver better returns than niche character weapons.
Ask: Will this weapon provide value in 3-6 months? Temporary meta trends shift; versatile weapons maintain relevance.
Pull Calculations
Guarantee Costs
- Best case (75% featured, soft pity): 78-82 pulls (12,480-13,120 Polychromes)
- Average case (featured guarantee after loss): 156-164 pulls (24,960-26,240 Polychromes)
- Worst case (double hard pity): 160 pulls (25,600 Polychromes)
Check Signal Search history for current pity before calculating costs.
Monthly F2P Income
- Daily Commissions: 1,800 Polychromes
- Event rewards: 800-1,200
- Shiyu Defense: 600-1,200
- Hollow Zero: 400-600
- Maintenance: 300
- Achievements: 200-400
Total: 4,100-5,500 Polychromes/month (25-34 pulls). Requires 2-3 months to guarantee single S-Rank at worst-case.
Resource Allocation
Optimal distribution:
- F2P: 90-95% characters, 5-10% selective weapons
- Light spenders: 70-80% characters, 20-30% signatures
- Moderate spenders: 60-70% characters, 30-40% weapons
- Whales: 40-50% characters, 50-60% weapons/refinements
Adjust based on roster completion.
Final Verdict
Pull Priority Tiers
High Priority
- Half-Sugar Bunny (support team compositions)
- Cloudcleave Radiance (Physical DPS mains like Nangong Yu)
Medium Priority
- Cauldron of Clarity (specific agent synergies only)
Skip
- Weapons for agents you don't use
- Refinement duplicates
Skip If:
- You lack featured agents
- Current weapons clear content comfortably
- Saving for Phase 2/Version 2.7 characters
- Below 25,600 Polychrome reserves
- New player building character roster
Decision Checklist
Before pulling, verify: ✓ Own and actively use optimized agents ✓ 25,600+ Polychrome reserves ✓ Character roster complete ✓ Current weapons create performance gaps ✓ No higher-priority banners within 2-3 months ✓ Satisfied with any of three featured options
Multiple no answers = skip for better long-term value.
Efficient Polychrome Sources
- Daily Commissions (never miss 60/day)
- Event participation (all limited-time events)
- Shiyu Defense optimization
- Achievement hunting
- Story progression
Need additional resources? BitTopup offers secure, fast Polychrome top-ups with competitive pricing, instant delivery, and excellent customer service for all gaming recharge needs.
FAQ
Is Phase 1 W-Engine banner worth pulling?
Worth it for players who own and actively use Sunna, Aria, or Physical DPS agents. F2P should skip unless they have complete rosters and excess resources. Light spenders can consider Half-Sugar Bunny for universal squad buffs. Not worth it without corresponding agents or 25,600+ Polychromes.
How much damage do signatures add?
15-30% over best A-Rank alternatives. Physical DPS with Cloudcleave Radiance achieve higher end due to RES ignore. Half-Sugar Bunny creates 10-15% team-wide improvements. Translates to 10-20s faster Shiyu Defense clears but doesn't change clearability for proper teams.
How does W-Engine pity work?
80-pull hard pity, 0.6% S-Rank rates. Soft pity starts pull 76, average S-Rank at 78-82. First S-Rank has 75% featured chance, guaranteed featured after standard pool weapon. Pity resets on any S-Rank. Check pity by counting pulls in Signal Search history.
Should F2P pull W-Engine banners?
Generally no—prioritize characters. Exceptions: complete rosters facing months before anticipated releases. 25,600 Polychrome cost = 2-3 months accumulation, risking missed character banners. Endgame clearable with A-Ranks, so character expansion takes priority.
Polychromes needed to guarantee W-Engine?
Up to 25,600 Polychromes worst-case (160 pulls). Average: 24,960-26,240 (156-164 pulls with soft pity). Best case: 12,480-13,120 (78-82 pulls with 75% success). Maintain 25,600 reserves before pulling, though 75% succeed with half that.
Can you clear endgame without signatures?
Yes. All content including max difficulty Shiyu Defense clearable with A-Rank weapons on proper teams. Difficulty assumes accessible equipment. Signatures provide 15-30% damage for speed/comfort but don't unlock content. Players regularly achieve max scores with A-Ranks using optimized compositions and execution.
