Understanding ZZZ's Gacha Currency System
Polychrome is the universal premium currency. Each pull costs exactly 160 Polychrome across all banner types. Master Tapes work on Stable Channel (standard) banners, Encrypted Master Tapes on Exclusive Channel (limited) banners. Each tape = one pull. Monochrome converts to Polychrome 1:1.
For efficient top-ups, Zenless Zone Zero top up through BitTopup offers competitive pricing and instant delivery.
Polychrome: Primary Gacha Currency
Polychrome works universally. 160 per pull, constant across all banners. Simple math: 10-pull = 1,600 Polychrome, 90-pull hard pity = 14,400 Polychrome.
Master Tapes vs Encrypted Master Tapes
- Master Tapes: Stable Channel only (permanent S-Ranks like Grace, Rina, Koleda, Lycaon, Soldier 11, Nekomata). S-Rank within 50 pulls, selector at 300 pulls
- Encrypted Master Tapes: Exclusive Channel only (limited agents). Can't be used interchangeably
Conversion Rates
- 90 pulls = 14,400 Polychrome
- 180 pulls = 28,800 Polychrome (agent worst-case)
- 80 pulls = 12,800 Polychrome (weapon single pity)
- 160 pulls = 25,600 Polychrome (weapon worst-case)
- Monochrome converts 1:1 to Polychrome
Complete Pity System Breakdown
Hard Pity: The Absolute Guarantee
- Agent banners: 90 pulls guaranteed S-Rank (14,400 Polychrome max)
- W-Engine banners: 80 pulls guaranteed S-Rank (12,800 Polychrome max)
- Counter resets immediately after any S-Rank
Soft Pity Window
Starts at pull 75 on agent banners. Base 0.6% S-Rank rate increases each pull. Most players get S-Ranks between pulls 75-85, but always plan for hard pity.
The 50/50 System vs Guaranteed
First S-Rank on Exclusive Channel: 50% featured agent, 50% standard agent. Losing activates guarantee—next S-Rank on any Exclusive Channel is 100% featured.
Worst-case: 180 pulls (90 for first S-Rank losing 50/50 + 90 for guaranteed featured).
Carryover Pity
Pity carries between banners of same type. 60 pulls on one limited banner = 60 pity on next limited banner. Guarantee status also carries over.
Pity does NOT transfer between banner categories (Exclusive/W-Engine/Stable are independent).
Worst-Case Math: Guaranteeing 1 Limited Agent
Winning 50/50 (Best Within Worst)
90 pulls max = 14,400 Polychrome. Occurs ~50% of cases reaching hard pity.
Losing 50/50 + Full Guarantee (True Worst)
180 pulls total = 28,800 Polychrome or 180 Encrypted Master Tapes. Absolute ceiling—no player needs more.
For emergency top-ups, buy Zenless Zone Zero top up online through BitTopup for secure transactions.
Adjusting for Existing Pity
At 45 pity with guarantee active? Only need 90 pulls (14,400 Polychrome).
Signature W-Engine Channel: Separate Pity
W-Engine Pity (80 Hard Pity)
80 pulls max per S-Rank = 12,800 Polychrome. Resets on any S-Rank W-Engine. Completely separate from agent pity.
75/25 Rate vs Guaranteed
75% chance featured weapon, 25% off-banner S-Rank. Losing activates guarantee for next S-Rank on any W-Engine banner.
Worst-Case W-Engine Cost
160 pulls = 25,600 Polychrome (80 for first S-Rank losing 75/25 + 80 for guaranteed).
Why Weapons Are Lower Priority
Signature weapons provide 15-30% damage increase. New agents unlock entirely different playstyles. For F2P/low-spenders, agents > weapons for account progression.
Combined Cost: Agent + Signature W-Engine
Total Worst-Case: 54,400 Polychrome
180 agent pulls + 160 weapon pulls = 340 total pulls = 54,400 Polychrome. Assumes zero pity, no guarantees, maximum bad luck.
Tape Equivalent: 340 Pulls
180 Encrypted Master Tapes (agent) + 160 Master Tapes (weapon). Note: different tape types required.
Realistic vs Worst-Case
Statistical average: 120-130 pulls for agent, 90-100 for weapon = 35,000-40,000 Polychrome. Soft pity and 75/25 weapon rate make extreme worst-case unlikely.
When to Plan Full Guarantee
Must-have characters: save 54,400 Polychrome for certainty. Comfortable with risk: plan around 40,000 average, accept possibility of falling short.
Monthly Currency Income
Daily Commissions
60 Polychrome/day = 2,520 per six-week patch. ~15-16 pulls. Takes 15-20 minutes daily.
Weekly Shiyu Defense
800 Polychrome per bi-weekly reset = 2,400 per patch. Additional weekly activities add 2,400-3,600 Polychrome per patch.
Event Rewards
Major events: 1,200-1,800 Polychrome each. Multiple events per patch = 3,000-4,500 total. Plus 5-10 direct tape pulls.
Monthly Pass ($5 USD)
300 Polychrome daily × 30 days = 9,000 Polychrome/month. Best value for low-spenders. Two passes per patch = 18,000 Polychrome (112 pulls).
Total F2P Per Patch
- Daily commissions: 2,520
- Weekly endgame: 4,800-6,000
- Events: 3,000-4,500
- Total: 10,320-13,020 Polychrome (64-81 pulls)
F2P timeline: guaranteed agent every 2.5-3 patches (15-18 weeks). Agent + weapon: 4-5 patches (24-30 weeks).
Pull Planning Strategies
Banner Schedule Prediction
Limited banners run three weeks. Most patches feature two limited agents across six weeks. Official announcements 2-3 weeks before launch. Track pity, guarantee status, and currency against known banners.
Agent vs Weapon Priority
Recommended order:
- Secure desired limited agents
- Consider weapons only when agent roster complete
Exceptions: extensive agent collections or favorite characters.
Skip Strategy
Identify must-pull characters. Calculate required 28,800 Polychrome. Resist temptation on intervening banners. Ensures guaranteed acquisition of top priorities.
Emergency Top-Up Calculation
Current resources (Polychrome + Monochrome + tapes) - target (28,800 or 54,400) = top-up requirement. BitTopup offers competitive pricing with fast delivery.
Common Mistakes
Myth: Pity Carries Between Agent and W-Engine
FALSE. Each banner type has independent pity. 80 pulls on agent banner ≠ W-Engine pity progress.
Not Accounting for Lost 50/50
Always budget 180 pulls (28,800 Polychrome) for agents unless you have active guarantee. Planning for 90 pulls only works 50% of the time.
Soft Pity Guarantees Early S-Rank
FALSE. Soft pity increases probability after pull 75 but doesn't guarantee acquisition before hard pity. Always plan for 90/80 pulls.
Pulling Weapon Before Agent
Secure agent first (28,800 Polychrome), then evaluate weapon pulls. Avoids obtaining specialized weapon without optimal wielder.
Optimizing Currency Through BitTopup
Best Value Packs
Larger packs = better per-Polychrome rates. First-time buyer bonuses double Polychrome—exceptional one-time value.
First-Time Bonus Strategy
Purchase each tier once to claim all bonuses before repeat purchases. Maximizes Polychrome per dollar.
BitTopup Exclusive Discounts
Promotional discounts during major patches/banner launches. 10-20% savings on guarantee thresholds. Instant delivery for emergency top-ups.
Emergency Calculator
Exact deficit = target - (Polychrome + Monochrome + tapes). Select pack matching deficit. Avoid over-purchasing.
FAQ
How much Polychrome guarantees a limited agent? 28,800 Polychrome (180 pulls worst-case: 90 losing 50/50 + 90 guaranteed).
Worst-case for agent + weapon? 54,400 Polychrome (340 pulls: 180 agent + 160 weapon).
Does pity carry between banner types? No. Agent/W-Engine/Stable pities are independent. Pity carries between same-type banners only.
F2P time to save for guaranteed agent? 2.5-3 patches (15-18 weeks) at 10,000-13,000 Polychrome per patch.
How does 50/50 work? First S-Rank: 50% featured, 50% standard. Losing guarantees next S-Rank is featured on any limited banner.
Agent or weapon first? Always agent first. More account value. Pulling weapon first risks getting equipment without optimal character.
