What Exactly is Polychrome in Zenless Zone Zero?
Think of Polychrome as ZZZ's version of premium gacha currency – it's what powers your Signal Search operations. Every 160 Polychrome converts into one Master Tape for the standard Stable Channel, or one Encrypted Master Tape for those coveted limited Exclusive Channel banners.
Here's something crucial that trips up new players: once you convert Polychrome to Master Tapes, there's no going back. It's a one-way street.
Limited banners rotate every 6 weeks, and here's where the math gets interesting – you're guaranteed the featured S-rank character within 180 pulls. But experienced players know the real sweet spot is around pulls 75-85 where soft pity kicks in.
For players wanting to speed things up, platforms like BitTopup offer reliable cheap Zenless Zone Zero recharge options that won't break the bank.
What makes Polychrome particularly valuable is how the pity system works. Limited banner pity carries forward between featured characters – but switch to the Stable Channel? That progress resets completely.
And here's a pro tip: don't sleep on Residual Signals. At 600 Signals per Encrypted Master Tape, they're often more efficient than the Polychrome conversion route.
How to Actually Get Polychrome: The Complete Breakdown
Your Daily Polychrome Routine (Don't Skip This)
The backbone of any solid Polychrome strategy is nailing your daily routine. You're looking at 60 Polychrome per day – that's 1,800 monthly just from hitting 400 Engagement points.
Here's how the math works:
- Pop into the Video Store (100 points)
- Check Howl's Scratch Card (100 points)
- Grab your daily login bonus (100 points)
- Knock out a commission (100 points)
That scratch card deserves special mention. On days 3, 8, 15, 20, and 27, you're guaranteed 20-60 Polychrome. Other days? There's still a 6% chance for 10 Polychrome. Not huge, but it adds up.
Weekly Grinds and Event Goldmines
Shiyu Defense is your friend here – rank-based Polychrome rewards that reset every two weeks. Hollow Zero throws 80 Polychrome at you for first-time stage clears, plus whatever you earn from bounties.
But the real money is in events. We're talking 300-800 Polychrome per event typically. Version 1.5 was particularly generous – Elpis handed out 1,000 Polychrome, while Deadly Assault dropped 1,200. Version updates also bring redemption codes worth 300+ Polychrome each time.
One-Time Rewards That Actually Matter
The progression system is loaded with Polychrome if you know where to look:
Inter-Knot Level milestones drop 200 Polychrome at levels 3, 13, 33, 43, and 53. The Road to Proxy Greatness quest line? That's 1,600 Polychrome just for hitting Level 30.
Tutorial completion through the Primer system nets you 1,050 Polychrome – not bad for learning the ropes.
Achievements pay out based on tier: Bronze (5), Silver (10), and Gold (20) Polychrome. They seem small individually, but there are hundreds of them.
Agent Demos are criminally underused. Each 5-minute trial gives you 20+ Polychrome. Easy money.
Smart Polychrome Farming: Monthly Income Maximization
Here's what works in practice: tackle commissions first since they give you both XP and Engagement points. Then hit the Video Store and grab your scratch card. The whole routine takes maybe 10 minutes.
Missing days hurts more than you'd think. That daily 60 Polychrome compounds to 1,800 over a month – that's 11.25 pulls you're leaving on the table.
Realistic F2P expectations for monthly pulls:
- Daily grind: 1,800 Polychrome (11.25 pulls)
- Events: 500-1,500 Polychrome (3-9 pulls)
- Version codes: ~300 Polychrome (2 pulls)
- Weekly activities: Variable, but usually decent
Version 1.5 data shows consistent F2P players pulled in 16,045 Polychrome plus 130+ Encrypted Master Tapes. Not too shabby.
Need a boost? BitTopup's ZZZ monthly card subscription top up service makes it painless to grab that monthly pass.
Converting Polychrome: Master the Tape System
The 160 Polychrome per Master Tape rate is universal – no discounts, no bulk deals. But here's the strategy: Exclusive Channel banners should get priority every single time. The 180-pull guarantee and 50/50 system (lose once, win the next S-rank guaranteed) make them infinitely more valuable than standard pulls.
Don't convert immediately when you earn Polychrome. Impulse spending kills more gacha dreams than bad luck does. Accumulate until you're ready to commit to a banner.
Soft pity starts around pull 70-75. Most S-rank characters show up between 75-85 pulls. Budget 14,400 Polychrome (90 pulls) for realistic scenarios, but keep 28,800 handy if you want absolute guarantees.
Best Polychrome Spending Priorities
Limited Exclusive Channel banners. Full stop.
These banners feature meta-defining characters you literally cannot get anywhere else. Standard banner characters? They'll spook you eventually on limited banners anyway.
What not to spend on: Battery Charge refills are Polychrome poison. You're paying 50-200 Polychrome for energy that regenerates naturally. Just... don't.
Always check your pity count before spending. And double-check which banner type you're on – switching resets your progress.
Polychrome Saving Strategy: Playing the Long Game
ZZZ runs predictable 6-week banner cycles. Smart players track official announcements and plan accordingly. Some characters are worth the full commitment; others you can safely skip.
Mark your calendar: June 6, 2025 (Version 2.0) brings the first-time bonus reset. That effectively halves the cost per pull for one-time Monochrome purchases.
Understanding pity mechanics is crucial here. The 180-pull guarantee needs 28,800 Polychrome worst-case, but soft pity usually kicks in around 130-140 pulls. Carry pity between limited banners by avoiding switches when you're 70+ pulls deep.
Current Active Codes (December 2025)
Here's what's live right now:
- ZZZ24KRAMPUS: 60 Polychrome + 6,666 Dennies
- Dialyn1125: 60 Polychrome + 2 Official Investigator Log + 2 W-Engine Power Supply + 2 Bangboo Algorithm Module
- ZENLESSGIFT: 50 Polychrome + materials (permanent for new players)
You need Inter-Knot Level 5 to redeem. Go to Menu → More → Redemption Code in-game, or use the official web page. Codes are case-sensitive and region-locked. Rewards hit your Mailbox with a 30-day claim window.
F2P vs Spender: Different Games, Different Rules
F2P players need to be ruthless about efficiency. Exhaust every free source – achievements, daily engagement, every single event. Strategic banner skipping becomes essential since guaranteed characters require 4-6 months of saving. Target meta-defining characters over favorites if progression matters to you.
Light spenders should grab the Inter-Knot Membership ($4.99 monthly) first. It delivers 3,000 total Polychrome at $0.266 per pull – way better than direct Monochrome purchases. New player bundles like the Eridu Welcome Gift ($0.99) are basically free money.
Common Polychrome Traps (Don't Fall for These)
Spending on Stable Channel banners when limited banners exist. Those characters aren't going anywhere – they'll show up eventually.
Not tracking pity counts. Switching banners when you're deep into pity is like throwing money away.
Inconsistent daily engagement. Missing 10 days monthly costs 600 Polychrome – that's 4 Signal Search pulls.
Advanced Tips for Serious Players
Experienced players maintain 6-month resource projections. They know exactly which banners they can afford and which ones to skip. Track your Polychrome per hour across activities – daily engagement gives the highest return on time investment.
The monthly baseline for active F2P players sits around 4,500-5,000 Polychrome (28-31 pulls). Use that as your optimization benchmark.
FAQ
What is Polychrome Gift in Zenless Zone Zero? Polychrome is ZZZ's premium gacha currency. 160 Polychrome equals one Signal Search pull. You earn it through daily activities, events, and achievements – it's basically your ticket to new characters.
How much Polychrome can F2P players realistically earn monthly? About 4,500-5,000 Polychrome monthly (28-31 pulls) if you stay consistent. That breaks down to 1,800 from daily engagement, 500-1,500 from events, ~300 from codes, plus weekly activities.
Should I save Polychrome or spend it right away? Save for limited Exclusive Channel banners featuring meta characters. The 180-pull pity system means you need up to 28,800 Polychrome for guarantees, so patience pays off.
How do I redeem Polychrome gift codes? Menu → More → Redemption Code in-game (need Inter-Knot Level 5) or use the official web redemption page. Rewards go to your Mailbox with a 30-day claim window.
When's the best time to spend Polychrome on banners? Limited Exclusive Channel banners only. Plan for soft pity around 75-85 pulls, or budget for hard pity at 180 pulls maximum if you want guarantees.
What's the difference between Polychrome and Master Tapes? Polychrome is the raw currency that converts to Master Tapes at a 160:1 ratio. Encrypted Master Tapes work on limited banners and offer way better value than standard Master Tapes.
