Top 5: Raptor
This boss has serious ADHD—it never stops moving, constantly flying around. Half the time you're chasing it, the other half you're trying to deal damage. Even when you manage to knock it off balance, the imbalance duration is so short that you barely have time to land any hits.
When facing the Raptor, it’s better not to use burst damage characters who rely on imbalance windows. Instead, use sustained DPS characters like Von Lycaon or Anby Demara.
It also has a backstep bomb move with a yellow flash indicator. Make sure to parry with support parry bullets to reflect the bomb—this can stun it completely.
Top 4: Thalassian
Its spear strikes are fast and relentless, with extremely aggressive attack patterns. Some attacks don’t even have flash indicators, and it leaves explosive cracks on the ground, making it very hard to dodge everything. It also enchants its weapon, powering up its moves. If you force it into imbalance while it’s enchanted, the imbalance duration gets significantly reduced.
To fight it, avoid parrying too much—focus more on dodge-counter strategies, because parrying can cause it to enchant its weapon prematurely.
When it leaps into the air to enchant its weapon, you can interrupt it with Ultimates or Ice Disorder effects.
Top 3: Tainted Priest
A new enemy introduced in version 2.0. Its damage isn’t high, and its attacks all come with flash indicators that can be dodged, parried, or blocked. The real challenge is its Corrupted Shield, which provides heavy damage reduction and drags out the fight. It also has high Ice resistance, so you can’t just cheese it with Anby.
When it activates the Corrupted Shield, it follows with a series of rapid yellow-flash attacks. You should focus on switching characters and parrying in rhythm—these parries don’t consume support points and are very satisfying to land.
Successfully parrying not only knocks it into a stunned state, but also rapidly depletes the Corrupted Shield. Once the shield is gone, it’s easy to knock it off balance and beat it down while recharging your energy.
Top 2: Bringer the Eidolon
At first, it uses some simple moves that are easy to dodge or parry. But then it summons a giant mysterious hand. If you can’t destroy the hand in time to interrupt the incantation, it unleashes a devastating ultimate move, slashing wildly with a massive 40-meter blade.
Bringer is best dealt with using Disorder-based characters. When it summons the hand, apply Disorder to disrupt it. Pure DPS characters may not deal enough damage to the hand, which could be fatal.
Having Anby Demara in your squad makes a massive difference—her invulnerability frames let her avoid attacks, and her Frostburn damage is perfect for breaking the hand.
Top 1: Infamous Pompeii
This is Pompeii with a new red skin, and it’s utterly ferocious—attacking like a mad dog. Many of its moves have no flash indicators, and they deal massive damage. One moment of carelessness and you’re dead.
It can also block your attacks, and becomes invincible while transforming, stalling for time. It's arguably the hardest boss in the game.
There are no shortcuts when fighting Pompeii—it’s all about raw fundamentals. You’ll need to train yourself to block yellow-flash attacks, read its moves, and dodge at the right time.
You can also build a team with survivability characters, like Koleda, who gives shields, or Yao Jiayin, who provides team healing.
Conclusion
These 5 bosses are incredibly tough—whether it's because of overwhelming attack power, high damage, or unique mechanics.
Which bosses do you think are the hardest in Zenless Zone Zero?
