Kerem Karakoc 
Nekomata is one of the best ZZZ characters players can pull and she gets even more powerful with the right W-Engine and Drive Disc builds, even without an optimal team composition.
As a highly mobile agent with solid damage output, Nekomata is one of the best and the most impactful agents in Zenless Zone Zero. In any every team composition, she forces her way to main DPS status. Although her base defense is quite low, she is ideal for those favoring a fast-paced damage-dealer.
Nekomata’s best W-Engine, Drive Disc sets, and team compositions
How to play Nekomata in Zenless Zone Zero
Nekomata should be played as a DPS character with a sustained on-field presence.
As the most dynamic character of the Cunning Hares faction, Nekomata is an S-Rank agent with the physical attack attribute. Her fast-paced playstyle involves diving into close-quarters combat and spending longer periods on the battlefield. She is often the sole damage dealer of her team, depending on her core passive to increase her damage output.
She is also an attack agent who can deal with multiple enemies at the same time. Her attack moveset includes charging back and forth and traversing around the battlefield. Her outstanding damage potential makes her one of the best ZZZ agents for bosses as well.
Those who want to unleash her full potential should focus on dodge counters, though. Dodging an enemy attack enhances her Core Skill: Stealthy Paws, and grants a 30% increase to Nekomata’s damage which can be accentuated further with the right build.
Though other agents specialize in physical attributes, Nekomata’s EX special attacks deal massive amounts of damage. That said, Nekomata also has a brutally low base defense stats. More than other DPS characters in Zenless Zone Zero, playing Nekomata means constant dodging and moving. The main trick here is to avoid attacks while also utilizing her damage buffs. Players can put all the defense-focused Drive Discs into Nekomata that they want, but she’ll never be the best agent in ZZZ when it comes to absorbing damage.
Best W-Engines for Nekomata
The best W-Engine for Nekomata in Zenless Zone Zero is the Steel Cushion.
Nekomata got the Genshin Impact treatment, where she got her own signature item that synergizes perfectly with her kit. That said, there are other options for players who can’t pull it. Even with a sub-optimal W-Engine, Nekomata still has enormous DPS potential. That said, here are the best options available for her:
Steel Cushion
Steel Cushion is Nekomata’s signature W-Engine and is the centerpiece of an optimal build for her. It increases her physical damage by a whopping 20% and also grants a 25% damage bonus when Nekomata attacks her enemies from behind.
The latter damage bonus complements Nekomata’s highly mobile play style. Since she moves around the battlefield with ease, she gets to hit her enemies from the back quite often. Thanks to her Crimson Blade ability, Nekomata basically teleports between her enemies while pumping out damage.
With the 9.60% crit rate as a cherry on top, the Steel Cushion is surely the best W-Engine for Nekomata in Zenless Zone Zero. But those who lack this S-Rank weapon in their arsenal can also substitute with some solid alternative W-Engines as well.
The Brimstone
The Brimstone is another great W-Engine for Nekomata in ZZZ. Just like her signature weapon, The Brimstone also focuses on enhancing the agent’s damage output. If Nekomata successfully lands a shot with a Dash attack, Basic attack, or Dodge Counter, her attack increases for 8 seconds by 3.5%. The Brimstone’s solid buff stacks up to 8 times, amping up the DPS of the speedy agent.
Cannon Rotor
The best W-Engine for Nekomata within the A-Rank category is the Cannon Rotor. Just like its superior counterparts, Cannon Rotor offers a pure boost to Nekomata’s ATK and yields a 7.5% increase. It also renders the extra 200% of ATK as DMG if Nekomata lands a critical hit.
Best Drive Disc Set for Nekomata
The best Drive Disc combination for Nekomata starts with a 4-piece Fanged Metal set, though there are a number of build options. The 2-piece iteration of the set increases Nekomata’s physical attack by 20% but those running with a 4-piece get an additional 35% DMG increase on targets inflicted with Assault.
The Fanged Metal Drive Disc set is easily the perfect Drive Disc set for Nekomata. However, its pure damage increase can also be paired up with another 2-piece set for a different build verticality. Here are the best possible Drive Disc sets for Nekomata in ZZZ:
4-piece Fanged Metal, 2-piece Woodpecker Electro
As one of the best Nekomata Drive Disc sets in ZZZ, this set offers a whopping 35% damage increase on enemies inflicted with Assault. The latter 2-piece grants a 10% increase in physical damage as well. When there are agents that can trigger Assault on enemies, Fanged Metal and Woodpecker Electro are the way to go.
4-piece Fanged Metal, 2-piece Puffer Electro
Fanged Metal works quite well 2-piece Puffer Electro as well. With this set, Nekomata gets a 25% increase in her damage while attacking Assault-inflicted enemies. Her performance also gets a noticeable increase thanks to Puffer Electro’s 8% increase to the PEN Ratio.
2-piece Fanged Metal, 2-piece Hormone Punk, 2-piece Woodpecker Electro
It’s also possible to go for an all-rounder build in ZZZ with Nekomata using this Drive Disc set. Instead of running with a 4-piece Fanged Metal, this Drive Disc set has Nekomata boasting 2-piece of each, resulting in a 20% increase in physical damage, 8% increase in CRIT rate, and a 10% increase in ATK.
Best team composition for Nekomata in ZZZ
Nekomata’s best team composition puts her next to ZZZ free-to-play agents Nicole and Anby.
Though Nekomata’s not a free character, she’s designed to serve as an upgrade to Billy, and those who happen to pull her can quickly and affordably snowball their team composition. That said, there are some teams that high-rollers can flex their muscles with, too.
Nekomata, Nicole, Anby
Both Nicole and Anby are members of the Cunning Hares faction, allowing Nekomata to fully exploit her Quick Assist’s power thanks to Nicole. Moreover, having the first Mindscape for Nekomata lets her synergize with Anby as well.
This Nekomata team composition should kit her out with offensively focused a W-Engine and Drive Discs, then use Anby as the sub-DPS, while letting Nicole serve as the support. However, there are some other alternatives for those lacking one of these agents.
Nekomata, Piper, and Lucy
Having Nekomata, Piper, and Lucy in the same team composition can have great results as well. This composition benefits from Piper and Nekomata being in the same faction. They also share the physical attribute. Since Lucy is one of the best support agents in ZZZ, she enhances the party’s overall ATK output.
Lycaon, Nicole, and Nekomata
Placing the Lycaon the stun virtuoso to the the sub-DPS position also creates one of the best Nekomata team compositions. Lycaon’s incredible Daze output coming from his Basic attack allows Nekomata to dish out incredible damage to Stunned enemies. Since Nekomata can not tank damage quite well, having fewer mobile enemies works great for her. With the A-Rank agent Nicole constantly supporting the two, this is a great team composition too.
