Tier list of the best characters in ZZZ

ZZZ update 2.3 adds three new characters, which brings some major shakeups to the tier list.

Attackers were hurting in ZZZ with disorder compositions reigning supreme, while Yixuan introduced the rupture class. 2.2 fixed that to some degree, and now the rupture class is being fleshed out. A new rupture-focused support was added with Lucia while two new rupture DPS characters arrived with Manato and Yidhari.

Still, the rupture role is a new one and that means the impact of these new agents won’t be felt quite as broadly. Here’s how things stack up at this point.

ZZZ tier list as of version 2.2

The Zenless Zone Zero tier list is becoming increasingly weighted toward a handful of limited-time S-rank agents and the best supports or complements for them. Here’s the full lineup of characters and where they stack up:

S tier- Trigger joins ZZZ’s top tier of alongside best support, DPS agents

Trigger was already a high-tier agent but she is more relevant than ever before after ZZZ’s 2.2 update. Pair her with Seed, and players have one of the most flexible cores in the game. Put her alongside anyone else and she still makes any mediocre team good, and any good team great.

Yixuan and Miyabi remain the best DPS options in the game. HoYoverse actually seems content in keeping things that way, too.

Alongside them are limited S-rank supports Astra Yao and Yuzuha. Astra Yao has long been the best-in-slot support for every team in ZZZ and has been atop the tier list for a long while because of this. She’s still there, but isn’t the best-in-slot for everyone anymore. Disorder teams are uniformly better off with Yuzuha, though Astra remains the go-to for attacker teams.

A tier- ZZZ 2.3’s Lucia and Yidhari sit in the A tier, for now

Lucia doesn’t reach the heights of fellow S-rank supports Yidhari or Astra Yao, but that could change in the future. She slots in as an A-tier ZZZ agent for the time being due to her strength with Yidhari and Yixuan but could climb up as the rupture meta expands further. As for Yidhari, she’s a high-end DPS option but doesn’t quite match Yixuan or Miyabi.

ZZZ 2.2 didn’t really shake up the tier list that much, mainly because its new attackers lifted up many of the existing agents. While they normally would’ve been at risk for dropping down a tier, Evelyn and Soldier 0 Anby are actually boosted to new heights by Seed and Orphie & Magus. Soldier 0 Anby also got a buff in Zenless Zone Zero version 2.3, but it’s not quite enough to push her to the S-tier.

Beyond those attackers are best-in-slot options in various roles. Vivian is an extremely powerful off-field DPS option while Alice stands as the best on-field anomaly agent next to Miyabi. Ju Fufu is a very good off-field stunner, while Lighter is an enormous boon to any ice or fire teams.

Meanwhile, Nicole is still a highly versatile support agent who works in both attacker and disorder teams.

B tier- Manato joins early S-rank agents including Zhu Yuan, Burnice, and Qingyi

The B tier is a hodgepodge of different characters that are either relevant thanks to their synergy with other agents, or aging DPS options on a downward slide. The sole exception to that is Manato.

Manato stands as possibly the best A-rank DPS option in Zenless Zone Zero upon his arrival. That’s good for B-tier placement, but his future prospects aren’t necessarily better than other characters. Manato is set to be rendered obsolete in ZZZ version 2.4 with S-rank fire rupture agent Banyue. This, and the eventual addition of other new rupture agents, will see Manato pushed down over time.

The former category includes Jane, Burnice, and Ellen. Jane and Burnice are still relevant in the current disorder-focused meta, but they feel lacking in their respective roles compared to modern alternatives. Ellen is similarly workable, but doesn’t hold up compared with newer attackers. Caesar is in a similar position as a support-stunner-defender hybrid that is just generally decent, but not particularly good anymore.

Pan Yinhu, Soukaku, and Lycaon are in the latter category. Pan Yinhu is one of the preferred partners of Yixuan while Yanagi, Soukaku, and Lycaon are all buoyed by their strength with Miyabi.

Hugo is the outlier here as a very strong DPS option, but only with a specific team composition and only against specific enemies.

C tier- Early limited S-ranks Zhu Yuan and Qingyi slide toward obsolescence with Koleda, Piper

The C tier is the awkward waiting room for agents that are sliding toward being non-viable, but can still get some wins.

Piper and Harumasa are both workable, but have been pushed down the tier list due to multiple limited S-rank agents leaving them redundant. Koleda is in the same boat after the releases of Lighter and Ju Fufu. Similarly, Pulchra now finds herself as the third-best off-field stunner and doesn’t work especially well with any top DPS.

Qingyi and Zhu Yuan were previously the best stunner and attacker in the game, but have suffered greatly from power creep.

D tier- A-rank ZZZ supports sliding after new agent additions

Lucy, Seth, and Rina have all been hit fairly hard by some of the recent agent additions.

Lucy is still workable with an ideal build but finds herself struggling both as a support and off-field DPS option. Seth is even worse off as he necessitates too much field time and basically had his lunch stolen by Yuzuha.

Static banner attackers Soldier 11 and Nekomata just haven’t held up well over time. While they might be able to enjoy renewed relevance with a new Drive Disc or a tailored support, there’s no sign of one coming out.

F tier- Early DPS agents struggle for relevance in ZZZ alongside Anby

None of the early DPS agents in Zenless Zone Zero have held up very well, but Anton, Corin, and Billy all lack any degree of relevance outside Corin and Billy having special abilities in Hollow Zero. 

Ben was never particularly good but nothing about his kit has held up well over time. Finally, Anby just doesn’t fit into the game anymore. Anby doesn’t fit into any electric team compositions, nor are the Cunning Hares usable for any endgame content. It’s not surprising, given how HoYoverse is committed to rolling out new electric stun agents.