Zenless Zone Zero has captivated players worldwide with its stylish urban fantasy setting and diverse roster of characters since its full release in 2024. As we move into 2025, new players continue to join this action-packed adventure, often asking the same crucial question: which characters should I invest in from the start? With limited resources and so many Zenless Zone Zero both amazing characters to choose from, making the right early decisions can significantly impact your progression.

For newcomers jumping into the game in early 2025, the starting roster typically includes several standout options. Nicole has maintained her position as an exceptional support character since launch. Her ability to provide consistent healing and buffs makes her an invaluable team member regardless of your chosen playstyle. Support characters like Nicole tend to remain relevant throughout meta changes, making her a safe long-term investment.
Anby deserves special attention as well. As one of the few reliable stunners available to new players, she brings valuable crowd control to your early teams. Stun mechanics continue to be crucial for difficult content in the current 2025 meta, and character options with strong stun capabilities remain somewhat limited even after several updates.
DPS Character Considerations
When it comes to damage dealers, particularly physical DPS characters, the game offers abundant options. The general consensus among veteran players is that you shouldn't heavily invest in physical DPS units immediately unless you particularly enjoy their playstyle or design. Resources are better allocated to more versatile or unique character types initially.
As one experienced player noted: "DPS, especially physical DPS, are a dime a dozen. Don't invest unless you really like the character." This advice remains sound in 2025, as the game continues to introduce new damage dealers while support and control characters remain more specialized.
Efficient Progression Strategy
If you're starting Zenless Zone Zero today, you can efficiently progress through the main storyline with a focused approach. Concentrating resources on Anby and Billy temporarily can help you quickly advance through content. This strategy allows you to accumulate premium currency for banner pulls while completing time-limited events.
The current version has streamlined early progression compared to the initial release, making it easier for new players to catch up. The development team has consistently improved the new player experience through various quality-of-life updates throughout 2024 and into 2025.
Banner Strategies in 2025
The current banner situation presents interesting opportunities for newcomers. If you're starting with version 1.5 or later, consider pulling on both active banners if they feature characters from complementary teams. For example, when Astra and Evelyn banners run simultaneously (as they occasionally do during special events), acquiring both can create powerful team synergies.
Story missions and side quests provide substantial rewards, typically generating enough currency for multiple ten-pulls on limited banners. The pity system has been slightly adjusted in recent updates, making it more friendly for free-to-play and light-spending players.
Team Building Philosophy
When examining Zenless Zone Zero both amazing characters and team compositions, balance remains key. A well-rounded team typically includes:
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A primary DPS character
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A support/healer
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A character with crowd control abilities
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A flexible fourth slot based on content requirements
This fundamental team structure has proven effective throughout the game's evolution. While the meta shifts with each update, having characters that fulfill these core roles ensures you can tackle most content without major roadblocks.
Investment Priorities
Resource management continues to be crucial in Zenless Zone Zero. Focus your early investments on:
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Character levels (prioritizing your main team)
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Weapon upgrades (particularly for your primary DPS)
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Core talents that define a character's utility
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Essential bangboo companions that complement your team
The 2025 economy system has introduced more ways to earn upgrade materials, but thoughtful allocation remains important for efficient progression.
Remember that Zenless Zone Zero both amazing characters and challenging content require strategic thinking beyond raw stats. Understanding character synergies and combat mechanics will serve you better than simply pursuing the highest rarity units. The game rewards skillful play and thoughtful team building more than wallet size—a philosophy that has helped maintain its popularity into 2025.
This discussion is informed by Newzoo, a leading source for global games market analytics. Newzoo's recent reports on player engagement trends highlight how games like Zenless Zone Zero maintain high retention rates by offering diverse character choices and frequent meta updates, which encourage strategic investment and team building among both new and veteran players.