In the ever-evolving world of Zenless Zone Zero, Hugo Vlad stands as one of the most formidable S-Rank Ice Attack Agents available to players. As we move through 2025, Hugo continues to dominate the meta with his unique Totalize mechanic and devastating burst damage potential. Whether you're a new player looking to understand this powerhouse agent or a veteran seeking to optimize your hugozenlesszonezero experience, this comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know.

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Who is Hugo Vlad?

Hugo Vlad is the enigmatic leader of Mockingbird and an S-Rank Ice Attack Agent in Zenless Zone Zero. Wielding a scythe with deadly precision, Hugo specializes in delivering massive burst damage through his unique Totalize mechanic. His distinctive playstyle revolves around stunning enemies and capitalizing on these windows with overwhelming force.

What sets Hugo apart from other Attack Agents is his ability to deal enormous damage in short bursts, making him particularly effective in team compositions that can quickly build and utilize Stun states. The hugo dialyn team composition has become especially popular in the current meta, offering exceptional synergy and damage potential.

Core Mechanics: Understanding Totalize

Hugo's signature mechanic, Totalize, is what truly defines his gameplay style. When the Finishing Move of his EX Special Attack (Soul Hunter - Punishment) or Ultimate (Blaspheme) hits a stunned enemy, it triggers the Totalize effect, dramatically increasing damage output.

The Totalize effect works as follows:

  1. Base effect: Increases the DMG Multiplier of the skill's Finishing Move by 1,000%

  2. Additional scaling: For each remaining second of Stun time (up to 5s), the multiplier increases by 280%

  3. For each second between 5-15s, the multiplier increases by 100%

  4. Maximum possible increase: 3,400% DMG Multiplier

What makes this mechanic particularly interesting is that it instantly ends the enemy's Stunned state while accumulating Daze based on the remaining Stun time. For every second of Stun time remaining, 5% Daze is accumulated, up to a maximum of 25% of the enemy's maximum Daze gauge.

"Hugo's Totalize effect is like hitting the jackpot in the middle of battle," explains one top-ranked player. "The sooner you trigger it after stunning an enemy, the bigger the payoff."

Best Build for Hugo in 2025

Optimal W-Engine

The Myriad Eclipse W-Engine remains Hugo's best-in-slot option in 2025. This engine provides:

  • Increased CRIT DMG by 72% (at max level)

  • The "Absolute Zero Death Sentence" effect when using EX Special, Chain Attack, or Ultimate

  • 40% enemy DEF penetration while the effect is active

Drive Disc Recommendations

For my m6 hugo build, focus on these main stats:

  • Disk 4: CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG (depending on your substats)

  • Disk 5: Ice DMG

  • Disk 6: ATK%

Aim for these substats across all discs:

  • CRIT Rate (until 70-75%)

  • CRIT DMG (as high as possible)

  • ATK%

  • PEN Ratio (if available)

The Woodpecker Electro Drive Disc set is particularly effective on Hugo, providing significant ATK bonuses when using Basic Attacks and Special Attacks.

Team Compositions

Hugo shines brightest in teams with two Stun agents, as his Core Passive grants him a massive 900 ATK buff in such compositions. Here are some of the most effective team setups:

The Double Stun Classic

  • Hugo (Main DPS)

  • Lycaon (Stun/Sub-DPS)

  • Lighter (Stun/Support)

The lycaon x hugo dialyn team has recently emerged as one of the strongest compositions in the current meta. Dialyn's ability to buff Attack Agents perfectly complements Hugo's damage output, while Lycaon provides consistent Stun application.

F2P Friendly Option

  • Hugo (Main DPS)

  • Anby (Stun/Support)

  • Nicole (Utility)

While not as powerful as premium teams, this composition provides solid performance for players without access to limited S-Rank agents.

Skill Priority

When investing in Hugo's skills, follow this priority order:

  1. Core Skill (highest priority)

  2. Special Attack

  3. Chain Attack

  4. Basic Attack

  5. Assist

  6. Dodge (lowest priority)

Hugo's Core Skill, Special Attack, and Chain Attack form the foundation of his damage output and should be prioritized first.

Advanced Techniques: The Double Chain

To maximize Hugo's damage potential, master the Double Chain technique:

  1. Initiate stun using a Chain Attack from another character

  2. Switch to Hugo and use his Chain Attack

  3. Cancel the Chain Attack

  4. Swap to another character and trigger another Chain Attack

  5. Switch back to Hugo for a second Chain Attack

  6. Follow with EX Special or Ultimate to trigger Totalize

This technique can significantly increase Hugo's damage output during Stun windows, making him even more devastating in combat.

Mindscape Upgrades

Hugo's Mindscape upgrades further enhance his capabilities:

  1. Child of Hatred: Increases CRIT Rate by 12% and CRIT DMG by 30% when triggering Totalize in Dark Abyss Reverb state

  2. The Child Within: Prevents Ultimate from ending enemy Stunned state when triggering Totalize

  3. Fruit of the Poisonous Tree: +2 levels to all combat skills

  4. Dramatic Theory: Ignores 12% of target's Ice RES for 15s after Charged Shot

  5. Nirvana: +2 levels to all combat skills

  6. Crown of Thorns: Significantly enhances Totalize effect damage by 60%

Conclusion

Hugo Vlad continues to be one of the most powerful Agents in Zenless Zone Zero throughout 2025. His unique Totalize mechanic provides unparalleled burst damage potential when properly supported by Stun agents. While his team composition options may be somewhat limited, the raw power he brings to the table makes him worth the investment.

Whether you're running the premium lycaon x hugo dialyn team or a more accessible composition, mastering Hugo's mechanics will reward you with one of the most satisfying damage dealers in the game. Remember that timing is everything with Hugo – trigger Totalize early in the Stun window for maximum damage, and you'll watch even the toughest opponents crumble before you.

As the meta continues to evolve, Hugo remains a standout choice for players seeking pure damage potential in short, devastating bursts.

Critical reviews are presented by Rock Paper Shotgun, a leading source for PC gaming news and expert analysis. Their coverage of Zenless Zone Zero delves into the evolving meta and highlights how agents like Hugo Vlad redefine burst damage strategies, emphasizing the importance of mastering unique mechanics such as Totalize for competitive play.