Zhao Build Guide: W-Engine, Drive Discs & Teams | Zenless Zone Zero

Welcome to our ultimate Zenless Zone Zero guide! Today, we're diving into Zhao, the S-rank Ice Defence agent. With a unique playstyle and a variety of powerful builds, Zhao is a force to be reckoned with. Let’s break down everything you need to know to maximize Zhao's potential. 

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Zhao Agent Overview

• Zhao Information

Agent Information
	Rarity	S-Rank
	Attribute	Ice
	Specialty	Defence
	Faction	Krampus Compliance Authority
	Combat Role	Support

• Zhao Overview

Zhao is an HP-scaling buffer who converts her high Max HP into powerful teamwide offensive buffs. She builds Frostbite Points while off-field, and when fully charged, switching her in triggers her Entry Skill, consuming all points to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring. While Ether Veil is active, Zhao grants the entire squad Max HP and a large flat ATK boost, provides a scaling teamwide DMG bonus that increases with her initial Max HP, gains bonus CRIT Rate based on her Max HP. In short, Zhao rewards heavy HP investment by offering strong, long-lasting team buffs, making her an excellent support for squads that want consistent ATK, HP, and DMG amplification.

Zhao Skill Priority

Below are the best skill priorities for Zhao:

Skill	Priority
Core Skill	★★★★★ (Top)
Basic Attack	★★★★ (Top)
Chain Attack	★★★★ (Top)
Special Attack	★★★ (High)
Dodge	★★ (Low)
Assist	★ (Low)

Zhao Best W-Engines

Zhao’s healing and teamwide damage buffs are all scaled from her Max HP, making HP the top priority when choosing a W-Engine. In addition, she benefits from some Energy Regen to keep her rotation smooth. As a support character, it is also ideal for her W-Engine to provide buffs to the whole team.

From this perspective, Zhao’s signature W-Engine, Half-Sugar Bunny, is clearly her best-in-slot option, as it perfectly complements her HP scaling while offering additional team utility. Beyond that, viable alternatives are limited, since most W-Engines available to Defense-type characters mainly increase DEF or ATK, which do not synergize well with Zhao’s kit.

Among the remaining options, Caesar’s signature W-Engine, Tusks of Fury, is a strong substitute thanks to its teamwide buffs. Another acceptable alternative is Original Transmorpher, which increases Zhao's Max HP.

Best Choice
Signature W-Engine	Half-Sugar Bunny (S-Rank)	Base ATK: 713 Bonus Stat: HP 30% W-Engine Effect (R1): The equipper's Energy Regen increases by 0.46/s. All squad members gain 10% ATK and 10% Max HP. Only one instance of this effect can exist in the same squad. When the equipper activates or extends an Ether Veil, the whole squad gains 30% CRIT DMG for 60s. Repeated triggers reset the duration.
Alternatives
1st	Tusks of Fury(S-Rank)	Base ATK: 713 Bonus Stat: Impact 18% W-Engine Effect (R1): The Shield value provided by the equipper increases by 30%. When any squad member triggers Interrupt or Perfect Dodge, all squad members' DMG increases by 18% and Daze dealt increases by 12% for 20s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.
2nd	Original Transmorpher(A-Rank)	Base ATK: 594 Bonus Stat: HP 25% W-Engine Effect (R5): Increases Max HP by 12.5%. When attacked, the equipper's Impact is increased by 16% for 12s.

Zhao Best Drive Disc Sets

Since there is currently no Drive Disc set specifically designed for Defense characters, Zhao is best suited to using Support-oriented Drive Discs. Among them, Set A is the most recommended option, as it offers the highest buff uptime. Sets B and C can also be considered as alternatives.

However, Set B has relatively strict activation conditions, making it less consistent in practice. Set C is even less ideal, as its 2-piece bonus provides no benefit to Zhao, and its buff may drop during the Daze phase.

Overall, players should choose the Drive Disc set that best fits their team composition and needs.

Zhao Best Drive Disc Stats

Here are the best Drive Disc main stats and sub-stats for Zhao:

1.  Drive Disc Main Stats

2.  Drive Disc Sub Stats

Zhao Best Teams

As an Attack agent, Zhao follows the same team-building principles as most other damage dealers and is best played in a hypercarry setup. Typically, her teams consist of a dedicated Stun agent—such as Dialyn—paired with a strong support option like Astra Yao to maximize her on-field damage potential.

1. Zhao Premium Team

2. Zhao Hypercarry Teams

3. Zhao F2P Teams

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Zhao is shaping up to be one of the most powerful Attack agents in Zenless Zone Zero. By carefully selecting the right W-Engine, Drive Disc, and team composition, you can optimize her potential and unleash her devastating damage output in battles. Make sure to pre-farm the materials and gear up for her debut! If you are running out of Monochromes or Encrypted Master Tape pulls, we recommend visiting our ZZZ top up platform at Lootbar.gg to increase your chances of getting Zhao in-game. Don't miss out on our platform’s exclusive discounts; top up Zenless Zone Zero via LootBar.gg today!