Behold, the leader of the New Eridu’s Public Security, Zhu Yuan! She is the first S-ranked Ether attack agent who’s part of the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team in Zenless Zone Zero.
This police officer is a strong ranged attacker who can dash and weave while attacking and dish out charged Ether damage which is amplified when enemies are stunned.
In this ONE Esports guide, we cover everything you need to know about the best Zhu Yuan build, including recommended W-Engines and Drive Discs.
Best Zhu Yuan build
Recommended W-Engines
Zhu Yuan’s gameplay revolves around her unique mechanic where she can gain nine charged Shotshells by simply attacking enemies with basic attacks, chain attacks, EX special attacks, and her ultimate.
When Zhu Yuan consumes a charge of Shotshell, she enters Suppressive Mode. In this mode, her basic attacks are enhanced into charged Ether attacks, which can be further amplified if the target is stunned.
The W-Engines we listed complement both her gameplay mechanics and her playstyle.
| W-ENGINE | STATS | W-ENGINE EFFECTS |
| Riot Suppressor Mark VI | Base ATK: 713 CRIT DMG: 48% | Security Patrol: Increases CRIT Rate by 26.4%. Launching an EX Special Attack grants the equipper 8 Charge stacks, up to a maximum of 8 stacks. Whenever the equipper’s Basic Attack deals Ether DMG, consumes a Charge stack and increases the skill’s DMG by 60.5%. |
| The Brimstone | Base ATK: 684 Attack: 30% | Scorching Breath: Upon hitting an enemy with a Basic Attack, Dash Attack, or Dodge Counter, the equipper’s ATK increases by 6% for 8s, stacking up to 8 times. This effect can trigger once every 0.5s. The duration of each stack is calculated separately. |
| Street Superstar | Base ATK: 594 ATK: 25% | Flaming Bars: Whenever a squad member launches a Chain Attack, the equipper gains 1 Charge stack, stacking up to 3 times. Upon activating their own Ultimate, the equipper consumes all Charge stacks, and each stack increases the skill’s DMG by 21.7%. |
| Cannon Rotor | Base ATK: 594 CRIT Rate: 20% | Oversized Barrel: Increases ATK by 10.8%. Landing a critical hit on an enemy will inflict an additional 200% of ATK as DMG. This effect can trigger once every 6.5s. |
| Starlight Engine | Base ATK: 594 ATK: 25% | Knight PummelLaunching a Dodge Counter or Quick Assist increases the equipper’s ATK by 19.2% for 12s. |
| Deep Sea Visitor | Base ATK: 713 CRIT Rate: 24% | Lord of the SeasIncreases Ice DMG by 50%. Upon hitting an enemy with a Basic Attack, the equipper’s CRIT Rate increases by 20% for 8s. When dealing Ice DMG with a Dash Attack, the equipper’s CRIT Rate increases by an additional 20% for 15s. The duration of each effect is calculated separately. |
Zhu Yuan’s signature W-Engine, The Riot Suppressor Mark V, complements her gameplay well. The Security Patrol passive not only boosts her critical rate by 26.4% but also generates Charge stacks when using EX Special Attacks.
These stacks can be consumed to increase the damage of her Ether DMG skills by 60.5%, making it an excellent choice for maximizing her DPS potential.
The Brimstone serves as a strong alternative to the Riot Suppressor Mark VI. Zhu Yuan who heavily rely on basic attacks synergize well with Scorching Breath, providing a stacking ATK boost upon hitting enemies, which can significantly amplify Zhu Yuan’s damage.
Although it lacks the CRIT DMG and CRIT Rate boosts of the Riot Suppressor, its consistent ATK increases make it a reliable choice for sustained damage.
For free-to-play players, the Starlight Engine is a great option for attack agents while in the Battle Pass, the Cannon Rotor is an outstanding weapon for Zhu Yuan. Both perform well in numbers and have a passive ability similar to Brimstone.
Another free-to-play option is the Street Superstar. Its passive ability, Flaming Bars, enhances Zhu Yuan’s skill damage by stacking Charge stacks.
Even though the Deep Sea Visitor is primarily designed for Ellen Joe, it can serve as an effective and unconventional choice for Zhu Yuan. Its high base ATK and CRIT Rate boosts complement her kit.
Although its main passive ability focuses on Ice DMG, the additional CRIT Rate increase when landing a basic attack can still significantly benefit her overall damage output.
Recommended Drive Discs
Zhu Yuan’s enhanced Shotshells mechanic that delivers powerful Ether damage is the basis of her entire gameplay. Her core skill greatly boosts her critical hit rate, making it beneficial to equip her with Drive Discs that increase critical hit damage.
Giving her Ether damage percentage could also maximize her damage output which could easily apply corruption on enemies.
| ZHU YUAN DRIVE DISCS | DRIVE DISC DESCRIPTION |
| Chaotic Metal | 2-Pieces Increases Ether DMG by 10%. 4-Pieces The equipper’s CRIT DMG increases by 20%. When any character in the squad triggers Corruption’s additional DMG, this effect further increases by 5.5% for 8s, stacking up to 6 times. Repeated triggers reset the duration. |
| Woodpecker Electro | 2-Pieces Increases CRIT Rate by 8%. 4-Pieces Landing a critical hit on an enemy with a Basic Attack, Dodge Counter, or EX Special Attack increases the equipper’s ATK by 9% for 6s. The buff duration for different skills are calculated separately. |
| Hormone Punk | 2-Pieces Increases ATK by 10%. 4-Pieces Upon entering combat or switching in, its user’s ATK increases by 25% for 10s. This effect can trigger once every 20s. |
When choosing Drive Discs for Zhu Yuan, consider using 4 pieces of Chaotic Metal combined with 2 pieces of Woodpecker Electro or Hormone Punk. This combination grants a permanent 10% increase in Ether DMG from the 2-piece bonus and a 20% increase in CRIT DMG from the 4-piece bonus.
The 4-piece bonus provides a stacking buff, which grants a 5.5% increase in CRIT DMG each time Corruption deals damage which could stack up to 6 times. The total bonus of the 4-piece set can reach 53% CRIT DMG.
Woodpecker Electro helps to consistently achieve critical hits, while Hormone Punk increases your attack by 10%. Although it’s a small increase, you will notice a boost in numbers when equipped.
Alternatively, Consider utilizing the 4pc Woodpecker Electro combined with either the 2pc Chaotic Metal or 2pc Hormone Punk for attack agents who heavily rely on Basic Attacks and EX Special Attacks.
This set grants a consistent 8% CRIT Rate boost from the 2-piece bonus, as well as a 9% increase in attack percentage for 6 seconds upon triggering a CRIT with a Basic Attack, Dodge Counter, or EX Special Attack.
READ MORE: Zenless Zone Zero agent tier list: Assemble the best team with these strong characters
