Claret is an S-Rank Electric Armorer in Zenless Zone Zero who deals DEF-scaling Sharp DMG. Instead of following a standard ATK and CRIT DMG build, she uses Sharp attacks to build Gash, consumes Gash to trigger Maim, and stores Personal Resources for a powerful EX Special Attack. Her playstyle rewards careful setup, so the team should prepare Gash, Daze, and support buffs before she begins her main damage window.
The recommended Claret build uses Crimson Thirst, a four-piece Thorned Rose set, and two pieces of Woodpecker Electro. Her main Drive Disc stats should focus on CRIT Rate, PEN Ratio, and DEF. The strongest documented team pairs her with Roxy and Rina, giving the Electric Armorer faster Gash buildup, extra Maim triggers, longer Stun windows, PEN Ratio, and Electric DMG support.
Who is Claret and What is Her Playstyle?
Claret is an Electric Armorer whose entire damage formula is built around Sharp DMG. Her Core Passive uses DEF as the damage multiplier for all damage dealt by her skills, which makes DEF both an offensive and defensive stat. When one of her Sharp attacks scores a critical hit, Laceration DMG replaces normal CRIT DMG during the damage calculation.
At Level 60, she has 5,651 HP, 626 ATK, 376 DEF, 93 Impact, 19.4% CRIT Rate, and 150% Laceration DMG. These base values do not represent the finished build because much of her DEF and CRIT Rate comes from her W-Engine, Drive Discs, main stats, and teammate buffs. A successful setup needs both stats, so stacking CRIT Rate while leaving DEF too low will weaken her core damage scaling.
Sharp DMG gradually fills an enemy’s Gash gauge. When the gauge is full, the target receives one stack of Gash, and each enemy can hold up to three stacks at once. Certain Blood Blossom Oath attacks consume one stack to trigger Maim, dealing additional Electric DMG and granting Claret one Personal Resource.
Those Personal Resources are spent on EX Special Attack: Blood Burial Onslaught. Every resource consumed increases the skill’s damage by 6.5%, and the attack removes the entire resource stock when activated. Her main combat plan is therefore to build Gash, trigger Maim several times, and save the empowered EX Special for the strongest part of the burst window.
- Rank: S-Rank
- Attribute: Electric
- Specialty: Armorer
- Damage type: Slash and Sharp DMG
- Main scaling: DEF
- Core mechanics: Gash, Maim, Personal Resources, and Crimson Inscription
- Preferred partners: Stun or Armorer characters
How Do Claret's Skills Work?
Claret begins combat with a forging hammer and a standard four-hit Electric Basic Attack. Her normal hammer attacks help fill time while Sharpness, Gash, and teammate buffs are being prepared. Once she spends 60 Sharpness on EX Special Attack: Blood-Forged Edge, the weapon changes into a blood axe and she enters Crimson Inscription for 16 seconds.
The Crimson Inscription timer stops decreasing while she is off field. This gives the rotation more flexibility because the player can switch back to Roxy or Rina without losing the entire transformation. She can prepare another Stun or support window, then return with part of the empowered state still available.
Basic Attacks
Basic Attack: Blood Forge – Four Strikes delivers up to four hammer attacks that deal Electric DMG. At Level 12, the fourth hit has a 619.4% damage multiplier and a 285.8% Daze multiplier. The normal sequence can deal respectable damage, but its main purpose is to support the setup before the blood axe phase begins.
During Crimson Inscription, her Basic Attack changes to Basic Attack: Star Forge. This is a three-hit blood axe combo, with the final attack reaching a 1,024.9% damage multiplier and a 343.1% Daze multiplier at Level 12. Holding the Basic Attack input extends the final part of the sequence, while the third attack also gains a higher Anti-Interrupt level.
After a Special or EX Special Attack successfully inflicts Maim, Claret can use Basic Attack: Blood Axe Return. This follow-up deals 650.8% damage and 214.5% Daze at Level 12, while also making her invulnerable during the animation. Swapping out immediately after triggering Maim can waste this safe source of additional damage.
Dodge and Counter Attacks
Dodge: Night Vision is a quick dash that grants invulnerability during the movement. Following a dodge with a Basic Attack performs Dash Attack: Quench, while Crimson Inscription changes it into Dash Attack: Blood Axe – Quench. The empowered version has a 354% damage multiplier at Level 12, compared with 219.7% for the normal hammer attack.
A Perfect Dodge allows Claret to use Dodge Counter: Returning Edge. During Crimson Inscription, it becomes Dodge Counter: Blood Axe – Returning Edge, dealing 648% damage and 286.4% Daze at Level 12. Both counter versions grant invulnerability, making them useful when the enemy attacks during her on-field sequence.
Assist Skills
Claret can enter through Quick Assist: Bane Returns or its blood axe variation, dealing Electric DMG while remaining invulnerable. Her Defensive Assist: Unyielding Core parries an incoming attack and deals heavy Daze, with a 514.4% multiplier against heavy defensive attacks at Level 12. Following the parry with a Basic Attack activates Assist Follow-Up: Pristine Molten Edge, which deals 925.8% damage and 474.2% Daze.
Counter Assist: Not an Inch can be used when Claret or the active character is about to be hit by a Control Skill. A successful struggle neutralizes the enemy’s Control Skill and keeps her invulnerable during the action. At Level 12, the counter has a 1,226.7% damage multiplier and a 638.7% Daze multiplier.
Special Attacks and Crimson Inscription
Special Attack: Dawn’s First Call performs two hammer attacks and increases her Anti-Interrupt level. The more important skill is EX Special Attack: Blood-Forged Edge, which consumes 60 Sharpness, deals 1,193.7% damage at Level 12, and activates Crimson Inscription. Claret is invulnerable during the transformation attack, allowing her to begin the empowered phase safely.
While transformed, she gains access to Special Attack: Cleave Through Steel. If this attack hits an enemy affected by Gash, it consumes one stack and triggers Maim with a 1,232% damage multiplier. She also gains immunity to attacks from enemies with Gash during the skill, helping her continue the combo under pressure.
EX Special Attack: Blood Burial Onslaught is the main Personal Resource finisher. It performs a continuous spinning Slash with a base 1,711.2% damage multiplier and an 838% Daze multiplier at Level 12. Each Personal Resource consumed raises its damage by 6.5%, so using it before the team has produced several Maim triggers lowers the value of the burst.
Chain Attack and Ultimate
Chain Attack: Blood Pact Resonance deals 2,162.1% damage and 396% Daze at Level 12. When one of its heavy attacks hits, the skill directly applies one stack of Gash to the enemy. This prepares another Maim trigger and helps keep the main damage loop moving.
If Claret is already in Crimson Inscription, holding the Special Attack input during the Chain Attack can quickly connect it to her empowered EX Special without consuming Sharpness. The Chain Attack also extends the duration of Crimson Inscription by four seconds. Using it near the end of the transformation can create enough time for another Gash-consuming attack or Personal Resource finisher.
Her Ultimate unleashes a series of Electric Slashes with a 4,841.5% damage multiplier and a 608.7% Daze multiplier at Level 12. Its heavy hit directly applies one stack of Gash, so the Ultimate also prepares the target for another Maim trigger. Claret remains invulnerable throughout the animation.
Core Passive and Additional Ability
Core Passive: Pale Blood Feast converts all damage dealt by Claret’s skills into Sharp DMG and makes it scale from DEF. When Sharp DMG lands a critical hit, Laceration DMG replaces CRIT DMG in the calculation. If her CRIT Rate rises above 100%, the excess becomes the probability of an additional Laceration check.
During Crimson Inscription, her Anti-Interrupt level increases. When Blood Blossom Oath skills attack a target, Claret gains 35% CRIT Rate and deals 25% more damage. Because the CRIT Rate increase is tied to these attacks, the normal stat screen may not display the full value available during her burst.
Additional Ability: Bloodline Legacy activates when another Stun or Armorer character is in the squad. While a teammate is active, their attacks add 3% Gash value when they hit an enemy, with a one-second trigger limit. A Stun character can also trigger Maim once per Special or EX Special Attack when its heavy hit connects.
Whenever Claret or a teammate consumes Gash to trigger Maim, she enters Gleaming Edge Unveiled for 10 seconds. This state grants 20% PEN Ratio and increases Daze dealt by 10%. Re-entering the state through another Maim trigger extends its duration.
The first time Claret switches to a Stun or Armorer teammate after entering Gleaming Edge Unveiled, the buff lasts three seconds longer and is copied to that character. When a teammate triggers Maim, switching Claret back in for the first time activates her Quick Assist, extends the buff by three seconds, and copies it back to her. This creates a natural loop between her damage phase and the squad’s Stun setup.
Best Claret Rotation
The best Claret rotation prepares the target before spending Sharpness. Roxy should build Daze and help trigger Gash or Maim, while Rina deploys Drusilla or Anastella to activate her PEN Ratio support. Once the enemy is close to Stun, Claret can enter Crimson Inscription and spend the prepared resources during a safer damage window.
- Start with Rina and deploy Drusilla or Anastella to activate her PEN Ratio support.
- Use Rina’s EX Special Attack when Energy is available, then follow the triggered Quick Assist.
- Switch to Roxy and use her Special or EX Special Attacks to build Daze.
- Let teammate attacks add Gash value through Bloodline Legacy.
- Switch to Claret when the enemy is close to Stun and at least 60 Sharpness is available.
- Use EX Special Attack: Blood-Forged Edge to enter Crimson Inscription.
- Use Basic Attack: Star Forge and Cleave Through Steel to consume Gash and trigger Maim.
- After triggering Maim, use Basic Attack: Blood Axe Return before leaving the field.
- Build several Personal Resources before activating Blood Burial Onslaught.
- Use the Chain Attack to apply Gash and extend Crimson Inscription by four seconds.
Do not force Blood Burial Onslaught as soon as the input becomes available. The attack consumes every Personal Resource, so an early cast can lower the total damage of the burst window. If the enemy recovers before enough resources are ready, switch out and rebuild the setup because Crimson Inscription pauses while Claret is off field.
What is the Best Weapon for Claret?
Crimson Thirst is Claret’s best W-Engine. At Level 60, it provides 416 Base DEF and 48% DEF, directly increasing the Sharp DMG multiplier used by all of her skills. Its passive also adds 25% CRIT Rate, helping her reach 100% and improving the chance of additional Laceration checks after passing that threshold.
When the equipper’s attack triggers a Sharp strike, Crimson Thirst grants one stack of Enhance for 20 seconds. Each stack increases Electric DMG by 7%, and the effect can stack three times for a total of 21%. Reaching three stacks also increases Electric Sharp DMG by another 12%.
The effect can trigger once every 0.1 seconds, and repeated triggers refresh the duration of every active stack. Claret’s multi-hit skills can therefore build and maintain the full passive during a normal damage window. Its combination of DEF, CRIT Rate, Electric DMG, and Electric Sharp DMG supports every major part of her kit.
| W-Engine | Rank | Level 60 Stats | Build Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimson Thirst | S-Rank | 416 Base DEF 48% DEF |
Best-in-slot. Grants 25% CRIT Rate, up to 21% Electric DMG, and 12% Electric Sharp DMG at full stacks. |
| Bloodmarrow Coffer | A-Rank | 342 Base DEF 20% CRIT Rate |
A strong alternative for builds that can push CRIT Rate beyond 100%. |
Bloodmarrow Coffer is the recommended A-Rank alternative. Its 20% CRIT Rate secondary stat helps Claret approach the threshold required by the passive. Once her CRIT Rate exceeds 100%, every additional 1% increases her damage by 0.4%, up to a maximum bonus of 20%.
Reaching the full passive requires 150% CRIT Rate. Claret can benefit from CRIT Rate beyond 100%, but the build must still maintain enough DEF for Sharp DMG scaling and the higher Thorned Rose breakpoint. Bloodmarrow Coffer performs best with strong Drive Disc substats and team buffs that help her reach the required CRIT Rate without giving up too much DEF.
Crimson Thirst provides the more complete combination of DEF and offensive bonuses, while Bloodmarrow Coffer focuses heavily on high-CRIT builds. Players using the A-Rank option should balance CRIT Rate and DEF instead of chasing the maximum passive at the cost of her core Sharp DMG scaling.
Which Gear and Stats Maximize Claret's Damage?
The recommended Drive Disc setup is 4-Pc Thorned Rose with 2-Pc Woodpecker Electro. Thorned Rose provides DEF, a general damage increase, and conditional CRIT Rate, while Woodpecker Electro supplies another 8% CRIT Rate. Together, they support both sides of her damage formula without forcing her into an ATK-based setup.
| Drive Disc Set | Effect |
|---|---|
| Thorned Rose — 2-Pc | DEF increases by 16%. |
| Thorned Rose — 4-Pc | Damage increases by 15%. If initial DEF reaches 1,000 or 1,800, CRIT Rate increases by 8% or 16%. |
| Woodpecker Electro — 2-Pc | CRIT Rate increases by 8%. |
The 1,800 initial DEF threshold is the main target for Thorned Rose because it grants the full 16% CRIT Rate bonus. Crimson Thirst, the 16% DEF set effect, and a DEF main stat on Disc 6 all help reach this breakpoint. Builds using Bloodmarrow Coffer should check their initial DEF carefully because it has lower Base DEF and does not provide a DEF secondary stat.
Best Main Stats
| Drive Disc Slot | Recommended Main Stat | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Disc 4 | CRIT Rate | Supports critical Sharp DMG and remains useful after reaching 100%. |
| Disc 5 | PEN Ratio | Stacks with Gleaming Edge Unveiled and Rina’s PEN Ratio support. |
| Disc 6 | DEF | Directly improves Sharp DMG and helps activate Thorned Rose’s DEF thresholds. |
CRIT Rate on Disc 4 supports both normal critical hits and the additional Laceration check. PEN Ratio on Disc 5 works with the 20% PEN Ratio from Gleaming Edge Unveiled and the buff provided by Rina’s Core Passive. DEF on Disc 6 directly improves every skill’s Sharp DMG while helping the build reach 1,800 initial DEF.
Substat Priority
- CRIT Rate
- DEF
- PEN, when available
CRIT Rate and DEF are the two clearest substat priorities supported by her kit. The build should not stop collecting CRIT Rate at exactly 100%, but extra rolls should not come at the cost of missing the required DEF breakpoint. A balanced build with enough DEF and high CRIT Rate will perform more consistently than a setup focused on only one stat.
What Are the Best Team Comps for Claret?
The strongest team directly supported by the available character data is Claret, Roxy, and Rina. Roxy activates Bloodline Legacy as a Stun character, while Rina provides PEN Ratio and Electric support. Every member contributes to the same setup instead of competing for long periods of field time.
| Character | Role | Team Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Claret | Electric Armorer | Deals DEF-scaling Sharp DMG, applies Gash, triggers Maim, and spends Personal Resources. |
| Roxy | Wind Stun | Builds Daze, extends Stun duration, increases Daze Vulnerability, and helps trigger Gash and Maim. |
| Rina | Electric Support | Shares PEN Ratio, extends Shock duration, increases Electric DMG, and enables Quick Assists. |
How Roxy Supports Claret
Roxy activates Claret’s Additional Ability because she is a Stun character. While she is active, her attacks can add Gash value to the target through Bloodline Legacy. Her Special and EX Special heavy attacks can also trigger Maim once per skill, giving Claret Personal Resources before the main damage dealer returns to the field.
Roxy’s Core Passive rewards a build with more than 1,500 initial DEF. Every point above that value raises her ATK by 1.4 and Impact by 0.2, up to a maximum increase of 1,000 ATK and 60 Impact. This improves her ability to build Daze while still dealing useful damage during the setup phase.
When Roxy reaches at least 65% CRIT Rate during combat, she increases the CRIT Rate of Armorer characters by 16%. She also increases an enemy’s Daze Vulnerability by 30% when an ally hits it. Once the target becomes Stunned, its Stun duration is extended by two seconds, giving Claret more time to complete Star Forge, trigger Maim, and use Blood Burial Onslaught.
How Rina Supports Claret
Rina shares PEN Ratio with the rest of the squad while Drusilla or Anastella is deployed. The buff equals 25% of Rina’s own PEN Ratio plus 12%, up to a maximum of 30%. This stacks naturally with Claret’s Disc 5 and the PEN Ratio granted by Gleaming Edge Unveiled.
Because both characters use Electric DMG, Rina’s Additional Ability is active in this team. Shock applied by any squad member lasts three seconds longer. While a Shocked enemy is on the field, the entire squad gains 10% Electric DMG.
Rina’s EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, and Ultimate trigger a Quick Assist. This helps the player move from support setup into Roxy’s Stun phase or Claret’s burst without relying on a slower manual switch. At Cinema 6, those same attacks also increase the squad’s Electric DMG by 15% for eight seconds.
No second complete team can be ranked from the available data. Other Stun or Armorer characters can activate Bloodline Legacy, but their exact performance cannot be compared without their full skill information. The Roxy and Rina lineup is therefore the only fully supported team recommendation.
What Materials Are Needed to Upgrade Claret?
Building Claret from Level 1 to Level 60 and completing the listed upgrades requires 3,705,000 Denny. Her skill materials use the Electric Shock Chip series, while the current names of several promotion and advanced materials remain unresolved. Players can prepare the confirmed currencies and chips first, then update the remaining item names when their final in-game labels become available.
| Character Material | Required Amount |
|---|---|
| Denny | 3,705,000 |
| Basic Shock Chip | 25 |
| Advanced Shock Chip | 75 |
| Specialized Shock Chip | 250 |
| First Promotion Material | 4 |
| Second Promotion Material | 32 |
| Third Promotion Material | 30 |
| Hamster Cage Pass | 5 |
| Additional High-Level Material | 9 |
| Additional Weekly Material | 60 |
The exact names of the three promotion materials and the two additional upgrade materials are currently unknown. Core Passive and Special Attack upgrades should receive the first materials because they control Sharp DMG, Crimson Inscription, Maim, and the Personal Resource finisher. Basic Attack and Chain Attack can follow before the lower-priority Dodge and Assist skills.
Crimson Thirst Upgrade Materials
| W-Engine Material | Required Amount |
|---|---|
| Denny | 400,000 |
| Stun Component | 4 |
| Reinforced Stun Component | 32 |
| Specialized Stun Component | 30 |
| W-Engine Battery | 5 |
| W-Engine Power Supply | 4 |
| W-Engine Energy Module | 199 |
The listed character and W-Engine Denny costs total 4,105,000. Players planning to build Claret and Crimson Thirst together should prepare both material sets before spreading resources across lower-priority skill levels. Finishing the main DEF and Sharp DMG upgrades first will have a greater effect on the completed build.
Which Constellations (Awakenings) Are Worth Getting?
Claret’s upgrade system is called Mindscape Cinema. Her base version already includes the complete Sharp DMG, Gash, Maim, and Personal Resource loop, so early Cinema levels improve an existing rotation rather than unlocking a missing mechanic. Cinema 1 and Cinema 2 provide the clearest upgrades, while the complete Cinema 6 effect is currently unknown.
| Level | Effect | Value / Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Cinema 1 | Sharp Explosions increase Gash Buildup Rate by 15%. Applying Gash grants 5% CRIT Rate for 15 seconds, stacking up to three times. | Good. Faster Gash buildup and up to 15% CRIT Rate improve rotation consistency. |
| Cinema 2 | Blood Blossom Oath attacks ignore 35% of the target’s Electric RES. Squad Maim triggers restore 0.25 Sharpness, once per skill. | Best stopping point. Provides a major offensive upgrade and improves Sharpness recovery. |
| Cinema 3 | Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack levels increase by two. | Solid. Raises skill multipliers without changing the main rotation. |
| Cinema 4 | Dodging during Crimson Inscription preserves the current Basic Attack combo count. | Comfort upgrade. Makes the blood axe combo easier to continue after avoiding an attack. |
| Cinema 5 | Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack levels increase by two. | Damage upgrade. Improves the full skill set but does not introduce a new mechanic. |
| Cinema 6 | Currently unknown. | To be updated. Its pull value cannot be judged from the available effect description. |
Cinema 2 is the best confirmed stopping point. Ignoring 35% Electric RES strengthens the Blood Blossom Oath attacks that form the center of her burst. Sharpness recovery from squad Maim triggers also helps her return to Crimson Inscription more often.
Cinema 1 is a useful earlier stopping point for players who want smoother Gash application and more CRIT Rate. Cinema 4 adds comfort rather than a large direct multiplier because it protects the current Basic Attack combo after a dodge. The final Cinema should not be ranked until its complete effect is available.
Is Claret Worth Pulling?
Yes, Claret is worth pulling for players who want an Electric Armorer built around DEF-scaling Sharp DMG. She has a complete damage loop at Cinema 0, gains value from CRIT Rate above 100%, and can preserve Crimson Inscription while off field. Her kit also gives Stun and Armorer teammates a direct role in building Gash and triggering Maim.
The main drawback is that she requires more setup than a straightforward on-field attacker. Entering Crimson Inscription before Gash, Daze, and support buffs are ready can waste part of the 16-second state. Her recommended build also wants high DEF, high CRIT Rate, a specific Drive Disc combination, and a suitable Stun or Armorer partner.
- Pull her if: You want a DEF-scaling Electric damage dealer with a setup-heavy burst rotation.
- Pull her if: You already use Roxy, Rina, or another character who can activate Bloodline Legacy.
- Pull her if: You enjoy managing transformation windows, Gash stacks, and resource-based finishers.
- Consider skipping if: You prefer an attacker who can deal full damage without preparing Gash and Maim.
- Consider skipping if: Your account cannot currently support both her DEF and CRIT Rate requirements.
Crimson Thirst gives her the strongest complete W-Engine package, while Bloodmarrow Coffer provides a suitable alternative for high-CRIT builds. Cinema 0 contains the full combat loop, so additional copies are not required to access her main mechanics. Players who want a premium stopping point can consider Cinema 2 for its Electric RES ignore and Sharpness recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Claret need more than 100% CRIT Rate?
Yes. Claret’s Core Passive converts CRIT Rate above 100% into the probability of an additional Laceration check. Excess CRIT Rate is therefore still useful, although the build must maintain enough DEF to scale Sharp DMG and activate Thorned Rose’s higher breakpoint.
What is the best Claret skill upgrade priority?
Upgrade the Core Passive and Special Attack first because they control Sharp DMG, Crimson Inscription, Gash consumption, Maim, and the Personal Resource finisher. Basic Attack and Chain Attack should follow because both are used during her main damage window. Assist and Dodge can be upgraded after the core offensive skills are complete.
Can Claret work without Roxy and Rina?
Claret can activate Bloodline Legacy with another Stun or Armorer character, so Roxy is not the only possible partner. However, the available data does not contain enough information to rank other complete teams. Roxy and Rina remain the best confirmed combination because their Gash, Maim, Stun, PEN Ratio, and Electric DMG effects are fully documented.
