Zhao Build Guide: Best W-Engine, Drive Discs & Teams in Zenless Zone Zero (2026)

 Zhao is the most anticipated support agent arriving in Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.6. As an S-Rank Ice Defense specialist from the Krampus Compliance Authority, she brings a rare combination of sustained healing, powerful team-wide ATK buffs, and a deep Frostbite Points mechanic that rewards smart rotations. Whether you're running Ye Shunguang or any high-burst Attack DPS, Zhao is the support that makes them shine. Here's the complete build guide that covers everything you need — from her best W-Engines and Drive Discs to optimal team compositions and skill priorities.

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Zhao Overview

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Zhao is an S-Rank, Ice-element, Defense-specialty agent who functions primarily as a support/buffer. She first appeared in the Season 2 Preview and later featured as an NPC in the 2.2 banner. In the 2.3 storyline, she actively supports operations in Waifei Peninsula, saving civilians alongside Dialyn. Outside of combat, Zhao is gentle and generous — providing meeting spaces and unlimited food for her team, showcasing her warm and caring personality.

Zhao is a standout S-Rank Agent from the Victoria Housekeeping faction in ZZZ, specializing in Ice damage and anomaly effects. Her kit revolves around building up Frost Anomalies to trigger massive Shatter damage, making her a go-to for freeze-based strategies. In 2026's meta, with expansions introducing new Ice synergies, Zhao's role has evolved from a niche pick to a meta staple. Her signature ability, "Frostbite Resonance," amplifies team-wide Ice DMG, perfect for hybrid teams. If you're grinding for the best Zhao build, focus on her HP-scaling mechanics—stacking HP not only boosts her survivability but also converts to CRIT Rate and DMG bonuses. This makes her forgiving for beginners while rewarding optimized setups for pros.

What makes Zhao truly special is her HP-scaling buff system. Unlike traditional Defense agents who focus on shielding, Zhao converts her high Max HP into powerful offensive buffs for the entire squad, making her an irreplaceable support in high-end content.

Basic Info:

Zhao's Core Mechanics

• Frostbite Points System — Zhao builds Frostbite Points through attacks, Chain Attack, Ultimate, and certain Assist skills. When fully charged, switching her in triggers her Entry Skill, consuming all points to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring.
• Ether Veil: Wellspring — While active, Zhao grants the entire squad Max HP boost, a large flat ATK boost, a scaling teamwide DMG bonus (based on her initial Max HP), and bonus CRIT Rate based on her Max HP.
• Sustained Healing — Skills like Ice Shatter Blast and Frostbound Earth allow Zhao to continuously heal all allies by consuming a portion of her own HP.
• Core Passive: Best Colleague — Increases Zhao's CRIT Rate based on her Max HP and boosts overall squad damage. Her Cohesion passive provides extra team-wide DMG when specific character types (Attack, Anomaly, or Rupture) are present.
• Final Judgment — A charged attack that scales damage with charge time. The accumulated charge can be consumed by Chain Attack or Assist skills for extra damage.

Key buffs Zhao provides to the team:

• 1,000 Flat Combat ATK to all squad members
• Up to 40% DMG Bonus — scales with her initial Max HP
• 10% Combat ATK & 10% Max HP to all squad members (via Signature W-Engine)
• 30% CRIT DMG to all squad members when Ether Veil activates
• Sustained healing for all allies via skills Ice Shatter Blast and Frostbound Earth, consuming her own HP to restore the team

Best W-Engines for Zhao

Zhao's healing and teamwide damage buffs all scale from her Max HP, making HP the top priority when choosing a W-Engine. She also benefits from Energy Regen to keep her rotation smooth.

W-Engine Tier List

Half-Sugar Bunny is the clear best-in-slot — it provides Energy Regen, HP%, and the most powerful teamwide buffs that perfectly complement Zhao's Ether Veil rotations.

Best Drive Discs for Zhao

Since no Drive Disc set is specifically designed for Defense characters, Zhao uses Support-oriented sets. The priority is maximizing buff uptime and HP scaling.

4-Piece Set Options

2-Piece Set Options

Recommended combo: 4-Pc Astral Voice + 2-Pc Yunkui Tales for maximum buff uptime and HP scaling.

Drive Disc Main Stats

Substat Priority

Skill Priority — What to Level First

Getting the skill upgrade order right is crucial for maximizing Zhao's value. Here's the correct priority based on her kit mechanics:

Key takeaway: Always level Core Skill first — it's the engine that powers Zhao's entire buff and Frostbite Point system.

Best Zhao Team Compositions

Zhao fits into almost any Attack-based team, but she reaches her full potential alongside Ye Shunguang, as Zhao's Ether Veil repeatedly restores Shunguang's Qingming Sword Force.

Premium Teams — Ye Shunguang Core

Universal Attack Teams

Zhao's Cohesion passive provides extra team-wide DMG when Attack, Anomaly, or Rupture agents are present — scaling with her initial Max HP. This makes her a flexible pick across multiple team archetypes.

Ice Synergy: Zhao + Miyabi + Yanagi

For players who want to go all-in on elemental damage and Anomaly pressure, this team creates devastating Ice reactions.

F2P Team: Zhao + Billy + Free Support

A fully functional budget team that can clear all content without spending. Billy provides solid free DPS while Zhao handles all the buffing and healing.

Zhao Upgrade Materials

To fully build Zhao for late-game content, you'll need:

• Clouded Crystalline Substance x9
• Higher Dimensional Data: Spiked Corruption Core x60
• Standard leveling materials (EXP chips, Dennies, etc.)

Pro tip: Pre-farm these materials before her banner drops to have her fully operational on day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zhao worth pulling in Zenless Zone Zero?

Absolutely. Zhao is one of the most versatile S-Rank agents in ZZZ. Her ability to convert HP into teamwide ATK, CRIT Rate, DMG amplification, and sustained healing makes her valuable in virtually every team composition. If you need a powerful support/buffer, Zhao is an excellent investment.

What is Zhao's best build?

Equip Half-Sugar Bunny as her W-Engine, use Astral Voice (4pc) + Yunkui Tales (2pc) Drive Discs, and stack HP% on all main stat slots. Prioritize HP% and CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG sub stats.

Does Zhao scale off DEF or HP?

HP. This is a common misconception. Despite being a Defense-specialty agent, Zhao's buffs, healing, and damage all scale from her Max HP, not DEF. Always prioritize HP% over DEF%.

Can Zhao work as a main DPS?

Zhao is primarily designed as a support/buffer. While her Final Judgment charged attacks deal respectable damage, her true value lies in the massive teamwide buffs she provides through the Ether Veil system. She's best used as a support who occasionally deals damage during her buff rotations.

What Bangboo should I use with Zhao?

Choose a Bangboo that complements your team's element or playstyle. For Ice-focused teams, an Ice-element Bangboo will amplify overall damage. For mixed teams, a general support Bangboo works well.

Final Thoughts

Zhao is a game-defining support agent in Zenless Zone Zero. Her unique Frostbite Points → Ether Veil pipeline converts raw HP investment into one of the most comprehensive teamwide buff packages in the game: ATK boost, Max HP boost, CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and scaling DMG amplification — all while keeping the team alive with sustained healing. Get the HP stacking right, and Zhao will elevate your entire roster to the next level