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Zenless Zone Zero will implement significant adjustments and enhancements for Ellen in Version 2.0. As previewed in the official Version 2.0 livestream and further detailed in recent announcements, today's guide will provide a detailed analysis of Ellen's newly added mechanics. Her ultimate efficiency and formidable combat prowess will not disappoint.
Tips: After activating "Potential Activation," Ellen gains a new Potential Switch that allows manual control over whether to utilize her enhanced version.
▍ZZZ Ellen Enhancement Highlights
The overall enhancements in Zenless Zone Zero effectively address Ellen’s previous gameplay pain points. Charged Shear has now become a consistently reliable source of damage, with significantly reduced interruptibility, freeing up team composition restrictions. The buffed Ellen is now fully capable of keeping up with the current meta of DPS characters:
New Combo Moves
Added derived attacks [Normal Attack: Icy Blade] and [Normal Attack: Glacial Blade Wave], while expanding the Critical Damage effect range of her core passive, greatly optimizing combat fluidity and elevating her combat performance.
Charged Shear Blocking Mechanic
Now includes a block judgment, allowing her to negate enemy attacks while accelerating Charged Shear speed, with additional invincibility frames (i-frames).
Expanded Team Synergy
In addition to the original same-element and same-faction bonuses, Ellen now gains synergy with teammates possessing the [Break] trait, improving her versatility in team compositions.
▍ZZZ Ellen Mechanic Analysis
1. New Move: Icy Blade
After the 3rd hit of Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming, EX Special Attack: Sharknami, Dodge Counter: Reef Rock, and Assist Follow-Up, automatically launch Basic Attack: Icy Blade, dealing multiple instances of Ice DMG to all enemies in a large area ahead. It inflicts additional instances of Ice DMG against Medium and Large foes.
- After the skill, Ellen gains the Quick Charge effect.
- Basic Attack: Icy Blade does not affect the branch or form of the original skill.
- Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
2. New Move: Glacial Blade Wave
After the 3rd hit of Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming, Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush's charged scissor strike, Dodge Counter: Reef Rock, and Quick Assist, if Ellen has Flash Freeze Charges, pressing will launch Basic Attack: Glacial Blade Wave, dealing Ice DMG.
- This skill consumes 2 points of Flash Freeze Charge.
- After use, it can be directly followed up with the 3rd hit of her Basic Attack.
- Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
3. Upgraded: Core Skill
Core Passive: Sharp-Toothed
When Ellen launches a Charged Scissor strike during Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush, or consumes Flash Freeze Charge to activate Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming, the skill's CRIT DMG increases by 100%.
The above effect also applies to Chain Attacks, Ultimates, Basic Attack: Icy Blade, and Basic Attack: Glacial Blade Wave.
Additional Ability: Rising Storm
When another character in your squad is a Stun character or shares the same Attribute or Faction: When Ellen deals Ice DMG, subsequent Ice DMG increases by 3% for 10s. This effect can stack up to 10 times, and repeated triggers reset the duration.
▍ZZZ Ellen Team Composition
High-Efficiency DPS Team: Ellen + Lighter + Astra Yao
Lighter extends enemy Stagger duration by 3 seconds, amplifying Ellen's burst damage during the Stagger window.
Paired with Astra Yao's multiple damage buffs and [Quick Assist] combo triggers, this setup significantly improves both DPS output and combat fluidity, making it the current optimal configuration.
Alternative Break Options:
- For Break support, veterans can still rely on Lighter for Break efficiency.
- Alternatively, "Trigger" provides consistent Vulnerability application for smoother damage output.
- If lacking a dedicated Breaker, Caesar can serve as a substitute, offering passive damage boosts and ATK buffs.
Breaker Tier List: Lighter > "Trigger" > Lecoin (can also opt for dual Breakers if needed).
Support Tier List: Astra Yao > Nicole > Lina > Caesar > Soukaku (choose based on roster availability and personal playstyle preference).
▍Conclusion
The latest enhancements to Ellen are substantial in both numerical and mechanical aspects.
Numerical Adjustments
- The previously conditional 100% Crit DMG bonus has near-permanent uptime.
- The new auto-combo move [ Icy Blade] introduces additional damage multipliers.
Mechanical Improvements
- Ellen’s most criticized weakness—interruptibility—has been fully resolved.
- Charged Shear now grants invincibility frames.
- Her basic attack chain (1st & 2nd hits) has been upgraded to the new [Glacial Blade Wave], delivering faster damage with smoother execution.
While Ellen may still trail behind Miyabi in raw performance, these comprehensive buffs have firmly positioned her within the meta. For players who own her, this update finally makes Ellen a viable and competitive choice worth deploying again.
