In the neon-drenched, chaotic streets of New Eridu, a Proxy's success hinges on one critical factor: the strength of their squad. While the story missions might lull you into a false sense of security with trial characters, the true tests—Shiyu Defense, Hollow Zero, and the relentless Notorious Hunts—demand nothing less than the absolute pinnacle of combat prowess. Forget mere competence; to survive in 2026, you need legends. This is not just a guide; this is the definitive, exaggerated, and utterly essential breakdown of who reigns supreme in Zenless Zone Zero's ever-evolving roster. Prepare to meet the gods of the battlefield and the agents best left in the storage room.

S-Tier: The Divine Pantheon of Destruction

These are not mere characters; they are forces of nature. Building a team without at least one of these deities is an exercise in futility.

• Ellen - The Ice Queen's Wrath: Hailing from the Victoria Housekeeping faction, Ellen isn't just the best Ice Attacker; she is the benchmark for all damage dealers. Her personal damage output is nothing short of catastrophic. The secret? Mastering her Roaming State by holding or double-tapping dash. This transforms her into a blizzard of Slash-type devastation, building Flash Freeze Charges at an absurd rate. Paired with Lycaon and Soukaku, she forms a triumvirate of cold-blooded efficiency that freezes enemies solid before shattering them into a million pieces. Any Ethereal foolish enough to stand in her path meets a quick, glittering demise.

• Lycaon - The Unbreakable Frost Sentinel: This S-Rank Ice Stun character is the cornerstone of control. His Daze support is so potent it feels like cheating. He provides increased Stun duration, near-permanent Ice Resistance Shred, and synergizes flawlessly with top-tier Attackers. But here's the mind-blowing part: his Daze capabilities are so monumental, he can be seamlessly slotted into teams outside of Ice or Victoria Housekeeping squads. Even played sub-optimally, he's a game-changer. Master his charged Basic Attack chains, and you effectively remove the 'fight' from combat.

• Rina - The Off-Field Electric Overlord: Do not be fooled by her initial pace! Rina, the S-Rank Electric Support, is a master of deceptive warfare. Her genius lies in her sub-DPS potential. Use one of her specials, swap out, and watch as her attacks continue to ravage the battlefield in her absence. She turns your entire squad into a perpetual damage machine. Furthermore, her deployed Bangboos grant the entire team a Penetration Ratio buff, making her a versatile asset far beyond just Electric teams.

• Zhu Yuan - The Ether Sniper Supreme: The premier Ether Attacker, Zhu Yuan, operates on a simple, devastating principle: build Enhanced Shotshells, enter Suppressive Mode, and erase enemies. Her synergy with readily available agents like Nicole and Anby makes her a free-to-play dream come true. She is a surgical instrument of Pierce-type annihilation.

A-Tier: The Elite Vanguard

These agents are phenomenal in their own right, capable of carrying you through the game's toughest challenges. They are the reliable powerhouses that form the backbone of most elite squads.

Grace is a symphony of controlled chaos, requiring precise swapping to build Zap stacks, but the payoff is electrifying off-field damage. Lucy defies her A-Rank status with boars that fight independently, scaling with her own Crit stats—a set-and-forget nightmare for enemies. Nicole's Energy Field isn't just for Ether teams; that 20% Defense shred is a universal key to unlocking faster clear times. Soldier 11 demands respect as the sole Fire Attacker; mistime her combos and you get Physical damage, but execute them perfectly and she unleashes an inferno. Soukaku is the ultimate swap-enabler, her buffs so enduring they let your main DPS run wild.

B-Tier: The Solid Specialists 💪

These characters are excellent tools for specific jobs. They might not be universally dominant, but in the right hands and the right squad, they shine brilliantly.

• Anby (A-Rank Electric Stun): The queen of accessibility! As a free Stun character, her value is immense. Her easy-to-execute combo (pause after the third Basic Attack, then strike again) unleashes a satisfying area-of-effect Electric attack, making her a fantastic budget option for applying Daze, especially in Electric teams.

• Ben (A-Rank Fire Defense): The walking fortress. Ben's appeal is singular but powerful: his EX Special follow-up grants the entire squad a Shield and a Crit Rate boost. For players who hate dodging or who main Koleda (his perfect partner), he's a comfort pick. However, in a meta obsessed with speed, his sluggish pace can feel like running in quicksand.

• Koleda (S-Rank Fire Stun): A powerhouse trapped by dependency. Her full, earth-shattering Stun potential is locked behind a partnership with Ben. Together they are a slow but unstoppable force. Alone, she's still a capable Stun agent, but you'll always feel you're missing her true, explosive potential.

• Nekomata (S-Rank Physical Attack): Speed incarnate! If you love a frenetic, dodge-counter playstyle, she is your spirit animal. Her damage output is spectacular, primarily flowing from her Dodge Counters and Quick Assists. She lacks team support, but as a pure, unadulterated Physical damage dealer, she is nearly peerless.

• Piper (A-Rank Physical Anomaly): The Physical anomaly applicator nonpareil. Her spinning EX Special Attack builds the Physical debuff at a ludicrous speed. The best part? You can swap characters mid-spin, and she'll keep going, a whirling dervish of off-field debuffing that makes your entire Physical team hit like freight trains.

C-Tier: The Niche Picks 🤔

These agents have moments of utility, but they are often overshadowed. Investing here requires a specific plan or overwhelming personal favoritism.

• Anton (A-Rank Electric Attack): The epitome of 'powercreep anxiety.' As the only Electric Attacker, he has a role, but his clunky kit is a warning sign. He must be in Burst Mode to deal real damage and loses Energy while fighting—a baffling design that makes him feel like he's fighting himself. Newer agents will almost certainly render him obsolete.

• Corin (A-Rank Physical Attack): She has a niche! Her crowd control is genuinely useful for specific commission mechanics. However, as an A-Rank Attacker, her damage ceiling is visibly lower than her S-Rank competitors. Her kit offers some Daze and bonus damage against Stunned foes, but you'll almost always get better results from other Physical specialists, unless you're fully exploiting her resistance-shredding Mindscape Cinema effect.

D-Tier: The Forgotten

In the ruthless ecosystem of New Eridu, some agents simply struggle to find their place. Their kits, while perhaps thematic, lack the synergy, power, or efficiency demanded by the game's most punishing content in 2026. Resources are precious; investing them here is a gamble for the most dedicated of collectors or meme-team enthusiasts.

The hierarchy is clear. To conquer the challenges of 2026, your sights must be set on the S and A-tiers. Build around the glacial fury of Ellen, the controlling might of Lycaon, or the versatile support of Rina. Use the specialists in B-tier to plug specific holes in your strategy. Tread carefully with C-tier, and let the D-tier agents remain as lore pieces in your roster. The path to becoming the ultimate Proxy is paved with informed choices—choose the gods, not the mortals.