Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.1 is shaping up to be a massive update, packed with new characters, game mode overhauls, and plenty of summer vibes. While HoYoverse hasn’t officially announced the special program date, all signs point to a reveal between July 4 and July 12, with the patch expected to go live around July 18. Let’s dive into what you can expect!

New Agents Arrive: Yuzuki & Alice Headline Version 2.1 Banners

Version 2.1 introduces two highly anticipated new characters from the Spook Shack faction: Yuzuki Yusuka and Alice Twiningfield.

• Yuzuki Yusuka (previously misleaked as Yukinami Yuzua) will appear in Phase 1 as a Physical support unit. Her kit offers attack buffs, energy regeneration, and resistance penetration, making her a versatile addition to both mono-physical and hybrid Anomaly teams. Her fluid mechanics allow for quick deployment after perfect dodges or assists.
• Alice Twiningfield takes the spotlight in Phase 2 as a Physical Anomaly hybrid agent. Her unique playstyle revolves around a Sword Energy resource, mark setups, and combo cycling. Mastering her abilities promises high damage output and rewards technical players. Her striking visual design and combat animations are already garnering significant attention.

For those looking to expand their roster with returning favorites, leaker Leifa suggests potential reruns: Miyabi might return alongside Yuzuki in Phase 1, while Yanagi could accompany Alice in Phase 2.

Summer Style & Freebies: New Skins and Proxy Makeovers

What’s a major update without some fresh fashion? Both Yuzuki and Alice are getting summer swimsuit skins, though pricing is yet to be confirmed. On the freebie front, look out for free Proxy skins for Belle and Wise, obtainable through in-game events by completing objectives.

Adding to the excitement, Miyabi’s long-rumored skin, previously spotted in early development leaks, might finally make its debut this patch, likely coinciding with her speculated rerun.

Failma Heights Expands: A New Summer Hub

Version 2.1 brings a much-needed map expansion to Failma Heights. This new zone is designed as a vibrant social and exploration space, featuring:

• Hollow nodes and puzzle content.
• A new event hub tied into the summer theme.
• Beach setups, boats, deck chairs, and even a souvenir shop at a scenic lighthouse.

Unlike the underutilized Port Elpizo, Failma Heights is set to be a true summer destination within the game.

Tower Overhaul: Battle Trial Glory & Leaderboards

The Battle Trial Glory mode is receiving a significant competitive makeover. As players ascend the 50-floor tower, they’ll unlock milestone medals from Bronze to Undefeated Legend, which will be visible on their profile cards. Reaching Floor 50 also grants Glory Certificates, opening the door to server-wide rankings.

These rankings are determined by:

• Total skill score
• Certificate count
• Average technique score of your top 10 agents

Combat within the tower will now feature Technique Ranks, from Candescent to Supernova, encouraging stylish gameplay through juggling, perfect dodges, interrupts, and combo chains. Be warned: falling mid-run will reset your bonus multipliers, putting a greater emphasis on clean execution.

Introducing Bangboo Chess: A New Auto Battler PvP Mode

Get ready for Bangboo Chess, a brand-new auto battler PvP mode coming in Version 2.1. The event kicks off with tutorials explaining bond mechanics, then progresses to class-specific PvE challenges before entering ranked qualifiers.

Players will climb a competitive ladder from Silver to Ether Plus, unlocking additional missions at each tier. The competitive mode pits six players against each other in fast-paced elimination rounds, requiring strategic depth and quick thinking to climb the leaderboards. This is Zenless Zone Zero’s answer to the surging popularity of auto chess formats.

High-Difficulty Adjustments: Deadly Assault & Shu Defense

For those who crave a challenge, expect some adjustments to high-difficulty content:

• Deadly Assault boss HP will see an increase from 91.9 million to 101.8 million, raising the bar for DPS checks.
• Shu Defense mode will have mixed changes: some enemies like Jane Doppelgänger will have reduced HP, while others such as Patrol Jäger and Demolition Jäger will hit harder with HP buffs exceeding 1.5 million. Auto-clearing might not be enough anymore, requiring smart team compositions and rotations.

Bonus Pulls & Polychromes

As per tradition, the Version 2.1 special program will include 300 free Polychromes. Additionally, leaker Flying Flame suggests the possibility of 20 free pulls as part of a new login event, mirroring past events. Regardless, the special program is a must-watch for all Zenless Zone Zero fans!

What are you most excited for in Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.1? Let us know!