Zhao
S
Ice
Defense
Slash
Krampus Compliance AuthorityBest Zhao Build Guide
Written by Phạm Ngọc Bảo Châu ·
Playstyle Overview
Zhao is a free Ice Defense Agent who can support most Attack and Anomaly teams, and she's an ideal partner for Ye Shunguang. With full Frostbite Points she opens Ether Veil: Wellspring, giving the team +1000 ATK for 50s. Inside an Ether Veil, her Additional Ability also raises team DMG by up to 40% based on her initial HP.
Gameplay: use her EX Special to build Frostbite Points; after you swap out, she automatically charges Basic Attack: Final Verdict for HP-scaling damage. Build HP and Energy Regen. Zhao is easy to play, needs little field time and is cheap. On the flip side, she relies heavily on her signature W-Engine, and being a Defense Agent can make team building awkward.
Best W-Engines
S1ATK 713 · HP 30%
Fragile Sweetness ›
The equipper's Energy Regen increases by 0.46/s. All squad members gain 10% ATK and 10% Max HP. Only one instance of this effect can exist in the same squad. When the equipper activates or extends an Ether Veil, all squad members gain 30% CRIT DMG for 60s. Repeated triggers reset the duration.
S1ATK 713 · Impact 18%
Invincible Rider ›
The Shield value provided by the equipper increases by 30%. When any squad member triggers Interrupt or Perfect Dodge, all squad members' DMG increases by 18% and Daze dealt increases by 12% for 20s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.
*Stats shown are at Base level.
S5ATK 594 · HP 25%
Starlight Knight Flying Kick ›
Increases Max HP by 8%. When attacked, the equipper's Impact is increased by 10% for 12s.
*Stats are shown at base level
S5ATK 594 · DEF 40%
Pet the Bunny ›
Increases Max HP by 8%. Increases the equipper's ATK by 10% when they are shielded.
*Stats are shown at base level
Best Drive Discs
44-pc ›
HP +10%
When the equipper is a Defense character: When the equipper launches an EX Special Attack or any squad member triggers a Defensive Assist or Evasive Assist, all squad members' DMG increases by 6%, stacking up to 3 times, lasting 25s. Stacks decay one at a time, and duration refreshes when gained or decayed. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.
22-pc ›
HP +10%
44-pc ›
HP +10%
When the equipper is a Defense character: When the equipper launches an EX Special Attack or any squad member triggers a Defensive Assist or Evasive Assist, all squad members' DMG increases by 6%, stacking up to 3 times, lasting 25s. Stacks decay one at a time, and duration refreshes when gained or decayed. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.
22-pc ›
Energy Regen increases +20%
44-pc ›
ATK +10%
Whenever any squad member enters the field using a Quick Assist, all squad members gain 1 stack of Astral, up to a maximum of 3 stacks, and lasting 15s. Repeated triggers reset the duration. Each stack of Astral increases the DMG dealt by the character entering the field using a Quick Assist by 8%. Only one of this effect can be active at a time in the same squad.
22-pc ›
Energy Regen increases +20%
Best Main Stats
- Disc 4HP%
- Disc 5HP%
- Disc 6Energy Regen (HP% in niche cases, e.g. with Tusks of Fury)
Best Sub Stats
- 1HP% (until 27000 initial HP)
- 2Flat HP (until 27000 initial HP)
- 3CRIT Rate
- 4CRIT DMG
Endgame Stats
- ATK
- 1900+
- HP
- 25000+
- DEF
- 800+
- CRIT Rate
- 30%+
- CRIT DMG
- 50%+
Aim for 27000 initial HP (stat screen, before combat) to max her Additional Ability at 40% DMG; HP gained from her Ether Veil doesn't count. Discs 4 and 5 are fixed on HP%, and Disc 6 should almost always be Energy Regen so she can cycle Ether Veils fast enough, especially in Ye Shunguang and Anomaly teams. High HP also raises Zhao's CRIT Rate through her Core Passive.
Skill Priority
Core Skill- ›
Special Attack - ›
Basic Attack - ›
Chain Attack - ›
Assist - ›
Dodge
Her Core Skill matters most, setting the team ATK buff, and its nodes add HP%. Special Attack comes next (her EX Special has huge damage and Daze multipliers and improves healing), then Basic Attack (Final Verdict's HP scaling grows with level). Chain Attack/Ultimate and Assist follow, and Dodge comes last since Zhao barely uses it.
Best Teams for Zhao
Most Used Teams Right Now
Other Attacker Teams
Anomaly Team
Best Bangboo for Zhao
With Ye Shunguang, use Sprout; Birkblick always has its Additional Ability active since Zhao belongs to the Krampus Compliance Authority, while Bangvolver, Luckyboo, Brawlerboo or Overtimeboo are other alternatives.
In the Anomaly team with Vivian (Mockingbird), Robin is the main pick, with Knightboo or Brawlerboo as alternatives. The F2P team uses Sumoboo (needs a Stun Agent such as Anby), or Bagboo.
Skills
Basic Attack: Glacial Judgment
Press Basic to activate:
Launches up to five slashes forward, the first dealing Physical DMG, and the following four Ice DMG.
Basic Attack: Final Verdict
Hold Basic to activate:
After getting ready, Zhao starts charging up, then launches a forward slash on release, dealing massive Ice DMG.
While charging, Zhao accumulates up to 5s of charge time. When the Finishing Move of Basic Attack: Final Verdict, Chain Attack, or Assist Follow-Up hits, the stored charge time is consumed to deal additional DMG. For every 1 second of charge time, Zhao deals 13% of Max HP as additional DMG.
When Zhao is in any Ether Veil, if she gets switched out while charging, the charge can continue. If Frostbite Points are maxed out when the skill activates, all Frostbite Points are consumed to trigger Ether Veil: Wellspring and a Quick Assist. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging.
During skill activation, Anti-Interrupt level increases, and DMG taken is reduced by 40%.
While not the currently controlled character, the character is invulnerable while using this skill.
*Stats shown are at Base level.
Dodge: Bunny Hop
Press Dodge to activate:
A quick dash dodge.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Dash Attack: Bouncing Dash
Press Basic during a dodge to activate:
Slashes forward, dealing Physical DMG and Ice DMG.
Dodge Counter: Swift Blink
Press Basic during a Perfect Dodge to activate:
Performs a falling slash ahead, dealing Ice DMG.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Entry Skill: Burst of Frost
When Zhao has maximum Frostbite Points, and is in combat, press Switch to activate:
Launches consecutive attacks forward, followed by a slash, dealing massive Ice DMG.
Upon activating this skill, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring.
Upon activating this skill, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging.
Activating this skill is considered as activating a Quick Assist.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Quick Assist: Patch the Gaps
When the active character is launched, press Switch to activate:
Launches a falling slash in front, dealing Ice DMG.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Defensive Assist: Frostveil Suppression
When the on-field character is about to be attacked, press Switch to activate:
Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze.
This skill excels at parrying enemy attacks and reduces the consumption of Assist Points when the character is under intense attacks.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist Follow-Up: Frostlight Reflection
Press Basic after a Defensive Assist to activate:
Launch multiple slashes in front, dealing massive Ice DMG.
Upon activating this skill, if Frostbite Points are maxed out, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring.
Upon activating this skill while in any Ether Veil, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Special Attack: Shatterfrost Surge
Press Special to activate:
Launches a forward slash, dealing Ice DMG.
Upon activating this skill, consumes 5% of current HP to grant all squad members HP regeneration equal to 1.06% of Zhao's Max HP per second for 5s. The HP-consuming effects of Special Attack: Shatterfrost Surge and EX Special Attack: Frostflow Tundra can trigger at most once every 30s.
*Stats shown are at Base level.
EX Special Attack: Frostflow Tundra
With enough energy, press EX to activate:
Launches multiple forward slashes, dealing massive Ice DMG.
Upon activating this skill, consumes 5% of current HP to grant all squad members HP regeneration equal to 1.06% of Zhao's Max HP per second for 5s. The HP-consuming effects of Special Attack: Shatterfrost Surge and EX Special Attack: Frostflow Tundra can trigger at most once every 30s.
Upon activating this skill, gain 20 Frostbite Points. If Frostbite Points are maxed out, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring.
Upon activating this skill while in any Ether Veil, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
*Stats shown are at Base level.
Chain Attack: Temporary Alliance
When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate:
Launches multiple slashes in front, dealing massive Ice DMG. After using this skill, gains 5 Frostbite Points. If Frostbite Points are maxed out, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring.
Upon activating this skill while in any Ether Veil, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Ultimate: Bunny Barrage
When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press Ultimate to activate:
Launches consecutive attacks in front, followed by a falling slash, dealing massive Ice DMG.
After using this skill, gains 20 Frostbite Points. If Frostbite Points are maxed out, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring.
Upon activating this skill while in any Ether Veil, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging.
Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Core Passive: Ideal Colleague
Zhao gains bonus CRIT Rate based on her initial Max HP, gaining 0.8% CRIT Rate for every 1,000 initial Max HP.
Upon entering the battlefield, Zhao gains 100 Frostbite Points. This effect can trigger once every 180s in Investigation Zone mode. The maximum amount of Frostbite Points is 100.
When the currently active character's attacks hit an enemy, Zhao gains 6 Frostbite Points. This can be triggered once every 3s.
When Frostbite Points are maxed out, switching Zhao to the field while in combat will activate her Entry Skill.
When Zhao activates her Entry Skill, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring.
While Ether Veil: Wellspring is active, all squad members gain 5% Max HP for 40s. Re-activating Ether Veil: Wellspring ends the existing instance before applying a new Ether Veil: Wellspring.
When Zhao activates Ether Veil: Wellspring, all squad members' ATK increase by 100 for 50s. Repeated triggers reset the duration.
*Stats shown are at Base level.
Additional Ability: Crystallization
When another character in your squad is an Attack, Anomaly, or Support character:
When Zhao is within any Ether Veil, the whole squad's DMG increases by 10%. If Zhao's initial Max HP exceeds 15,000, every additional 400 initial Max HP increases this DMG bonus by an additional 1%, up to a total maximum increase of 40%. This bonus reaches its maximum when Zhao's initial Max HP reaches 27,000.
Mindscape Cinema
Which Mindscapes Are Worth It?
M1 is the best place to stop: it brings a free Zhao close to an M1 Astra Yao. M2 is also very competitive thanks to its team ATK buff. M4 and M6 mostly add personal damage; M6 is only worth it if you want to play Zhao as a main DPS. M3 and M5 only add skill levels.
- M1When Zhao swaps out, the whole team ignores 15% All-Attribute RES for 50s; since she constantly Quick Assists out, it's practically always on. Note that it's RES ignore, so it doesn't apply to Anomaly damage.
- M2Whenever Zhao heals (Special/EX Special), she gains 20% ATK and her teammates 15% ATK for 50s, with near-permanent uptime. That's a big team-wide damage boost.
- M4+250 Decibels per Ether Veil activation, and her Ultimate, Chain Attack and Final Verdict gain 40% CRIT DMG. Mostly personal damage, so its team value is limited.
- M6Boosts her Core Passive CRIT Rate and Final Verdict's charge damage, and charge time is no longer consumed. It does little for the team, but it's essential if you want to play Zhao as a main DPS.
M1Righteous VerdictRecommended
When Zhao switches out of being the active character, all squad members' DMG ignores 15% of the target's All-Attribute RES for 50s.
"Don't let that cute face fool you! I'll never forget that meeting — right there in front of a few dozen people, she pointed her finger and, with the sweetest expression, delivered the coldest verdict: 'If your company refuses any single item in this rectification list, you will be removed from TOPS. This isn't a threat — it's the objectively correct conclusion.' That image is forever etched in my mind! ...Still, I have to thank Miss Zhao." —A company manager who revived his business after a brutal restructuring, speaking with a conflicted look as he rubbed his temples.
M2Krampus SeniorRecommended
When Zhao recovers HP, her ATK increases by 20%, and other squad members' ATK increases by 15% for 50s. Repeated triggers reset the duration.
Xiao'Zhao joined Krampus very early on, and even within the elite of the elite, the Krampus Compliance Authority, she's still addressed as "senior." That's how it should be... if only the juniors who came after weren't all the type who value personality over protocol.
M3Frostveil Edge
Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2
Xiao'Zhao's weapon, "Frostveil," is an experimental asset supplied through a confidential TOPS research project. Rather than merely projecting Ice-aligned Ether into strikes, the weapon channels Ether into its own structure. Under normal conditions, Frostveil is only half the weight of comparable weapons, but once in combat, its rapidly condensed ice edge gains far greater destructive power. The design might as well have been tailor-made for Xiao'Zhao.
M4Featherlight FootstepsRecommended
When Zhao activates an Ether Veil, she gains 250 Decibels.
The CRIT DMG of her Ultimate, Chain Attack, and Basic Attack: Final Verdict increase by 40%.
Agile, light, and hard to pin down. Words once used to describe a little rabbit are now being used to describe a terrifying warrior wielding a massive blade, capable of cutting through anything...
M5Fuzzy Listener
Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2
If Xiao'Zhao's ears twitch unconsciously and perk up slightly, it means she's heard that which matters to her most. It could be intel, a mission, a deal... or praise.
M6No Value Has Its Own ValueRecommended
The CRIT Rate buff from Core Passive: Ideal Colleague increases to 125% of the original value.
The extra DMG gained from charging during Basic Attack: Final Verdict increases to 140% of the original value, and accumulated charge time is no longer consumed when attacking.
The wall of beliefs she'd built since childhood, molded by so many people, has begun to crack because of one encounter.
Xiao'Zhao now sees value differently: when something carries no listed price, it isn't useless, it's simply too precious for anything to stand as its equivalent.
Base Stats
Stats at Lv.60
- HP
- 9117
- ATK
- 690
- DEF
- 701
- Impact
- 93
- CRIT Rate
- 5%
- CRIT DMG
- 50%
- Anomaly Proficiency
- 93
- Anomaly Mastery
- 96
- PEN Ratio
- 0%
- Energy Regen
- 1.2
Stats by level
Profile
- Faction
- Krampus Compliance Authority
- Gender
- Female
- Height
- 118 cm
- Birthday
- Oct 14
- Release version
- 2.5
- Signature W-Engine
- Half-Sugar Bunny
- Voice actors (English)
- Siv Ryan
- Voice actors (Chinese)
- 诺亚 (Nuò yǎ)
- Voice actors (Japanese)
- 大空直美 (Naomi Ozora)
- Voice actors (Korean)
- 미소 (Miso)
"Since you're here, how about we cut a deal?"
"You're calling these shady Dennies of unknown origins a 'gift of destiny'?"
"How romantic, but destiny ain't some poor fool you can push around and take what you want from."
"It only gazes upon worthy souls to bestow its rewards. On the contrary, it will also reclaim everything from the unworthy."
"Do you think you have enough chips to face judgment?"
Story
Details
Zhao, a Krampus Compliance Authority Judge, was one of the elite members who joined in the early days. Though she looks innocent and cute on the outside, she's actually sharp-minded, meticulous, and principled. She puts great importance on "value" and "equivalent exchange" — not in the sense of pricing things with money, but in analyzing someone's ability and potential, giving an objective and long-term assessment of the impact they can make. It's said this mindset didn't come from Zhao's work at Krampus, but had already taken root during her childhood. She evaluates not only others, but herself as well. "Only those with value deserve to be seen." Though she rarely shows it openly, Zhao remains cautious toward kindness that comes without reason. It conflicts with her belief in "equivalent exchange," and she tends to assume the other person must have a deeper motive for offering help. As such, when dealing with Zhao, it's best to focus on mutual benefit first. If you want to break through her defenses with sheer sincerity and goodwill, you'll be fighting an uphill battle. There's also one piece of intel that can't be fully confirmed: Zhao loves vegetables and dislikes meat, but she seems to be pretending she enjoys meat as well.
Increase Trust to Close to unlock more.
Zhao grew up in a large family that was both poor and struggling, where affection and trust never outweighed the rule of survival: "Whoever can bring the most benefit gets more to eat." She looked sweet and likeable, but that only made others think she was easy prey. In that harsh, predatory environment, people quickly labeled her as "low value." So her elders wrote her off as someone who'd never amount to anything, leaving her to a fate of being dismissed and abandoned. Everything changed when she met a Krampus official who saw her hidden potential instantly. From that moment on, she sealed away her past with her family, joined Krampus, and vowed to prove her true worth. "Once you have value, you'll be seen even if you're crawling in the mud."
Cooperation Notes:
Belle
I feel especially safe when I'm out investigating with Xiao'Zhao. Like... she's the kind of person who never loses out when dealing with others.
Wise
Whenever the group decides on something and Xiao'Zhao raises no objections, you can bet she's judged the pros and cons and found it worth attempting.
Ghi Chú Hợp Tác
Belle
Khi cùng Tiểu Zhao đi điều tra có cảm giác rất an toàn, cảm thấy... cô ấy sẽ không bao giờ để bị thiệt thòi khi giao tiếp với bất kỳ ai.
Wise
Mỗi lựa chọn mà mọi người đưa ra, nếu Tiểu Zhao không phản đối thì nhất định là lựa chọn đã được cân nhắc, và cho rằng đáng để thử.
Official Videos
▶Agent Record | Zhao
▶Zenless Zone Zero TGA 2025 Special Video
▶Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.3 "Memories of Dreams Bygone" Special Program
▶Teaser Preview - "A Moment's Light" | Zenless Zone Zero
▶Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.4 "On the Precipice of the Abyss" Special Program
▶Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.5 "To Be Fuel for the Night" Special Program
▶Version 2.5 Teaser - "To Be Fuel for the Night" | Zenless Zone Zero