As of 2026, I still reach for Zhu Yuan whenever I need a reliable ether damage dealer in Zenless Zone Zero. She is an S-rank attack agent and the leader of the New Eridu Public Security's Criminal Investigation Response Team. That title is a mouthful, but her ether pistol does the talking. I have spent the last few weeks re-testing her build in current endgame modes, and the core recipe remains surprisingly stable. If you are wondering whether to pull for her or save for another banner, I would say she is worth it if you enjoy basic-attack-focused DPS with strong burst windows. Let me walk you through my personal 2026 Zhu Yuan build, including her best teams, W-Engines, Drive Discs, and skill priorities.

my-2026-zenless-zone-zero-zhu-yuan-build-ether-dps-guide-image-0

Why I still main Zhu Yuan in 2026

Zhu Yuan is a DPS through and through. She benefits from any buffer or stun unit I can pair with her. Her damage mostly comes from her basic attack sequence and her chain attack, so I build around amplifying those windows. She works especially well alongside her work colleague Qingyi, but I have also used Dialyn as another stun option. In my experience, the team that clears fastest is one that can stun the enemy right before Zhu Yuan unloads her enhanced shots.

Here are the teams I currently recommend:

  • Qingyi + Zhu Yuan + Nicole – my go-to for balanced ether shred and stun.

  • Dialyn + Zhu Yuan + Astra Yao – a more recent option that keeps Zhu Yuan's crit rate high.

  • Qingyi + Zhu Yuan + Caesar – for survivability in harder 2026 stages.

  • Anby + Zhu Yuan + Rina – a budget-friendly stun and penetration core.

I have tested these compositions in Shiyu Defense and the newest Hollow Zero rotations. Zhu Yuan's ether damage still shreds through enemies weak to ether, and her range lets me keep distance while I wait for the next stun window.

Best W-Engines for Zhu Yuan

The best W-Engine for Zhu Yuan is still her S-rank signature, Riot Suppressor Mark VI. It directly boosts her crit damage and energy regeneration, which means more frequent chain attacks. If you do not have it, I have found that The Brimstone is a strong standard S-rank substitute. For A-rank options, Cannon Rotor and Starlight Engine both perform well, especially if you refine them over time.

W-Engine Rarity My notes
Riot Suppressor Mark VI Limited S-rank Signature pick. Best-in-slot for crit and energy.
The Brimstone Standard S-rank Excellent attack and daze boost.
Cannon Rotor A-rank Solid crit rate substat. Easy to obtain.
Starlight Engine A-rank Drops on every banner. Great starter option.

my-2026-zenless-zone-zero-zhu-yuan-build-ether-dps-guide-image-1

Best Drive Discs for Zhu Yuan

The best relic set for Zhu Yuan remains Dawn's Bloom. This four-piece set buffs her basic attack damage, which is where most of her damage comes from. I have also used Chaotic Metal for extra ether damage when I want to lean into her elemental bonus. For a two-piece splash, I recommend Woodpecker Electro for crit rate or Puffer Electro for attack. My current 2026 setup is Dawn's Bloom four-piece plus Woodpecker Electro two-piece, and it feels incredibly consistent.

These are the best Drive Disc sets for Zhu Yuan:

  • Dawn's Bloom – four-piece set. Boosts basic attack damage.

  • Chaotic Metal – four-piece set. Increases ether damage and crit damage after triggering corruption.

  • Woodpecker Electro – two-piece set. Adds crit rate.

  • Puffer Electro – two-piece set. Adds attack percentage.

When I pick each piece of equipment, I prioritize the following stats as main and sub-stats:

  1. Crit rate / crit damage

  2. Ether damage bonus

  3. Attack percentage

  4. Penetration ratio

I cannot stress enough how important crit balance is. Zhu Yuan's enhanced shots can hit like a truck, but only if her crit rate is high enough to land them consistently. In 2026, with newer enemies having higher defense, I aim for at least 60% crit rate before buffs.

Skill priority and rotation

I focus on upgrading Zhu Yuan's basic attack and chain attack skills first, then her special attack. After that, I invest in her dodge and assist skills. Her core passive is also worth leveling because it increases her ether damage after she uses her enhanced shots.

My typical rotation looks like this:

  1. Start with a stun agent to build daze.

  2. Swap to Zhu Yuan and use her EX special to load enhanced rounds.

  3. Trigger chain attack during the stun window.

  4. Finish with basic attacks to consume enhanced rounds.

  5. Repeat once energy is back.

I have found that timing her chain attack right before the stun ends gives me the most value. If you are new to Zhu Yuan, practice her basic attack cancel into special to keep her DPS uptime high.

my-2026-zenless-zone-zero-zhu-yuan-build-ether-dps-guide-image-2

Voice actors and final thoughts

For those who care about the performance behind the character, here are the actors who voice Zhu Yuan in Zenless Zone Zero:

Language Voice actor
English Alaina Wis
Chinese Mace
Japanese Inoue Marina
Korean Lee Joo-eun

In 2026, Zhu Yuan is still a top-tier ether DPS. She is not the easiest agent to pilot, but she rewards investment. If you have Qingyi or Dialyn, you already have the foundation for a fantastic team. If you are on the fence, I would say pull for her if you need a strong ranged attacker who can delete bosses during stun windows. She remains one of my favorite characters in Zenless Zone Zero, and I do not see that changing anytime soon.

That is my complete 2026 Zhu Yuan build. I hope it helps you get the most out of the leader of the Criminal Investigation Response Team. Stay safe out there in New Eridu, and may your crits always land. 🎯🔫