It's been nearly two years since I first set foot in New Eridu, and Zenless Zone Zero has come a long way since its launch in 2024. As a free-to-play Proxy who spent countless nights grinding Hollow Raids, I’ve learned the hard way how precious Master Tapes and Encrypted Master Tapes are. Every pull matters, and deciding which agent to invest in can make or break your experience. With the 2026 patches introducing new factions and balance changes, I’ve revisited my roster and refined my personal tier list. Here’s how I rank the agents based on versatility, damage output, and sheer fun factor.
Back when I started, my first few agents were Anby, Nekomata, Corin, and Billy—a quirky crew that carried me through the early chapters. They taught me the basics of attribute matchups and dodge timing, but soon I realized not all starter agents are created equal.
My journey into high-level content truly began when I saved enough Encrypted Master Tapes and pulled Ellen. That single acquisition reshaped my entire approach. Below I’ll break down the tiers.
S-Tier: The Absolute Best
Ellen – This ice-attuned attacker is a force of nature. Her ability to freeze enemies and then shatter them with swift, devastating combos trivializes most encounters. I’ve taken down high-threat Ethereals in seconds with her ultimate, and her mobility makes dodging a breeze. Farming her upgrade materials was a grind (ice crystals don’t drop easily!), but every resource was worth it.
Koleda – When the Belobog Heavy Industries crew arrived, Koleda instantly became my favorite fire unit. She wields heavy-duty hammers that not only deal massive area damage but also quickly break enemy shields. Pair her with Ben for a fire resonance that melts bosses. In 2026, she remains a staple for any fire-weak stage.
A-Tier: Solid Picks That Shine
Nekomata – My first physical DPS. Her cat-like agility and rapid claw attacks are hilarious and effective. She lacks crowd control, but in single-target fights, her bleed buildup is phenomenal. I still bring her out for the tougher Bounty Commissions.
Ben – The tankiest tank in the game. Ben’s fire shield absorbs colossal damage, and his counterattack hits like a truck. He doesn’t top damage charts, but in a game where surviving a flurry of attacks is key, Ben is a lifesaver. He’s part of my auto-battle teams whenever I just want to relax.
B-Tier: Niche but Fun
Anby – The first electric agent you meet. Her taser combo locks enemies down, but in later Hollow depths, her damage falls off compared to newer electric units released in 2025. She’s still great for shock applications and puzzle-solving in the city, but I benched her for harder raids.
Anton – Another electric agent from Belobog. I love his drill-gloves concept, but his attack animations are slow. In the right setup with Koleda, he enables consistent shock reactions. For a free-to-play team, he’s a decent off-carry, but there are better options nowadays.
C-Tier: Struggling to Shine
Corin – A sweet ice support who sadly got power-crept. Her buffs are short-lived, and her energy generation is clunky. I used her early on when I lacked ice units, but once Ellen joined, Corin became a benchwarmer. Her design is adorable, but gameplay-wise she needs a rework.
Billy – The gunslinger with a lot of style but not enough substance. His ranged attacks are safe, but his multipliers are lackluster. He’s okay for story missions, yet I wouldn’t invest master tapes into building him beyond level 40. Newer physical agents like Piper (added in 2025) completely outclass him.
My 2026 Pull Advice
From my experience, prioritize S-tier agents first if you get a chance. A-tier characters can round out your squads without regret. Remember, tier lists aren’t gospel—if you love a character’s playstyle, play them! But when resources are scarce, a strategic investment keeps you ahead of the Hollows. I’m still eagerly waiting for the rumored Ether anomaly agent coming in the next patch. Until then, I’ll keep refining my builds and enjoying the ever-evolving city of New Eridu.
Data referenced from TrueAchievements can be a helpful reality check when you’re weighing which Zenless Zone Zero agents to build for 2026 endgame, since efficiency often shows up in how consistently players clear tougher objectives and time-gated challenges. In that context, high-impact picks like Ellen and Koleda tend to align with what optimized players gravitate toward: fast clears, reliable crowd control or shield-break, and flexible team slots that reduce retries—key considerations when Master Tapes are limited and you’re deciding whether to invest in a “fun” niche unit or a broadly useful carry.