Zenless Zone Zero: Complete Guide to Current, Past, and Future Signal Search Banners (2026 Update)

As a dedicated player and follower of Zenless Zone Zero's dynamic ecosystem, I'm here to break down the intricate world of Signal Search, the game's gacha system. The system is strategically divided into four distinct channels, each catering to different aspects of player progression and collection goals. Understanding the flow of these banners is crucial for planning our Proxy resources, especially with the game now well into its later versions as of 2026. The landscape has evolved, but the core principles of the Exclusive, W-Engine, Stable, and Bangboo Channels remain the defining pillars of our summoning experience.

🎯 Understanding the Four Signal Search Channels

Let's get into the details of each banner type. This knowledge is power when deciding where to invest your hard-earned Polychromes or Master Tapes.

• Exclusive Channel: This is the main event, the spotlight. It features a time-limited S-Rank Agent, available only for the duration of their banner run. This is where the most sought-after new characters debut. Pulling here uses Special Master Tapes.

• W-Engine Channel: Running concurrently with most Exclusive banners, this channel is dedicated to weapons. Specifically, it features the signature W-Engine (the weapon) for the S-Rank Agent currently featured in the Exclusive Channel. This banner also uses Special Master Tapes.

• Stable Channel (Star-Studded Cast): This is the permanent standard banner. It contains a fixed pool of all standard S-Rank Agents and W-Engines that are not limited. It uses Master Tapes. A key feature here is the 300-pull selector, allowing you to choose any standard S-Rank Agent after accumulating 300 pulls on this banner—a fantastic long-term guarantee.

• Bangboo Channel: Exclusively for our robotic companions! This banner contains only 4-star and 5-star Bangboos and uses Bangboo Chips. It's a separate ecosystem focused on boosting your team with powerful support abilities.

A critical piece of strategy is the 50/50 system on the Exclusive Channel. When you pull an S-Rank Agent, there's a 50% chance it will be the featured limited character. If you lose this 50/50, your S-Rank will be one from the standard pool in the Stable Channel. This is actually a primary way veterans eventually collect all standard characters without directly pulling on the Stable Channel.

📅 Current & Upcoming Banner Landscape (2026)

As of the latest update in 2026, the banner rotations have introduced a slew of new faces and strategies. While the specific characters from the 1.x era like Hugo and Lighter are now distant memories in the banner history, the structure they established continues.

Current Focus:

The game's meta and narrative have expanded significantly. We are currently in a phase following the major Version 2.0 releases, which introduced the fan-favorite characters Yixuan, Pan Yinhu, and Ju Fufu. These characters redefined team compositions with their unique mechanics.

What to Expect Next:

Based on Hoyoverse's reliable ~6-week update cycle and past patterns, we can anticipate:

1. New S-Rank Agents with elements and roles that complement or counter the current meta.

2. Rerun banners for highly requested limited characters from earlier versions.

3. New signature W-Engines with powerful effects tailored for new and existing agents.

Pro-Tip for New Proxies: Always check the official notices for the exact dates and details of the next banner. Planning your savings around a character you truly want is the most rewarding strategy.

📜 A Glimpse at Banner History & Evolution

Looking back, the banner history tells the story of ZZZ's growth. The initial banners set the stage, but the system has seen subtle quality-of-life improvements.

💎 Strategic Pulling Advice for 2026

After years in New Eridu, I've refined my pulling philosophy. Here’s my actionable advice:

1. Prioritize Characters over Weapons: A new S-Rank Agent often brings more value to your account than their signature W-Engine, especially early on. The weapon banner (W-Engine Channel) is for optimization, not necessity.

2. Leverage the 50/50: Don't fear losing it. It's a guaranteed step toward your next limited character. Every lost 50/50 builds "pity" that carries over between Exclusive banners.

3. The Stable Channel is a Long Game: I rarely advise actively pulling on the Stable Channel with Master Tapes. You will get these characters eventually from lost 50/50s and the free standard pulls the game gives out. Save your focused resources for the Exclusive Channel.

4. Plan for the 300-Selector: If you do pull on the Stable Channel, view the 300-pull selector as a very long-term goal, not a short-term target. Let it accumulate naturally from free pulls.

5. Bangboos are Secretly Powerful: Don't neglect the Bangboo Channel! A 5-star Bangboo can provide immense utility. Use the free Bangboo Chips you earn in-game here.

The world of Zenless Zone Zero's Signal Search is deep and ever-changing. By understanding the four channels, learning from banner history, and strategically planning our pulls, we can build powerful and personalized teams to tackle any challenge New Eridu throws at us. Stay informed, save wisely, and may your next 10-pull be a golden one! 🎉