How to Beat Zenless Zone Zero Hollow Zero - Best Teams and More

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Miyabi holding her sword across her chest as her ghost companion hover behind her. In the background is a slightly blurred image of the Hollow Zero in Zenless Zone Zero.
Credit: HoYoverse. Image edited by GfinityEsports.

Looking to put your skills to the test? Then it’s time to enter the ring and take on the Zenless Zone Zero Hollow Zero activity. Embarking into the massive Hollow near the Scott Outpost, you’ll face some of the toughest enemies in the game, forcing you to think thoroughly about your strategy to come out on top.

Similar to Shiyu Defense, the other main Zenless Zone Zero endgame activity, having the best ZZZ team comps goes a long way. However, you have to be willing to adapt. Not only might you be missing powerful characters due to the ZZZ banners system, but each stage requires a tailored setup.

Zenless Zone Zero Hollow Zero Explained

Hollow Zero is a combat and exploration-based endgame activity in Zenless Zone Zero. You will have to navigate through various TV sections to acquire upgrades while completing combat encounters.

While Shiyu Defense is entirely combat-focused, Hollow Zero adds additional stages between combat encounters, all accessed through the television sequences that see you moving around a board. If you’ve played HoYoverse’s Honkai Star Rail, then it’s very similar to the Simulated Universe roguelike mode.

A screenshot of Zenless Zone Zero Hollow Zero gameplay with a bunch of televisions shows various different icons.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

There are two Qualification Assessment missions that you must start with, which will introduce you to the mode.

You will begin by selecting an Investigation Area, which is effectively different stages, each with different enemies and difficulty ratings. Take note that each one rewards a different number of Points upon completion, which ties into weekly Investigation Point rewards. You will eventually aim to complete every stage at least once to claim the valuable first-time completion rewards.

A screenshot of Lycaon kicking an alien creature near crashed train cars during Hollow Zero in Zenless Zone Zero.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

Once you’ve picked the stage, you’ll put together a team of three characters. Take a look at our Zenless Zone Zero tier list for an idea of the strongest characters in the game, though you will want a strong team that matches the Recommended Attributes for each stage.

Set up your team and head into the action, which kicks off in the TV navigation section. Though this is mostly linear, you can find optional Gear Coins and encounters that will grant you extra Resonia - powerful buffs. Importantly, you will only begin with your lead character. The other two members of your party need to be acquired as you progress through the TV section.

Your goal is to reach the flag to finish the activity, which involves completing combat encounters and collecting upgrades to progress further into the level.

A screenshot of three different Resonia cards during Hollow Zero in Zenless Zone Zero.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

Resonia

Resonia are upgrades that you can collect throughout a run of Hollow Zero. Like a roguelike, these are only applied to your current run and will refresh each time you play.

Resonia comes in different quality tiers and categories that you can use to create a deck that compliments your team and their play style. For example, some Resonia are focused on Critical Hits, which are ideal for teams with Attack characters that benefit from Crit.

Importantly, collecting four or eight Resonia of the same category will eventually provide a new, more powerful upgrade known as an Advanced Resonium. So, it’s a good idea to choose Resonia from the same category to ‘snowball’ your power as you progress.

The upgrades screen for Hollow Zero in Zenless Zone Zero, showing the various boosts and Mod Features you can unlock.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

Upgrades

Unlike Resonia, you can also get permanent upgrades. Accessed via the activity overview screen, these upgrades require the three types of Withered Crystals you can earn to unlock them. These upgrades are typically simple stat boosts though you can also unlock Mod Features, which are more substantial bonuses, earned by unlocking all of the smaller perks around them on the board.

The available Hollow Zero Mods are:

Mod Feature Description Unlock Requirements
Initial FundsIncreases DEF by 15. Obtain 800 Gear Coins on entering a Hollow.Activate the four nearby nodes.
Authorization Resonium ConverterIncreases ATK by 30. Activating the Resonium Converter allows you to refresh the Resonia three times.Activate the four nearby nodes.
Complex ArtificesIncreases Max HP by 120. Unlock more Artifice Resonia. Receive a debuff, which can be transformed into a powerful buff upon completing artifice reconfiguration.Activate the ten nearby nodes.
Bomb SupplyCrit DMG increases by 5%. Receive a Cross Blast Bangboo Plug-In when entering a Hollow, which can be detonated to clear the surroundings, but all squad members lose a certain percentage of health.Activate the ten nearby nodes.
Corrupted GoodsAnomaly Proficiency increases by 10. Activate the Corrupted Goods to exchange Corruptions for Resonia.Activate the six nearby nodes.
Seized FundsTake 2% less DMG. Gear Coins from combat events increase by 20%.Activate the six nearby nodes.
Enhanced Med KitIncreases DMG dealt to normal enemies by 4%. Receive a Concentrated Medicine II Bangboo Plug-In on entering a Hollow, which can be used to restore HP for all squad members.Activate the six nearby nodes.
Enhanced Anti-CorruptionIncreases DMG dealt to elite enemies by 4%. Receive a Concentrated Sedative II Bangboo Plug-In when entering a Hollow, which can be used to reduce Pressure for all squad members.Activate the six nearby nodes.
Internal DiscountIncreases DMG dealt to bosses by 4%. Bangboo merchants have a better chance of offering discounted rates.Activate the four nearby nodes.
Authorization Resonium AssistanceAll DMG increases by 5%. Receive Resonium supply one time upon entering a Hollow.Activate the four nearby nodes.

While you’re progressing through the game and leveling up your characters, these permanent unlocks will be crucial in taking on the higher tiers of Hollow Zero.

Pressure

Pressure is a debuff that builds as you progress through Hollow Zero. For every 100 Pressure you suffer, you will receive a negative effect, such as slower cooldowns. You will suffer five Pressure every time you move a space during the TV sections, though special tiles can add even more.

It’s important to plan ahead to take the most efficient route possible to avoid taking on unnecessary pressure. Keep an eye on the Pressure meter found above your party roster at the bottom of the screen.

Investigation Points

You will earn Investigation Points every time you complete a full stage of Hollow Zero. The amount you earn depends on the difficulty of the stage, with harder areas granting greater rewards.

Investigation Points increase your License level, granting additional rewards with each rank, including Boopons for Bangboo, Polychromes, and more.

You can only earn a maximum of 5000 Investigation Points each week, meaning your progression through the License level system is effectively time-gated.

A screenshot of the Bounty Commission page for Zenless Zone Zero's Hollow Zero mode, showing four different objectives.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

Bounty Commissions

Bounty Commissions are optional objectives that you can complete for bonus rewards each week, including Polychrome and Boopons. Bounty Commissions come in various difficulty tiers, with higher tiers generally being more challenging or time-consuming to complete.

If you’re looking to maximize your rewards from Hollow Zero each week, then be sure to pick these Bounties up and complete them.

How to Unlock Hollow Zero in Zenless Zone Zero

Hollow Zero is unlocked by completing the ‘Earlybird Ticket to Safety’ Commission during Chapter 1 Interlude, meaning it won’t take you long to get access to the mode.

However, as an endgame mode, you won’t be able to complete all of Hollow Zero right away. As you progress further into the mode, the difficulty increases significantly. Naturally, this means you have to level up your characters and gear them, so get to work increasing your Inter-Knot level as well.

Likewise, the bigger your roster, the better. Though it’s certainly possible to complete Hollow Zero using the ZZZ free characters, it’s undeniably harder as you’ll be lacking certain elements and team synergies.

Zenless Zone Zero Hollow Zero Best Teams

Although each Zone has different enemies and recommended elements, Ice and Ether are strong for every stage. As such, these are the best Hollow Zero teams you can use:

  • Ice: Ellen, Lycaon, Rina/Soukaku
  • Ether: Zhu Yuan, Nicole, Anby
  • Electric: Anton, Grace, Anby

Keep in mind that in Version 1.0 there are only two Ether units - Zhu Yuan and Nicole. This results in Ether and mixed-elemental teams with Ether characters very hard.

The Hollow Zero overview page in Zenless Zone Zero shows the available Zones, including a green tutorial area, and four purple main areas.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

How to Beat Hollow Zero in Zenless Zone Zero

Currently, there are three standard Zones to complete, plus the additional Nest boss stage to beat Hollow Zero in Zenless Zone Zero.

Each Zone has fewer difficulty stages as you progress and increase in challenge, with higher level enemies but greater rewards in return.

A screenshot of the Hollow Zero Old Capital Metro stage overview in Zenless Zone Zero shows the various levels on the right and a large creature on the left.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

Zone 1 - Old Capital Metro

Stage Level Difficulty Points Rewards (Regular)
Edge25Normal1000Investigation Points x1000, Bangboo Algorithm Module 7-8, Bangboo System Widget 2-3, Withered Crystal: Heaven’s Azure x200, Denny x675
Frontline30Hard1250Investigation Points x1250, Bangboo Algorithm Module 9-10, Bangboo System Widget 3-4, Withered Crystal: Heaven’s Azure x200, Denny x1200
Interior35High-Risk2500Investigation Points x2500, Bangboo System Widget 8-11, Withered Crystal: Heaven’s Azure x300, Denny x2000
Heartland40Disaster3000Investigation Points x3000, Bangboo System Widget 10-13, Withered Crystal: Heaven’s Azure x400, Denny x2815
Core45Disaster3500Investigation Points x3500, Bangboo System Widget 13-16, Withered Crystal: Heaven’s Azure x500, Denny x3380

As an Ice and Ether Zone, Old Capital Metro has several strong potential team comps:

Team Leader - Character 1 Character 2 Character 3 Bangboo
IceEllenLycaonSoukaku/RinaPengboo/Sharkboo/Butler
EtherZhu YuanNicoleAnbyResonaboo/Devilboo

The Ice team will give you much more flexibility overall, as the current selection of Ether characters is extremely limited.

A screenshot of the Hollow Zero Construction Ruins stage overview in Zenless Zone Zero shows the various levels on the right and a large orange robot on the left.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

Zone 2 - Construction Ruins

Stage Level Difficulty Points Rewards (Regular)
Frontline30Hard1250Investigation Points x1250, Bangboo Algorithm Module 9-10, Bangboo System Widget 3-4, Withered Crystal: Ink - Yellow x200, Denny
Interior35High-Risk2500Investigation Points x2500, Bangboo System Widget 8-11, Withered Crystal: Ink - Yellow x300, Denny x2000
Heartland40Disaster3000Investigation Points x3000, Bangboo System Widget 10-13, Withered Crystal: Ink - Yellow x400, Denny x2815
Core45Disaster3500Investigation Points x3500, Bangboo System Widget 13-16, Withered Crystal: Ink - Yellow x500, Denny x3380

The Construction Ruins are an Electric and Ether Zone, making the following teams strong:

Team Leader - Character 1 Character 2 Character 3 Bangboo
ElectricAntonGraceRina/AnbySafety/Plugboo/Magnetboo
Ether (Ether/Electric)Zhu YuanNicoleAnbyResonaboo/Devilboo
Electric/EtherAntonAnbyNicoleSafety/Plugboo/Magnetboo
A screenshot of the Hollow Zero Abandoned Skyscraper stage overview in Zenless Zone Zero shows the various levels on the right and two large ballerina-like creatures on the left.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

Zone 3 - Abandoned Skyscraper

Stage Level Difficulty Points Rewards (Regular)
Interior35High-Risk2500Investigation Points x2500, Bangboo System Widget 8-11, Withered Crystal: Iron Red x300, Denny x2000
Heartland40Disaster3000Investigation Points x3000, Bangboo System Widget 10-13, Withered Crystal: Iron Red x400, Denny x2815
Core45Disaster3500Investigation Points x3500, Bangboo System Widget 13-16, Withered Crystal: Iron Red x500, Denny x3380

The Abandoned Skyscraper has Ice, Electric, and Ether weaknesses, which results in the following teams being good choices:

Team Leader - Character 1 Character 2 Character 3 Bangboo
Ice/ElectricEllenLycaon/AnbyGrace/RinaButler/Sumoboo
IceEllenLycaonSoukakuPengboo/Sharkboo/Butler
ElectricAntonGraceRina/AnbySafety/Plugboo/Magnetboo/Electroboo
EtherZhu YuanNicoleAnbyResonaboo/Devilboo

An Ice-Electric team with Ellen, Lycaon, and Rina, or Ellen, Anby, and Grace, are a particularly strong team. This is because you can trigger the Disorder effect by inflicting two different elements on a target, dealing massive damage.

Among other rewards, including Polychrome, you will also receive a Boopon for completing the Abandoned Skyscraper on Interior for the first time.

A screenshot of the Hollow Zero Nest Withering Garden stage overview in Zenless Zone Zero shows the various levels on the right and a large creature with its arms out on the left.
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Credit: HoYoverse. Screenshot taken by GfinityEsports.

Nest - Withering Garden

Stage Level Difficulty Points Rewards (Regular)
Core50Disaster4000Investigation Points x4000, Bangboo System Widget 15-18, Withered Crystal: Heaven’s Azure x 200, Withered Crystal: Ink - Yellow x200, Withered Crystal: Iron Red x200, Denny x4500

The Nest Withering Garden stage is a challenging boss encounter against Nineveh, the massive alien creature you're introduced to in the Hollow Zero introduction missions.

This stage has Ice, Ether, and Electric weakness, though Ether and Electric should be your focus. As such, you will want to use one of the following teams:

Team Leader - Character 1 Character 2 Character 3 Bangboo
Ether/ElectricAntonGraceNicoleSafety/Plugboo/Magnetboo/Electroboo
Ice/ElectricEllenLycaon/AnbyGraceButler/Sumoboo
IceEllenLycaonSoukakuPengboo/Sharkboo/Butler
ElectricAntonGraceRina/AnbySafety/Plugboo/Magnetboo/Electroboo
EtherZhu YuanNicoleAnbyResonaboo/Devilboo

Among other rewards, including Polychrome, you will also receive a Boopon for completing the Nest - Withering Garden for the first time.

Zenless Zone Zero Hollow Zero Rewards

The main rewards for completing Hollow Zero include:

  • Investigation Points - XP used to level up your License level
  • Withered Crystals - Material used to purchase permanent upgrades
  • Bangboo Algorithm Module - Small Bangboo XP material
  • Bangboo System Widget - Large Bangboo XP material
  • Denny - Currency used to purchase and upgrade most items
  • Polychrome (first-time completion) - Spent on banners to unlock new characters and W-Engines
  • Boopon (first-time completion) - Spent on Bangboo banners to unlock new banners

With all this knowledge, hopefully, you'll be able to beat the Zenless Zone Zero Hollow Zero activity each week for maximum rewards. If you're still having a hard time, check out what ZZZ codes and events are currently available to get more Polychrome to spend on new characters.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Zenless Zone Zero page.