W-Engines are a core part of build crafting in Zenless Zone Zero. Serving the same purpose as weapons in Genshin Impact or Light Cones in Honkai: Star Rail, W-Engines provide Agents with meaningful stat bonuses as well as powerful additional effects which can drastically improve their performance in combat. With Engines ranging from B-Rank up to S-Rank, choosing the right weapon for your Agent can be the difference between clearing the hardest content in the game or coming away with nothing at all.
While there are some random W-Engines, such as those available through the New Eridu Fund Battle Pass, a lot of the W-Engines in Zenless Zone Zero pair with a certain Agent. These signature W-Engines are the best-in-slot choice for many of these Agents, greatly enhancing their kit and abilities. Additionally, equipping a signature W-Engine will also grant the Agent access to special visual effects and animations which are not available when using other W-Engines.
Here’s every signature W-Engine and the Agent they pair with best in Zenless Zone Zero.
If you’re looking for more Zenless Zone Zero content, check out our guide on how to quickly rank up your Inter-Knot Level.
W-Engines, An Agent’s Source of Power
Signature W-Engine Exclusive Visual Effects Explained
Every Agent in Zenless Zone Zero has a special W-Engine which is purpose-built to enhance their kit specifically. These are signature W-Engines and if the correct Agent equips them, they will gain access to some exclusive visual effects. You can choose to turn these effects off or on by pressing the switch beneath the W-Engine on an Agent’s Equipment screen.
The main visual effect all Agents will receive is that their hair will glow vibrantly whenever they perform an EX Special Attack, Ultimate, or Assist Attack. This is easier to see on some Agents than others: for example, Corrin’s entire hair goes from a muted green to a vibrant shock of emerald, giving her a completely different look. On the other hand, some Agents, like Nicole or Anby, only have the tips of their hair light up, while others, such as Anton, only have their highlights glow.
The visual effects on signature W-Engines don’t do anything other than look impressive but they do act as a nice reward for those able to build their Agents just right. As we mentioned, the effects on these W-Engines are usually very specific, enhancing specific damage types or catering massively to their associated Agent’s kit. So, while you can use them on other units, they will perform the best on the Agent they’re tied to.
Signature W-Engine Visual Effects
All Agent and Signature W-Engine Combinations in Zenless Zone Zero
The Cunning Hares (Nicole, Anby, Billy, and Nekomata)
The Cunning Hares is the first faction you’ll get access to in Zenless Zone Zero as their core members – Anby, Billy, and Nicole – serve as your starting units. Don’t sleep on them just because they’re starter Agents, though, as all three can pack a serious punch, especially if you have their signature W-Engines.
All of the A-Rank W-Engines for the Cunning Hares drop exclusively from Signal Search so you will have to get lucky to pull them. There is one saving grace, however, and that’s that you’ll get one free copy of Anby’s Demara Battery Mark II as an introduction to the W-Engine system.
- Nicole | The Vault: Upon dealing Ether DMG with an EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate Attack, it increases all squad members’ DMG against the target by 15% and increases the equipper’s Energy Regen by 0.5/s for 2s.
- Anby | Demara Battery Mark II: Increases Electric DMG by 15%. When the equipped hits an enemy with a Dodge Counter or Assist Attack, their Energy Generation Rate increases by 18% for 8s.
- Billy | Starlight Engine Replica: Increases the equipper’s Physical DMG against the target by 36% for 8s upon hitting an enemy at least 6 meters away with a Basic Attack or Dash Attack.
Billy, Nicole, and Anby’s Signature W-Engines
Meanwhile, the Cunning Hares currently only has one S-Rank Agent in Nekomata. Like all other S-Rank Agents, her W-Engine can drop randomly from the Star-Studded Cast Channel or you can purchase it from the Store for 600 Residual Signal.
- Nekomata | Steel Cushion: Increases Physical DMG by 20%. The equipper’s DMG increases by 25% when hitting an enemy from behind.
Nekomata’s Signature W-Engine
Belobog Industries (Koleda, Ben, Anton, and Grace)
Next up is Belobog Industries, the main stars of Chapter 2 in Zenless Zone Zero’s main story. As of Version 1.0, there are four playable members of Belobog Industries, two of whom are A-Ranks and two of whom are S-Ranks.
Ben Bigger and Anton are our two A-Rank Belobog members. In phase one of Version 1.0, not only is Anton available on rate-up on Ellen’s Limited Signal Search, but his signature W-Engine is also on rate-up on the Limited W-Engine Signal Search, giving you access to another crazy good combination if you’re willing to invest the Polychrome.
- Ben Bigger | Big Cylinder: Reduces DMG Taken by 7.5%. After being attacked, the next attack to hit an enemy will trigger a critical hit and deal 600% of the equipper’s DEF as additional DMG. This effect can be triggered once every 7.5s.
- Anton | Drill Rig – Red Axis: When launching an EX Special Attack or Chain Attack, Electric DMG from Basic Attacks and Dash Attacks increases by 50% for 10s. This effect can trigger once every 15s.
Anton and Ben’s Signature W-Engines
Meanwhile, Koleda and Grace are the two remaining Belobog Industries squad members who are S-Rank in rarity. You can acquire their signature W-Engines – Hellfire Gears and Fusion Compiler – by getting lucky on the Standard Signal Search or by trading in 600 Residual Signals.
- Koleda | Hellfire Gears: While off-field, the equipper’s Energy Regen increases by 0.6/s. When using an EX Special Attack, the equipper’s Impact is increased by 10% for 10s, stacking up to 2 times.
- Grace | Fusion Compiler: Increases ATK by 12%. When using a Special Attack or EX Special Attack, the equipper’s Anomaly Proficiency is increased by 25 for 8s, stacking up to 3 times.
Koleda and Grace’s Signature W-Engines
Victoria Housekeeping Co. (Rina, Lycaon, Corin, and Ellen)
Alongside Belobog and the Cunning Hares, the Victoria Housekeeping Company is the third most fleshed-out faction as of Zenless Zone Zero’s launch. Not only do they have two S-Ranks and a powerful A-Rank in the standard Agent pool, but they also have the honour of housing the game’s first limited S-Rank.
So far, the only A-Rank in Victoria Housekeeping is the panicky, shy Corin. All players will be able to get Corrin for free as part of ZZZ’s pre-registration rewards and, if you’re willing to spend a bit of cash, you can even get her signature W-Engine. Housekeeper is one of four W-Engines which you can redeem by purchasing the Beginner’s Bundle from the Store for £0.99 (or $0.99), making it a cheap and easy way to get a powerful build early in the game.
- Corin | Housekeeper: While off-field, the equipper’s Energy Regen increases by 0.45/s. When an EX Special Attack hits an enemy, the equipper’s Physical DMG increases by 3%, stacking up to 15 times and lasting 1s. Repeated triggers reset the duration.
Corrin’s Signature W-Engine
As for the two standard banner S-Ranks, we have the ghostly maid Alexandrina and the fuzzy butler Von Lycaon. To obtain either the Weeping Cradle or The Restrained W-Engines, you have to hope to get lucky on the Standard Signal Search or be willing to cough up 600 Residual Signals at the Residual Shop.
- Rina | Weeping Cradle: While off-field, the equipper’s Energy Regen increases by 0.6/s. Attacks from the equipper enhance the squad’s DMG against a struck target by 10% for 3 seconds. During this period, this effect is further increased by 1.7% every 0.5s, up to a maximum additional increase of 10.2%. Repeated triggers only refresh their duration without refreshing the DMG increase.
- Lycaon | The Restrained: When an attack hits an enemy, DMG and Daze from Basic Attacks increase by 6% for 8s, stacking up to 5 times. This effect can trigger at most once per skill.
Lycaon and Rina’s Signature W-Engine
Ellen Joe is the first limited S-Rank Agent in Zenless Zone Zero. As such, her signature W-Engine, the Deep Sea Visitor, works a bit differently from the rest. Unlike other standard S-Ranks – whose W-Engines can drop from either the Standard Channel or Residual Shop – Ellen’s W-Engine can only be obtained while her own Limited Channel is active. Once Ellen’s banner goes away when phase two launches, the Deep Sea Visitor won’t be available to earn again until Ellen gets a rerun.
- Ellen | Deep Sea Visitor: Increases Ice DMG by 25%. Upon hitting an enemy with a Basic Attack, the equipper’s CRIT Rate increases by 10% for 8s. When dealing Ice DMG with a Dash Attack, the equipper’s CRIT Rare increases by an additional 10% for 15s.
Ellen’s Signature W-Engine
Sons of Calydon (Lucy and Piper)
The Sons of Calydon are an odd faction when compared to any of the others in ZZZ. A rebellious gang of bikers, this group of Mad Max-esque characters have a very distinct sense of style and self, something which also comes from their associated W-Engines.
In Version 1.0, the Sons of Calydon are only being represented by two A-Ranks: Lucy and Piper. Fortunately, both are very good, with the former being a Bennett-tier support unit for Fire teams while the latter is an absurdly strong Assault applicator. And they’ll only get even better with their signature W-Engines, Kaboom the Cannon and Roaring Ride.
- Lucy | Kaboom the Cannon: When any friendly unit in the squad attacks and hits an enemy, all friendly unit’s ATK increases by 2.5% for 8s, stacking up to 4 times. The duration of each stack is calculated separately, and each friendly unit can provide 1 stack of the buff.
- Piper | Roaring Ride: When an EX Special Attack hits an enemy, one of three possible effects is triggered for 5 seconds. This effect can trigger once every 0.3s. The same effects cannot stack. Repeated triggers reset the duration, allowing several effects to be active at once. It will either increase the equipper’s ATK by 8%, increase the equipper’s Anomaly Proficiency by 40, or increase the equipper’s Anomaly Buildup Rate by 25%.
Lucy and Piper’s Signature W-Engines
Section 6 (Soukaku)
Hollow Special Operations Section 6 (more commonly known as just Section 6) is an elite task force of fighters who explore the mysterious, and deadly, Hollow Zero. Donned in flashy blue and white attire, Section 6 cuts a striking visage, especially thanks to their leader, and fan favourite Agent, Miyabi.
We’ve already seen several other Section 6 members in the main story but, in Version 1.0 of Zenless Zone Zero, Soukaku is the only playable Section 6 unit. Like Anton, Ellen’s Limited Signal Search features Soukaku as a rate-up A-Rank Agent. This also means that her signature W-Engine has an increased drop chance on the W-Engine Signal Search and, given how she’s one of Ellen’s best pairings, many people will be clambering to make Soukaku as strong as possible.
- Soukaku | Bashful Demon: Increases Ice DMG by 15%. When launching an EX Special Attack, all squad members’ ATK increases by 2% for 12s, stacking up to 4 times. Repeated triggers reset the duration.
Soukaku’s Signature W-Engine
Obol Squad (Soldier 11)
Lastly, the final Agent in Zenless Zone Zero is Solider 11 and she’s, currently, the sole member of the Obol Squad. If you’d like to obtain The Brimstone W-Engine and take your Soldier 11 to the next level, pray that you get it to drop from the Standard Signal Search or save up enough Residual Signals to just outright buy it.
- Soldier 11 | The Brimstone: Upon hitting an enemy with a Basic Attack, Dash Attack, or Dodge Counter, the equipper’s ATK increases by 3.5% for 8s, stacking up to 8 times. This effect can trigger once every 0.5s.
Soldier 11’s Signature W-Engine
Those we all of the signature W-Engines and the Agents they pair with in Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.0. We will update this list with future Agents and W-Engines in subsequent patches.
