Version 1.4 of Zenless Zone Zero just held its Special Program preview and it’s easily one of the most packed updates the game has received yet. Alongside a new exciting Main Story Chapter, Version 1.4 of ZZZ will also add two of the most highly anticipated S-Rank Agents to the game, several new permanent gameplay modes for Proxies to try out, a bunch of events packed with rewards and free goodies, a ton of useful and game-changing QoL optimisations, and they’re even giving away a free limited S-Rank Agent to all players.
Like with all of Hoyoverse’s Special Programs, a special redemption code was given out during this livestream which players can redeem for the next 24 hours to obtain some free rewards. The code in question is VOIDHUNTER and redeeming it before December 7th will get you 300 Polychromes, 30,000 Dennies, 2 Senior Investigator Logs and 3 W-Engine Energy Modules.
Main Story Chapter 5
First and foremost, Version 1.4 of Zenless Zone Zero will feature a brand new Main Story Chapter, A Storn of Falling Stars. This entry into the main narrative will focus on Hoshimi Miyabi, the leader of Section 6, and her apparent exile and pending imprisonment after endangering civilian lives. However, things are not as they seem and, with New Eridu’s Public Security elections looming large and a shadowy mastermind in the background pulling the strings, tension is rife throughout the city.
Version 1.4 will also introduce several new maps to the game. Regarding combat spaces, Proxies can lead their Agents through the Ethereal-corrupted Port Elpis, a huge shipping port full of cargo crates and giant Ether Crystals. Meanwhile, the Proxies themselves can visit and explore the tranquil side of Port Elpis, a seaside settlement known for shipping emergency supplies to New Eridu after the fall of the Old Capital.
Asaba Harumasa’s Agent Story is another big part of ZZZ Version 1.4. Not only is Harumasa an integral part of the Chapter 5 Main Story but he’s also one of the new playable Agents introduced with this update. Similar to 1.3’s Yanagi and Lighter, Harumasa will have his own unique gameplay experience in a unique TV Schedule Event which launches alongside his Agent Story.
Hoshimi Miyabi
Speaking of new Agents, Version 1.4 will introduce two new playable S-Rank Agents to the game, both of whom are from Section 6. The first is Hoshimi Miyabi herself, the current Chief of Section 6 and an infamous Void Hunter. Miyabi is an S-Rank Ice Anomaly Agent, the first of her kind, and she’s adept at triggering several unique debuffs. Miyabi’s regular attacks will apply Icefire to targets which, after enough direct damage, will transform into Frostburn, dealing high Ice damage and inducing the Frostburn state, increasing the target’s Anomaly Buildup.
1.4’s other new addition is Asaba Harumasa. Arriving as a new S-Ran Electric Attack Agent, Haramasa wields a special weapon with two forms: a long-ranged bow and a pair of dual blades. In combat, Haramasa’s core combos will weave between his two weapon types, applying massive pressure to opponents at any range. Harumasa’s EX Special Attack will give him an enhanced arrow (which you can aim yourself) and spawn a series of Electro Quivers at the target location: Harumasa can then direct these Quiver traps to attack any marked opponents for high Electric damage.
Alongside Miyabi and Harumasa, 1.4 will also add a new Section 6 Bangboo, Agent Gulliver, as well as the Brawlerboo. In combat, Agent Gulliver will burst onto the battlefield ready for action, instantly locating nearby targets which he’ll begin shooting at. Gulliver will also be able to take part in Chain Attacks, where he brings the game gusto as in his regular attacks. Meanwhile, the Brawlerboo will enter the airborne state and come down on any opponents you hit with a Heavy Attack, dealing high damage as a result.
Asaba Harumasa
Now that we’ve covered the Agents coming in 1.4, let’s look at the banners and when you’ll be able to get them. Signal Searches in ZZZ have changed a bit in Version 1.4 as both Miyabi and Harumasa’s Signal Search Channels, as well as their unique W-Engine Channels, will begin in phase one. Both banners will be available as soon as the update goes live and they will last until the end of Version 1.4: this gives you over 40 days to obtain either, or both, of these characters and their W-Engines.
One difference between the two banners is that they will have different A-Rank Agents on rate-up. On Miyabi’s Exclusive Channel, Piper and Soukaku will be on rate-up, whereas Lucy and Seth will be on Harumasa’s Exclusive Channel as rate-up Agents. Of course, Agent Gulliver will also be making his way to the Signal Search as a new S-Rank Bangboo available on the Bangboo Exclusive Channel. Like with the other S-Rank Bangboos, you can choose Gulliver as your chosen target, guaranteeing him whenever you get an S-Rank on the Bangboo banner.
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- Miyabi’s Banners
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- Harumasa’s Banners
Alongside a new story chapter and some fun Agents to try out, Version 1.4 of Zenless Zone Zero will also add several new events and game modes for Proxies to take part in. Shadows Lost is a new Hollow Zero gameplay mode where you’re tasked with entering the Lost Void in search of Ray, your handler at the SCOTT Outpost, who has mysteriously gone missing. Lost Void is a new rogue-like mode where you will physically explore a new area with your chosen Agents, picking up new Gear as you go which can completely transform your playstyle, such as giving Agents unique moves and abilities.
In addition to Shadows Lost, a new activity in the HIA has opened up known as Deadly Assault. This high-risk enemy training system at the HIA will pit you against three powerful boss opponents, who rotate every three weeks. You cannot use the same Agent or Bangboo twice, so you’ll need at least three competent teams to effectively clear each stage and earn all of the available rewards. From Version 1.4 onwards, Deadly Assault will rotate with the Critical Node in Shiyu Defence, giving players a new endgame task to complete every week.
Deadly Assault
Aside from the new gameplay modes, 1.4 is also stuffed with exciting new events for Proxies to partake in. Into That Pale Wasteland is a combat event which takes place in a new Companion Hollow, Melinoe, where you must accompany Section 6 as they explore and clear this place of Ethereals. Meanwhile, Bangboo vs Ethereal is a top-down tower defence mode where you will place special Bangboo down to battle against waves of incoming Ethereals, and there will also be the usual log-in campaigns for 10 free Master Tapes and Boopons.
Perhaps the most exciting news of the entire Special Program, though, was that we’ll all be getting the new Limited S-Rank Agent, Asaba Harumasa, for free as part of a special log-in campaign. This campaign will also include a bundle of materials to instantly get Harumasa to Level 40. To claim your free Harumasa, you just need to complete the Prologue of Zenless Zone Zero and a powerful new S-Rank Attack Agent will be yours to claim.
Free Harumasa
To close off the Special Program, the ZZZ development team also ran us through some great optimisations and quality of life improvements coming in 1.4. Firstly, players will able to explore New Eridu as any Agent they have recruited, similar to how we’ve been able to use Caesar, Burnice, Yanagi, and Lighter in Version 1.2 and 1.3. Secondly, the rotating coffees in the Coffee Shop have been replaced by a single permanent coffee which grants 60 Battery Charge and double drops one time for any material in the Combat Simulation.
On the combat side of the game, the largest and most impactful change is that the Ultimate system has been reworked. Previously, all Agents on a Squad shared the Decibel rating, meaning that you could only use one Ultimate every 3000 Decibels. Now, in Version 1.4, that’s been reworked, with each Agent in a squad having their own unique Decibel Rating. This means that Agents can build up, and use, their Ultimates independently of one another.
Another quality-of-life change coming to Zenless Zone Zero in Version 1.4 is optimising the main story to remove any TV Mode sections. A few months ago, after fan feedback, the devs committed to removing or altering TV Mode content in the main story and, in 1.4, they’re making good on their promise. TV Mode segments from previous Main Story Chapters have been replaced with full stages where you play as Eous. Fortunately, for those who enjoy the old TV Mode sections, you can still play them using the Array Mode function when selecting an older chapter.
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- Explore as Any Agent
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- Updated Main Story Gameplay
Version 1.4 of Zenless Zone Zero launches on December 17th 2024.
SOURCE: Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.4 Special Program
