For players venturing into the Hollows of New Eridu in Zenless Zone Zero, one of the most significant milestones arrives after accumulating 300 pulls on the standard banner. This achievement unlocks a crucial, one-time-only reward: a free selector that allows players to claim any one of the game's six standard S-Rank agents. While the temptation to simply pick a favorite character is strong, this decision carries substantial weight for long-term account progression and team composition. The standard banner, unlike its limited counterparts, lacks built-in guarantees for specific characters, making this selector the only reliable method to secure a desired standard S-rank. As the game has evolved since its 2024 launch, the meta and character dynamics have solidified, making an informed choice more important than ever.

The Six Pillars: Analyzing Zenless Zone Zero's Standard S-Rank Roster

As of 2026, the core roster of permanently available S-rank agents remains Grace, Rina, Koleda, Nekomata, Soldier 11, and Lycaon. Each occupies a distinct role—Attack, Support, Anomaly, or Stun—and possesses unique synergies that dictate their value.

The Attack Specialists: Nekomata & Soldier 11 💥

These two agents are the primary damage dealers of the standard pool. Their straightforward role makes them powerful, but also places them at higher risk of being overshadowed by newer, limited Attack characters released over time.

• Nekomata: A premier Physical damage dealer known for her high burst potential. She shines with her signature weapon but remains a strong, accessible option as she pairs exceptionally well with the free A-rank agent, Cunning Hairs, allowing for effective low-investment teams.

• Soldier 11: The sole Fire-focused Attack agent in the standard lineup. She boasts excellent synergy with popular characters like Piper, Lucy, and Koleda. Her unique position as the only Obol Squad agent (as of launch) means her team-building options are poised to expand significantly as more members of her faction are introduced in future updates.

The Strategic Duo: Grace & Rina ⚡

These two agents form a synergistic core for specialized team archetypes, focusing on inflicting and capitalizing on enemy status effects.

Agent	Role	Specialty	Best Paired With
Grace	Anomaly	Excels in "Disorder" teams that stack multiple status effects on enemies.	Other Anomaly or Fire characters like Koleda or Anton.
Rina	Support	Provides powerful buffs and support, especially for Electric-based teams or Victoria Housekeeping faction members.	Grace, or any team needing strong offensive support.

While their niche was more defined at launch, the introduction of subsequent Anomaly and Electric agents over the past two years has broadened their applicability, making them a more future-proof investment for players interested in these playstyles.

The Stun Powerhouses: Koleda & Lycaon 🔨

In the challenging endgame content of Zenless Zone Zero, the ability to efficiently break an enemy's Stun bar is paramount. These two are the premium S-rank options for this vital role, far surpassing the capabilities of the free A-rank Stun character, Anby.

• Koleda: A Fire attribute Stun expert from the Belobog Construction faction. She offers flexible team-building, fitting neatly into mono-Fire teams (with Soldier 11, Lucy) or Belobog squads (with Grace, Anton). Her kit provides consistent Stun application and solid damage.

• Lycaon: An Ice attribute Stun character who has cemented his place as a meta staple. His value skyrockets when paired with limited characters.

The Optimal Choice: Why Lycaon Reigns Supreme

For players without a strong personal favorite, the data and community consensus point decisively toward Lycaon as the most impactful selection from the 300-pull selector. His value is not merely in isolation but is magnified by his synergy with the game's most powerful team compositions.

Lycaon's primary strength lies in his role as the premier Ice Stun character. He enables what has been consistently ranked as one of the game's top team compositions: Lycaon + Ellen Joe (Limited Ice DPS) + Soukaku (Ice Support). This trio dominates high-level content due to its incredible synergy, high damage output, and efficient enemy control. For any player who has obtained the limited character Ellen Joe—or plans to in the future—selecting Lycaon is essentially completing a puzzle that unlocks a top-tier team.

Even outside this specific combo, Lycaon's potent Stun application and utility make him a welcome addition to almost any squad tackling difficult challenges. While future limited banners can always shift the meta, Lycaon's fundamental role as a top-tier Stun enforcer has remained consistently valuable through multiple game updates.

Making Your Final Decision: A Personal Checklist

By the time a player reaches 300 standard pulls, their roster will have begun to take shape. The optimal choice from the selector should complement existing assets. Here’s a simple guide:

1. Inventory Your S-Ranks: Which standard characters have you already pulled randomly?

   • Pulled Grace? Strongly consider Rina to complete the core duo.

   • Pulled Soldier 11? Koleda becomes an excellent partner for a powerful Fire/Stun team.

   • Pulled Ellen Joe? Lycaon is non-negotiable for maximizing her potential.

2. Assess Your Playstyle: Do you prefer raw damage, strategic status effects, or controlling the battlefield? Let your preference guide you toward Attack (Nekomata/Soldier 11), Anomaly (Grace/Rina), or Stun (Koleda/Lycaon) archetypes.

3. Consider Longevity: While all characters are viable, Support and Stun characters like Rina and Lycaon tend to have more enduring value than pure Attack agents, as their utility is harder to power-creep.

Ultimately, the selector is a gift of agency in a gacha system defined by randomness. Whether you choose based on meta strength with Lycaon, team synergy, or pure character love, ensuring your choice aligns with your goals for New Eridu will make the journey all the more rewarding. The key is to choose deliberately, as this particular opportunity will not come again.