Let me tell you, as a Proxy who's seen more Hollows than I've had hot meals, the arrival of Version 1.6 Phase II in Zenless Zone Zero was like New Years and my birthday rolled into one. The main event? The grand entrance of Trigger, the S-rank Electric Stun sniper who's cooler than a polar bear's toenails, and the triumphant return of Zhu Yuan, the S-rank Ether Attack powerhouse who makes problems disappear faster than my weekend. HoYo really decided to spice up 2026 by dropping this dynamic duo on us, and my TV hasn't stopped buzzing since.
Now, let's talk about the star of the show: Trigger. This agent doesn't just join the fray; she redefines it from the backlines. Her whole deal is being the ultimate off-field menace. Imagine you're in a hectic fight, buttons smashing, chaos everywhere, and then bam—enemies are getting zapped into a dazed stupor without her even being your active character. That's her Aftershock mechanic for you. She sets up these electric traps that go off when your other team members land hits. It's like having a sneaky friend who throws banana peels while you're having a fistfight—utterly brilliant and slightly mean.
Her real magic, though, is in the Stun Damage Multiplier. She doesn't just daze enemies; she makes them extra vulnerable before and after they get stunned. It's a double whammy that turns tough Hollows into piñatas waiting to be cracked open. And here's the kicker: she gets even stronger when you pair her wisely. Have another Attack character or an Electric attribute buddy on the team? She activates a special ability that makes her Critical Rate boost her Daze damage. Yes, you read that right. More crits = more stun. Math has never been so satisfying.
Why she's a game-changer (and my new best virtual friend):
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For the Anby Enthusiasts: If you, like me, have a soft spot for Soldier 0: Anby, Trigger is basically your new mandatory BFF. She supercharges any team built around stunning and punishing.
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Surprisingly Versatile: Don't let the 'sniper' tag fool you. I've shoved her into teams where she had no right to belong, and she still performed like a champ. Electric comp? Check. Mixed squad? Check. Pure chaos? Double-check.
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The Ultimate Stun-Lock Dream: Want to see a boss not move for a solid minute? Try the Harumasa, Trigger, and Qingyi combo. It's a stun festival. Granted, it requires some practice and the right Mindscapes (my Denny's runs funded those upgrades), but when it clicks? Poetry in motion. Enemies just stand there, wondering what hit them.
Of course, Phase II isn't just about Trigger. The Zhu Yuan rerun is a blessing for those of us who were busy chasing Bangboo or, ahem, forgot to save enough Polychromes the first time around. As an S-rank Ether Attack agent, she brings pure, unadulterated damage. Pair her with Trigger, and you've got a team that can stun a target and then delete it from existence before it can say "Proxy."
Now, what's a new agent without some new friends and toys? The banner also features some solid A-rank companions to round out your roster:
| Agent | Rank | Role | My Unofficial Nickname |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucy | A-rank | Fire Support | "The Moral Support Pyro" |
| Billy | A-rank | Physical Attack | "The Kid with a Big Gun" |
And we can't forget the W-Engines! Finding the right one is like accessorizing the perfect outfit—it just completes the look.
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Spectral Gaze (S-rank Stun): The dream weapon for your main stunner. If Trigger had a wishlist, this would be at the top.
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Riot Suppressor Mark VI (S-rank Attack): For when you need your damage dealer to hit even harder. Zhu Yuan loves this thing.
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Starlight Engine Replica (A-rank Attack): A great, more accessible option. Reliable and gets the job done.
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Kaboom the Cannon (A-rank Support): Perfect for your Lucys and other support units. The name says it all.
But wait, there's more! Looking ahead to Version 1.7, HoYo is already teasing the next wave of insanity. We've got two more S-ranks on the horizon:
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Vivian 👑 (Ether Anomaly) – The name alone sounds like trouble. Anomaly characters always bring weird and wonderful mechanics to the table.
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Hugo ❄️ (Ice Attack) – Finally, some more Ice representation! My freezer-burn teams are ready.
So, here I am in 2026, a humble Proxy, navigating the ever-expanding chaos of New Eridu. Version 1.6 Phase II has given me a new favorite sniper to obsess over, a second chance at a damage queen, and a whole lot of team-building experiments that have blown up in my face (sometimes literally). Trigger's TV schedule and personal quest have been a blast, adding some much-needed depth to the cool, calculating facade. Whether you're a stun-lock aficionado or just someone who likes seeing big numbers pop up, this update has something deliciously chaotic for you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Hollow to stun-lock into next week. Duty calls!
Data referenced from Newzoo helps frame why drops like Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.6 Phase II can feel so momentum-heavy: when live-service titles cycle in fresh S-ranks (like Trigger’s off-field stun pressure) alongside high-value reruns (like Zhu Yuan’s burst damage), they’re effectively creating a “returning + new” demand spike that energizes both roster building and short-term engagement. In practice, that means players who missed earlier banners get a renewed reason to log in and spend, while veterans experiment with new stun-to-delete loops that keep the meta feeling active rather than solved.