Zenless Zone Zero, the stylish urban fantasy action RPG from HoYoverse, has captivated players with its roster of unique agents. However, new players eager to expand their team must first navigate the game’s introductory phase before gaining access to its signature gacha system, known as “pulls.” The journey to unlocking this feature is a deliberate one, designed to familiarize players with the world of New Eridu and its core mechanics before diving into character acquisition. As of 2026, this initial progression remains a consistent and crucial first step for all new Proxies.
Unlocking the Pull System: The Key Quest
To start pulling for characters, players must complete a specific sequence of early-game missions. The primary requirement is finishing “The Hare and the Proxy” quest and progressing a short way into the subsequent “The Proxy and the Hare” quest. This initial arc serves as an extended tutorial, guiding players through combat basics, introducing key non-playable characters (NPCs) in the central hub, and establishing the player’s role as a Proxy. Upon returning to the player’s base of operations—the nostalgic video store—after these story beats, the game grants access to the pulling feature. This process typically takes between 30 to 60 minutes of focused play, ensuring players have a foundational understanding of the game before engaging with its gacha elements.
Understanding Pulling Currency: Master Tapes and Polychrome
Once unlocked, the pulling system revolves around two key items, familiar to veterans of HoYoverse titles:
-
Master Tapes: These function similarly to Acquaint Fates in Genshin Impact. They are used specifically for pulls on the game’s standard or permanent banner, which features a set roster of characters and weapons.
-
Encrypted Master Tapes: Analogous to Intertwined Fates, these are the currency for the limited-time character event banners. These banners feature rate-up boosts for specific, new, or returning S-Rank agents, making Encrypted Master Tapes the primary target for players seeking the latest characters.
The primary currency used to obtain these tapes is Polychrome. Players accumulate Polychrome through various in-game activities, forming the free-to-play backbone of the gacha economy. Reliable sources include:
-
Completing main story missions and side quests.
-
Participating in daily commissions and recurring events.
-
Redeeming official promo codes released by the developers.
-
Achieving milestones in the Battle Pass and other progression systems.
A Crucial Pulling Strategy: The 10-Pull Guarantee
A fundamental and highly recommended strategy for all players is to never spend Master Tapes or Encrypted Master Tapes on single pulls. The game’s pity system includes a mechanic where every 10-pull guarantees at least one A-Rank (4-star) character or weapon. Using tapes individually wastes this guarantee. Therefore, the optimal approach is always to save until you have ten tapes for a multi-pull, maximizing resource efficiency and ensuring consistent progression. This advice remains a cornerstone of savvy resource management in 2026.
Cross-Platform Progression and Rerolling
Zenless Zone Zero supports full cross-save and cross-play functionality. As long as players are logged into their HoYoverse account, their progress—including all obtained characters and resources—seamlessly carries over between PS5, PC, and mobile devices. This flexibility allows players to enjoy the game anywhere without losing their hard-earned pulls.
This system also facilitates the practice of “rerolling.” Because new accounts receive a substantial amount of initial Polychrome and free pulls through mail rewards and early quests, players dissatisfied with their first gacha results can create new accounts to try for a more desirable starting lineup. While the engaging combat and story can make even a suboptimal roster enjoyable, many players opt to reroll for a preferred S-Rank agent to kickstart their journey. The process has been streamlined over time, but it remains a consideration for meta-conscious players.
The Reality of Character Trading and the Gacha Model
A common question from new players is about trading characters with others. Unfortunately, trading agents between players is not possible in Zenless Zone Zero. This is a standard design principle in gacha games, as the business model relies on individual player engagement with the random pull system. The desire to obtain specific characters drives participation in events and, for some players, monetization through in-game purchases. Players who invest significantly in these systems are often referred to as “whales,” and their support helps sustain the free-to-play live service model, funding continuous updates, new content, and character releases.
| Aspect | Detail | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Unlock Requirement | Complete “The Hare and the Proxy” & start “The Proxy and the Hare”. | ~30-60 minutes of story progression. |
| Pull Currency | Master Tapes (Standard Banner) & Encrypted Master Tapes (Event Banner). | Acquired with Polychrome. |
| Optimal Strategy | Always perform 10-pulls, never single pulls. | Guarantees an A-Rank item every 10 pulls. |
| Progress Carryover | Full cross-save across PS5, PC, & mobile via HoYoverse account. | Play anywhere without losing data. |
| Character Trading | Not available. | Gacha model is individual-based. |
In summary, while the allure of powerful new agents is strong, Zenless Zone Zero wisely gates its gacha system behind a brief but meaningful tutorial experience. By understanding the unlock path, the currency system, and adhering to the 10-pull strategy, players can navigate the game’s character acquisition with greater confidence and efficiency. The game continues to thrive in 2026 by balancing this accessible yet deep progression with its hallmark action-packed combat and compelling urban narrative. 🎮✨