Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.5 Arrives 30 December with Ye Shunguang and Free S-Rank Agent Zhao

HoYoverse has announced that Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.5, titled To Be Fuel for the Night, will launch on 30 December, ushering Proxies into the climactic chapter of Season 2. The update marks a major turning point for the story, introducing new high-profile Agents, long-awaited features, and a generous slate of rewards to close out the year.

At the heart of Version 2.5 is the arrival of Ye Shunguang, the upcoming Void Hunter and a key figure in the unfolding narrative. A young senior disciple of Yunkui Summit, Ye Shunguang debuts as the game’s first dual-form Void Hunter, wielding the unique Honed Edge attribute.

By entering her Enlightened Mind state, she can activate her Ether Veil to deal heavy Honed Edge damage while applying vulnerability effects that open enemies up to devastating follow-ups.

She is joined by her Bangboo companion, Sprout, who supports her with volleys of flying swords, as well as the long-awaited debut of Zhao. Despite her adorable appearance, Zhao is an S-Rank Ice Defense Agent who dominates the battlefield with swift movement and a massive weapon. By building up Frostbite stacks, Zhao can trigger Ether Veil: Wellspring, providing powerful buffs that benefit the entire squad and reinforcing her role as a defensive cornerstone.

Narratively, Version 2.5 brings the Waifei Peninsula arc to its conclusion. The Qingming Sword has begun resonating with the primordial power of the Creator, while mysterious white flowers, once confined to the Hollows, now bloom across Failume Heights. Their spread signals the dangerous expansion of the Lemnian Hollow, drawing Proxies deeper into the crisis. Players will explore the ruins of Lumite Mine, using a newly introduced Perception Technique and working alongside allies to uncover the truths buried within the Hollow’s depths.

The story continues in the epilogue, Sword Seeker Chronicles, where Proxies assist Ye Shunguang in searching for a solution to the Qingming Sword’s backlash. This chapter highlights her Bladeflash Mirage ability and rewards players with exclusive items, including a brand-new W-Engine tied to the investigation.

Beyond the main story, Version 2.5 expands Zenless Zone Zero’s multiplayer and social elements. The limited-time event Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze introduces cooperative combat for three-player squads, emphasizing coordination and timing through fast-paced challenges. Meanwhile, the new Proxy Outpost feature allows players to create or join outposts, exchange discussions, and post or accept commissions, adding a stronger sense of community to life in New Eridu.

A suite of quality-of-life updates also arrives with this version. Several existing Agents, including Soldier 11, Grace, Soldier 0 – Anby, Ellen, and Burnice, will receive mechanical and performance enhancements, with more characters in the Stable Channel slated for future upgrades.

Progression is further streamlined through improvements to Shiyu Defense and Deadly Assault, as well as a new sweep function for Combat Simulation stages that lets players instantly claim materials and Drive Discs by consuming Ether Batteries.

To celebrate the new year and thank players for their continued support, Version 2.5 will also be particularly generous. Proxies can look forward to receiving a free S-Rank Agent Zhao, 1,000 Polychromes, a new outfit for Jane, and additional rewards simply by logging in and playing.

The Signal Search channels for Ye Shunguang and Zhao will run throughout the entire version, while a special rerun channel in the latter half guarantees that the first S-Rank pull will be one of Alice, Soldier 0 – Anby, or Astra, with their signature W-Engines returning under the same guarantee mechanic.