Zenless Zone Zero: Deadly Assault Guide & Teams

Hey, Proxies! This Deadly Assault is the final event of version 1.7, and it's a real treat for players with ice attribute characters—the first two bosses have ice weaknesses, making them prime targets for your frostiest agents.

The bosses are familiar faces, and the difficulty isn't overwhelming. That said, if your roster isn't fully built or your characters are under-leveled, aim for six stars as a realistic goal. You can either go all-in for three stars in two stages or average two stars across all three. Stick with me, and I'll walk you through how to conquer this event step by step!

 

Deadly Assault Rules

Deadly Assault is one of Zenless Zone Zero's tougher challenge modes, running from May 30 to June 13. It refreshes every two weeks on Fridays at 04:00 (server time), alternating with the Shiyu Defense event. Here's the catch: you can't use duplicate agents or Bangboos in your lineups. The event features three stages, with a total of nine stars up for grabs. Snagging six stars is enough to claim all the Polychrome rewards, so don't stress if you can't max it out.

To give you an edge, the event offers three buff effects to choose from: Raging Storm, Worn Out, and Graceful Mastery. These buffs can seriously amp up your team's performance—it's all about picking the right one for your playstyle. Let's break them down next, along with strategies for each stage.

 

Buff Effects Analysis

Here's the scoop on the three buffs you'll be working with:

• Raging Storm

Agent Special Attack, EX Special Attack, and Ultimate DMG increases by 30%.

When an EX Special Attack or Aftershock hits the enemy, the Agent's CRIT DMG increases by 30% for for 20s, and the enemy's DEF is reduced by 15% for 15s. Repeated triggers reset the duration.

• Worn Out

The Daze dealt by Agents is increased by 10%, and the DMG dealt by Chain Attacks is increased by 50%.

When Chain Attacks hit an enemy, the enemy's Stun DMG Multiplier is increased by 25%, and all squad members' ATK is increased by 20% for 15s. Repeated triggers reset the duration.

• Graceful Mastery

Increases Agent Anomaly Buildup Rate by 25% and Anomaly Proficiency by 40.

When an enemy suffers an Attribute Anomaly, Agents recover 500 additional Decibels and ATK increases by 30% for 15s. The Decibel recovery effect can trigger once every 15s.

 

Stage 1 Boss Analysis & Team Recommendations

Boss: Notorious - Marionette

Weaknesses: Ice, Ether     Resistances: None

Current Intel:

• Damaged dealt by Boss enemies increases by 25%.
• When a clone is destroyed or when the main body is stunned, 1/5 stacks of On Thin Ice is inflicted on Boss enemies respectively.
• Each stack of On Thin Ice decreases the DMG dealt by the Boss by 5% and increases the Ice DMG and Electric DMG dealt to the boss by Agents by 10%. On Thin Ice stacks will be reset when the enemy recovers from Stun.

The key to racking up points in this stage is wiping out Marionette's dancer clones. They're fragile and go down fast to AOE attacks. Since this boss is weak to ice and ether, and the next stage's boss only has an ice weakness, plan ahead. If your ice roster is thin, save it for Stage Two and run an ether team here.

Team Recommendations

Hugo Team—With Raging Storm

Hugo

Lycaon

Lighter

Robin

This team is very strong with Crashing Gain, as Lycaon and Lighter can quickly unbalance the enemy, and Hugo can do a lot of damage by following up with Enhanced Specials or Finishing Moves.

Zhu Yuan Team—With Raging Storm

Zhu Yuan

Qingyi

Nicole

Resonaboo

Zhu Yuan's an older DPS who might not hit as hard, so this team takes some skill to max out stars. But it doesn't overlap with later teams, keeping your roster flexible.

Ellen Team—With Raging Storm

Ellen

Lycaon

Soukaku

Robin

Ellen is not too strong in the current version, so if you want to choose this matchup, we suggest you wait for Ellen to strengthen before playing. Plus, Soukaku might get snatched up by later teams, so watch for conflicts.

 

Stage 2 Boss Analysis & Team Recommendations

Boss: Notorious Hunt: Sacrifice - Bringer

Weaknesses: Ice     Resistances: Physical

Current Intel:

• Applying attribute anomalies or disorder effects gives your team stacks of Focused Mind (up to 6 stacks). Each stack boosts agent attack power by 8%. At 3+ stacks, anomaly effects last 5 seconds longer. Stacks reset when Bringer summons the Sacrificial Blade.
• Interrupting Bringer’s chant earns 200 operation points (up to 5,000 total).

Points come from breaking Bringer's chant, which triggers when it turns into a hand—unload your burst damage to deplete its health bar at that moment. Anomaly teams shine here, stacking buffs to boost attack and extend debuffs.

Team Recommendations

Miyabi Team—With Graceful Mastery

Miyabi

Vivian

Soukaku

Sharkboo

Dead End Butcher is Miyabi's toy, with Miyabi, it's easy to get full stars. Since Lycaon's tied up from Stage One, Soukaku steps in to help Miyabi stack frost points via disorder. Vivian rounds out the anomaly synergy.

Vivian Team—With Graceful Mastery

Vivian

Grace

Rina

Devilboo

Vivian and Grace pile on anomalies to trigger disorder for huge burst damage, while Rina keeps the team alive with support buffs. It’s a solid, sustainable pick.

 

Stage 3 Boss Analysis & Team Recommendations

Boss: Boss: Notorious - Pompey

Weaknesses: Fire     Resistances: Electric

Current Intel:

• Landing parry assists or chain attacks applies Disadvantage to Pompey. Each stack boosts critical damage against it by 10%. At 4 stacks, parry assists repel Pompey’s attacks, causing stagger.
• Operation points come from perfect assists.

Pompey’s the easiest boss for maxing points—just nail those parries. When you see a yellow flash, swap characters. Pompey attacks fast, so keep your rhythm tight to avoid getting combo’d.

Team Recommendations

Evelyn Team—With Raging Storm or Worn Out

Evelyn

Koleda

Astra Yao

Snap

Hugo's team used Lighter, but this team will use Koleda. Evelyn will stand on the field and save up her prairie fire value and prairie points, then in yellow light. She will cut Koleda and cast her special, then with the help of Yao's quick support, she will cut back to Evelyn, and then cut Koleda and rebound again. When Pompey is off-balance, Evelyn's combos and finishes can hit Pompey hard.

Jane Team—With Raging Storm or Worn Out

Jane

Burnice

Caesar

Snap

Jane’s your main DPS, paired with Burnice for anomaly-triggered disorder damage. Caesar adds control and support to keep things smooth.

F2P Team—With Raging Storm or Worn Out

Burnice

Piper

Lucy

Rocketboo

 

Conclusion

This Deadly Assault brings back some old pals as bosses, and it’s not too brutal—especially if you’ve got ice teams ready for the first two stages. Match your characters to the bosses’ weaknesses, pick the right buffs, and you’re set for six stars, maybe even nine.

Need a quick power boost to chase those full stars? Swing by LDShop for Monochrome top up discount. It’s the easiest way to beef up your roster and dominate Deadly Assault. Grab those discounts, level up!