HoYoverse is giving away a premium S-Rank Agent completely free in Version 2.5—and you’d be crazy to miss it! Zhao, the adorable Ice Defense agent from Krampus Compliance Authority, is yours for the taking with zero gacha pulls required. Here’s everything you need to know to claim this limited-time gift before it vanishes.
Table of Contents
Zenless Zone Zero Claim Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Rarity | S-Rank (Ice Defense) |
| Cost | 100% Free |
| Claim Period | Ver. 2.5 start – Ver. 2.6 end (~6 weeks) |
| Requirements | Inter-Knot Lv. 5 + Prologue completion |
| Method | Automatic login pop-up |
| Best Teams | Ye Shunguang, Ellen Joe, Billy Kid |
Step-by-Step: How to Claim Zhao
New Players (Tutorial Required)
If you’re brand new to Zenless Zone Zero, you’ll need to complete two quick prerequisites before Zhao appears:
- Reach Inter-Knot Level 5 – Play through early missions naturally; this takes roughly 30-45 minutes
- Complete “The Hare and the Proxy” – Finish the Main Story Prologue
Once these are done, log out and back in to trigger the claim pop-up.
Veteran Players (Instant Claim)
For existing players who’ve already progressed past the prologue, claiming Zhao couldn’t be simpler:
- Update to Version 2.5 – Install the latest patch
- Log into the game – A pop-up notification appears automatically
- Hit “Claim” – Watch her gacha animation and she’s permanently yours!
That’s it. No quests, no hidden tasks, no grinding—just pure generosity from HoYoverse celebrating their PlayStation Partner Awards 2025 Grand Award win.
Why Zhao is Worth Claiming (Even If You Don’t Main Her)
Don’t sleep on this free S-Rank just because she’s a support. Zhao transforms hypercarry teams with game-changing buffs that scale off her Max HP. She generates Frostbite Points while off-field, then activates Ether Veil: Wellspring when switched in, granting squadwide Max HP boosts, flat ATK increases, and massive DMG amplification.
Her healing capabilities make her excellent for newer players tackling Shiyu Defense, while veterans appreciate her synergy with Ye Shunguang—the other Version 2.5 banner character. Even if you’re not pulling for Shunguang right now, Zhao’s versatility guarantees she’ll fit future meta teams, especially as more characters utilize the Ether Veil mechanic.
According to the official ZZZ website, Zhao represents one of the most generous login rewards in the game’s history, comparable only to previous free S-Rank giveaways.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Free Zhao
Build her around HP stacking to unlock maximum buff potential—she needs roughly 27,000 HP to cap her CRIT Rate bonuses. Pair her with HP-focused Drive Discs and consider her signature W-Engine “Half-Sugar Bunny” if you’re investing long-term.
Use her Entry Skill strategically by letting your DPS accumulate 100 Frostbite Points (~16-17 enemy hits), then swap Zhao in to activate her buffing cycle. Her Ether Veil lasts 40-50 seconds, giving ample time for your carry to demolish enemies.
Don’t skip her even if you’re F2P-only—this is essentially 160+ pulls worth of value handed to you on a silver platter. Even benched, she provides flexibility for multi-team content like Shiyu Defense rotations.
For additional character guides and team composition strategies, check out the official ZZZ Wiki maintained by the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zhao permanently added to my account after claiming?
Yes! Once claimed during the Ver. 2.5–2.6 window, Zhao remains on your roster forever—she doesn’t expire even after the event ends.
Can I still claim Zhao if I start playing after Version 2.5 launches?
Absolutely! As long as you create your account and complete the basic requirements before Version 2.6 ends, Zhao is claimable throughout the entire promotional period.
