Case File #zero
A Tier TierZero Build Guide
Esper Zero is a burst Sub-DPS who frontloads damage into their Skill and Ultimate. Their Skill instantly fills Cycle Energy, enabling rapid Esper Cycle triggers, and their Ultimate deals massive burst damage, especially with Awakening Effects. However, damage is heavily reliant on these two abilities, making them less suited for endgame as a Main DPS.
Strengths
- High burst damage from Ultimate and Skill
- Skill fully charges Cycle Energy, allowing immediate Esper Cycle triggers
- Benefits from Awakening Effects as the game progresses
- Pairs well with Lakshana and Anima characters for Esper Cycles
Weaknesses
- Damage is frontloaded into Ultimate and Skill, leaving gaps during cooldowns
- Not ideal as an endgame Main DPS; better served as Sub-DPS
- Best Arc (The Rain That Shook the World) is paid-only
- Requires specific team composition to maximize potential
Best Arcs
Hypervortex – Deals 30% increased Cosmos DMG with the wearer's Redirect Skill and Ultimate. Increases the wearer's Cycle Intensity by 36 for 15s after casting a Redirect Skill. Resets the duration when triggered again.
Eclipse – Increases wearer's ATK by 30%. Unlocks Arc: Eclipse. Arc: Eclipse — The wearer creates a 40s Eclipse. During the Eclipse, each enemy defeated restores 6 Ultimate Energy, up to 5 times. (cooldown: 300s).
Picture Frame – Increases ATK by 20% when the wearer's HP is above 50%; increases DEF by 20% when HP is below 50%.
Best Cartridge
Epic (2): Cosmos DMG +10%. Legendary (4): Ignores 25% of enemies' DEF for 20s after the wearer casts Ultimate. Effect does not stack.
Best Main Stat: CRIT Rate
- CRIT Rate is the general pick for consistency during short combo bursts.
- Cycle Intensity is also viable if Zero is placed in a quickswap team where Cycles trigger often.
Module Layout
Required Modules
Bonus: Type III (+10% ATK)
Total Bonus: +40% Attack
Substat Priority
- Use this layout to activate Lost Radiance's 4-piece effect. Prioritize modules with the listed sub stats to improve damage output.
Best Teams
In this team, Esper Zero serves as the Sub-DPS with Jiuyuan to help deal damage alongside the Main DPS Nanally. The three of them can easily trigger the Blossom Esper Cycle, which Jiuyuan can empower to deal more damage. If you do not have Nanally, you can use Mint instead as your Main DPS. Sakiri will serve as the team's support, providing both Crowd Control and ATK buffs. Additionally, having Sakiri in the team allows you to trigger the Hexed Esper Cycle, giving you another avenue to deal lots of damage. Adler is a good alternative if you want a more defense-oriented support.
Zero
Sub-DPS
Main burst damage via Ultimate and Skill.
Nanally
Main DPS (Flex)
Can be replaced by Mint if not available.
Jiuyuan
Sub-DPS
Blossom cycle enabler and damage dealer.
Sakiri
Support (Flex)
Crowd control and ATK buffs; Adler is a defensive alternative.
Alternatives
Jiuyuan Skill → Sakiri Hold Skill → Sakiri Ultimate → Esper Zero Skill → Esper Zero Ultimate → Swap to Nanally (Blossom Trigger) → Nanally Skill → Nanally Ultimate → Spam Normal Attacks → Jiuyuan Ultimate
- This rotation works for teams where Nanally is the main DPS with Esper Zero and Jiuyuan as her Sub-DPS. The setup makes it so that Nanally receives the most power-up before going in and running her damage rotation with her Ultimate-infused attacks, while also ensuring the uptime of Jiuyuan's Lethal Rose Pact.
- The rotation remains the same if you are using Mint instead of Nanally.
Skill Priority
Appraisal (Basic Attack)
Since Zero is a Burst DPS, his Basic Attack can be leveled later down the line, but is good to level alongside his Skill if using him as the Main DPS.
Rift Blossom (Support Skill)
Zero's Support Skill is nice for bonus DMG and should be leveled last since most of Zero's DMG will come from other sources.
Appraise and Engrave (Skill)
Zero's Skill should be leveled next since he will be using this as frequently as his Ultimate.
Divice by Zero (Ultimate)
Zero's Ultimate should be maxed out first since most of his damage comes from using this frequently.
Awakening Priority
Anomalies Record
Amazing Awakening that sets up his Ultimate to do more damage due to having more CRIT Rate. Get this first.
Undecided Factors
Second-priority Awakening that improves the damage of Zero's Ultimate.
Deceptive Liberation
Improves Zero's Skill damage, making it more reliable. Get this third.
Finding the Calling
Helps facilitate using Zero's Ultimate more. Get this fourth.
Theopneustos
Provides some bonus ATK when Zero's Support Skill is triggered. Good Quality-of-Life.
Blooming Gaze
Deals additional damage to low-level enemies. Good to have, but low-priority.
How to Play
Esper Zero is a burst Sub-DPS that relies on Skill and Ultimate for damage. The goal is to build Cycle Energy quickly, trigger Esper Cycles with Lakshana/Anima teammates, and unleash powerful Ultimates. Use Skill to instantly fill Cycle Energy and swap to trigger reactions.
Rotations
- 1Jiuyuan Skill → Sakiri Hold Skill → Sakiri Ultimate → Esper Zero Skill → Esper Zero Ultimate → Swap to Nanally (Blossom Trigger) → Nanally Skill → Nanally Ultimate → Spam Normal Attacks → Jiuyuan Ultimate
Tips
- Always level Zero to the cap so their Skill deals extra damage to lower-level enemies.
- Use Skill to quickly trigger Esper Cycles.
- Team with Lakshana or Anima characters to apply Remora or Blossom.
- Having both triggers Charge, granting Ultimate Energy.
- Use Ultimate to deal massive damage, especially with the right Awakenings.