ZZZ’s October Data Bounty event: A five-day plan to double your Combat Simulation rewards
If you have been putting off leveling your Agents and W-Engines in Zenless Zone Zero, the next five days give you a reason to stop stalling. The Data Bounty: Combat Simulation event returns on October 14, and for a limited window, every run you make will count twice.
Double rewards in Combat Simulation means you can cut your farming time roughly in half. For anyone trying to build multiple teams or stockpile materials before future patches, this is one of the most efficient uses of battery charge you will see this month.
When the event runs
The event starts on 2026-10-14 at 04:00 and ends on 2026-10-19 at 03:59, measured by server time. That gives you five full days to take advantage of the boost. The daily reset for buffed cards also happens at 04:00 server time, so the timing is consistent throughout.
To participate, you need to have unlocked Combat Simulation by completing Main Story Chapter 1, called “Cat’s Lost & Found.” If you have done that, you are eligible. No additional requirements or entry items are needed.
What double rewards actually means for your account
Combat Simulation is the primary place where you farm Agent EXP, W-Engine materials, Drive Discs, and Dennies. These are the four resource types that gate most of your progression past the early game. During the event, every clear drops double the normal quantity. The drop rates for rare items do not change, and the event does not affect pity systems. It simply gives you more of what you would already get.
For free-to-play players, this is especially valuable. Battery charge is a limited resource, and double rewards effectively double your material yield per point of battery spent. If you have been saving Ether Batteries, this is a good time to use them.
How the daily buffs work
Each day at 04:00 server time, five enemy cards in Combat Simulation receive buffs. These cards are marked in the menu, and they are the same for every player on every server. The buffs make those specific fights harder, but the rewards remain doubled regardless of which card you pick. You can still farm any card for double drops. The buffed cards are simply an option if you want the extra challenge.
The set of five buffed cards rotates every day. If you play around reset time, you can check the new cards and decide whether your current teams can handle them.
Team recommendations for the event
Since Combat Simulation throws a variety of enemy types at you, flexible teams matter more than a single hyper-invested lineup. Here are three options at different investment levels:
- Free-to-play: Anby, Billy, Nicole. This starter team can clear most early Combat Simulation stages without heavy investment.
- Mid-investment: Ellen, Lycaon, Soukaku. The ice synergy lets you freeze enemies repeatedly, which helps control the harder buffed cards.
- High-investment: Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, Nicole. Ether and electric damage combine for fast clear times on high-difficulty cards.
Adjust your lineup based on the enemy weaknesses of the cards you target. For the daily buffed cards, bring your best-geared Agents.
A simple farming routine
- Log in and open the Combat Simulation menu. Check which five enemy cards are buffed that day.
- Decide which materials you need most. Agent EXP, W-Engine materials, Drive Discs, and Dennies all drop here, so pick the card that matches your current shortage.
- Put together a team that exploits the enemy’s attribute weaknesses. If you choose a buffed card, make sure your team is strong enough to clear it.
- Complete the challenge and collect double rewards. You can repeat as many times as your battery charge allows.
- Come back the next day after reset to see the new set of buffed cards.
What you get per run
The table below shows the normal drop versus the event drop for each reward type. Exact quantities vary by card and difficulty, but the doubling effect applies across the board.
| Reward type | Normal drop | Event drop |
|---|---|---|
| Agent EXP | 1x | 2x |
| W-Engine materials | 1x | 2x |
| Drive Discs | 1x | 2x |
| Dennies | 1x | 2x |
Common questions about the event
Can I farm unlimited times?
Yes, as long as you have battery charge. There is no run limit during the event.
Are the buffed cards the same for everyone?
Yes. The five cards are identical across all servers and reset at 04:00 server time each day.
What if the buffed cards are too hard?
You can ignore them. Non-buffed cards still give double rewards. The buffs only affect those five specific cards.
Does the event change drop rates or pity?
No. Only the quantity of rewards is doubled. Drop rates for rare items and pity counters are untouched.
I missed a day. Is it worth continuing?
Yes. The event runs for five days. Missing one day means you lose that day’s double rewards, but the remaining days still give the full benefit.
What to do if you run into problems
- If Combat Simulation is locked, check that you finished Main Story Chapter 1 “Cat’s Lost & Found.” That is the only requirement.
- If you are low on battery charge, prioritize the cards that drop the materials you need most. Ether Batteries, if you have them, are worth using now.
- If you cannot beat a buffed card, switch to a different card. Every card in Combat Simulation gives double rewards during the event.
The Data Bounty: Combat Simulation event is a five-day window that rewards you for spending battery charge on one of the most important farming modes in the game. Check the buffed cards each day, run the stages that match your material needs, and use the extra drops to push your Agents and W-Engines further. The event ends at 03:59 server time on October 19, so the clock is ticking.