Case File #zero
A TierZero Build Guide
Zero is a burst Sub‑DPS who frontloads most of their damage into their Skill and Ultimate. They excel at short, high‑value windows (quick swaps, Cycle triggers) and scale with Awakening effects, making them a strong carry through most content but less optimal as a full‑time endgame main DPS.
Strengths
- Huge frontloaded burst from Skill + Ultimate; great for quickswap burst rotations
- Instantly fills their Cycle Energy with their Skill, enabling immediate Esper Cycle triggers
- Synergizes well with Lakshana/Anima teammates to generate Charge and fast Ultimate energy
- Lost Radiance 4pc (ignore 25% DEF after Ultimate) multiplies their burst potential
Weaknesses
- Most damage concentrated in Skill/Ultimate windows — limited sustained damage outside bursts
- Relies on team swaps and Cycle reactions to fully realize damage potential
- Best Arc (The Rain That Shook the World) is paid, so optimal setup may require purchases
Best Arcs
Increases Cosmos DMG for Redirect Skill/Ultimate and boosts Cycle Intensity after using a Redirect Skill.
Increases ATK and creates an Eclipse that restores Ultimate Energy when enemies are defeated during it.
Grants ATK increase when HP is above 50% and DEF increase when HP drops below 50%.
Best Cartridge
2pc: +10% Cosmos DMG (Epic). 4pc: Ignore 25% enemy DEF for 20s after casting Ultimate (Legendary).
Best Main Stat: CRIT Rate or Cycle Intensity
- CRIT Rate is the go‑to main stat for consistent burst damage.
- Choose Cycle Intensity if your team triggers many Esper Cycles (full quickswap teams) so Zero benefits from cycle scaling.
Module Layout
Required Modules
Bonus: Type III (+10% ATK)
Total Bonus: +40% Attack
Substat Priority
- This layout activates Lost Radiance 4pc while maximizing the bonus Module.
- Prioritize CRIT DMG / CRIT Rate substats for burst consistency; Cycle Intensity if on a cycle‑heavy team.
Best Teams
Zero functions as a Sub‑DPS burst unit here: use their Skill + Ultimate windows to amplify the Main DPS (Nanally or Mint) and enable strong Cycle reactions with Jiuyuan and a support who provides CC/ATK (Sakiri).
Zero
Sub-DPS
Primary burst contributor; swap in to use Skill/Ultimate and trigger Cycles.
Nanally
Main DPS
Primary carry in the listed composition; receives Blossom/Charge buffs.
Jiuyuan
Sub-DPS
Synergizes to help trigger Blossom/Blossom‑empowered cycles.
Sakiri
Support
Provides crowd control and ATK buffs; enables Hexed Esper Cycle.
Start with a Lakshana/Anima teammate (if available) who has full Cycle Energy, swap to Zero to trigger Remora/Bloom immediately.
Use Zero's Skill to instantly fill their Cycle Energy, then Ult if ready for max burst.
Swap back to your Main DPS (Nanally/Mint) to trigger Blossom and run their damage rotation while Zero's effects are active.
Coordinate to trigger Charge (having both Lakshana and Anima reactions) to fuel Ultimates rapidly.
- This comp easily triggers the Blossom Esper Cycle; Jiuyuan can empower Blossom for extra damage.
- Sakiri enables Hexed Esper Cycle for additional damage opportunities.
Skill Priority
Appraisal (Basic Attack)
Basic Attack is lower priority for a burst Sub‑DPS; level if you plan to run Zero as Main DPS.
Rift Blossom (Support Skill)
Nice for bonus damage and utility; level last since primary damage sources are Skill/Ultimate.
Appraise and Engrave (Skill)
Level second — Skill fully charges Cycle Energy and is used as often as the Ultimate.
Divice by Zero (Ultimate)
Maximize first — most of Zero's damage comes from using the Ultimate frequently.
Awakening Priority
Anomalies Record
Top priority — increases CRIT Rate and sets up Higher Ultimate damage; get this first.
Undecided Factors
Second priority — improves Ultimate damage further.
Deceptive Liberation
Third priority — boosts Skill damage, making Zero's skill bursts more reliable.
Finding the Calling
Fourth priority — helps facilitate Ultimate usage and frequency.
Theopneustos
Quality‑of‑life: gives some ATK when Zero's Support Skill triggers; low priority.
Blooming Gaze
Deals extra damage to low‑level enemies; useful but lowest priority.
How to Play
Use Zero's Skill to instantly fill Cycle Energy and open burst windows with their Ultimate. Swap to a Lakshana or Anima teammate to trigger Esper Cycles (Remora/Blossom), and coordinate reactions to grant Charge for fast Ultimate energy. Lost Radiance + Ultimate → follow up with Redirect Skills for maximum damage.
Rotations
- 1 Sample Full Rotation: 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
- 2 Standard burst: Swap in → Skill (fills Cycle) → Ultimate → swap out to a Cycle partner to trigger reactions and continue Main DPS rotation.
Tips
- If you have a Lakshana or Anima with full Cycle Energy, start with them and swap to Zero to immediately trigger Remora or Bloom.
- Always use Zero's Skill to fill Cycle Energy and then swap to trigger the Cycle reaction for Charge or Blossom.
- Level Zero to cap — Skill deals an extra instance of damage on enemies lower than their level, so maxing is worth it.
- Use Lost Radiance's 4pc: cast Ultimate to activate the DEF‑ignore window, then use Redirect Skills while it lasts.