Orbie-volution in Zenless Zone Zero: The Pet Event With a Carryover Catch
Here is the detail about the Orbie-volution event in Zenless Zone Zero that might trip you up. If you upgrade two pets halfway, you lose both when the event ends. Only a pet that reaches full upgrade carries over to future events. That single rule changes how you should spend your Grub from day one.
Orbie-volution runs from September 30 to October 19, 2026. Players get 19 days to collect Grub, the event currency, and invest it into upgrading Form pets. A special console called the Orbie-volution handles the upgrade process.
How grub works each day
You earn Grub in two ways. Logging in each day gives you 2 Grub. Spending 30 Battery Charge adds another 1 Grub. That is 3 Grub per day at most, or 57 Grub across the full 19-day window if you play every day.
Missing a day means missing out. There is no catch-up mechanic mentioned in the official details, so consistency matters more than cramming on weekends.
The carryover rule you should know
HoYoverse states that only Form pets that reach full upgrade status persist to future events in this series. Any pet you upgrade partway loses all progress when the event closes on October 19.
The takeaway is simple. Do not split your Grub across multiple pets. Pick one, fully upgrade it, and only then think about a second if you have leftover currency.
Who can join
Your account needs Inter-Knot Level 20 and completion of Main Story Chapter 1 – Intermission to access Orbie-volution. If you have not reached that point, the 19-day window gives you time to catch up, but you will want to start soon.
Rewards on offer
The rewards include Polychromes, the title “Chosen Zookeeper,” and upgrade materials. HoYoverse has not shared the exact Polychrome count. Based on past events of similar scope, players can probably expect a few hundred. That is an estimate, not a confirmation. We will update this page if official numbers appear.
The title is cosmetic. The materials help with pet progression. For free-to-play players, the Polychromes are the main reason to participate.
Your daily routine
Orbie-volution asks for very little of your time. Log in, claim your 2 Grub from the event screen, and spend 30 Battery Charge on whatever you would normally farm. Routine missions, material grinding, or any activity that consumes Battery Charge works. Just do not let your Battery Charge sit at the cap.
If you already play ZZZ daily, you will hit the Grub targets without changing your habits. The main risk is forgetting to claim the login Grub or letting a day slip by without spending Battery Charge.
Planning your 19 days
The event starts on September 30 at 10:00 server time and ends on October 19 at 03:59 server time. That is 19 full days. If you start on day one and play consistently, you will have enough Grub to fully upgrade at least one pet. Check the upgrade screen when the event goes live to see the exact costs per pet and plan your spending.
If you join late, focus on a single pet and make sure it reaches full upgrade before the deadline. Partial progress on a pet you started late is wasted progress.
Quick tips
- Log in every day to claim the 2 Grub from login. This takes seconds and costs nothing.
- Spend 30 Battery Charge daily. Any activity works. Do not leave Battery Charge full.
- Pick one pet and upgrade it fully before moving to another. Spreading Grub thin hurts your progress.
- Complete the limited-time reward missions as they appear. Leaving them for the last day adds unnecessary pressure.
Orbie-volution is a low-effort event with one unusual rule. The carryover mechanic rewards focus and punishes players who spread their resources. If you keep that in mind and commit to a single pet, the event is straightforward. The Polychromes are a nice bonus on top of that.