Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 Unveils Co-Op: A Deep Dive into ‘Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze’

Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 Unveils Co-Op: A Deep Dive into “Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze”

By GenshinBuilds Editorial Staff

Introduction: Collaborative Play Arrives (With Initial Parameters) in ZZZ 2.5—What Proxies Should Understand

The highly anticipated co-operative multiplayer feature for Zenless Zone Zero officially arrives in Version 2.5, introducing the time-limited event Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze. Although it might not be the expansive co-op mode many Proxies had hoped for, this marks HoYoverse’s initial venture into collaborative combat within New Eridu. Players deeply engaged in optimizing team compositions, planning gacha pulls, and mastering endgame challenges will find it crucial to grasp the intricacies of this new system, as its future iterations will likely be shaped by insights gathered during this preliminary trial.

At a Glance: Key Information for the ZZZ 2.5 Co-op Event

Event Title: Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze
Update Version: 2.5
Availability Period: Commencing 2026-01-01 at 10:00 (Server Time Zone) and concluding 2026-01-22 at 03:59 (Server Time Zone)
Player Configuration: Supports three players, with each participant controlling one Agent.
Participation Requirements: Proxies must have reached Inter-Knot Level 20 or higher and completed Chapter 1 – Intermission of the Main Story.
Primary Incentives: Official communications have not yet detailed specific major rewards.
Platform Compatibility: Available across PlayStation, PC, and mobile platforms, maintaining cross-progression capabilities as established at launch.

Note on Regional Timings:

Asia Servers: Will experience an earlier start and finish.
Europe Servers: Fall within an intermediate timeframe.
America Servers: Begin and conclude later than other regions.

How Does Co-Op Function in ZZZ 2.5?

The Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze event functions as a structured trial:

Team Formation: Groups consist of three participants, each choosing a single Agent from a selection of nine available characters. Players cannot control multiple Agents.
Battle System Modifications:
- Chain Attack Reworked: The traditional Chain Attack system has been replaced by Chain Overdrive, a synchronized offensive phase activated by specific conditions such as applying a Stun, triggering an Anomaly effect, or entering a Chain Time state.
- Player Revivals: If an Agent is incapacitated, allies can revive them on the battlefield through a close-range “healing link.” A shared consumable item can also shorten the revival duration. Unsuccessful revivals will place the defeated Proxy in a spectator role until the team achieves victory or is entirely defeated.
- Individual Character Focus: Since each player contributes only one character, strategic role assignments—such as damage dealer (DPS), support, or secondary DPS—are crucial for success.
Strategic Coordination: Effective communication is paramount, merging the strategic depth of standard team compositions with dynamic, real-time player choices.

Important: This event represents HoYoverse’s initial foray into real-time multiplayer balancing within Zenless Zone Zero. Fundamental game elements, including enemy health scaling, ability cooldowns, and combo windows, may undergo live adjustments informed by the event’s performance data.

Overview of ZZZ 2.5 Co-Op Event Schedule:

Occasion	Commencement Date (Server Time)	Conclusion Date (Server Time)	Maximum Players	Eligibility Criteria
Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze	2026-01-01 10:00	2026-01-22 03:59	3	Inter-Knot Level 20 and above, plus completion of Main Story Chapter 1 – Intermission

Currently, official communications do not specify: Gacha rates, complimentary pulls, or any new permanent multiplayer functionalities intended for post-event implementation.

Is the Co-Op Event Worth Your Time? (For Both Free-to-Play and Paying Players)

Reasons to Engage:

Early Access to Multiplayer: This is your unique opportunity to experience Zenless Zone Zero’s co-op framework firsthand. Your input could significantly influence how permanent co-op modes are developed in subsequent updates.
Unique Combat Elements: Specific battle mechanics, such as Chain Overdrive and the real-time revival system, might be exclusive to this event. Mastering them now could offer a distinct advantage if these features become standard in future co-op offerings.
Insight into Future Metas: The event could provide a glimpse into upcoming character synergies and optimal team roles for cooperative play.

Reasons to Potentially Bypass:

If your primary focus is solely on maximizing solo resource acquisition, as official documents have not yet confirmed any equivalent to primogem or Polychrome rewards.
If you have not yet reached Inter-Knot Level 20 or completed Main Story Chapter 1 – Intermission, as these prerequisites require dedicated progression.

Optimal Team Compositions for Expedited Success:

Given that each Proxy will deploy a single Agent:

Standard Balanced Lineup:
- A primary damage dealer (excelling in burst damage or area-of-effect, such as Billy Kid or Nicole).
- A support or secondary damage dealer (providing buffs, shields, examples include Zhu Yuan, Soukaku).
- A crowd control specialist or disabler (like Grace or Ben).
Cost-Effective Alternatives:
- For players with a restricted roster of free-to-play units, prioritize maximizing Anomaly triggers (shock, freeze, burn) to facilitate Chain Overdrive activation.
- If collaborating with less experienced teammates, consider building for increased survivability with healers or durable Agents.
- Effective communication is vital; plan your Chain Overdrive sequences in advance.

The comprehensive list of Agents available for selection during the event has not been officially disclosed. Players should verify this within the event user interface upon launch.

Pre-Event Readiness Checklist:

Boost Inter-Knot Rank: Concentrate on daily and weekly assignments that yield experience points. New or returning players might anticipate spending 10–20 hours on solo tasks to meet this requirement.
Advance Through the Main Narrative: Ensure the completion of Chapter 1 – Intermission.
Strategize Team Composition: Collaborate with allies or use Looking for Group (LFG) tools to align on desired Agents and roles.
Review Core Mechanics: Familiarize yourself with updated guides on Chain Attack and Anomaly effects (refer to GenshinBuilds’s ZZZ mechanics database).
Verify Connectivity and Platform: If cross-platform play is active, confirm consistent game versions and patch installations across all involved systems.

Daily Preparation Overview:

Activity	Occurrence	Optimized Approach
Log in	Daily	Align with server reset times
Weekly missions	Weekly	Engage with friends for enhanced coordination
Combat drills	As required	Practice Chain Attack and Anomaly combinations
Story progress	Singular effort	Dedicate focus to main narrative advancement

Frequent Challenges and Their Resolutions:

Suboptimal Team Setup: Should your squad feature redundant roles, anticipate delays in Chain Overdrive activations and increased time for revivals. Adjust your team composition for better balance.
Connectivity Interruptions: Like many online events, unstable network conditions can lead to players disconnecting. Ensure a robust internet connection prior to attempting more demanding stages.
Eligibility Barriers: Failing to achieve Inter-Knot Level 20 or complete Main Story Chapter 1 by the event’s commencement will prevent your participation. If you do not yet meet these criteria, start preparing without delay.

Frequently Asked Questions: ZZZ 2.5 Co-Op Edition

Q: Will this cooperative mode become a permanent fixture?
Official sources have not confirmed this. The present iteration is a temporary trial.
Q: Are there any gacha-related rewards or complimentary banners?
As of the 2.5 event preview, this information remains unconfirmed in official materials. Players should check for updates regarding in-game currency or premium item distribution once the event begins.
Q: Does engaging with current banners influence co-op access?
No. Entry to the co-op event is determined strictly by your progression and achievements, not by your spending on gacha mechanics.

Future Prospects: Will Cooperative Play Integrate Fully into ZZZ?

Should player engagement and feedback prove strong, HoYoverse will likely implement a more comprehensive co-operative mode in subsequent updates, potentially as early as Version 3.0. For the time being, make the most of this experience by forming a well-rounded team, exploring the event’s distinct gameplay mechanics, and submitting your thoughts via official feedback channels.

Keep an eye on GenshinBuilds for ongoing updates on Zenless Zone Zero event breakdowns, gacha banner evaluations, and co-op feature advancements. For thorough Agent build theorycrafting, explore our ZZZ guide archive.

Suggested Visuals:– A screenshot of the event lobby: displaying the co-op team selection interface; alternative text: “Zenless Zone Zero Divine Maze cooperative event team configuration screen.”- An in-game shot depicting Chain Overdrive activation during combat; alternative text: “ZZZ co-op multiplayer battle—visual of Chain Overdrive animation being triggered.”