Zenless Zone Zero: Signal Search (Gacha) Banner Guide

Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), the latest action RPG from HoYoverse, features a gacha system known as Signal Search. This system allows players to obtain new characters and equipment by spending in-game currency – as the main way of acquiring most of the characters (agents).

Whether players are a free-to-play or willing to spend money, understanding the mechanics of the Signal Search system, including drop rates, the pity system, and strategies for acquiring characters and equipment, is crucial for optimizing gameplay for acquiring characters. By following this guide, players can make informed decisions on when and how to pull, maximizing their chances of building a strong and effective team.

Signal Search System Overview

The Signal Search system in ZZZ operates similarly to the gacha systems in other popular HoYoverse games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, except for the Bangboo Channel. Players use a special currency called Polychromes (similar to Stellar Jade and Primogems from the previous HoYoverse titles) to obtain Master Tapes and Encrypted Master Tapes, which are then used to perform pulls on different banners. There are also Boopons as currency for Bangboo pulls.

1. Polychromes: The primary currency used for pulls. Players need 160 Polychromes for 1 Master Tape or Encrypted Master Tape.
2. Master Tapes: Used for pulls on Stable Channel Signal Searches (standard banner)
3. Encrypted Master Tapes: Used for pulls on Exclusive Channel Signal Searches (limited-time character banners) and W-Engine Channel Signal Searches (limited-time weapon banners).
4. Boopons: Only used for Bangboo pulls, and unlike Master Tapes, players cannot convert Polychromes to Boopons. Boopons are only obtainable through in-game events and exploration, making this currency and gacha banner entirely F2P.

There are also in total of 4 different types of banners on launch; Exclusive Channel for limited-time banners for limited-time characters like Ellen, Stable Channel as the standard banner for characters and w-engines from standard pool, W-Engine Channel for limited-time W-Engines (weapons), and lastly Bangboo Channel for Bangboos.

Drop Rates and Pity System

The drop rates and pity system in ZZZ are similar to the ones from other HoYoverse titles, in particular to Honkai: Star Rail. It’s also worth noting that the Pity carries over to the next (limited) banners if players have not reached the pity yet. Here’s what players can expect from each banner type:

Stable Channel Signal Search (Standard Banner)

This banner will have all the characters and W-engines available in the standard poll, with 5-star characters including Nekomata, Lycaon, Soldier 11, Koleda, Grace and Rina.

The first 50 pulls of this banner for 1-time only guarantees players to obtain a random 5-star character from this pool, and these first 50 pulls also will be discounted by 20%, actually making it 40 pulls. After this 5-star character is obtained, the pity system goes back to normal. Additionally, doing 300 pulls on this banner also allows players to select an additional 5-star character of their choice.

Drop Rates:

• 5-star (S-Rank) Signal: 0.6% (0.3% for Agents, and 0.3% for W-Engines)
• 4-star (A-Rank) Signal: 9.4% (4.7% for Agents, and 4.7% for W-Engines)
• 3-star (B-Rank) W-Engines: 94.3% (There are no B-rank Agents)

Pity System:

• Soft Pity: The chances of pulling a 5-star Signal increases significantly after 75 pulls.
• Hard Pity: Guaranteed 5-star Character or W-Engine at 90 pulls.
• 4-star Pity: Guaranteed 4-star character or W-Engine every 10 pulls.

Exclusive Channel Signal Search (Limited-Time Character Banner)

Exclusive Channel Signal Search will feature one limited 5-star Agent, as well as rate-up for certain 4-star characters. These banners typically have a 3-week timer, and per patch, players can expect 2 limited-time character banner durations. The drop rates are the same as the Stable Channel Signal Search with the addition of a 50/50 system for the pity.

Drop Rates:

• 5-star (S-Rank) Agent: 0.6%
• 4-star (A-Rank) Signal: 9.4% (4.7% for Agents, and 4.7% for W-Engines)
• 3-star (B-Rank) W-Engines: 94.3%

Pity System:

• Soft Pity: The chances of pulling a 5-star character increases significantly after 75 pulls.
• Hard Pity: Guaranteed 5-star Character at 90 pulls.
• 4-star Pity: Guaranteed 4-star character or W-Engine every 10 pulls.
• 50/50 System:The first 5-star pull on a limited banner has a 50% chance of being the featured limited character, and otherwise there is still the chance of obtaining any of the 5-star Agents from the standard pull. If not, the next 5-star pull is guaranteed to be the featured character. This also applies to 4-star rate-up characters. If the 4-star obtained is not one of the rate-ups, the next one is guaranteed to be one of the rate-up characters with equal chances.

W-Engine Channel Signal Search (Weapon Banner)

W-Engine Channel is another limited-banner that runs alongside the Exclusive channel, with limited W-Engines that are typically made to be the best-in-slot options for the available limited-character. Drop Rates and Pity system are adjusted to be in favor of players in comparison to character banners, as the drop rates are higher, and both hard pity and soft pity are lower.

Drop Rates:

• 5-star W-Engine: 1%
• 4-star Signal: W-Engine: 15% (13.125% for W-Engines, 1.875% for Agents)
• 3-star W-Engine: 84%

Pity System:

• Soft Pity: Increased chance of pulling 5-star W-Engine after 65 pulls.
• Hard Pity: Guaranteed 5-star W-Engine at 80 pulls.
• 75% Chance: The first 5-star pull has a 75% chance to be the featured W-Engine, while there is still 25% chance that it will be one of the standard pool W-Engines. If players don’t get the rate-up W-Engine on the first try, the next 5-star pull is guaranteed to be the featured equipment.
• 4-star Pity: Guaranteed 4-star Signal every 10 pulls with rate-up mechanics for 4-star applying the same as the Exclusive Channel mechanic.

An Outstanding Partner (Bangboo Banner)

Unlike the previous banner types, this banner utilizes a different resource type than Polychromes, namely Boopons. Boopons are an entirely F2P resource, unlike Polychromes, which can essentially be purchased and converted with real-life currencies. When it comes to Pity and Drop rates, Bangboo Banner is quite similar to W-Engine banner, however there is no 75% chance to obtain as players can simply select the specific Bangboo, and they will have 100% chance to obtain it when they have a S-Rank Signal.

As such:

Drop Rates:

• 5-star Bangboo: 1%
• 4-star Bangboo: 15% (No Agents or A-Rank W-Engines can be obtained from this banner)
• 3-star Bangboo: 84%

Pity System:

• Soft Pity: Increased chance of pulling 5-star Bangboo after 65 pulls.
• Hard Pity: Guaranteed 5-star W-Engine at 80 pulls.
• 4-star Pity: Guaranteed 4-star Signal every 10 pulls. There is no rate up for this banner type.

How to Obtain Characters and W-Engines from Signal Search Banners

Signal Search unlocks upon completing the tutorial quest after login into the account. This takes approximately 35-40 minutes.

To maximize your chances of getting desired characters and equipment, it is crucial to understand how to obtain and use Polychromes efficiently, since for the most part this will be the only main source. They can be acquired through several methods such as completing daily missions (errands), participating in limited-time events, completing in-game achievements, advancing through the main story, side quests, and simply progressing in the game. For those willing to spend money, Polychromes can also be bought directly with real money through the in-game shop.

There are also a few tips to keep in mind while pulling for character and w-engine banners:

1. Considering that while at the start players will be able to obtain a significant amount of pulls, Polychromes and Master Tapes will become quite a limited resource shortly. That being the case, players are recommended to keep an eye on the upcoming limited-time characters, and generally save their Polychromes for limited-time banners instead of standard banner. This way, players can save up enough resources for when their desired character’s banner is active.
2. It’s also good to track pity throughout banner history, in order to not hit soft or hard pity on an undesired character, despite wanting the rate-up 4-star options.
3. While W-Engine banners might look more favorable, first acquiring the character that can best utilize this equipment is also recommended, as a new character can bring much more versatility and enjoyment with unique combat mechanics than an equipment does.
4. Don’t be tempted to pull every limited character: while end-game content will typically favor the new limited-characters, the meta can change quickly. Without extreme luck or spending real-life resources, it is very unlikely to be able to obtain every limited character early on. That being the case, players should look into which character they definitely want in their roster before pulling on the limited banners and saving up their resources.

Zenless Zone Zero

A fantasy urban action RPG from Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail developers at HoYoverse. Zenless Zone Zero takes place in a post-apocalyptic location known as New Eridu, where entities known as Ethereal have wiped most of humanity out. As a group known as Proxies, players will be fighting back against the Ethereal using the different abilities of characters to increase damage and combos.