Yixuan is a unique Void-Hunter level Agent. Here's how you can optimise her in-game performance.
Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.0 has finally arrived, and with it comes one of the game's strongest Agents yet: Yixuan, a Void Hunter-level Rupture Agent with the Auric Ink attribute. She is a truly unique addition to the game, thanks to several new mechanics tied to her introduction.
What’s unique about Yixuan?
For starters, Yixuan has a unique attribute: Auric Ink. Auric Ink has its own Anomaly Buildup and uses different Anomaly multipliers than Ether, meaning that it can trigger Disorder in tandem with Ether. Otherwise, it functions much like Ether: it has the same modifiers, the same weaknesses, and it still counts as Ether for passive effects.
She’s also the first character with the Rupture specialty. The Rupture class is a new Agent category that offers a mix of offensive strength and survivability.
Yixuan is a long-range, on-field DPS who uses a new damage type called Sheer Force, which ignores enemy defence. Rupture Agents specialise in dealing Sheer damage, and this damage type bypasses enemy defence entirely. It scales based on Sheer Force stats from W-Engines or Drive Discs, Sheer Damage bonuses, crit, enemy resistance, and even stun multipliers. Because Sheer damage ignores defence, effects like Pen, Pen Ratio, or Defence Down are not applied.
Her kit might look long and complex on paper, but she's not as hard to use as it might seem. With the right build, team, and rotations, she can tear through enemies with ease. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about her combat, skill priority, best W-Engines, Drive Discs, and team compositions.
Combat
Yixuan doesn’t use Energy for her Special Attacks. She uses Adrenaline, which she gains by performing certain skills like her Special Attack or executing Perfect Dodges.
- Her Special Attack lets her quickly retreat, then strike. If timed perfectly, this triggers a Perfect Dodge, which restores Adrenaline.
- Spending Adrenaline gives her Technique Points.
- Unlike most characters, her Ultimate needs both Decibels and Technique Points, which are generated by consuming Adrenaline.
One of her standout mechanics is the EX Special Attack. When you hold it, Yixuan charges the attack. If she’s hit during this, she’ll automatically unleash it and block the damage. But if you release the attack at just the right time, you’ll fully recharge Adrenaline.
She prioritises Technique Points over Decibels when it comes to her Ultimate. Activating her Ultimate gives her an Auric Ink Point, which she can then use to trigger other powerful abilities.
How to Play Yixuan
Hold Basic Attack to recharge adrenaline
Once she has Technique Points, Yixuan can spend them, instead of using her Ultimate, to launch an attack that pulls enemies together and deals damage. This also restores her Adrenaline, creating a deadly loop of Special Attacks, Basic Attacks, and Ultimates.
Light as Air state
When Yixuan has an Auric Ink Point, she can activate the Light as Air State, allowing her to glide across the battlefield on her Qingming Bird. Pressing the Basic Attack button in this state consumes the Auric Ink Point to deal damage and restore Adrenaline.
Best build for Yixuan
Skill priority
Core Skill
Top priority. This deals piercing damage (ignores defence) and boosts attack based on max HP. It heavily affects Yixuan’s overall damage output and should be levelled first.
Chain Attack
Second priority. It has an AoE effect, helping with crowd control and clears.
Special Attack
Next in line. This is her main burst skill and can be charged to deal high piercing damage. It also includes an auto-block and a perfect block which triggers an extra hit, enhancing both survivability and output.
Basic Attack
This takes medium priority, as it’s not as critical compared to the first three skills.
Dodge and Assist
Both Dodge and Assist take the lowest priority in upgrading Yixuan’s skills, as they aren’t critical at all to her gameplay.
W-Engines
As a newly introduced Rupture Agent, Yixuan has limited W-Engine options. That said, her signature W-Engine is particularly powerful and ideal for her kit.
Qingming Birdcage (Best option)
Yixuan’s signature W-Engine is a must-pull.
Effect: Increases CRIT Rate by 20%. When using an EX Special Attack, gain the Qingming Companion effect (stacks up to 2 times, lasts 15 seconds). Entering combat grants 2 stacks instantly. Repeated activations refresh the duration. Each stack increases Ether DMG by 8% and boosts Ultimate/EX Special Attack Ether Sheer DMG by 10%.
Radiowave Journey
A strong 5-star alternative introduced in Version 2.0.
Effect: Using a Chain Attack or Ultimate grants 1 stack, increasing Sheer Force by 128. Can stack up to 3 times, each lasting 12 seconds independently. Works well with Yixuan’s frequent EX and Ultimate use.
Puzzle Sphere
A flexible A-rank option that pairs well with aggressive playstyles.
Effect: Using an EX Special Attack increases CRIT DMG by 25.6% for 12 seconds. If the enemy is below 50% HP, the same attack deals an extra 32% damage. Easy to trigger and rewards well-timed bursts.
Drive Discs
Yunkui Tales (4-pc) + Branch of Blade & Song (2-pc): This is Yixuan’s best-in-slot Drive Disc setup. The 4-piece Yunkui Tales set is tailored to her, boosting CRIT Rate every time she uses her EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate–skills which she relies on heavily. Once max stacks are reached, she also gains a Sheer DMG bonus, further enhancing her burst potential. Pairing it with 2-piece Branch of Blade & Song adds a flat CRIT DMG bonus, making her damage windows even more impactful.
Bonus Effects:
- Yunkui Tales (4-pc): Using EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate increases CRIT Rate by 4% (stacks up to 3 times, lasts 15s, refreshes on trigger). At 3 stacks, Sheer DMG increases by 10%.
- Branch of Blade & Song (2-pc): CRIT DMG +16%.
Best Teams for Yixuan
Because Sheer Force is essentially an upgrade over PEN Ratio, defence-reducing supports like Nicole or Rina aren't quite as effective. Attack-boosting supports like Lucy also give reduced returns, since some of Yixuan’s attacks get converted into Sheer Force. That said, they still provide strong buffs and can be used effectively. For optimal performance, Pan Yinhu is key in most team compositions.
Optimal Rupture Team
- Astra Yao (Support)
- Yixuan (DPS)
- Pan Yinhu (Support/Defence)
- Bangboo: Resonaboo
Astra Yao provides top-tier buffs and healing, which is especially useful while you're still gearing Yixuan. Pan Yinhu boosts Sheer Force damage and is mostly played off-field. Just activate his EX Special Attack and quickly swap to Yixuan to capitalise on the bonus.
Suggested rotation: Start with Astra Yao's EX Special or Ultimate, then switch to Yixuan to deal damage. Rotate to Pan Yinhu for his EX Special Attack, then return to Yixuan to continue pressure.
Yunkui Summit Team
- Yixuan (DPS)
- Jufufu (Stun)
- Pan Yinhu (Support/Defence)
- Bangboo: Resonaboo
A standard Attack–Stun–Support setup. Jufufu is particularly effective thanks to her strong control and damage through EX Special and Chain Attacks. She also boosts CRIT DMG for the team, which directly enhances Yixuan’s damage output. The added Stun support helps link Yixuan’s abilities together more fluidly.
Trigger is a good substitute for Jufufu. While her passive won't be active in this comp, she still provides useful vulnerability debuffs to enemies.
Suggested rotation: Begin with Yixuan, then switch to Jufufu for Stun setup. Rotate to Pan Yinhu for buffs before returning to Yixuan.
Ether Anomaly Team
- Astra or M6 Nicole (Ether Support)
- Yixuan (DPS)
- Vivian (Ether Anomaly)
- Bangboo: Resonaboo
An all-Ether composition also works well with Yixuan. Astra or an M6 Nicole can serve as the main support, while Vivian applies Ether Anomaly effects to trigger Disorder alongside Yixuan’s Auric Ink.
Conclusion
Yixuan enters Zenless Zone Zero not just as a new face, but as a game-changer. Between her unique damage type, slippery mobility, and unmatched Sheer Force scaling, she’s carving out a lane of her own, and it’s not one to sleep on. If you're building a top-tier team in 2.0, she deserves a front-row seat.
