Unleashing Ellen: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering Zenless Zone Zero's S-Rank Ice Character

In the fast-paced world of Zenless Zone Zero, characters hold significant importance and mastering them can set you apart from fellow players. Among these notable fighters, Ellen stands tall as an S-Rank Ice character with a potent Attack Speciality. Introduced as the very first limited-time character during the game’s version 1.0 launch on the Mellow Waveride Banner, Ellen comes packed with skills and abilities that, when properly harnessed, can unleash devastating ice damage on her foes. Here, we delve into her best build to ensure you make the most of Ellen’s impressive arsenal. We’ll explore her playstyle, optimal teams, Disk Drives, and weapons — all essential components for those aiming to dominate the battlefield.

Understanding Ellen's Core Abilities

Ellen's primary role revolves around maximizing her Ice damage output through her unique abilities. The character's ultimate technique hinges on Flash Freeze Charges, which augment her damage potential significantly. Knowing how to build and deploy these charges becomes crucial to harnessing her full potential.

Executing Ellen’s Flash Freeze Strategy

To capitalize on Ellen’s ice-based attacks, players must effectively manage her Flash Freeze Charges. This mechanic can be easily built up during combat by engaging in Charge Attacks while she is in her Roaming state. For optimal results, you should execute two Charge Attacks to achieve the maximum stack of six Flash Freeze Charges. To enter the Roaming state, simply double-tap or hold down the dash button.

With these charges maxed out, it’s imperative to bolster Ellen's damage with the abilities of your team members. After activating these buffs, switch back to Ellen to unleash her Basic and Dash Attacks, consuming the Full Flash Freeze Charges to deal colossal Ice damage to enemies on the field. Moreover, if you lack teammates with substantial Support or Anomaly abilities, activating her Ultimate as often as possible is advisable to add a great amount of Ice damage to her regular attacks.

Optimal Team Composition for Ellen

The strength of Ellen can be significantly enhanced when paired with strategic allies. The combination of Ellen with Lycaon and Soukaku stands out as particularly effective. Lycaon excels in stunning opponents with his Ice Resistance Shred, while Soukaku serves as a fantastic Ice Support, providing a substantial attack boost to allies post-activation of her Fly the Flag ability.

Alternative Team Members

In case you don't possess Lycaon or Soukaku, other characters can fill the gaps effectively. Ben may serve as an alternative if dodging isn't your strong suit, as he provides the team with Shields. However, it’s crucial to note that Ben should only be chosen if the team struggles to clear combat stages due to time constraints, as his utility may not outweigh more offensive options.

Lucy represents an exceptional general option, amplifying the damage output of any team while also providing sub-DPS capabilities. Similarly, Rina can deliver strong support through the Penetration Ratio buff she grants the squad when deploying her Drusilla and Anastella Bangboos. For crowd control and additional sub-DPS, Nicole can be a standout choice, especially in helping group enemies effectively. Anby is another alternative to consider, offering Stun and Daze support until Lycaon joins your roster.

The Best Disk Drives for Ellen

Disk Drives play a pivotal role in enhancing Ellen's performance in combat, and the 4-piece Polar Metal set is regarded as the top choice. The 2-piece bonus from this set amplifies her Ice damage, while the 4-piece significantly boosts both Basic and Dash Attack Ice damage, making it ideal for Ice-centric teams. Furthermore, Ellen gains additional damage potential whenever a teammate inflicts Freeze or Shatter on an adversary, further reinforcing her role in a synergistic setup.

Alternative Disk Drive Options

If you prefer alternatives, consider the 4-piece Woodpecker Electro set. The 2-piece boosts Ellen's Crit Rate, while the 4-piece increases her attack for six seconds following a Crit Hit from her Basic Attack, Dodge Counter, or EX Special Attack. This option, while powerful, requires meeting specific conditions, hence the Polar Metal remains our top recommendation. Combining the 2-piece Woodpecker Electro with a 4-piece setup gives Ellen a solid Crit Rate increase, while good alternatives for other 2-pieces include Hormone Punk for attack boosts, Puffer Electro for Penetration Ratio enhancements, or Swing Jazz for Energy Regen, contingent on the needs of your build.

Weapons: Choosing Ellen’s Best Options

For Ellen, her signature weapon is in a league of its own. The S-Rank Deep Sea Visitor has the edge over all alternatives available, as it enhances Ice damage, the attack stat, and Crit Rate all passively. Each Basic Attack lands additional boosts on the Crit Rate for an eight-second duration, and a Dash Attack further elevates it for 15 seconds, maximizing damage output during crucial moments.

Valuable Alternatives

If acquiring the Deep Sea Visitor isn’t on the table, the S-Rank Brimstone can serve as a powerful backup weapon. It effectively boosts Ellen’s attack, with even more formidable increases happening after her Basic Attacks, Dash Attacks, or Dodge Counters.

For A-Rank alternatives, consider the Cannon Rotor W-Engine, which will boost Ellen's Crit Rate and overall attack, thus amplifying her performance, especially if her Crit Rate is relatively high. If meeting the Cannon Rotor's requirements proves difficult, the Starlight Engine presents a commendable boost to Ellen's attack following a Dodge Counter or Quick Assist. The Street Superstar is another option worth exploring if your team frequently engages in Chain Attacks, ensuring Ellen's Ultimate can reach its potential.

Lastly, do not overlook the B-Rank option, the Lunar Pleniluna, since this weapon also enhances the damage dealt by Ellen during her Basic Attack, Dash Attack, or Dodge Counter, affirming its position as a reliable choice for players operating with limited resources.

Conclusion: Mastering Ellen in Zenless Zone Zero

Building Ellen into a formidable force within Zenless Zone Zero requires not just understanding her mechanics but also careful selection of teammates, Disk Drives, and weapons. The strategies highlighted here serve as a starting point for players aiming to maximize her Ice damage potential. Gear up with the best team, refine your build, and practice Ellen's unique playstyle to become a powerhouse on the battlefield.

With the right approach and strategies, you can unlock Ellen's full potential, leaving your foes in your icy wake.