Introduction to Zenless Zone Zero List of Materials Guide

Understanding and managing materials in Zenless Zone Zero is one of the most important aspects of progressing efficiently through the game. As an action RPG with gacha elements, the game revolves heavily around strengthening your agents, unlocking new abilities, and upgrading your equipment to tackle tougher content. Every step of this process requires various resources—from the currencies you use to pull for new characters and gear, to the materials needed to level up agents, enhance W-Engines, and fine-tune Drive Discs for better combat performance. Knowing what each material does, how to obtain it, and when to use it can make the difference between a smooth gameplay experience and frustrating resource bottlenecks.

Materials are often tied to multiple in-game systems, such as combat, exploration, daily commissions, and limited-time events. Some are easy to stockpile over time, while others require careful planning and prioritization to acquire consistently. If you’re not paying attention to what you’re spending or where you’re farming, it’s easy to waste valuable resources that could’ve been put toward improving your main team. This makes it crucial to understand not just what materials exist, but also how they fit into the larger structure of the game.

This guide will provide an in-depth look at the different types of items you’ll encounter in Zenless Zone Zero, including core currencies like Dennies and Polychromes, various enhancement and ascension materials, W-Engine upgrade items, Drive Disc tuning components, and more. Each section will help you understand what the material is used for, where to find it, and how to manage it effectively. Whether you’re a new player learning the ropes or a returning player optimizing your team, mastering your materials is the foundation of long-term success in Zenless Zone Zero.

Upgrade Materials

To efficiently strengthen your team in Zenless Zone Zero, it’s crucial to understand how to use and manage various upgrade materials, which are divided by their function—whether it’s leveling up agents, enhancing equipment, or tuning support units like Bangboo. Each material type plays a specific role in character and gear development, and knowing how to obtain and use them ensures you make the most of your stamina and resources.

Agent Enhancement Materials are used to increase an agent’s level and improve their overall combat stats. These experience items come in three tiers: the Trainee Investigator Log, which grants a small amount of EXP; the Official Investigator Log, offering a moderate EXP boost; and the Senior Investigator Log, which gives the largest EXP increase. All three are commonly obtained through the Combat Simulation – Basic Upgrade Material event, a reliable source for farming agent EXP.

To raise an agent’s level cap and unlock more growth potential, Agent Promotion Materials are required. These materials are categorized based on the agent’s specialty—Offense, Stun, Anomaly, Support, or Defense—and come in three progression tiers: Basic, Advanced, and Specialized, such as Pioneer’s Certification Seal for Offense-type agents. Promotion materials are mainly acquired through the Combat Simulation – Agent Promotion, and can also be obtained via crafting or dismantling unwanted materials.

Beyond leveling, agents also have skill trees that significantly impact their combat effectiveness. Agent Skill Enhancement Materials, also known as Skill Enhancement Chips, are used to level up these skills and are categorized by elemental attribute—Physical, Burn, Freeze, Shock, or Ether. These chips also come in three tiers: Basic, Advanced, and Specialized. For example, Specialized Physical Chips are needed for high-level skill upgrades for Physical-based agents. These are primarily earned from Combat Simulation – Agent Skills, with crafting and dismantling serving as alternative acquisition methods.

W-Engines, the primary weapons for agents, require their own set of enhancement materials to increase their level. The W-Engine Battery, Power Supply, and Energy Module serve as the EXP materials, ranked from smallest to largest. These are also acquired through Combat Simulation – Basic Upgrade Material stages.

To increase a W-Engine’s level cap, W-Engine Promotion Materials are used. These are classified according to the W-Engine’s type—Attack, Stun, Anomaly, Support, or Defense—and follow a similar tiered structure with Basic Components, Reinforced Components, and Specialized Components. For instance, upgrading a high-tier Attack-type W-Engine will require Specialized Attack Components, which are earned through the Combat Simulation – W-Engine Modification, and can also be salvaged from redundant parts.

Bangboo, the support drones that assist in combat, also need enhancement and promotion to keep up with your agents. Their EXP materials—Bangboo Software Patch, Algorithm Module, and System Widget—increase in effectiveness and are sourced from Hollow Zero, Residual Signal Exchange, and the En-Nies Exchange. For promotion, materials like Ether Electrolyte, Energy Transfer Fluid, and Concentrated Cooling Fluid are used, and can be obtained from dismantling components, Hollow Zero, or purchased at the Convenience Store.

For optimizing gear performance, Drive Disc Enhancement Materials are essential. These include Molded Plating Agent, Crystallized Plating Agent, and Ether Plating Agent, which help boost disc effectiveness and offer corruption resistance. They can be obtained from Routine Cleanup, Combat Simulation – Basic Upgrade Material, the Convenience Store, or through Drive Disc Dismantling. For fine-tuning Drive Discs, materials such as Tuning Calibrators are used to improve tuning accuracy and are earned from Hollow Zero or New Eridu City Fund. Additional tuning items—Audio Booster Master Copy, Noise Reduction Master Copy, and Hi-Fi Master Copy—are essential for customizing Drive Disc performance and can be acquired via dismantling unwanted Drive Discs.

Effectively managing these upgrade materials ensures smoother progression, more powerful agent builds, and efficient use of your daily stamina and resources. Prioritizing the right materials for your core team and keeping a healthy stock of essential upgrade items will help you stay ahead in Zenless Zone Zero’s evolving challenges.

EXP Materials (Level-Up Items)


Senior Investigator Log
Trainee Investigator Log
Official Investigator Log
Ether Plating Agent
Molded Plating Agent
Crystallized Plating Agent
Bangboo System Widget
Bangboo Software Patch
Bangboo Algorithm Module
W-Engine Energy Module
W-Engine Battery
W-Engine Power Supply

Resource Materials (Upgrade Items)

Advanced Anomaly Certification SealAdvanced Attack Certification SealAdvanced Burn ChipAdvanced Defense Certification SealAdvanced Ether ChipAdvanced Freeze ChipAdvanced Physical ChipAdvanced Shock ChipAdvanced Stun Certification SealAdvanced Support Certification SealAnomaly ComponentAttack ComponentAudio Booster Master CopyBasic Anomaly Certification SealBasic Attack Certification SealBasic Burn ChipBasic Defense Certification SealBasic Ether ChipBasic Freeze ChipBasic Physical ChipBasic Shock ChipBasic Stun Certification SealBasic Support Certification SealBuster Certification SealConcentrated Cooling FluidController Certification SealDefender Certification SealDefense ComponentEnergy Transfer FluidEther ElectrolyteFerocious GripFinale Dance ShoesHamster Cage PassHi-Fi Master CopyHigher Dimensional Data – Crimson AweHigher Dimensional Data – Destructive AdvanceHigher Dimensional Data – Ethereal PursuitHigher Dimensional Data – Falling FistHigher Dimensional Data – Murderous ObituaryHigher Dimensional Data – Stealth PhantomHigher Dimensional Data – Steel MaliceInter-Knot CreditLiving DriveMarcel Modified PartMaster ComponentNoise Reduction Master CopyOriginal ChipPioneer’s Certification SealPrototype SealReinforced Anomaly ComponentReinforced Attack ComponentReinforced Defense ComponentReinforced Stun ComponentReinforced Support ComponentRuler Certification SealScarlet EngineSpecialized Anomaly ComponentSpecialized Attack ComponentSpecialized Burn ChipSpecialized Defense ComponentSpecialized Ether ChipSpecialized Freeze ChipSpecialized Physical ChipSpecialized Shock ChipSpecialized Stun ComponentSpecialized Support ComponentStun ComponentSupport ComponentTuning CalibratorWithered Crystal: Heaven’s AzureWithered Crystal: Ink-YellowWithered Crystal: Iron Red

Crafting and Dismantling

In Zenless Zone Zero, efficient material management goes beyond simply farming—knowing how to utilize the Craft and Dismantle features within the Storage menu is a crucial part of resource optimization. These functions allow players to trade materials up or down in rarity, making it easier to meet upgrade requirements without having to return to combat simulations repeatedly.

Through Crafting, players can combine three lower-rarity materials of the same type to create one higher-rarity material. This is especially helpful when you’re short on mid- or high-tier materials for agent promotions, W-Engine upgrades, or skill enhancements, but have an abundance of low-rarity items sitting unused in your inventory. On the other hand, Dismantling lets you take a single higher-rarity material and break it down into three materials of the next lower rarity. This is useful when you need more base-tier resources to craft multiple items or to fine-tune specific upgrade needs. Both processes primarily require Dennies, the game’s standard currency, making them accessible and flexible systems to support daily progression.

For added convenience, Zenless Zone Zero also allows you to craft materials directly from the skill enhancement screen. If you’re missing a required material while attempting to level up an agent’s skill, the game will automatically prompt the option to craft it on the spot, provided you have the necessary ingredients and enough Dennies. This streamlines the upgrade process significantly, reducing the need to backtrack or navigate multiple menus. Utilizing the Craft and Dismantle systems effectively not only saves time but also ensures that your resources are being put to the best possible use as you strengthen your roster.

Shops

Several in-game shops in Zenless Zone Zero provide reliable sources for acquiring enhancement and upgrade materials outside of combat, allowing players to manage resources more effectively and progress smoothly. Each shop has its own currency and set of offerings, and learning how to use them efficiently can significantly ease the grind for character development and gear upgrades.

The Signal Shop is one of the most valuable outlets, allowing players to exchange Residual Signals—a currency earned from dismantling extra characters or items—for various enhancement materials and Master Tapes, which are used for pulling characters and W-Engines. While the shop offers a selection of useful resources, it is generally more efficient to prioritize Master Tapes, as they contribute directly to team building by enabling new agent and gear acquisitions. The rest of the shop can serve as a backup source when you’re short on specific materials.

The 141 Convenience Store, unlocked early in the game, sells a wide range of upgrade materials, making it a convenient stop for topping off resources between farming runs. Initially, the shop primarily offers C-Rank materials, suitable for early-stage progression. As your Inter-Knot Level increases, higher-tier options like B-Rank and eventually A-Rank materials become available for purchase, expanding the store’s usefulness throughout mid- and late-game development. This makes it a consistent and accessible way to keep your inventory stocked with essential upgrade items.

The Hollow Zero Shop, operated by Casper, provides discounted items in exchange for currencies obtained through Hollow Zero runs and Shiyu Defense operations. This shop features a rotation of materials and exclusive offerings, which may include S-Rank Bangboo materials, skill chips, or even summoning items. It’s a valuable hub for players who engage frequently in Hollow Zero content, offering cost-effective access to premium materials that would otherwise require extensive farming.

The Bangbuck Exchange is dedicated to Bangboo upgrades and customization. Here, players can spend Bangbucks—earned through various Bangboo-related activities—to purchase Boopons, used for summoning new Bangboo units, as well as essential materials required for enhancing and promoting them. This shop is key for keeping your Bangboo units up to par with your main team, ensuring they remain effective support options in combat.

By regularly checking and utilizing these shops, players can reduce material bottlenecks, take advantage of discounted rates, and better allocate farming time and energy. Each shop serves a specific purpose, and rotating through them as your needs change helps maintain consistent progression across all facets of your team.

Farming Locations

In Zenless Zone Zero, a variety of in-game activities provide consistent access to materials, resources, and valuable currencies needed to develop your team. Balancing these tasks throughout your play sessions ensures a steady pace of progression and keeps your agents, W-Engines, Bangboo, and Drive Discs continuously improving. Each activity serves a specific function, and understanding how they all work together is essential for long-term efficiency.

The Combat Simulation, accessed via the HIA Club, is one of the core sources of upgrade materials. These simulations are broken into categories that target different needs, including Agent EXP logs, Skill Enhancement Chips, Promotion Seals, and W-Engine enhancement and promotion materials. Each run costs Battery Charge, the game’s stamina system, so it’s important to plan which simulation to focus on based on your current upgrade priorities. Whether you’re boosting an agent’s level, raising their skill caps, or advancing W-Engines, Combat Simulations will be a staple in your daily routine.

Hollow Zero serves as the main activity for acquiring Bangboo enhancement and promotion materials. By clearing Hollow Zero stages, players earn resources such as Bangboo Software Patches, Algorithm Modules, and System Widgets, as well as other materials used for crafting or trading in the Hollow Zero shop. These runs are essential for strengthening your Bangboo units and keeping them on par with your main team’s level and combat power.

Daily Errands provide a variety of rotating tasks that offer solid rewards for minimal effort. These include small combat missions, exploration objectives, or quick support assignments. In return, players receive materials, Dennies, and sometimes Polychromes, which are used for premium pulls in the gacha system. Since these errands refresh daily, completing them is a consistent and reliable way to gather everyday essentials.

The Coffee Shop is a simple but highly beneficial feature. By visiting the shop once a day, players receive a free Battery Charge refill, allowing for extra Combat Simulation runs or additional exploration. It also grants a temporary bonus that improves rewards in your next farming stage, whether that be more materials, increased drop rates, or additional resources. This makes the Coffee Shop a key daily stop for maximizing value.

Exploring the City adds another layer of resource gathering outside of structured missions. As you wander through New Eridu, you’ll often find Bangboo in need of assistance, which can yield small amounts of materials, XP, or currency. You may also stumble upon hidden locations, containers, and “equal exchange” barrels that offer rewards like Dennies, HIA Coins, or consumables. These discoveries reward curious players and make city traversal a rewarding activity in its own right.

Finally, Events regularly appear in-game and are a major source of unique materials, limited-time currencies, and generous rewards. These can include upgrade resources, exclusive Bangboo or cosmetics, and even summoning materials. Participating in events is not only beneficial for resource acquisition but also provides unique gameplay experiences and limited rewards that can’t be obtained elsewhere.

By engaging with all these systems consistently—Combat Simulations, Hollow Zero, errands, daily shops, exploration, and events—you’ll ensure your team continues to grow without bottlenecks, keeping your gameplay efficient and rewarding.

Tips for Material Management

Efficient material management is essential in Zenless Zone Zero to keep your progression steady and avoid bottlenecks when upgrading agents, W-Engines, Bangboo, and Drive Discs. The first and most important tip is to use Battery Charge wisely. Since it’s a limited resource that regenerates over time, you should plan your farming around the most urgent upgrade needs. Focus on running Combat Simulations or Hollow Zero stages that yield materials for your core team, rather than spreading your resources too thin across all characters.

Always prioritize materials for your main agents and W-Engines—the ones you use most often in combat. Upgrading secondary characters can wait until your primary team is fully enhanced and promoted. This focused approach ensures that your strongest units remain effective as difficulty ramps up in the main story and endgame content.

Make good use of the Craft and Dismantle systems found in the Storage menu. These features allow you to convert excess low-rarity materials into higher-tier items or break down unused higher-tier items when you’re running short on base materials. This flexibility is particularly useful when you’re just a few pieces short of a promotion or enhancement and don’t want to spend extra Battery Charge on a full farming run.

Regularly visit the various in-game shops, including the Signal Shop, 141 Convenience Store, Hollow Zero Shop, and Bangbuck Exchange. These shops rotate useful materials and offer additional ways to get what you need without spending stamina. Being consistent with your shop visits lets you passively build up your stock of essential upgrade items.

Don’t overlook Daily Errands and city exploration, as they provide extra materials, Dennies, and sometimes Polychromes. Taking a few minutes each day to help Bangboos, interact with equal exchange barrels, or explore hidden areas in New Eridu can earn you surprising bonuses that add up over time. These smaller activities complement your main farming efforts and help fill in gaps in your inventory without using Battery Charge.

By following these tips—managing stamina efficiently, focusing on key characters, utilizing conversion systems, checking shop inventories, and squeezing value from daily tasks—you’ll maintain a balanced inventory of materials and avoid the common roadblocks that slow progression.