Introduction to Zenless Zone Zero Qualification Assessment Guide

The Qualification Assessment marks your first step into the chaotic and shifting world of Hollow Zero in Zenless Zone Zero, acting as both a gateway and a guided initiation. Structured as an introductory mission, this assessment is tailored to familiarize you with the foundational mechanics unique to Hollow Zero—such as stage layouts, enemy types, and interactive elements—without overwhelming you right away. As you progress through the stages, you’ll begin to understand how navigation, team synergy, and tactical decision-making come into play in these unpredictable environments.

Completing the Qualification Assessment is more than just a rite of passage; it is a necessary requirement to earn your official Hollow Zero Investigation License. This license is crucial for unlocking the full range of Hollow Zero content, allowing you to access more challenging operations and deeper layers of exploration. Alongside the license, you’ll gain Investigation Points and a variety of useful rewards, including Bangboo Enhancement Materials that are vital for strengthening your support units. Additionally, finishing the assessment opens the door to advanced Hollow Zero missions, including lucrative stages like the Old Capital Metro, where the stakes—and the rewards—are significantly higher.

How to Unlock Qualification Assessment

Before you can dive into the Qualification Assessment, you must first unlock access to Hollow Zero itself. This feature becomes available after making sufficient progress in the main storyline. Specifically, you’ll need to complete the Chapter 1 Intermission, which is unlocked after finishing the “Cat’s Lost and Found” commission. Alternatively, access can also be granted through the “Earlybird Ticket to Safety” commission during the Chapter 1 Interlude. Regardless of which path you take, a key prerequisite is reaching the Inter-Knot Level of Novice Proxy, marking your progress as a capable Proxy ready to take on deeper

challenges.

Once unlocked, Hollow Zero isn’t accessed from the overworld or city streets like other commissions. Instead, its entrance is located inside the Scott Outpost Interior. This hidden-away access point reinforces the idea that Hollow Zero is a specialized operation zone, distinct from your usual city-based tasks. Upon entering, the Qualification Assessment will be the first and only stage available at the start. Designed as an entry-level operation, it introduces you to the core mechanics, structure, and escalating difficulty of Hollow Zero missions. This initial assessment is mandatory and sets the stage for all subsequent Hollow Zero content.

Qualification Assessment Stages

The Qualification Assessment in Hollow Zero is divided into two progressively harder difficulty tiers: Edge and Frontline. These levels are intentionally structured to challenge and enhance your understanding of Hollow Zero’s core mechanics. Each difficulty level introduces more complex elements, gradually escalating the difficulty to help you better adapt to the nuances of the game mode. Edge serves as an introductory challenge, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the basic layout, various enemy types, and the Pressure system. Once you’ve conquered Edge, Frontline increases the difficulty, offering a more demanding test of your strategic thinking and combat skills.

Mastering both stages requires a deep understanding of not just enemy weaknesses and strengths, but also how to efficiently manage your Pressure levels and navigate the environment. As you progress, you’ll become increasingly adept at overcoming the unique hurdles Hollow Zero throws at you, preparing you for the more advanced stages of the game.

Qualification Assessment: Edge
Edge serves as the more accessible introduction to Hollow Zero. It’s tailored for players who are just getting accustomed to the mechanics of Pressure, Corruption, and tactical progression within these stages. A recommended Proxy Level of 15 is advised before taking it on. It’s also beneficial to bring a team that can effectively exploit Ice or Ether elemental weaknesses, as many of the enemies in this stage are vulnerable to these attributes.

The First Floor of Edge is relatively linear. As you move forward, you’ll accumulate Pressure until it inevitably reaches 100%, triggering Corruption. This is expected and unavoidable, so focus on clearing the path and pushing forward. Key enemies on this floor include:

Mandrake (Lv. 15): Weak to Ice and Ether, with no resistances.

Notorious Armored Hati (Lv. 15): Vulnerable to Fire, but resistant to Electric.

The Second Floor introduces a bit more complexity. By sticking to the intended route, you’ll be able to pick up an extra squad member and a piece of Resonia, while keeping Pressure buildup manageable. The main threat on this floor is:

Notorious Thanatos (Lv. 15): Also weak to Ice and Ether, with no resistances.

Qualification Assessment: Frontline
Frontline is the advanced version of the assessment, designed to push your strategic and combat skills further. A recommended level of 20 is suggested, and just like in Edge, teams leveraging Ice or Ether elements will have an advantage due to the similar enemy vulnerabilities.

On the First Floor, you’ll face a new set of foes with heightened difficulty:

Ruthless Fiend (Lv. 20): Weak to Fire, resistant to Electric.

Arlaune (Lv. 20): Weak to Ice and Ether, with no known resistances.

The Second Floor of Frontline leads to a more intense showdown at the final gate. To clear this floor, you’ll need to defeat a powerful boss:

Notorious Dullahan (Lv. 20): Shares the common weakness to Ice and Ether, and has no listed resistances.

Successfully completing both Edge and Frontline not only reinforces your understanding of Hollow Zero’s systems but also unlocks deeper layers of content. Each tier rewards you with useful materials and paves the way toward more advanced stages filled with greater risks—and greater rewards.

General Tips for Qualification Assessment

To ensure a smoother and more efficient run through both the Edge and Frontline difficulties of the Qualification Assessment, it’s essential to approach Hollow Zero with proper preparation and a solid understanding of its core mechanics. The challenges you’ll face are manageable with the right team composition, strategic choices, and an awareness of the systems at play during each stage.

Start by assembling a well-balanced squad tailored to exploit enemy weaknesses. Since the majority of foes in both Edge and Frontline are vulnerable to Ice and Ether, prioritize characters who can deal damage with those elemental types. Having at least one strong Ice or Ether attacker in your lineup can significantly shorten battles and reduce the chances of taking unnecessary damage, especially when facing elite enemies or bosses.

One of the most impactful tools in Hollow Zero is Resonia, also known as Ronia. These are temporary buffs that you collect during your run, and they only remain active for the duration of that specific attempt. Strategically choosing and equipping Resonia that matches your squad’s elemental strengths is key to maximizing your damage output and survivability. In the Qualification Assessment, Resonia aligned with Freeze, Fire, and Ether elements are particularly effective, as they directly complement the known weaknesses of the enemies you’ll encounter. Always try to sync Resonia with your active agents to amplify their combat effectiveness.

Pressure management is another critical element to consider. Pressure accumulates as you explore Hollow Zero, and reaching 100 Pressure will inflict your team with Corruption, applying negative effects like extended skill cooldowns. On the first floor of Edge, hitting maximum Pressure is unavoidable and part of the intended experience. However, the second floor provides more flexibility. By following the intended route, you can acquire an extra squad member and a piece of Resonia while keeping your Pressure build-up under control. Minimizing Pressure on this floor is vital, as it allows your team to stay in peak condition for the final encounters.

Finally, remember that the first floor of Edge is designed to be straightforward. The path is linear, and the focus is on introducing you to the mechanics rather than testing complex navigation. Use this opportunity to get comfortable with the flow of Hollow Zero, how Pressure works, and how to choose Resonia effectively. With this foundation, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle tougher stages and master the escalating challenges of Hollow Zero.

Rewards for Completing Qualification Assessment

Successfully clearing the Qualification Assessment in Hollow Zero comes with a range of valuable rewards that not only mark your progress but also contribute significantly to your overall account development. These rewards are divided into first-clear bonuses and regular completion drops, each offering useful materials to strengthen your team and Bangboo units.

Upon your first clear of Edge, you’ll receive:

Inter-Knot Credit x600 – a key currency used for various system unlocks and upgrades.

Polychromes x80 – premium currency used for pulling characters and other high-value transactions.

Boopon x1 – a token used in the Bangboo banner for obtaining new Bangboo units.

Withered Crystal: Heaven’s Azure x400 – used primarily for enhancing and leveling up characters or gear.

Bangboo Algorithm Module x6 – critical upgrade material used to enhance Bangboo.

Denny x150 – standard currency for general purchases and enhancements.

Clearing the Frontline difficulty for the first time grants an upgraded set of rewards:

Inter-Knot Credit x600

Polychromes x80

Boopon x1

Withered Crystal: Ink-Yellow x400 – a higher-tier enhancement material.

Bangboo Algorithm Module x15

Denny x450

In addition to these one-time rewards, both difficulties also provide regular completion rewards, which can be earned each time you clear the stage. For Edge, this includes:

Investigation Points x600

Bangboo Algorithm Module x6–8

Denny x150

For Frontline, the rewards increase:

Investigation Points x800

Bangboo Algorithm Module x13–15

Denny x450

Investigation Points are a crucial part of your journey through Hollow Zero, as they play a direct role in advancing your Hollow Zero License Level. This license system tracks your overall progress across all Hollow Zero missions, rewarding you with valuable bonuses as you level up. As you gather more Investigation Points and increase your License Level, you’ll unlock a variety of milestone rewards that can significantly enhance your team’s capabilities.

These rewards include Polychromes, a premium resource useful for summoning new characters, character upgrade materials to boost your agents’ stats and abilities, and even exclusive items, such as the Booressure Bangboo. This special Bangboo not only adds a new character to your roster but also provides essential support functions during your operations, making it a highly coveted item as you progress through the game.

In addition to these rewards, the Bangboo Algorithm Modules you earn throughout your Qualification Assessment runs are pivotal for upgrading your Bangboo companions. These modules are essential for improving the combat efficiency and passive abilities of your Bangboo units. As you level up these units, you’ll notice increased strength and versatility, which are indispensable for tackling the more challenging and advanced stages of Hollow Zero. Efficiently enhancing your Bangboo gives you a distinct advantage in higher-level content, helping you overcome tougher enemies and more complex missions.

By completing the Qualification Assessment, you not only unlock the next phase of Hollow Zero but also lay a strong foundation for your long-term growth. The rewards and upgrades you earn here will help you build a well-rounded team, boost your license level, and improve your Bangboo’s effectiveness, ultimately preparing you for the increasingly difficult content and high-stakes missions that await in the deeper levels of Hollow Zero.

Potential Issues and Solutions

Although the Qualification Assessment acts as a relatively straightforward gateway into the Hollow Zero experience, it isn’t without its share of unexpected complications. While its primary function is to introduce you to the fundamental systems—like Pressure buildup, Resonia selection, and enemy types—some players may still find themselves running into obstacles that aren’t immediately obvious. These challenges can range from confusion about team composition and pressure management to progression blocks tied to story requirements. Understanding how to identify and troubleshoot these potential problems is key to maintaining your momentum. With the right preparation and a flexible approach, you’ll be able to overcome any snags that arise and smoothly advance through this critical early phase of Hollow Zero exploration.

If you find yourself stuck during the Edge difficulty, particularly on the second floor, it might be time to rethink your team composition. While the enemies are not overly difficult on paper, the type of Resonia offered during your run can greatly influence your success.

The Resonia system appears to dynamically respond to your team’s elements and combat style, so rotating different agents into your squad can alter the types of Resonia available. For example, fielding characters like Anby, Nicole, or Corin may result in more favorable Resonia combinations depending on their abilities and elemental alignment. If your current team setup feels inefficient or mismatched against the stage’s challenges, try experimenting with alternative lineups. A small change in team synergy can have a big impact on performance and rewards.

Another issue you may encounter is the second part of the Qualification Assessment appearing locked, particularly when the game prompts you to complete a seemingly unavailable commission such as “The Art of War: Lite.” In these cases, the solution often lies in progressing outstanding story or side content. Be sure to check in with Ray at the video store, located in the main hub area. Interacting with her may unlock related commissions or hidden tasks required to move the story forward. Completing any missions she offers can trigger the conditions needed to access the next stage of the Qualification Assessment, as well as further your Hollow Zero License progression.

Lastly, Pressure management remains a core mechanic in Hollow Zero, and how you navigate the stages plays a significant role in your overall success. While the Qualification Assessment introduces this concept at a manageable pace, it’s important to remember that choices made during the television tile selection sequences can drastically affect your Pressure levels.

Always try to optimize your route to avoid redundant paths, minimize tile-based Pressure gains, and bypass events that might increase the gauge unnecessarily. Efficient pathing and strategic planning can keep your team in fighting condition and reduce the risk of entering combat while under Corruption effects. Keeping Pressure low also ensures smoother battles and easier access to key rewards, setting you up for greater success in the deeper levels of Hollow Zero.

Advancement After Qualification Assessment

Once you’ve successfully completed both the Edge and Frontline difficulties of the Qualification Assessment, you’ll unlock access to the next major zone within Hollow Zero: Old Capital Metro. This new area presents more intricate challenges, stronger enemies, and greater rewards—but simply clearing the Qualification Assessment isn’t enough to gain entry. To proceed, you’ll also need to meet two key progression requirements: reach an Inter-Knot Level of 21 or higher, and attain the Reputation rank of Certified Proxy.

The Inter-Knot Level reflects your overall game progress and activity across various systems, so continue completing story missions, side commissions, and other daily objectives to raise it. Meanwhile, your Reputation is directly tied to your involvement in Proxy work, which includes completing Hollow Zero stages, commissions, and meeting specific milestones. Once both requirements are fulfilled, Old Capital Metro will become available from the Hollow Zero terminal, expanding your investigative reach into deeper and more dangerous regions.

With everything covered—from unlocking Hollow Zero and completing the Qualification Assessment to managing Pressure, optimizing team composition, and preparing for what’s next—you’re now fully equipped to earn your official Hollow Zero investigation license and take your first real steps into the depths of the Hollow. Stay sharp, Proxy, and good luck exploring the ever-shifting corridors of Zenless Zone Zero’s most unpredictable frontier.