Zenless Zone Zero character

Ellen (Zenless Zone Zero)

Guide, build and skills

  • S-rank
  • Attribute Ice
  • Specialty Attack
  • Game data 3.3.0

Ice, Attack on-field DMG dealer

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Ellen from Zenless Zone Zero with a Kaption Polish subtitle
Polish subtitles for Zenless Zone Zero dialogue work today.

At a glance

Ellen is an Ice Attack character who spends time on the field dealing damage. Her game plan is to collect Flash Freeze Charges with a dash attack, then spend them on Ice attacks. She can hold up to 6 charges.

Her charged scissors strike and charge-consuming Basic Attacks benefit from Core Passive: Sharp-Toothed, which gives those skills 100% more CRIT DMG. An Ice teammate or someone from her faction also activates Additional Ability: Rising Storm, increasing her subsequent Ice DMG as she attacks.

Ellen has invulnerability on several moves, including her EX Special Attacks and dodge counter. Good timing helps her keep attacking while avoiding enemy hits.

Video guide

Is She Still Worth It? COMPLETE Updated ELLEN JOE Guide | Best Weapons, Teams, Disk Drives | ZZZ 2.4

Video by Rivyn Elowen on YouTube · 19 min · 50.6K views · December 2025

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Build

From the game data

4× Polar Metal + 2× Woodpecker Electro · Disc 4 CRIT DMG or CRIT Rate · Disc 5 Ice DMG Bonus or ATK% · Disc 6 ATK% · substats CRIT Rate > CRIT DMG > ATK%

Drive Discs

4 pieces · Drive Disc set

  1. Polar Metal
    Polar Metal
    • 2-piece bonus: Ice DMG +10%
    Show effect
    • 4-piece bonus: Increase the DMG of Basic Attack and Dash Attack by 20%. When any squad member inflicts Freeze or Shatter, this effect increases by an additional 20% for 12s.

2 pieces · Drive Disc set

Pick one. The game lists them in this order.

  1. Woodpecker Electro
    Woodpecker Electro
    • 2-piece bonus: CRIT Rate +8%
  2. Branch & Blade Song
    Branch & Blade Song
    • 2-piece bonus: CRIT DMG +16%

Alternatives

When you don't have the set above.

  • Puffer Electro
    Puffer Electro Show effect
    • 2-piece bonus: PEN Ratio +8%
    • 4-piece bonus: Ultimate DMG increases by 20%. Launching an Ultimate increases the equipper's ATK by 15% for 12s.

Main stats

Disc 4
CRIT DMG or CRIT Rate
Disc 5
Ice DMG Bonus or ATK%
Disc 6
ATK%

Substats

  1. CRIT Rate
  2. CRIT DMG
  3. ATK%

Target stats

Totals to aim for on the character's stat screen.

StatTarget
ATK 2,600–3,000+
HP 9,500+
CRIT Rate 90–100%
CRIT DMG 120–180%+

Recommended W-Engines

  1. Deep Sea Visitor
    Deep Sea Visitor S-rank
    Lord of Seas Show effect

    Increases Ice DMG by 25%. Upon hitting an enemy with a Basic Attack, the equipper's CRIT Rate increases by 10% for 8s. When dealing Ice DMG with a Dash Attack, the equipper's CRIT Rate increases by an additional 10% for 15s. The duration of each effect is calculated separately.

Alternatives

When you don't have the weapon above.

  1. Myriad Eclipse
    Myriad Eclipse S-rank
    False Personas Show effect

    Increases CRIT DMG by 45%. When using an EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate to deal Ice DMG, the equipper gains the Absolute Zero Death Sentence effect for 3s. While Absolute Zero Death Sentence is active, the character ignores 25% of the enemy's DEF when landing a hit.

  2. The Brimstone
    The Brimstone S-rank
    Scorching Breath Show effect

    Upon hitting an enemy with a Basic Attack, Dash Attack, or Dodge Counter, the equipper's ATK increases by 3.5% for 8s, stacking up to 8 times. This effect can trigger once every 0.5s. The duration of each stack is calculated separately.

Have this character? Make a card of your own build from your UID Stats, artifacts, weapon and talents from your in-game showcase, as a PNG in a dozen layouts.

Teams

Show more teams (4)Show less

Also plays in

Other characters' teams with a place for Ellen.

Skills

Names in English, as in the game · underlined ones open their card · Priority = level-up order (from the game data)

  1. Basic attack

    Basic Attack: Saw Teeth Trimming

    Level priority 2 of 6

    Perform up to 3 Physical attacks. Hold or press repeatedly during the 3rd attack to extend it.

    Press to activate: Unleashes up to 3 attacks, dealing Physical DMG. Press repeatedly or hold during the 3rd attack to extend the skill duration.

  2. Basic attack

    Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming

    With Flash Freeze Charges, perform up to 3 Ice attacks, spending 1 per attack. Hold or press repeatedly during the 3rd to extend it.

    While Flash Freeze is active, press to activate: Launch up to 3 attacks at enemies in front, dealing Ice DMG. Each attack consumes 1 Flash Freeze Charge. Press repeatedly or hold during the 3rd attack to extend the skill duration.

  3. Special

    Special Attack: Drift

    Level priority 3 of 6

    Sweep your tail in front for Ice DMG with increased Anti-Interrupt.

    Press to activate: Use a quick tail sweep attack in front, dealing Ice DMG. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill.

  4. Special

    EX Special Attack: Tail Swipe

    With enough Energy, deal Ice DMG and gain 1 Charge on hit. You are invulnerable and can follow with the 3rd Basic hit.

    With enough Energy, press to activate: Perform a forceful tail whip attack that deals massive Ice DMG. Gain 1 Flash Freeze Charge upon striking an enemy. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. After executing the move, you can immediately follow up with the 3rd hit of a Basic Attack.

  5. Special

    EX Special Attack: Sharknami

    After the first EX Special, spend Energy for Ice slashes and 1 Charge on hit. You are invulnerable and can follow with the 3rd Basic hit.

    With enough Energy and after executing EX Special Attack: Tail Swipe, press to activate: Perform a powerful series of slashes ahead that deal massive Ice DMG. Gain 1 Flash Freeze Charge upon striking an enemy. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. After executing the move, you can immediately follow up with the 3rd hit of a Basic Attack.

  6. Dodge

    Dodge: Vortex

    Level priority 5 of 6

    Dodge with invulnerability. A Perfect Dodge grants Quick Charge for up to 5s, shortening the next charged Roaming attack.

    Press to activate: A rapid dash dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. When Perfect Dodge is triggered, Ellen gains the Quick Charge effect, reducing the charge time of Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush, lasting up to 5 seconds or until it triggers.

  7. Dodge

    Dash: Roaming HuntDodge

    Hold or double-press Dodge to enter Roaming. Steer while dashing and release to stop. You are briefly invulnerable on activation.

    Hold or double-press to activate: Enter the Roaming state, allowing dashing movement. In the Roaming state, drag the joystick to control Ellen's direction, and release to stop. Ellen is invulnerable for a brief time after activation.

  8. Dodge

    Dash Attack: Arctic AmbushDodge

    From Roaming, a tap hit grants 1 Charge and a charged hit grants 3. The latter Shatters Frozen foes. Take 40% less DMG while charging.

    While in the Roaming state, press to activate: Delivers a spinning slash to enemies before opening her scissors for a Swift Scissors strike, dealing Ice DMG. Gain 1 point of Flash Freeze Charge when the Swift Scissors strike hits. While in the Roaming state, hold to activate: Perform a spinning slash against the enemy, then pull apart the scissors to unleash a Charged Scissors strike, dealing massive Ice DMG. Gain 3 points of Flash Freeze Charge when the Charged Scissors strike hits. If the enemy is Frozen, it always triggers Shatter. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while charging the skill, and DMG taken is reduced by 40%. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

  9. Dodge

    Flash FreezeDodge

    Flash Freeze (Dodge) activates with Charges: Basics and Dash Attacks spend them for Ice DMG. You can hold up to 6 Charges.

    When Ellen has Flash Freeze Charges, the Flash Freeze effect is activated. Once Flash Freeze activates, Basic Attacks and Dash Attacks expend Flash Freeze Charges, dealing massive Ice DMG. Ellen can have up to a maximum of 6 Flash Freeze Charges.

  10. Dodge

    Dash Attack: Monstrous WaveDodge

    Attack during a dodge to dash forward with a Physical slash.

    Press during a dodge to activate: Launches a dashing slash attack at enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG.

  11. Dodge

    Dash Attack: Cold SnapDodge

    With Flash Freeze Charges, attack during a dodge for an Ice slash. It consumes 1 Charge.

    While Flash Freeze is active, press during dodge to activate: Launches a dashing slash attack at enemies in front, dealing Ice DMG. Consumes 1 Flash Freeze Charge.

  12. Dodge

    Dodge Counter: Reef Rock

    Attack during a Perfect Dodge to cut through enemies for Ice DMG. You are invulnerable during the counter.

    Press during a Perfect Dodge to activate: Rapidly move through enemies with open scissors for a cutting strike, dealing Ice DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

  13. Chain attack

    Chain Attack: Avalanche

    Level priority 4 of 6

    Select Ellen during a Chain Attack to deal Ice DMG in an ice storm. She is invulnerable during the attack.

    When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate: Crash down from above and unleash an ice storm, dealing massive Ice DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

  14. Chain attack

    Ultimate: Endless Winter

    At maximum Decibel Rating, unleash an ice storm and scissor strike for Ice DMG. You are invulnerable during the attack.

    When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press to activate: Crash down from above and unleash an ice storm before a powerful scissor strike, dealing massive Ice DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

  15. Assist

    Quick Assist: Shark SentinelAssist

    Level priority 6 of 6

    When the active character is launched, enter with an Ice strike or Roaming. Gain Quick Charge for up to 5s to shorten a charged Roaming attack.

    When the active character is launched, press to activate: Speedily move through the enemy with open scissors for a cutting strike, dealing Ice DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. When the character on the field is launched, drag the joystick and press to activate: Enter the Roaming state, enabling dashing movement. While in the Roaming state, use the joystick to change directions and release to stop. Character is invulnerable briefly when triggering the skill. Upon triggering a Quick Assist, Ellen gains the Quick Charge effect, shortening the charging time of Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush, lasting up to 5s or until it triggers once.

  16. Assist

    Defensive Assist: Wavefront ImpactAssist

    When the active character is about to be hit, parry the attack for massive Daze. Ellen is invulnerable during the assist.

    When the character on field is about to be attacked, press to activate: Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

  17. Assist

    Assist Follow-Up: Shark Cruiser

    After a Defensive Assist, charge forward for Ice DMG. Hold or press repeatedly to extend the attack. You are invulnerable during it.

    Press after a Defensive Assist to activate: Charge and slash enemies in front, dealing Ice DMG. Press repeatedly or hold during the attack to extend the skill duration. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

  18. Core skill

    Core Passive: Sharp-Toothed

    Level priority 1 of 6

    Charged Scissors strikes and Basic Attacks that consume Flash Freeze Charges gain 100% CRIT DMG.

    When Ellen launches a Charged Scissors Strike during Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush, or consumes a Flash Freeze Charge to activate Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming, the skill's CRIT DMG is increased by 100%.

Passives

  1. Passive

    Additional Ability: Rising StormPassive

    With a matching Attribute or Faction in the squad, Ice DMG raises later Ice DMG by 3% for 10s, up to 10 stacks. New hits refresh the duration.

    When another character in your squad shares the same Attribute or Faction: When Ellen deals Ice DMG, subsequent Ice DMG increases by 3% for 10s. This effect can stack up to 10 times, and repeated triggers reset the duration.

Mindscape Cinema

  1. M1

    Glacial Omen

    Worth it

    Glacial Omen (M1) is a practical first upgrade to consider.

    Upon hitting an enemy with a Swift Scissors strike during Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush, the obtained Flash Freeze Charges are increased to 3. Upon hitting an enemy with a Charged Scissors strike during Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush, the obtained Flash Freeze Charges are increased to 6. For each Flash Freeze Charge consumed, Ellen's CRIT Rate is increased by 2% for 15s, stacking up to 6 times. The duration of each stack is calculated separately.

  2. M2

    Arctic Ocean Predator

    Worth it

    Arctic Ocean Predator (M2) is another useful option.

    The 3rd hit of Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming can be directly followed up with EX Special Attack: Sharknami. When using an EX Special Attack, each Flash Freeze Charge increases the current attack's CRIT DMG by 20%, up to a maximum of 60%.

  3. M3

    Overtime-Intolerant

    Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2

  4. M4

    Endless Hoarfrost

    Whenever a squad member Freezes or Stuns an enemy, Ellen gains 6 Flash Freeze Charges and the Quick Charge effect. She also recovers 4 Energy. The Energy recovery effect can trigger once per 10s.

  5. M5

    Adequate Sleep

    Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2

  6. M6

    The Feast Begins

    Worth it

    The Feast Begins (M6) is worth considering for its PEN Ratio and charged-strike damage.

    When Ellen uses an EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or gains Quick Charge, her PEN Ratio increases by 20% for 6s. She also gains 1 stack of The Feast Begins, up to a maximum of 3 stacks. With 3 stacks of The Feast Begins, using a Charged Scissors strike during Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush consumes all stacks, increasing the DMG of the current attack by 250%.

Materials

Ascension, to max level

  • Denny Denny × 800,000
  • Basic Attack Certification Seal Basic Attack Certification Seal × 4
  • Advanced Attack Certification Seal Advanced Attack Certification Seal × 32
  • Pioneer's Certification Seal Pioneer's Certification Seal × 30

All skills to max

  • Denny Denny × 2,905,000
  • Basic Freeze Chip Basic Freeze Chip × 25
  • Advanced Freeze Chip Advanced Freeze Chip × 75
  • Specialized Freeze Chip Specialized Freeze Chip × 250
  • Hamster Cage Pass Hamster Cage Pass × 5
  • Ferocious Grip × 9
  • Higher Dimensional Data: Murderous Obituary × 60

Guide

How the kit works

Start with Dash: Roaming Hunt: hold or double-press dodge to enter the Roaming state. While moving, hold the attack input for Dash Attack: Arctic Ambush. Its Charged Scissors strike gives 3 Flash Freeze Charges when it hits. A quick press gives 1 instead. Against a Frozen enemy, the charged strike always triggers Shatter.

With charges available, Flash Freeze is active. Use Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming to attack with Ice DMG, spending 1 charge per attack. You can extend the third attack by holding or repeatedly pressing the input. Without charges, Basic Attack: Saw Teeth Trimming deals Physical DMG instead.

When you have enough Energy, EX Special Attack: Tail Swipe (Special) deals Ice DMG and gives 1 charge on hit. You can follow it with EX Special Attack: Sharknami (Special) if you have enough Energy; that also gives 1 charge on hit. Either move can lead straight into the third Basic Attack hit, and Ellen is invulnerable during both.

A Perfect Dodge grants Quick Charge for up to 5 seconds, shortening the next charged Arctic Ambush. Dodge Counter: Reef Rock is an alternative response that deals Ice DMG. Select Ellen for Chain Attack: Avalanche when available, and use Ultimate: Endless Winter at maximum Decibel Rating.

Build and why

Use four pieces of Polar Metal. Its two-piece effect gives 10% Ice DMG, and four pieces increase Basic Attack and Dash Attack DMG by 20%. When a squad member inflicts Freeze or Shatter, that bonus rises by another 20% for 12 seconds. Both attack types are central to Ellen's charge cycle.

For the remaining two pieces, Woodpecker Electro gives 8% CRIT Rate. Branch & Blade Song gives 16% CRIT DMG instead. Puffer Electro is another two-piece option, giving 8% PEN Ratio.

On disc 4, choose CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG. On disc 5, use Ice DMG Bonus or Percent ATK; on disc 6, use Percent ATK. For substats, look for CRIT Rate first, then CRIT DMG and Percent ATK. Critical stats help the attacks boosted by Ellen's core passive.

Deep Sea Visitor is the first weapon choice: it raises Ice DMG by 25% and can grant separate CRIT Rate bonuses from a Basic Attack hit and an Ice Dash Attack. Myriad Eclipse gives CRIT DMG and lets hits ignore 25% of enemy DEF for 3 seconds after an EX Special Attack, Chain Attack or Ultimate deals Ice DMG. The Brimstone builds ATK stacks from Basic Attacks, Dash Attacks and Dodge Counters. Starlight Engine is another option if you use Dodge Counters or Quick Assists.

Leveling priority

Follow the game's order: raise Core Passive: Sharp-Toothed first, then Basic Attack, Special Attack, Chain Attack, Dodge and Assist. The core passive improves attacks you use throughout Ellen's charge cycle, while Basic Attack is where she spends those charges. Special Attack follows because her EX moves add Ice damage and generate charges.

Chain Attack comes next, followed by Dodge and Assist. You still use dodges and assists for positioning and defense, even though their levels come later.

For maximum ascension, collect 800,000 Denny, 4 Basic Attack Certification Seal, 32 Advanced Attack Certification Seal and 30 Pioneer's Certification Seal. Maxing all skills takes 2,905,000 Denny, 25 Basic Freeze Chip, 75 Advanced Freeze Chip, 250 Specialized Freeze Chip, 5 Hamster Cage Pass, 9 Ferocious Grip and 60 Higher Dimensional Data: Murderous Obituary.

Mindscapes worth it

Glacial Omen is a practical first upgrade to consider. A quick scissors strike gives 3 charges on hit instead of 1, while a charged strike gives 6 instead of 3. Each charge consumed also grants 2% CRIT Rate for 15 seconds, up to 6 stacks with separate durations.

Arctic Ocean Predator is another useful option. It lets the third hit of Basic Attack: Flash Freeze Trimming lead directly into EX Special Attack: Sharknami (Special). Each current charge also gives an EX Special Attack 20% CRIT DMG, up to 60%.

The Feast Begins is worth considering for its PEN Ratio and charged-strike damage. EX Special Attacks, Chain Attacks or gaining Quick Charge grant 20% PEN Ratio for 6 seconds and a stack. At 3 stacks, a charged scissors strike consumes them to increase that attack's DMG by 250%. Endless Hoarfrost instead supplies charges and Quick Charge when a squad member Freezes or Stuns an enemy.

If you are choosing where to stop, you can leave Overtime-Intolerant and Adequate Sleep for later: both raise skill levels by 2 rather than adding a new action to Ellen's rotation.

Teams

A teammate with Ice or Ellen's faction activates Additional Ability: Rising Storm. When Ellen deals Ice DMG, it increases subsequent Ice DMG by 3% for 10 seconds, up to 10 stacks. New triggers reset the duration.

Common mistakes

Do not keep attacking without watching your charges. Once they run out, Ellen's ordinary Basic Attacks deal Physical DMG. Return to Roaming and land a charged Dash Attack to refill before continuing your Ice attacks.

Do not miss the shorter charge time after a Perfect Dodge or Quick Assist. Quick Charge lasts up to 5 seconds or until it triggers, so use the opportunity to prepare a charged strike.

Avoid treating all four-piece set effects as interchangeable. Polar Metal boosts the attacks Ellen uses to build and spend charges, while its extra bonus needs a squad member to inflict Freeze or Shatter. Also check the activation condition for her additional ability when changing teammates.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best build for Ellen?

Drive Discs: Puffer Electro, Polar Metal ×4 or Woodpecker Electro ×2. Main stats: Disc 4: CRIT DMG or CRIT Rate, Disc 5: Ice DMG Bonus or ATK%, Disc 6: ATK%. Recommended W-Engines: Myriad Eclipse, The Brimstone or Deep Sea Visitor. That is what the game suggests.

What should I level first on Ellen?

Core Passive: Sharp-Toothed first, then Basic Attack: Saw Teeth Trimming, Special Attack: Drift, Chain Attack: Avalanche, Dodge: Vortex and Quick Assist: Shark SentinelAssist. That is what the game suggests.

Which Mindscape Cinema are worth getting for Ellen?

The biggest upgrades: M1 Glacial Omen, M2 Arctic Ocean Predator and M6 The Feast Begins.

Who should Ellen team up with?

Good teammates: Astra Yao and Lycaon.

Is Ellen in Polish in Zenless Zone Zero?

The game has no Polish language option. Kaption shows Polish subtitles for the dialogue right on the game screen, so Ellen's lines read in Polish. Skill and item names stay in English, as in the game.

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Game data version 3.3.0.

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