Zenless Zone Zero: Best Evelyn Build

Evelyn is the latest character to join Zenless Zone Zero, making history as the game’s first limited Fire Attack unit. As a high-impact DPS, she brings immense burst potential to the roster, making her a valuable addition for players who enjoy strategic, Chain Attack-focused gameplay. In this guide, we’ll cover the best ways to optimize Evelyn’s build, helping you maximize her damage output and unleash her full potential.

Evelyn Overview

• Name: Evelyn
• Rarity: S-Rank
• Attribute: Fire
• Specialty: Attack
• Faction: Stars of Lyra
• JP VA: Yoko Hikasa

Level 60 Stats:
• HP: 7788
• DEF: 612
• ATK: 929
• Crit Rate: 19.4%
• Crit DMG: 50%
• PEN Ratio: 0%
• Impact: 93
• Anomaly Mastery: 92
• Anomaly Proficiency: 90
• Energy Regen: 1.2%

Evelyn introduces a completely unique playstyle to Zenless Zone Zero, setting herself apart as a high-impact burst DPS. Her damage output is heavily centered around Chain Attacks, which feature incredibly high multipliers, allowing her to unleash devastating strikes when timed correctly.

Her playstyle revolves around building and consuming a special resource to execute these Chain Attacks, meaning proper resource management and timing are key to maximizing her potential. Players who enjoy strategic combat, animation canceling, and combo optimization will find her playstyle deeply rewarding.

Unlike more straightforward DPS units, Evelyn requires precision and tactical thinking, which may not appeal to everyone. However, for those who enjoy a more technical and skill-based approach to combat, she offers an engaging and highly satisfying experience.

Best W-Engines for Evelyn

When it comes to W-Engines, there’s no question that Heartstring Nocturne is the absolute best choice for Evelyn. As her signature W-Engine, it provides an unparalleled CRIT DMG boost and allows her Chain Attacks and Ultimate to ignore Fire Resistance, making it leagues ahead of any alternatives. However, for players looking for a free-to-play option, there are a few viable substitutes, though none quite match the power of her signature weapon.

Top W-Engines for Evelyn:
1. Heartstring Nocturne (Best-in-Slot) – Grants a 50% CRIT DMG increase, and every time Evelyn enters the battlefield, uses a Chain Attack, or activates her Ultimate, she gains a Heartstring stack. Each stack allows her Chain Attacks and Ultimates to ignore 12.5% of the target’s Fire Resistance, stacking up to two times for a total of 25% RES ignore. This makes her damage significantly more consistent, especially against Fire-resistant enemies.
2. Zanshin Herb Case (Alternative Option) – Increases CRIT Rate by 10%, and boosts Dash Attack Electric DMG by 40%. Additionally, if any squad member applies an Attribute Anomaly or Stuns an enemy, the equipper gains another 10% CRIT Rate for 15 seconds. While useful in some setups, this weapon is better suited for Electric units, making it less than ideal for Evelyn.
3. Marcato Desire (Best F2P Option) – Grants 6% ATK increase for 8 seconds when landing an EX Special Attack or Chain Attack. If the enemy is afflicted with an Attribute Anomaly, the effect doubles to 12% ATK. While it provides a decent boost, it pales in comparison to Heartstring Nocturne and lacks the Fire Resistance penetration that makes Evelyn’s signature W-Engine so powerful.

If you’re pulling for Evelyn, be prepared to invest in her signature W-Engine as well. Heartstring Nocturne is far superior to any other option, and while Marcato Desire works as a temporary F2P alternative, it won’t fully unleash Evelyn’s potential.

Best Drive Discs for Evelyn

Similar to W-Engines, Evelyn lacks a dedicated Drive Disc set, forcing her to rely on existing options to optimize her damage. The best setup for her at the moment is a 4-piece Hormone Punk paired with a 2-piece Inferno Metal. While Hormone Punk doesn’t specifically enhance her Chain Attacks, it provides a massive ATK% boost, which indirectly strengthens her overall damage output.

Recommended Main Stats:
• Disk 4: CRIT DMG%
• Disk 5: FIRE% / ATK%
• Disk 6: ATK%

Substat Priority:

CRIT Rate (until 80%) > CRIT DMG > ATK%

The 4-piece Hormone Punk set significantly increases Evelyn’s ATK, making it the best available choice despite not directly benefiting her Chain Attacks. Meanwhile, the 2-piece Inferno Metal further amplifies her Fire DMG, ensuring she can dish out as much damage as possible.

While not the perfect setup, this combination is currently the best option for Evelyn, allowing her to maximize her burst potential until a Drive Disc set tailored for Chain Attacks is introduced.

Skill Priority for Evelyn

To maximize Evelyn’s damage output, prioritize leveling her Core Passive and Chain Attack first, as they form the foundation of her burst playstyle. After that, focus on her EX Special Attack, followed by Basic Attacks, Assist, and finally Dodge, as these contribute the least to her overall effectiveness.

Optimal Skill Leveling Order:
1. Core Passive – The key to Evelyn’s damage scaling, making it the highest priority.
2. Chain Attack – Her main damage source, allowing her to unleash massive burst damage during stun windows.
3. EX Special Attack – Provides additional damage but isn’t as crucial as the Core or Chain Attacks.
4. Basic Attack – A useful filler but not the main focus of her kit.
5. Assist – Offers minor utility but isn’t a priority for Evelyn.
6. Dodge – Least important, as Evelyn’s playstyle revolves around bursting down enemies rather than prolonged engagements.

By following this skill priority, you’ll ensure Evelyn reaches her full damage potential, making her as effective as possible in stun-based team compositions.

Conclusion

Evelyn is a powerful Fire DPS in Zenless Zone Zero, specializing in Chain Attacks and burst damage during stun windows. To fully optimize her, equipping her with Heartstring Nocturne, a 4-piece Hormone Punk + 2-piece Inferno Metal Drive Disc set, and prioritizing her Core Passive and Chain Attack will maximize her damage potential. While she lacks a dedicated Drive Disc set, proper stat allocation and team synergy can help her shine.

For players who enjoy a strategic, high-burst playstyle, Evelyn is an incredibly rewarding unit that can deal devastating damage when played correctly. With the right build, she becomes a dominant force in stun-focused team compositions.