Hollow Zero in 2026: A Veteran Player's Deep Dive into Zenless Zone Zero's Roguelite

Even in 2026, Hollow Zero remains the beating heart of Zenless Zone Zero's endgame for me. I've logged hundreds of runs since version 1.0, and while new agents and modes have arrived, the core loop of exploring a haunted hollow, stacking resonias, and battling Nineveh still hooks me. If you're looking to master this roguelite, here's everything I've learned from my own expeditions.

Getting Started: What You Need

Before you can dive in, you must reach Inter-knot Level 10, complete Chapter 1 Interlude, and finish a side quest that unlocks the Scott Outpost. That's your hub for all things Hollow Zero. The mode itself is a roguelite where you traverse a grid of TVs, each step adding 10 pressure by default. Hit 100 pressure and you gain a corruption—a random debuff that messes with your exploration, transactions, or combat. Carry four corruptions and the fifth becomes a special one that buffs the final boss. I always keep an eye on my pressure bar; sometimes it's worth taking a risky tile for a big reward.

Events and traps are scattered across tiles. You can check your Event log by pausing during a run. Some risks aren't stated, but if you comply, you might find multiple rewards. I've learned to trust my gut—and the occasional gamble.

Resonias: The Heart of Your Build

After every combat, shop, or gacha tile, you'll pick up resonias. These card effects come in many types: Attribute (element-based), Duel, Dodge, Critical, Shield, Energy, Assist, Synergy, Tenacity, Hollow, Artifice, General, and Affinity. Ranks range from B to S, affecting shop prices and the abilities they grant. At the start of a run, you get a Research Resonium and one of three Collective Emblems for higher drop rates.

Here's a quick rundown of each type from my experience:

Type	Focus
Duel	Defensive Assists, Chain Attacks, Daze buildup
Dodge	Dodge Counters, Dash Attacks, Perfect Dodge procs
Critical	Crit Rate/DMG stacks for burst damage
Shield	Shields after skills, buffs while shielded
Energy	Energy for EX Specials, decibels for Ultimates
Assist	Buffs and shields after Perfect Assists
Synergy	Bangboo stat buffs
Tenacity	High-risk, high-reward HP sacrifice
Hollow	Random event tile drops, rare buffs
General	Random drops or from rejecting agent calls
Artifice	Corrupted gacha tile debuff that becomes a buff after 2 combats
Affinity	Campsite drops from Trust Lv3 agents

You can reroll resonias 1 to 5 times by upgrading your Combat Configuration. Catalyzers let you upgrade resonias—sometimes for Gear Coins, sometimes HP, or even adding a corruption. I usually catalyze my key resonias before the final boss.

After collecting four resonias of the same type, you create an Infused Resonium; at eight, another. But Affinity, Artifice, General, and Hollow don't infuse. Artifice resonias come from Corrupted Gacha Tiles and can't be catalyzed or infused—they flip from debuff to permanent buff after two combats.

Research NPCs and Special Tiles

Each zone has a Research NPC: Masked Scholar, Secret Doctor, or The Opportunist. Withering Garden has all three. They offer deals and risks—gear coins, corruption, HP costs, debt. Satisfy their hidden objective and meet them at a Safe point to catalyze your Research Resonium and get extra rewards.

Bank Zero is a special tile, usually left of the Safe point. You deposit points by spending HP, Gear Coins, or adding pressure. Milestones grant resonias, and points are shared across all zones. I always deposit early to reap the rewards later.

Tilesets are pre-determined but connections vary. Call for Support tiles let agents join your squad; rejecting a call after you have three agents grants a Hollow Resonia. Certain agents can clear traps based on body type or personality—Ellen loves rest tiles, Billy excels at deals, and short characters like Soukaku fit into destroyed buildings. With more agents added since 1.0, these interactions are more consistent now, but still a bit random.

Combat and Squad Building

Your squad starts with a leader, and you can add up to five agents if your Inter-knot Level is high enough. If you don't pick additional agents, every Call for Support offers three deals: heal 10% HP, 500 Gear Coins, or -30 Pressure. Your Bangboo always joins Chain Attacks; you can have up to three Bangboos, but extra ones force you to replace the additional two. S-rank Bangboos in your roster can join randomly.

Permanent Upgrades and Withering Garden

Spend crystals from each zone on the Combat Configuration menu. Upgrades go left to right; you can't skip Standard upgrades to buy Advanced ones. Crystals are farmable by replaying Hollow Zero.

Withering Garden is the final zone. After clearing Core, you unlock Ether Activities to increase intensity. You face Nineveh at Low, Medium, High, and Extreme. At the start, all three Researchers offer one of three buffs and debuffs, then escalating deals and risks each floor. You can catalyze Research Resonias for 500 Gear Coins before the final boss. You may skip one Risk per run after the second or third floor.

Blitz mode is combat-only: clear 2-3 monster groups per floor, each granting resonias, and defeat a boss for three specific resonias. Ether Activities still apply.

Inferno Reap: The Endgame Challenge

Inferno Reap unlocks after a Withering Garden: Core run and the HSO commission. No TV exploration—just combat. Your collected resonias convert into a kit. You fight Nineveh for 3 minutes 30 seconds; killing Hornets and Vines extends the timer by 3 seconds each. Defeating Nineveh stops the timer and spawns more enemies, letting you extend before she recovers. Last 60 and 30 seconds deal increased damage to both sides. Rewards scale with damage, Vines killed, and Hornets killed.

Rewards include Polychromes, Investigation Points, EXP materials, Drive Disc materials, Lost Items, and Dennies.

Rewards and Weekly Routine

Hollow Zero rewards first-time clears and repeated play. Boopons guarantee an S-rank Bangboo after 80 Signals. License EXP comes from clears and replays, with a weekly cap—hit it every week. Weekly missions can be rerolled before completing any; they give Polychromes, Boopons, and Master Tapes. Achievements track progress and grant Polychromes every 10 completed.

Casper, outside the Scott Outpost tent, sells monthly goods. Two tabs: Outpost Logistics (Z-merits) and Association Supplies (Investigation Merits). Z-merits come from S-rank floor completions and Bounty Commissions. Investigation Merits come from Notorious Hunts and Shiyu Defense. Buy Boopons, Master Tapes, and Tuning Calibrators.

Final Thoughts

Hollow Zero in 2026 is still a rewarding grind. The RNG can be brutal, but with the right resonias, catalysts, and squad, you can conquer any zone. I hope my insights help you on your next run. Now get out there and clear some hollows! 🎮