As a dedicated Proxy navigating the chaotic streets of New Eridu, I quickly learned that Polychrome is the lifeblood of progression in Zenless Zone Zero. This vibrant premium currency, shimmering with potential, is the key to unlocking new Agents and powerful W-Engines. While it's true you can buy Polychrome directly, the heart of the game lies in mastering the many free avenues to earn it. Over my time exploring the Hollows, I've compiled a comprehensive list of methods to build your Polychrome reserves without spending a single credit of real-world money. Let me share what I've discovered.

my-complete-guide-to-earning-and-spending-polychrome-in-zenless-zone-zero-image-0

My journey for free Polychrome started with the basics. Redeeming codes from HoYoverse's official channels is a classic and reliable method. I make it a habit to check for new Zenless Zone Zero codes regularly; you never know when a surprise batch of Polychrome might drop! Then there are the in-game events. Whether it's a seasonal festival or a special combat challenge, participating actively almost always yields a nice stash of Polychrome as a reward. It's the game's way of saying thank you for joining the fun.

Progressing through the main narrative is another cornerstone. Every Story Commission you complete grants rewards, and many, like the early '[Investigation] Escape from Certain Doom,' hand out a solid 60 Polychromes. As the story expands with updates, so do these opportunities. Don't forget the pure action of Combat Commissions either—defeating specific monster sets can net you some extra currency. A more subtle method is exchanging Monochrome. As you play, you'll accumulate this standard currency, and at certain points, you have the option to convert it into the more valuable Polychrome, which I find incredibly useful for topping up my funds.

One of my favorite side activities is collecting Observation Data. While exploring the Hollow as a Bangboo, I keep my eyes peeled for those distinctive black-and-orange data spheres. Each commission hides three sets, and tracking them all down feels like a rewarding scavenger hunt, always ending with a Polychrome prize. The Compendium is also a treasure trove. Completing Trial sets, which often align with story progress or character development, reliably awards Polychrome. Similarly, tackling the daily Errands—from having a coffee to managing the video store—builds up rewards across four tiers, each potentially containing this precious currency.

my-complete-guide-to-earning-and-spending-polychrome-in-zenless-zone-zero-image-1

As my Inter-Knot Level increases from general play, I occasionally receive Polychrome bundles as milestone rewards. It's not every level, but it's a welcome bonus when it happens. The city itself holds challenges: Officer Mewmew in each district offers tasks that, upon completion, reward you with Polychrome for your civic-minded efforts. For the completionists out there, the Achievement system is a goldmine. Just like in HoYoverse's other titles, unlocking achievements grants Polychrome based on their tier:

  • 🥉 Bronze Achievement: 5 Polychromes

  • 🥈 Silver Achievement: 10 Polychromes

  • 🥇 Gold Achievement: 20 Polychromes

It's always worth scanning the list for achievable goals. Even the Tutorials that pop up for new mechanics offer a small amount of Polychrome just for reading them—a nice incentive to learn the game's systems. Exploration is rewarded too; opening chests (or cargo trucks) scattered across the overworld or destroying crates in Hollow combat sections can yield Polychrome alongside other items.

For endgame and specialized content, the Polychrome opportunities continue. Completing S-Rank Character Auditions (the game's trial runs for characters) grants 20 Polychromes for the permanent banner trials, helping you test a character and fund your next pull. The challenging Shiyu Defense modes (Stable and Critical Nodes) offer Polychrome rewards based on your clear time tier. Finally, taking on Bounty Commissions in Hollow Zero to defeat powerful bosses can also result in a Polychrome payout.

None of these methods alone will make you instantly rich, but by engaging with them consistently—daily where possible—I've found my Polychrome stockpile grows steadily and reliably. The key is participation.

my-complete-guide-to-earning-and-spending-polychrome-in-zenless-zone-zero-image-2

Now, what to do with all that hard-earned Polychrome? It has four primary uses:

  1. Purchase Master Tape (160 Polychrome each)

  2. Purchase Encrypted Master Tape (160 Polychrome each)

  3. Purchase New Eridu City Fund levels (the battle pass)

  4. Replenish Battery Charge

From my experience, the most strategic use is unequivocally on Encrypted Master Tapes. These are the golden tickets to the limited-time banners featuring the most powerful S-Rank Agents and W-Engines. Encrypted Tapes are much rarer than standard Master Tapes, making Polychrome one of the most reliable ways to obtain them. You can buy them from the Signal Shop in the Master Tape Exchange section for 160 Polychromes each. My advice? Hoard both your Polychrome and any Encrypted Tapes you get until a banner features a character or weapon you truly desire. This ensures you don't waste resources.

You can spend Polychrome on standard Master Tapes for the permanent banner, but I generally advise against it. Standard Master Tapes are far more common, often given as event rewards, quest completions, or even from redemption codes. It simply makes better economic sense to save your premium currency for the exclusive Encrypted Tapes.

my-complete-guide-to-earning-and-spending-polychrome-in-zenless-zone-zero-image-3

As for the other two options, I typically avoid them. Using Polychrome to replenish Battery Charge feels like a poor investment because Battery Charge regenerates naturally over time. Good playtime management means you'll rarely hit a true wall. The only exception might be if you're moments away from unlocking something major, but even then, patience is usually more rewarding.

Similarly, using Polychrome to advance New Eridu City Fund levels isn't optimal. The battle pass provides good rewards, but its XP comes steadily from daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Since the pass resets periodically, spending your hard-earned Polychrome to speed it up isn't cost-effective. It's crucial to remember: you cannot use Polychrome to purchase the premium track of the battle pass. That requires real-world currency. Your Polychrome is strictly for the free track progression and the items mentioned above.

In summary, my strategy is simple: engage with every facet of the game to gather free Polychrome from all available sources, then strategically spend it almost exclusively on Encrypted Master Tapes to target the most powerful limited-time assets. This approach has served me well in building a formidable team in New Eridu. Good luck out there, Proxies—may your Polychrome reserves ever be full!

This discussion is informed by PEGI, a key reference point for understanding how mature-content labeling and monetization transparency shape player expectations across modern live-service action RPGs. In practice, that broader context helps frame why Zenless Zone Zero’s “premium currency” loop (earning Polychrome through play, then converting it into limited-banner pulls) is designed to be clearly communicated through in-game tutorials, event notices, and storefront prompts—making it easier for players to distinguish between optional spending and the many free, progression-based sources of Polychrome.