This reverses years of muscle memory. That DEF main stat you used to salvage is now the goal.
Zenless Zone Zero 3.2 Overview: The Fortis Class and Banners
Release timing and banner order
Version 3.2 launched September 9, 2026. The main story centres on Flint Workshop - the puppet-master controlling Bangboo is still at large, Lady Drequina has not recovered from losing her core, and every lead points to Flint Workshop in Whelum.
The banner runs in two phases: Claret (Electric, Fortis) with a Miyabi rerun first, then Roxie (Anemo, Rupture) with a Promeia rerun in the second half. The preview stream aired August 28 with the code CLARET0909.
What the Fortis class changes
Fortis does exactly one thing differently: damage is calculated from DEF. It gets nothing from flat attack buffs and nothing from crit damage stats, and those two facts drive every gearing decision that follows. The community has already built support pairings around Koleda and Rina retooled toward DEF.
The good news for newer accounts is that her core kit is complete at M0, with mindscapes mostly raising damage ceilings. The cost is that your drive disc farm restarts - existing attack and crit damage discs are largely dead weight on her.
Zenless Zone Zero Claret Mechanics: Seared, Rupture and Sharp Crit
How the damage loop works
Claret's kit revolves around three terms: Seared , Rupture and Sharp Crit . Combat applies Seared stacks to enemies; filling them detonates for Rupture burst damage, which is her primary damage source (source: community guide compilation).
She is a long-cycle burst carry rather than a hold-attack-all-day character. Her empowered state, Crimson Inscription， upgrades every move, letting her stack Seared with her blood axe and detonate Rupture while carrying heavy damage reduction and knockback resistance. There is a real execution barrier here, so a few training-room reps before endgame matter.
Why crit rate above 100% is not wasted
Her crit rate can exceed 100%, and the overflow triggers secondary crit checks - the community calls this Sharp Crit .
Here is the trade-off. A normal carry stacks crit rate to 70-80% and pivots into crit damage. Claret keeps treating crit rate as a live stat past 100%, because every point above the cap converts into an extra damage check rather than evaporating. Conversely, she does not use crit damage at all, which makes the traditional crit rate helm with crit damage substats a low-priority combination on her.
Zenless Zone Zero Claret Drive Disc Build
Main stats
Build the main stats around the DEF system: slot 4 takes crit rate (crit rate keeps paying until you approach 100%), slot 5 takes Electric damage bonus, and slot 6 takes DEF% or an anomaly-mastery option depending on whether your team leans on anomaly triggers.
Keep "main stat" separate from "does she use attack". Her damage base is DEF, so DEF% on slot 6 clearly outranks attack percentage in the same slot.
Substats
Substat priority: crit rate > DEF% > flat DEF > attack%.
The deviation from normal builds sits in positions two and three, where DEF rolls graduate from trash to core. Do not insist on a perfect four-stat opener; land crit rate plus one DEF% roll first, then patch with later upgrade rolls.
Zenless Zone Zero Claret Team Compositions
Three working teams
| Team | Agents | Gear / discs | Rotation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEF support (recommended) | Claret + Koleda + defensive flex | Supports carry DEF buffs and resistance shred | Support applies shred, Claret enters empowered state, axe-stack Seared, detonate Rupture |
| Rina DEF-conversion | Claret + Rina + rupture flex | Rina built for DEF conversion | Rupture applies daze, Rina buffs, Claret bursts |
| Budget mono-Electric | Claret + Electric support + generic healer | Support on energy recharge and DEF | Support sustains energy, keep empowered uptime high |
Why she ignores traditional attack buffers
Fortis does not use traditional attack buffers, so pairing her with DEF buffs or resistance shred is the priority. That single line decides your teammate filter. Attack-aura supports do nothing for her, while shred, DEF buffs and extended daze windows get amplified.
If your roster is heavy on attack buffers and light on DEF supports, expect a rough first week. Waiting for a later release is a legitimate choice.
Zenless Zone Zero 3.2 Roxie - Worth Pulling?
The DEF conversion thresholds
Roxie is an S-rank Anemo Rupture agent whose core mechanic converts DEF into attack and impact. Above 1500 starting DEF, the excess converts into attack and impact; above 1800 starting DEF you gain the full crit rate bonus .
That design makes DEF her double core stat. Below 1500 the mechanic does not start, and you only collect full value above 1800. Work out whether your discs can reach 1800 before you commit resources; if they cannot, the payoff halves.
Signature weapon and alternatives
Her kit revolves around Gale Eyes: spend energy to convert it into wind power and spawn a Gale Eye, then charge an attack to detonate it into homing whirlwinds. She also supplies daze extension, crit rate and crit damage buffs, and Anemo anomaly support. Her signature engine offers a large DEF% roll, 28% crit rate, Anemo resistance ignore and extra daze.
Budget options include Big Boomer or any high-impact rupture engine. Pull her if you need a rupture slot or want to reinforce an Anemo team, but she is not a generic "good on everyone" rupture pick.
Zenless Zone Zero 3.2 Combat Tips and Resource Planning
Playing the burst window
In long fights, Claret's rhythm is "wait for empowerment, dump the combo, leave". Stack Seared before entering Crimson Inscription, then fill the axe stacks inside the window before detonating. Front-loading skills the moment the state activates produces less total damage.
Two common mistakes: tanking hits without using the damage reduction window, and stacking crit damage before crit rate reaches 100%. The second throws away the easiest damage available to her.
Free outfits and how to spend Polychrome
Complete "Surprise Screening Project" and "Pinball Hero Clang Clang!" during 3.2 to earn two free Angel of Delusion faction outfits, with the third arriving through a 3.3 event - all three free. A 14-day check-in grants 10 encrypted master tapes and Bangboo tickets. The Hollow Zero Bagel Plan also opens a new season.
On Polychrome: secure character pity before spending on drive disc stamina. This patch's DEF-substat demand raises the effective cost of disc farming, so bank stamina ahead of time.
Zenless Zone Zero 3.2 FAQ
Q: Does Claret need crit damage?
A: No. Her damage scales off DEF and she does not use crit damage. Push crit rate to around 100%, then move remaining resources into DEF.
Q: Is Claret usable at M0?
A: Yes. Her core mechanics are complete at M0, with mindscapes mainly raising damage numbers.
Q: How much DEF does Roxie need?
A: Excess DEF above 1500 converts into attack and impact, and full crit rate bonus requires above 1800 starting DEF. Confirm you can reach 1800 before investing.
Q: How do I get the free 3.2 outfits?
A: Complete "Surprise Screening Project" and "Pinball Hero Clang Clang!" for two free Angel of Delusion outfits, with the third from a 3.3 event.
Action checklist
- Level Claret to a usable point and confirm her M0 kit covers your damage needs
- Refarm drive discs: crit rate on slot 4, Electric damage on slot 5, DEF% on slot 6
- Filter substats in the order crit rate > DEF% > flat DEF
- Pair her with DEF buffs or resistance shred, never with attack auras
- Clear both limited events for two free outfits and finish the 14-day check-in
- Check whether your discs can reach 1800 DEF before investing in Roxie
More Zenless Zone Zero team building and endgame coverage is available on gghubs.com.