Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) delivers fast-paced, strategic combat where quick reflexes and smart team management are key to survival. Among its many mechanics, Defensive Assists stand out as a crucial defensive tool, allowing players to parry enemy attacks and counter with devastating follow-ups.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Defensive Assists, including how to execute them, their differences from Evasive Assists, and how to maximize their effectiveness in battle.
A Defensive Assist is essentially a parry mechanic that lets you block an incoming enemy strike and retaliate with a powerful counterattack. When an enemy is about to attack, a yellow flash and a distinct sound cue will signal the perfect moment to activate the assist.
To perform a Defensive Assist:
Watch for the yellow flash—this indicates an enemy’s incoming attack.
Press the character-swap button (Space on PC, shoulder buttons on controllers).
Your next Agent will block the attack and may follow up with a counter.
Successfully landing a Defensive Assist interrupts the enemy’s attack and inflicts Daze, represented by the yellow bar beneath their health. Once the Daze meter fills, a heavy attack (Special, EX Special, Ultimate, etc.) will Stun the enemy, leaving them vulnerable to massive damage.
Not all characters can perform Defensive Assists—some will instead trigger an Evasive Assist. Here’s how they differ:
| Feature | Defensive Assist | Evasive Assist |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Blocks & counters | Dodges & slows time (Vital View) |
| Character Type | Melee-focused Agents | Ranged-focused Agents |
| Best For | Stun-based strategies | Safe repositioning |
Defensive Assists are ideal for stun-heavy teams (e.g., Anby, Zhu Yuan, Harumasa), as they build Daze faster.
Evasive Assists are great for avoiding damage and gaining a tactical advantage with Vital View’s slow-motion effect.
Some characters break these rules—Nicole (ranged) can perform Defensive Assists, while Pulchra (melee) defaults to Evasive Assists.
Both Defensive and Evasive Assists consume Assist Points (AP).
Check your AP via the notches on the Ultimate button.
Restore AP by:
Using Chain Attacks (+1 AP).
Activating a Defensive character’s Ultimate (+3 AP).
If you have no AP left, attempting a Perfect Assist will result in a basic Evasive Assist (without Vital View).
Pressing C/Space (PC) or LB/RB (controller) lets you swap to the next or previous Agent, allowing you to select the best assist type for the situation.
If an enemy’s attack flashes red, a Perfect Assist won’t work—instead, you’ll perform an Evasive Assist without AP cost.
✅ Practice timing—learning enemy attack patterns helps land perfect parries.
✅ Balance your team—mix melee and ranged Agents for flexibility.
✅ Use Chain Attacks—they restore AP, letting you spam more assists.
✅ Exploit Stun opportunities—maximize damage when enemies are Dazed.
By mastering Defensive Assists, you’ll gain a major edge in Zenless Zone Zero’s chaotic battles. Whether you prefer aggressive counters or tactical dodges, understanding this mechanic will make you a far deadlier Proxy!