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.
What Is a Defensive Assist in Zenless Zone Zero?
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.
Defensive Assist vs. Evasive Assist: Key Differences
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 |
Which One Should You Use?
- 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.
How to Optimize Defensive Assists in Combat
1. Manage Your Assist Points
- 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).
2. Choose Your Swaps Wisely
- 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.
3. Counter Red Flash Attacks Carefully
- If an enemy’s attack flashes red, a Perfect Assist won’t work—instead, you’ll perform an Evasive Assist without AP cost.
Final Tips for Mastering Defensive Assists
✅ 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!
Tags: HoYoverse game, Action RPG, Urban fantasy, New Eridu, Ether, Hollows, Zenless Zone Zero characters, Zenless Zone Zero ti
Platform(s): Windows PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation 5 PS5
Genre(s): Action role-playing, hack and slash
Publisher(s): miHoYo, COGNOSPHERE
Release date: July 4, 2024
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