Ether

Best Ether Characters in Zenless Zone Zero 2026

The burst element — Ether agents spike huge damage inside Stun windows.

How Ether Works

Ether is the attribute of burst-damage Attack agents like Zhu Yuan, whose damage front-loads inside the Stun window. Ether also drives the Corruption anomaly, a damage-over-time effect. Because Ether carries are squishy and reward precise timing, they pair closely with a Stun agent and a Defensive Assist support such as Nicole, who also happens to be Ether.

2 Ether characters · 1 S-tier

Ether Reactions

Reaction
With
What it does
Corruption
Ether
Filling the Ether anomaly meter applies Corruption, a damage-over-time effect that also amplifies subsequent Ether hits.
Disorder
Another anomaly
Triggering a second anomaly on a Corrupted enemy causes Disorder, detonating the Corruption DoT for burst damage.
Stun-burst synergy
Stun agents
Ether Attack agents like Zhu Yuan deal their largest hits during the Stun window, so a reliable Stun partner is core to the element's identity.

Best Ether Teams

Ether burst core

Zhu Yuan + Anby + Nicole

Anby opens the Stun window, Nicole shreds DEF and provides shields, and Zhu Yuan dumps her EX Special and Ultimate for massive Ether damage.

Double Ether

Zhu Yuan + Nicole + flexible Attack

Running two Ether units stacks Ether DMG bonuses from supports and keeps anomaly uptime high in longer fights.

All Ether Characters

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Ether teams want a Defensive Assist support?

Nicole's shield and DEF shred directly raise the carry's damage while keeping the squishy Ether DPS alive during the Stun burst.

What does an Ether DPS prioritise for stats?

CRIT Rate, PEN%, and ATK%, because Ether burst damage ignores a portion of enemy DEF through PEN. Energy Regen matters less than on Stun units.