Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) Shiyu Defense Guide and Overview for Critical Nodes
Struggling with a Shiyu Defense Critical Nodes? Check out our dedicated Shiyu Defense Critical Node Guide for stage information, Agent recommendations, and more!
What is the Critical Node in Shiyu Defense?
The Critical Node is comprised of stages that rotate on a twice monthly basis. Critical Node stages focus on killing a set number of enemies within a certain amount of time, and meeting certain thresholds will grant you the maximum rewards. You will be able to gain up to 720 Polychrome from this content, provided you manage to clear all seven stages on S-Rank. Each stage has 3 sets of rewards that you can gain at B, A and S-Grades respectively.
Clearing any stage at any grade will unlock the next one for you, so don't fret if you do not manage to get an S-Grade immediately. Depending on how many stages you have cleared in the previous cycle, you may be able to skip some stages. S-ranking all 7 Critical Node stages will allow you to skip the first 3 stages in the upcoming cycle.
In this guide we will provide detailed information on each of the 7 stages, highlighting the weaknesses of the enemies in each stage, as well as potential team recommendations that might make your life a little easier in order to claim the mode's rewards.
Keep in mind that a well built character may perform better than others, even if it does not match the enemies weakness. Just make sure to not pit them against enemies that are resistant to their damage type.
Zenless Zone Zero Endgame Reset Calendar
Critical Node Stages
There are 7 stages in the Critical Node section of the Shiyu Defense. Each stage has its own set of enemies, buffs and effects that boost your characters, as well as their own Challenge Target time-limits. In each stage you will have to field 2 teams, requiring 6 Agents and 2 Bangboos total. You cannot use the same Agent or Bangboo twice.
Critical Node Stage Information
Disclaimer: Depending on your account, you may only have a handful of characters leveled and equipped. While this guide will recommend different teams for different stages, you are more likely to succeed by playing your highest level characters that you have the most practice with, instead of the ones that match the stage's bonuses and vulnerabilities. Simply make sure to not field a team that the enemy units have resistances against, and try to take advantage of the bonuses granted each cycle.
Use the Stage-Slider to select the stage you would like more information on.
Move the slider below to make the guide update to your level!
This rotation of Critical Nodes heavily emphasizes Ice and Ether agents, with an emphasis on Rupture Agents like the new Yixuan. It also provides a small Crit DMG increase after using Quick Assist or Ultimate, which can benefit certain Attack Agents as well. Prime characters for this rotation include Yixuan, Hugo Vlad, Hoshimi Miyabi, Zhu Yuan, and the newly buffed Ellen Joe
Critical Node: First Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agent Max HP increases by 15%, Ether DMG and Ice DMG increase by 20%. When an Agent activates Quick Assist or Ultimate, their Sheer DMG increases by 30%, Crit DMG increases by 20%, lasting 20s. Repeated triggers reset the duration. |
|
Recommended Teams for First Frontier
| DPS | Sub DPS/Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
| Ellen Joe | ||
| Jane Doe | ||
| Team 2 | ||
| Yixuan | Pulchra | Pan Yinhu |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
Critical Node: Second Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agent Max HP increases by 15%, Ether DMG and Ice DMG increase by 20%. When an Agent activates Quick Assist or Ultimate, their Sheer DMG increases by 30%, Crit DMG increases by 20%, lasting 20s. Repeated triggers reset the duration. |
|
Recommended Teams for Second Frontier
| DPS | Sub DPS/Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Ellen Joe | ||
| Team 2 | ||
| Yixuan | Pulchra | Pan Yinhu |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Soldier 0 - Anby | ||
| Tsukishiro Yanagi | ||
Critical Node: Third Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agent Max HP increases by 15%, Ether DMG and Ice DMG increase by 20%. When an Agent activates Quick Assist or Ultimate, their Sheer DMG increases by 30%, Crit DMG increases by 20%, lasting 20s. Repeated triggers reset the duration. |
|
Recommended Teams for Third Frontier
| DPS | Sub DPS/Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Ellen Joe | ||
| Jane Doe | ||
| Team 2 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Yixuan | Pulchra | Pan Yinhu |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
Critical Node: Fourth Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agent Max HP increases by 15%, Ether DMG and Ice DMG increase by 20%. When an Agent activates Quick Assist or Ultimate, their Sheer DMG increases by 30%, Crit DMG increases by 20%, lasting 20s. Repeated triggers reset the duration. |
|
Recommended Teams for Fourth Frontier
| DPS | Sub DPS/Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Ellen Joe | ||
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
| Team 2 | ||
| Yixuan | Pulchra | Pan Yinhu |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
Critical Node: Fifth Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agent Max HP increases by 15%, Ether DMG and Ice DMG increase by 20%. When an Agent activates Quick Assist or Ultimate, their Sheer DMG increases by 30%, Crit DMG increases by 20%, lasting 20s. Repeated triggers reset the duration. |
|
Recommended Teams for Fifth Frontier
| DPS | Sub DPS/Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Yixuan | Pulchra | Pan Yinhu |
| Ellen Joe | ||
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Team 2 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Yixuan | Pulchra | Pan Yinhu |
| Ellen Joe | ||
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
Critical Node: Sixth Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agent Max HP increases by 15%, Ether DMG and Ice DMG increase by 20%. When an Agent activates Quick Assist or Ultimate, their Sheer DMG increases by 30%, Crit DMG increases by 20%, lasting 20s. Repeated triggers reset the duration. |
|
Recommended Teams for Sixth Frontier
| DPS | Sub DPS/Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Yixuan | Pulchra | Pan Yinhu |
| Ellen Joe | ||
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Team 2 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Yixuan | Pulchra | Pan Yinhu |
| Ellen Joe | ||
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
Critical Node: Seventh Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agent Max HP increases by 15%, Ether DMG and Ice DMG increase by 20%. When an Agent activates Quick Assist or Ultimate, their Sheer DMG increases by 30%, Crit DMG increases by 20%, lasting 20s. Repeated triggers reset the duration. |
|
Recommended Teams for Seventh Frontier
| DPS | Sub DPS/Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Yixuan | Pulchra | Pan Yinhu |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Evelyn Chevalier | Lighter | |
| Soldier 11 | ||
| Team 2 | ||
| Hoshimi Miyabi | ||
| Ellen Joe | ||
| Hugo Vlad | Von Lycaon | Lighter |
Changelog
- 06 Jun. 2025: Updated for Frosty Lance, Phantom Thorn season.
- 23 May 2025: Updated for Mountain Strike season.
- 10 May 2025: Updated for Majestic Frost season.
- 25 Apr. 2025: Updated for The Sound of Change season.
- 11 Apr. 2025: Updated for Oppressive Shackles season.
- 29 Mar. 2025: Updated for United in Spirit season.
- 16 Mar. 2025: Updated for Chasing Fire and Thunder season.
- 02 Mar. 2025: Updated for Frightening Strike season.
- 15 Feb. 2025: Updated for Ice-Fire Synergy season.
- 01 Feb. 2025: Updated for Critical Aid season.
- 17 Jan. 2025: Updated for Specialized Assist season.
- 03 Jan. 2025: Updated for Explosive Assault season.
- 18 Dec. 2024: Updated for Anomaly Impact season.
- 03 Nov. 2024: Updated for Surging Starflow season.
- 17 Nov. 2024: Updated for Whirling Current season.
- 01 Nov. 2024: Updated for Lightning Speed season.
- 17 Oct. 2024: Updated for Unyielding Momentum season.
- 01 Oct. 2024: Updated for Close Quarters Combat season.
- 16 Sep. 2024: Updated for Global Rollout season.
- 01 Sep. 2024: Updated for Irresistible Force season.
- 16 Aug. 2024: Updated for Precise Synergy season.
- 03 Aug. 2024: Page added.
This guide has been written and reviewed by Seliathan. With over 20 years of competitive gaming experience and an immense enjoyment of Honkai: Star Rails story and gameplay, he has now set his sights on another MiHoYo title in Zenless Zone Zero.
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