Unlocking new challenges and exploring deeper into Hollow Zero is a core part of the Zenless Zone Zero experience. For those venturing further, the Construction Ruins zone becomes accessible, presenting a significant step up in difficulty and rewards. But before you can tackle these crumbling structures, you must first navigate the evocative Street Lost to Memory commission and clear the Old Capital Metro: Edge. This crucial questline, initiated after completing Chapter 2, paves the way to speak with Ray at Scott Outpost, officially granting you access to the Construction Ruins. This guide will provide a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know to conquer Construction Ruins, from unlocking it, understanding each stage (Frontline, Interior, Heartland, and Core), to selecting the best characters and maximizing your rewards. Prepare to delve into the depths of the ruins and emerge victorious!
How to Unlock Construction Ruins
Navigating the Stages of Construction Ruins
Construction Ruins is divided into four distinct stages, each increasing in recommended level and challenge:
| Construction Ruins Stages |
|---|
| Frontline |
| Heartland |
Each stage is further broken down into floors, with unique layouts, enemies, and strategic considerations. Let’s explore each stage in detail.
Frontline: Stage Details and Walkthrough
The Frontline stage serves as your introduction to the challenges of Construction Ruins. It is recommended for Level 30 players and favors Electric element characters.
Frontline Stage Information
| Rec. Level | Level 30 |
|---|---|
| Best Elements | ZZZ – Electric Electric |
| Elements to Avoid | ZZZ – Fire Fire |
Electric element agents will shine in Frontline due to enemy weaknesses, while Fire element damage will be less effective.
Best Characters for Frontline
Selecting the right team composition is crucial for success in Construction Ruins. For Frontline, consider these top-performing characters:
| Role | Recommended Characters |
|---|---|
| Attack | Anton, ZZZ – Zhu Yuan Zhu Yuan |
| Stun | Anby, ZZZ – Qingyi Qingyi |
| Support | Nicole, ZZZ – Rina Rina |
| Anomaly | Grace, ZZZ – Yanagi Yanagi |
These characters are effective due to their Electric element synergy, stun capabilities, and support skills that complement the challenges of Frontline. For a broader perspective, refer to the Tier List and Best Characters guide.
Frontline Enemies
Knowing your enemies is half the battle. Frontline features these enemies:
| Floor | Featured Enemies |
|---|---|
| #1 | Autonomous Support Unit – Guardian MK II |
| #2 | Unknown Corruption Complex Unknown Corruption Complex |
For a complete list of potential threats within Hollow Zero, check out the List of All Enemies.
Floor 1 Walkthrough – Frontline
| # | Floor 1 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | The stage begins with a [Research] Resource Conversion Resonium and a random set of Resonium choices. The Research Resonium is beneficial as it boosts your damage based on Gear Coins spent. |
| 2a | Frontline Floor 1 The Opportunist Shortly after starting, you will encounter The Opportunist, a recurring character in Construction Ruins. He offers to lend you Gear Coins, which you’ll need to repay later. You can choose to accept or decline his offer. |
| 2b | Borrowing Gear Coins has pros and cons. Accepting the loan grants bonus Gear Coins from shop purchases and a free Resonium. However, failing to repay the debt results in a Resonium penalty based on your outstanding amount. Consider your resources and playstyle before accepting. |
| 3 | Follow the straightforward path to the right, defeating the enemy you encounter. You’ll be rewarded with Gear Coins, an optional Artifice Resonium, and potentially a character encounter along the way. |
| 4 | Frontline Floor 1 Second Area The next area presents a tile-based puzzle with three paths leading to the exit. Be mindful of your steps, as the tiles disappear as you move. |
| Moving right removes the column you were previously on, while moving up or down removes the previous row. Plan your path carefully to collect desired items and reach the exit. | |
| 5 | At the exit, you will face the Guardian MK II. Defeat it to advance to the second floor of Frontline. |
Floor 2 Walkthrough – Frontline
| # | Floor 2 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | Frontline Floor 2 Borrow More Coins The Opportunist blocks your path at the start of Floor 2, offering another loan. You can borrow more Gear Coins, receive additional resources, or decline his offers entirely. |
| 2 | Collect all available rewards in the starting area after interacting with The Opportunist. Ensure you claim any S-grade clear rewards from Floor 1 on the right before proceeding through the transmission tile. |
| 3a | Frontline Floor 2 Disappearing Tiles Area The final area features a similar disappearing tile mechanic to Floor 1, but this time with three initial paths. Reaching the end of this section spawns a second tile area with five paths, increasing the complexity. |
| 3b | You will encounter The Opportunist again before the exit. Prepare to repay your debt or face Resonium loss. |
| 4 | Frontline Floor 2 Defeat Boss The exit is guarded by the Unknown Corruption Complex. Defeat this boss to complete the Frontline stage. |
Interior: Stage Details and Walkthrough
Interior is the second stage of Construction Ruins, recommended for levels 35-40, and continues to favor Electric element agents.
Interior Stage Information
| Rec. Level | Level 35-40 |
|---|---|
| Best Elements | ZZZ – Electric Electric |
| Elements to Avoid | ZZZ – Fire Fire |
Electric remains the optimal element for Interior, maintaining its effectiveness against the enemies within.
Best Characters for Interior
The character recommendations for Interior largely overlap with Frontline, but with slight additions to account for the increased difficulty:
| Role | Recommended Characters |
|---|---|
| Attack | Anton, ZZZ – Zhu Yuan Zhu Yuan, Harumasa |
| Stun | ZZZ – Anby Anby, Qingyi |
| Support | ZZZ – Nicole Nicole, Rina |
| Anomaly | ZZZ – Grace Grace, Yanagi |
Harumasa joins the Attack character pool, providing another strong option for this stage. For a comprehensive character evaluation, refer to the Tier List and Best Characters.
Interior Enemies
Interior introduces new enemy variations and combinations:
| Floor | Featured Enemies |
|---|---|
| #1 | Autonomous Support Unit – Guardian MK II Autonomous Support Unit – Guardian MK II |
| #2 | Greta – Overclocked |
| #3 | Unknown Corruption Complex Unknown Corruption Complex |
Consult the List of All Enemies for detailed enemy information.
Floor 1 Walkthrough – Interior
| # | Floor 1 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | Similar to Frontline, you’ll receive a [Research] Resource Conversion Resonium and a random Resonium set at the start. This Resonium type continues to reward Gear Coin spending with increased damage. |
| 2a | Interior Floor 1 The Opportunist The Opportunist reappears, extending his loan services. You can borrow Gear Coins to boost your early-stage spending power, but remember to repay him by Floor 3 to avoid penalties. |
| 2b | Borrowing coins from The Opportunist again comes with the same benefits and risks. Decide if the immediate financial boost is worth the potential debt. |
| 3a | After the initial event, you’ll enter a three-row tile area with the familiar disappearing tile mechanic. |
| 3b | Moving up or down destroys the opposite row, while moving right destroys the left column. Plan your path carefully, as backtracking is not possible. |
| 4 | Interior Floor 1 First Area Shop Navigate the tiles to reach the Shop at the end of this section. Consider spending Gear Coins here to maximize the benefit of the Research Resonium obtained at the start. |
| 5 | The tile-disappearing mechanic persists in the next area, but now you’ll encounter enemies along your path. |
| 6 | Interior Floor 1 Two Guardian MK II Reach the exit and defeat two Guardian MK II bosses to clear Floor 1. |
Floor 2 Walkthrough – Interior
| # | Floor 2 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Opportunist blocks your path at the start of Floor 2, offering more Gear Coins and new services at the cost of HP or Gear Coins. |
| 2 | Interior Floor 2 First Area Reward Explore the initial area and collect all reward tiles. Claim any S-grade rewards from Floor 1 on the right. Breakable walls might also be present, offering additional rewards. |
| 3 | The next area utilizes the disappearing tile mechanic from Floor 1. This time, you’ll encounter a vault, event tiles, and enemies instead of a Shop at the end of the first part. |
| 4 | Interior Floor 2 Greta Overclocked Carefully navigate the tiles, collecting desired items, and reach the floor exit. Defeat Greta – Overclocked to proceed to Floor 3. |
Floor 3 Walkthrough – Interior
| # | Floor 3 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | Floor 3 starts similarly to Floor 2. The Opportunist is present, offering his usual services. Explore the area to gather rewards before moving to the final section. |
| 2 | Interior Floor 3 Second Area The final area maintains the disappearing tile mechanic, but expands to a five-row layout, offering more path options. |
| 3 | The Opportunist waits near the exit. This is your last chance to repay your debt. Failure to do so will result in a Resonium penalty. You can also spend any remaining Gear Coins with him as they won’t be usable beyond this point. |
| 4 | Interior Floor 3 Unknown Corruption Complex The exit boss is the Unknown Corruption Complex. Defeat it to complete the Interior stage and claim your rewards. |
Heartland: Stage Details and Walkthrough
Heartland is the third stage, recommended for Level 40, and continues to favor Electric element damage.
Heartland Stage Information
| Rec. Level | Level 40 |
|---|---|
| Best Elements | ZZZ – Electric Electric |
| Elements to Avoid | ZZZ – Fire Fire |
Electric remains the most effective element in Heartland, ensuring consistent damage output against enemies.
Best Characters for Heartland
The optimal character selection for Heartland remains consistent with the previous stages:
| Role | Recommended Characters |
|---|---|
| Attack | Anton, ZZZ – Zhu Yuan Zhu Yuan, Harumasa |
| Stun | ZZZ – Anby Anby, Qingyi |
| Support | ZZZ – Nicole Nicole, Rina |
| Anomaly | ZZZ – Grace Grace, Yanagi |
These agents continue to be effective in Heartland due to their synergy with the stage’s elemental focus and enemy types. Check the Tier List and Best Characters for further character insights.
Heartland Enemies
Heartland features a new set of challenging enemies:
| Floor | Featured Enemies |
|---|---|
| #1 | Greta – Overclocked Greta – Overclocked |
| #2 | Hans – Overclocked |
| #3 | Unknown Corruption Complex Unknown Corruption Complex |
Refer to the List of All Enemies for detailed enemy information and attack patterns.
Floor 1 Walkthrough – Heartland
| # | Floor 1 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | You begin Heartland with a [Research] Resource Conversion Resonium, enhancing damage based on Gear Coin expenditure, and a selection of random Resonium. |
| 2 | Heartland Floor 1 The Opportunist The Opportunist appears again, offering loan services and a free Resonium upon accepting his offer. You can still decline if you prefer to manage your own resources. |
| 3a | The first area presents a three-row tile layout with the familiar disappearing tile mechanic. Movement direction dictates whether rows or columns disappear. |
| 3b | Heartland Floor 1 Tiles This area is rich with Event Tiles, Shops, and Gear Coins. Plan your path strategically to maximize your gains and power-ups. |
| 4 | Navigate to the rightmost exit and defeat Greta – Overclocked to advance to Floor 2. |
Floor 2 Walkthrough – Heartland
| # | Floor 2 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | Heartland Floor 2 The Opportunist The Opportunist greets you at the start of Floor 2, offering another loan and a free service – squad heal or pressure reduction – regardless of whether you borrow coins. |
| 2 | Explore the area after speaking with The Opportunist to collect items and strengthen your squad. Don’t forget to claim S-rating rewards from Floor 1 on the right side of the area. |
| 3a | Heartland Floor 2 Second Area Enter the transmission to reach the next area. It features a five-row disappearing tile layout, similar to Floor 1 but with more space to navigate. |
| 3b | This area is packed with new Event Tiles, more Shops, vaults, increased enemy encounters, and Gear Coins. Careful pathing is key to maximizing rewards and resources. |
| 4 | Heartland Floor 2 Hans Overclocked Defeat Hans – Overclocked at the exit to progress to the final floor of Heartland. |
Floor 3 Walkthrough – Heartland
| # | Floor 3 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | As with Floor 2, The Opportunist awaits at the start of Floor 3. He offers the same services, but borrowing Gear Coins at this stage is riskier due to limited time for repayment. |
| 2 | Heartland Floor 3 First Area Collect all rewards and items in the initial area before using the transmission to reach the final section. Remember to claim S-rating rewards from the previous floor. |
| 3a | Similar to Floor 2, the final area features a five-row layout with disappearing tiles. The tile patterns will vary, requiring careful observation and planning. |
| 3b | Heartland Floor 3 Paying Debt The Opportunist is positioned just before the floor exit. This is your final opportunity to repay your debt to avoid Resonium penalties. |
| 4 | After dealing with The Opportunist, proceed to the exit and battle the Unknown Corruption Complex. Defeat it to clear the Heartland stage. |
Core: Stage Details and Walkthrough
Core is the final and most challenging stage of Construction Ruins, recommended for levels 45-50. It shifts the elemental focus to Ether.
Core Stage Information
| Rec. Level | Level 45-50 |
|---|---|
| Best Elements | ZZZ – Ether Ether |
| Elements to Avoid | ZZZ – Physical Physical |
Ether element agents become paramount in Core due to enemy vulnerabilities, while Physical damage will be significantly less effective.
Best Characters for Core
While some familiar faces remain effective, Core encourages a shift towards Ether-focused agents:
| Role | Recommended Characters |
|---|---|
| Attack | ZZZ – Harumasa Harumasa |
| Stun | Anby, ZZZ – Qingyi Qingyi |
| Support | Nicole, ZZZ – Rina Rina |
| Anomaly | Grace, ZZZ – Yanagi Yanagi |
While Anton, Zhu Yuan, and Harumasa remain strong Attack options, consider incorporating more Ether-focused characters for optimal performance. Consult the Tier List and Best Characters for a deeper understanding of character roles.
Core Enemies
Core introduces formidable new enemy types, demanding strategic team compositions and skillful play:
| Floor | Featured Enemies |
|---|---|
| #1 | Autonomous Tactical Unit – Typhon Slugger, Assault Gunner Assault Gunner |
| #2 | Friday – Energized |
| #3 | Unknown Corruption Complex Unknown Corruption Complex |
Prepare for challenging encounters by studying enemy behaviors and weaknesses in the List of All Enemies.
Floor 1 Walkthrough – Core
| # | Floor 1 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | Core starts with a [Research] Resource Conversion Resonium, which continues to enhance damage based on Gear Coin spending. This mechanic becomes even more crucial in Core due to the increased difficulty. |
| 2 | Core Floor 1 The Opportunist The Opportunist makes his recurring appearance, offering loan services with interest. Accepting his offer can provide a significant early-game Gear Coin boost, essential for maximizing the Research Resonium effect. |
| 3a | After interacting with The Opportunist, you’ll enter a five-row tile area with the now-familiar disappearing tile mechanic. This mechanic will be consistent across all Core floors. |
| 3b | Core Floor 1 Think of the Best Path Each run will present a unique tile layout. Carefully plan your path to prioritize tiles with the most valuable items and power-ups to optimize your stage clear. |
| 4 | Continue moving right to reach the exit. You will face a Typhon Slugger and Assault Gunner boss duo. Defeat them to advance to Floor 2. |
Floor 2 Walkthrough – Core
| # | Floor 2 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | Core Floor 2 The Opportunist Floor 2 begins in a safe area where you’ll encounter The Opportunist again. He offers another loan opportunity and additional services like random Resonium, healing, and pressure reduction. |
| 2 | Explore the area after speaking with The Opportunist to gather rewards, including potential S-rating rewards from Floor 1 on the right. Proceed through the transmission tile to the next area. |
| 3 | Core Floor 2 Second Area You’ll enter another five-row disappearing tile area, similar to Floor 1. Scan the layout and plan the most efficient path to maximize item collection and resource gains. |
| 4 | Friday – Energized awaits at the exit. Defeat this boss to reach the final floor of Core. |
Floor 3 Walkthrough – Core
| # | Floor 3 Walkthrough |
|---|---|
| 1 | Core Floor 3 The Opportunist Floor 3 starts in a safe zone with The Opportunist. He offers his services once more, but borrowing Gear Coins at this late stage is generally not recommended due to repayment deadlines. |
| 2 | Explore the area to collect all available items and rewards before proceeding to the final area via the transmission tile. Claim any S-rating rewards from Floor 2 on the right. |
| 3a | Core Floor 3 Second Area The final area maintains the five-row disappearing tile mechanic, demanding careful path planning for optimal reward collection. |
| 3b | The Opportunist waits near the exit for the last time. Repay your debt now to avoid significant Resonium loss. |
| 4 | Core Floor 3 Unknown Corruption Complex The final boss of Construction Ruins is the Unknown Corruption Complex. Defeat it to complete the Core stage and conquer Construction Ruins! |
Recommended Resonia for Construction Ruins
Strategic Resonia selection can significantly enhance your performance in Construction Ruins.
Prioritize Electric and Ether Resonia
Given the elemental focus of Construction Ruins, Electric and Ether Resonia are highly recommended. These Resonia types amplify the damage of Agents with corresponding attributes and provide beneficial squad-wide effects.
| Resonia | Effects |
|---|---|
| Amplification Bracelet | Agents with Zap deal 25% more Electric DMG. |
| Conductive Coil | Dealing Electric DMG grants all squad members 1 stack of Zap. This effect can trigger once every 3s. |
| Electric Baton | Inflicting Shock on an enemy grants all squad members 10 stacks of Zap. |
| EMP Grenade | Agent Electric DMG increases by 15%. |
| Hand Crank Generator | Agents deal 15% more DMG to Shocked enemies. |
| Lightning Rod | Dealing Electric DMG triggers Jolt, inflicting Electric DMG equal to 1,200% of ATK. |
| Lightning Trident | Hitting an enemy with an EX Special Attack grants all squad members 6 stacks of Zap. |
| Outdoor Battery | Increases the stack limit of Zap from 20 to 30. Dealing Electric DMG grants all squad members 1 stack of Zap. This effect can trigger once every 1s. |
| Stun Gun | Inflicting Shock on an enemy generates 10 Energy for all squad members. This effect can trigger once every 15s. |
| Thunder Whip | Shock lasts 3s longer. |
| Tesla Sphere | Agents generate 3% Decibels upon hitting a Shocked enemy. This effect can trigger once every 10s. |
| Electroboo | All squad members’ Electric DMG increases by 10%. |
| Devilboo | All squad members’ Ether DMG increases by 15%. |
| Plugboo | All squad members’ Electric DMG increases by 15%. |
| Resonaboo | All squad members’ Ether DMG increases by 15%. |
| Scrap Amplifier Resonia Scrap Amplifier |
Each point of Anomaly Proficiency increases the Agent’s Ether DMG by 0.2%, up to a maximum increase of 30%. |
| Rusty W-Engine | Corruption DMG increases by 40% |
| Net Launcher Resonia Net Launcher |
Agents deal 30% more DMG to Corrupted enemies. |
| Trashed Harpoon Gun | Inflicting Corruption on an enemy grants 1 stack of Activity to all squad members. Corrupted enemies have their Ether Res reduced by 20%. |
| Unstable Tranquilizer Resonia Unstable Tranquilizer |
Dealing Ether DMG to an enemy increases Attribute Anomaly DMG 50% against the target for 10s. |
| Collective Emblem | Increases the chance for [Ether] Resonia to appear. |
| Frozen Timer Resonia Frozen Timer |
Agent Ether DMG increases by 15%. |
| Depleted Battery | Agent Ether Anomaly Buildup Rate increases by 15%. |
| Broken Chip Resonia Broken Chip |
Launching a Chain Attack increases all squad members’ Anomaly Proficiency by 25 for 15s. |
| Faulty Jammer | Corrupted enemies have their ATK reduced by 15%. |
| Deteriorating Filter Resonia Deteriorating Filter |
Dealing Ether DMG grants all squad members 1 stack of Activity. This effect can trigger once every 10s. |
| Suppressive Bracelet | Launching an EX Special Attack grants 1 stack of Activity to all squad members. |
| Cracked Drive Resonia Cracked Drive |
Corruption lasts 2s longer. |
| Invalid Adapter | Each Standard Ether type Resonium owned increases Agent Ether Anomaly Buildup Rate by 4%, up to a maximum increase of 32%. |
Consider Dodge Resonia for Survivability
Construction Ruins Dodge Resonia
Many bosses in Interior and higher stages possess unparryable attacks. Dodge Resonia can be invaluable for mitigating damage and creating openings for counter-attacks.
| Resonia | Effects |
|---|---|
| Hard Hat | Using Dodge increases the Agent’s DEF by 20% for 5s. |
| Rugby Ball | On triggering a Perfect Dodge, all squad members gain 1 stack of Agility, and DMG dealt is increased by 30 for 15s. |
| Shuttlecock | On triggering Perfect Dodge, Agents gain 1 stack of Agility and enter Vital View for 4s This effect can trigger once every 10s. |
| Skate Shoes | Dodge Counter DMG increases by 35% |
| Skateboard | When in the Counter state, Anomaly Buildup Rate increases by 20% and CRIT DMG increases by 40%. |
| Skis | Triggering a Dodge Counter generates 5 Energy for the Agent. |
| Sneakers | Perfect Dodge is easier to trigger |
| Yoga Ball | The post-Dodge Dash Attack is replaced by Dodge Counter. This effect can trigger once every 5s. Triggering this effect grants the Agent 1 stack of Agility. |
| Tennis Racket | When entering Vital View by triggering Perfect Dodge, the post-Dodge Dash Attack is replaced by Dodge Counter that can be used repeatedly up to 4 times. |
| Fencing Sword | Extends the duration of the Counter state by 5s. |
| Killer Paddle | Upon being attacked, quickly press Dodge to immediately break free and recover 50% of the DMG taken as HP. This effect can trigger once every 6s. |
| Magnetic Dart | When in the Counter state, Agent EX Special Attacks and Dodge Counter Interrupt level is increased, and all Agents’ DMG increases by 50%. |
| Sports Shades | Dodge Counter DMG increases by 50% and Daze inflicted increases by 30%. |
Adapt to Random Resonia Drops
Random Resonia
Keep in mind that most Resonia drops are randomized, except for those explicitly offered in Shops or event tiles. While you can influence Resonia types using Resonium Converters unlocked via Combat Configuration, adaptability and strategic decision-making based on available Resonia are key to success. For a comprehensive list, refer to the List of All Resonia.
Construction Ruins Rewards: First Clear and Regular
Clearing Construction Ruins stages rewards you with valuable resources.
First Clear Rewards
Each stage offers unique first-clear rewards:
Frontline First Clear Rewards
| First Clear Rewards |
|---|
| Inter-Knot Credit x600 Investigation Point Investigation Point x1000 Withered Crystal: Ink-Yellow x400 |
Interior First Clear Rewards
| First Clear Rewards |
|---|
| Withered Crystal: Ink-Yellow Withered Crystal: Ink-Yellow x600 Investigation Point x1500 |
Heartland First Clear Rewards
| First Clear Rewards |
|---|
| Withered Crystal: Ink-Yellow Withered Crystal: Ink-Yellow x600 Investigation Point x1500 |
Core First Clear Rewards
| First Clear Rewards |
|---|
| Withered Crystal: Ink-Yellow Withered Crystal: Ink-Yellow x1000 Investigation Point x1500 |
Regular Rewards
Repeatedly clearing Construction Ruins stages provides consistent rewards:
Frontline Regular Rewards
| Regular Rewards |
|---|
| Denny Denny x1200 |
Interior Regular Rewards
| Regular Rewards |
|---|
| Investigation Point x2500 Denny Denny x2000 |
Heartland Regular Rewards
| Regular Rewards |
|---|
| Investigation Point x3000 Denny Denny x2815 |
Core Regular Rewards
| Regular Rewards |
|---|
| Investigation Point x3500 Denny Denny x3380 |
Explore More of Hollow Zero
Discover Other Hollow Zero Zones
| All Hollow Zero Zones |
|---|
| Qualification Assessment |
| Construction Ruins |
| Withering Garden Guide |
| Lost Void |
Understand Hollow Zero Mechanics
| Hollow Zero Upgrades and Mechanics |
|---|
| Resonia |
