In Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), Ellen stands out as a powerful agent with fluid mobility and high burst potential. Whether you are climbing through high-tier content or just exploring the story, understanding Ellen’s skill priority can dramatically improve your combat effectiveness. Players often get confused about which abilities to level first, especially when resources are limited. Making the right choices can significantly affect how well she performs in battle. In this guide, we will break down Ellen’s skill set and offer clear recommendations on which abilities to prioritize first, along with reasons why each skill matters in various scenarios.
Understanding Ellen’s Role in ZZZ
Ellen is a high-damage output agent in ZZZ, often classified under the Ice and Assault categories. Her role in a team primarily revolves around initiating engagements, dealing quick burst damage, and chaining combos to finish off enemies before they can react. Her skill kit is designed for aggressive playstyles and requires precise timing and positioning. Knowing how her mechanics function is essential before diving into skill prioritization.
Core Attributes of Ellen
- Element: Ice
- Type: Attack
- Playstyle: High mobility and burst DPS
- Best Team Composition: Freeze-support synergy
Because Ellen excels at burst damage and mobility, players should prioritize her active and passive skills that enhance these traits. Let’s go into each skill one by one and analyze their impact.
Ellen’s Skills Overview
Ellen’s abilities include a Basic Attack chain, a Dodge Counter, a Special Attack, an EX Special Attack, her Core Passive, Additional Ability, and her Ultimate. Each plays a specific role and should be leveled based on how frequently it’s used in combat and how much damage it adds to her overall output.
1. Basic Attack Cold Edge Slash
This is the bread-and-butter of Ellen’s combo chains. While Basic Attacks are always active, they are not always the most important skill to level early. Ellen’s damage often spikes through her Special and EX Special Attacks. However, upgrading her Basic Attack is still important for enhancing the fluidity and consistency of her chain combos.
Upgrade Priority: Medium
2. Dodge and Counter Shattering Retreat
Ellen’s Dodge skill not only allows her to avoid damage but also enables counterattacks when timed correctly. This move is useful for repositioning and triggering short cooldowns between Special Attacks. However, since the counterattack doesn’t scale as well in damage compared to her offensive abilities, it’s a lower priority.
Upgrade Priority: Low
3. Special Attack Frozen Thrust
This ability is a core part of Ellen’s offensive strategy. It deals significant Ice-element damage and contributes heavily to breaking enemy resistance. The Special Attack becomes even more potent when used after specific combos, making it a frequent and crucial part of Ellen’s rotation.
Upgrade Priority: High
4. EX Special Attack Crystal Bloom
The EX Special Attack is Ellen’s strongest non-ultimate move and should be the first priority for leveling. It consumes energy but delivers a massive Ice-element burst, often hitting multiple targets. It scales very well with skill level increases, boosting both damage and hit count.
Upgrade Priority: Very High
5. Core Passive Ice Conversion
Ellen’s Core Passive adds synergy to her Ice damage by converting regular attack sequences into enhanced strikes. This ability enhances her overall performance, especially when used in conjunction with teammates that apply Freeze or debuffs. While not as direct as her EX Special Attack, it affects her entire combat pattern.
Upgrade Priority: High
6. Additional Ability Glacial Focus
This passive boosts Ellen’s effectiveness when she is switched in at the right moment or when certain conditions are met. While powerful, its trigger conditions make it slightly less consistent in casual gameplay. It shines in coordinated team play and high-difficulty content.
Upgrade Priority: Medium to High
7. Ultimate Icefall Cataclysm
Like most ultimates in ZZZ, Ellen’s ultimate is visually spectacular and capable of massive area damage. It’s best used to finish off groups of enemies or bosses in their vulnerable phase. However, due to long cooldowns and the high energy cost, it’s not used as frequently, making it a lower priority to upgrade early on.
Upgrade Priority: Medium
Recommended Skill Upgrade Order
To make the most out of Ellen’s potential, you should focus your upgrade resources wisely. Below is the optimal skill leveling order based on combat effectiveness and frequency of use:
- EX Special Attack Crystal Bloom
- Special Attack Frozen Thrust
- Core Passive Ice Conversion
- Additional Ability Glacial Focus
- Basic Attack Cold Edge Slash
- Ultimate Icefall Cataclysm
- Dodge/Counter Shattering Retreat
This order ensures you are enhancing the most impactful abilities first, allowing Ellen to perform at her peak with the least amount of investment.
Tips for Maximizing Ellen’s Performance
Team Synergy
Pair Ellen with support agents that can apply Freeze status effects or enhance Ice damage. This amplifies her damage output and allows her passives to trigger more frequently. Agents that can boost Energy regeneration are also useful for spamming her EX Special more often.
Combat Strategy
- Start with a few Basic Attacks to build energy.
- Weave in her Special Attack as a combo extension.
- Use EX Special as a finisher or on groups of enemies.
- Only use the Ultimate when enemies are grouped or during burst windows.
Resource Management
Don’t waste all of your upgrade materials on less impactful skills. Prioritize what will get used the most. If you’re building Ellen early on, focusing on her EX Special and Core Passive gives the best returns. Use trial zones or training modes to practice her timing and combos to make the most of her skill set.
Ellen is one of the flashiest and most rewarding characters to use in Zenless Zone Zero, especially when you know how to prioritize her skills properly. Her gameplay revolves around aggressive burst damage and sharp movement, making her feel dynamic and satisfying. By focusing on her EX Special Attack, Special Attack, and Core Passive first, players can unlock her true potential without wasting valuable upgrade materials. Whether you’re taking on tough bosses or farming mobs, understanding Ellen’s skill priority will make a noticeable difference in your success and enjoyment of the game.