As Zenless Zone Zero continues to evolve through its second year, the roster of flashy S‑rank agents has only grown. Yet the six original stars from the standard banner—Lycaon, Nekomata, Rina, Grace, Koleda, and Soldier 11—still define the meta for many New Eridu explorers. They are the ones you can chase early without ever touching limited‑time banners, and with a bit of patience, you can claim them through the Star‑Studded Cast signal shop. But which of them truly deserves a spot on your team in 2026?
Before diving in, a quick refresher never hurts. The standard banner guarantees one random 5‑star within your first 50 pulls, and after 300 pulls you can pick the agent you want outright. Even without spending a single chromo‑disc, you can accumulate plenty of Master Tapes simply by playing the story and clearing commissions. So rerolling for an ideal start remains a popular tactic, though many veteran proxies will tell you that every agent here can be made viable with the right squad.
Still, after two years of balancing patches, new Hollow hazards, and the rise of faction‑specific team comps, some S‑ranks have aged better than others. Here is how the standard crew stacks up in 2026.
1. Lycaon – The Ice King Still Reigns
If you manage to pull the wolf butler from the Victoria Housekeeping Co., you practically unlock “easy mode.” Lycaon’s Stun specialty and Ice element let him freeze enemies faster than almost anyone, while his core passive, Metallic Paws, boosts daze by 40% on charged basics and shreds Ice resistance by 25% for 30 seconds. His additional ability, Elegant Predator, then cranks the stun damage multiplier by 35% on dazed targets, so your whole squad cashes in on his crowd control.
Why does he still top the list in 2026? Mono‑Ice teams remain one of the strongest comps in the game, especially with newer limited agents that amplify Ice damage even further. Lycaon’s blinding attack speed and his fluid chains of kicks and claws let him stun‑lock elites without ever needing to dodge. He slots into nearly any team, but pair him with an Ice attacker and a support like Rina, and you will watch boss‑level Hollow threats melt.
2. Nekomata – Blinding Speed, Devastating Claws
Nekomata—or Nekomiya Mana—feels like she teleports between targets. Her Attack specialty and Physical element make her a pure DPS monster. Her core passive, Stealthy Paws, grants a 30% damage boost for 6 seconds after any dodge counter or quick assist, and with her erratic multi‑hit combos, those triggers are almost constant. The additional ability Catwalk then empowers her next EX special by up to 70% after triggering Assault, so she can delete elite enemies in seconds.
Why does she sit below Lycaon? For one, she requires a steady hand; her insane mobility can send her flying into danger if you are not careful. And while Physical damage works everywhere, Ice still tends to have the edge in endgame content that punishes slower elements. However, build a team around her with a stunner and a buffer, and Nekomata will carry you through most challenges faster than you can say “cunning hare.”
3. Rina & Grace – The Electric Duo (Tied)
These two agents are inseparable in the conversation. Rina serves as an Electric Support who grants the entire squad a significant penetration ratio boost via her Mini Destruction Partner core passive. Penetration ignores enemy defense, and when her drones are active, your damage numbers suddenly spike. Her additional ability lengthens Shock duration and gives 10% bonus Electric damage while foes are Shocked. Meanwhile, Grace is an Electric Anomaly specialist whose stacked Zap mechanic ramps Electric anomaly buildup by 65%. Her fast AoE combos constantly apply Shock, which Rina’s buffs then supercharge.
Together, they form a feedback loop: Grace afflicts Shock, Rina enhances Electric damage and penetration, and Grace’s boosted anomaly procs hit harder. In 2026, many endgame floors are filled with enemies weak to Electric, so this duo often outpaces even some limited‑banner combinations. Use them as your core and fill the third slot with any attacker or stunner; you won’t regret it.
5. Koleda – A Hammer Needing a Bear
Koleda is a Fire Stun agent whose hammer‑based moveset already inflicts solid daze, thanks to her Demolition Hammer passive boosting daze by 30% after EX specials or enhanced basics. Her additional ability applies a debuff that increases all party members’ damage against stunned targets by up to 70%. On paper, she sounds incredible. The catch? To unlock her full potential, you almost always need Ben Bigger on the team. Their unique team‑up attacks transform Koleda into a powerhouse, but without the bear, she feels sluggish compared to Lycaon. If you are willing to commit to a Belobog‑themed squad, Koleda can shine—just know that other stunners offer more flexibility.
6. Soldier 11 – A Loyal Soldier Still Waiting for Her Moment
Soldier 11 brings raw Fire Attack damage with a passive that buffs her basics and dash attacks by 35% when Fire Suppression triggers. Her additional ability grants an extra 10% Fire damage, rising to 32.5% against stunned targets. Yet she remains at the bottom of our list even in 2026. The Fire element just does not have the same universal utility as Ice or Electric, and Soldier 11 is the sole member of the Obol Squad faction in the standard banner. To activate her bonus, you must run another Belobog fire agent like Koleda, Ben, or Lucy, which restricts team‑building. New limited Fire characters have slowly improved her position, but building a team around her still demands more investment than simply slotting in Lycaon or the Rina‑Grace duo.
Final Tips for 2026 Proxies
Whether you just started exploring the Hollows or you are a grizzled veteran aiming to optimize your account, these six agents still carry you through most content. Reroll for Lycaon if you want the most comfortable progression. Nekomata gives you unmatched speed. The electric ladies offer incredible synergy, while Koleda and Soldier 11 ask a bit more of you—but in the right hands, they all deliver. Keep an eye on future faction expansions, but for now, the best S‑rank in Zenless Zone Zero is the one you enjoy playing the most.