Hey fellow Proxies! 👋 I've been spending a lot of time in Zenless Zone Zero lately, and I wanted to chat about a W-Engine that doesn't get nearly enough love: the Reel Projector. It's an A-rank Defense W-Engine, and if you're someone who likes keeping your team alive through tough fights, you'll want to hear what I have to say. I've tested it on a few characters, and honestly, it's carved out a nice little niche for itself. So let's break it down—stats, best users, how to get it, and whether it's still worth your attention here in 2026.
What Exactly Does Reel Projector Do?
First things first: Reel Projector is a Defense W-Engine. That means its whole job is to make your party harder to kill. And it does that in two ways. One, it reduces incoming damage. Two, it reduces Miasma Contamination—which, if you've spent any time in certain late-game areas, you know can be a real headache. I've found that the damage reduction is noticeable, especially in longer fights where you're not always able to dodge perfectly. It's not going to turn a squishy character into a tank, but it definitely takes the edge off. 🛡️
As an A-rank engine, it's also relatively accessible compared to S-rank options. You won't get the biggest numbers, but you get consistent survivability. And sometimes that's exactly what you need.
Stats and Effects: What I've Noticed
I won't pretend I have the exact decimal values memorized—I'm a player, not a spreadsheet. But from my experience, the Reel Projector leans heavily into defense. The DMG reduction effect is the star of the show. It's not a huge percentage, but it's always on, which means your Caesar or Pan Yinhu can soak up hits while you focus on dealing damage. The Miasma Contamination reduction is more situational, but when you're up against enemies that spam that debuff, it's a lifesaver. I've had runs where my whole team would have been coughing and wheezing without it. 😷
One thing to note: this is not a damage engine. If you're looking for big crits or attack boosts, look elsewhere. Reel Projector is purely about keeping your team in the fight longer. And for that purpose, it works.
Best Characters for Reel Projector
So who should actually use this thing? The reference guide I checked recommends two agents, and I agree with the order. Here's my personal breakdown:
| Character | Why It Works | My Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Caesar | She's the top pick. The Impact stat synergizes nicely with her kit, and the DMG reduction makes her even more of a defensive powerhouse. As a free-to-play option, it's honestly fantastic. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pan Yinhu | He's the second-best choice. If you're fighting enemies that rely on Miasma Contamination, Pan Yinhu with Reel Projector becomes a cleansing machine. It's a niche use, but a valuable one. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
I've run it on Caesar for a few weeks now, and I can confirm: she feels noticeably tankier. The Impact stat boost isn't huge, but it helps her stun enemies a bit more reliably. And the damage reduction means she can stay on field longer without me panicking. Pan Yinhu, on the other hand, is more of a specialist pick. If you're not facing Miasma-heavy content, you might want something else. But when you are? He's great.
How to Get Reel Projector (And Why It's Tricky)
Here's the catch: Reel Projector was released during the Gravitational Attraction Event on June 8, 2025, as part of Version 2.0. And as of 2026, it's still event-exclusive. That means you can't just farm it from a regular banner or buy it from the shop. If you missed the event, you're out of luck for now. I've seen a few Proxies ask about it in forums, and the answer is always the same: wait for a rerun. Will there be one? Maybe. But don't hold your breath. 😅
So if you were lucky enough to grab it during the event, congrats! You've got a solid defensive engine that most players can't get anymore. If you weren't, well, keep an eye on future events. ZZZ has been pretty good about bringing stuff back eventually.
Ascension Materials: What You'll Need
Ascending Reel Projector is pretty standard as far as W-Engines go. You'll need the usual W-Engine ascension materials, and the event also gave out its core materials. Here's a quick visual reference:
I won't list every single material here—the image above does a better job than I could. But my advice is to stock up on the common drops from enemies and the weekly boss materials. It's not a huge grind, but it's not nothing either. If you're planning to use it on Caesar, definitely invest in ascending it. The extra stats help.
My Final Verdict: Is Reel Projector Worth It?
Let me be straight with you. Reel Projector is not a flashy W-Engine. It won't make your damage numbers explode. But if you're someone who values survivability—and in ZZZ's harder content, you should—it's a great option. For Caesar, it's a legitimately good free-to-play choice. For Pan Yinhu, it's a situational but useful tool. And for anyone else? Probably not worth it.
The fact that it's event-exclusive is a bummer. I wish more players could get their hands on it. But that's gacha games for you. If you have it, use it. If you don't, there are other defensive engines out there—they just might not reduce Miasma Contamination as nicely.
So that's my take on Reel Projector. Have you used it? What's your experience been like? I'd love to hear from other Proxies. Until next time, stay safe out there—and keep your team alive. 🎬🛡️