Zenless Zone Zero Explosive Last Train Quest Guide 2026: Complete Walkthrough, Tips & Rewards

In the chaotic world of New Eridu, being a Proxy for the Cunning Hares is never a dull job. The Explosive Last Train quest in Zenless Zone Zero throws you headfirst into a high-stakes rescue mission where the fate of your companions literally hangs by a thread (or a train track). As the newest Proxy on the block, you're tasked with navigating the treacherous depths of the Hollow to stop a locomotive packed with explosives from wiping out the Cunning Hares. This isn't your average fetch quest; it's a race against time, filled with environmental puzzles, strategic combat, and the ever-present threat of the mysterious Dead End Butcher. Ready to dive in and save the day? Let's break down this explosive investigation step-by-step.

🚂 How To Start The Explosive Last Train Quest

Kicking off this frantic mission is straightforward. After wrapping up the game's Prologue and diving into Chapter 1, you'll get a rather dramatic office visit. Nekomata, the cat-eared member of the Cunning Hares, will burst in with urgent news. She reveals that the rest of the crew is trapped in a building while searching for a precious heirloom. The kicker? The ruthless corporation, Vision, has dispatched a demolition train loaded with high-grade explosives to level the place. Your objective is clear: infiltrate the Hollow, find the train, and stop it. Once the conversation with Nekomata concludes, the quest will be readily available for activation from your trusty HDD (Hollow Deep Dive System). No time to waste!

🕳️ Navigating The Hollow & The First Hurdles

Your journey begins as you plunge into the surreal, TV-filled landscape of the Hollow. Your first goal is to reach the initial warp television. Move forward, collecting any resources you see along the way—every bit helps! A word of warning: as you hop between televisions, you'll notice them shattering behind you. This isn't a glitch; it's the work of a terrifying Ethereal known as The Dead End Butcher. Consider it the game's way of keeping you moving forward—no backtracking allowed! Follow the correct sequence of direction inputs to successfully warp to the next area.

Upon arrival, you'll find yourself in a new zone with multiple TV screens. The core mechanic here is slowing down the speeding train so your loyal Bangboo can safely board it. This area is also ripe for looting. For optimal resource gathering, follow this path:

• 🧭 Go all the way to the LEFT to snag some initial goodies.

• 🧭 Then, go RIGHT twice, followed by UP to claim another cache.

• 🧭 Finally, head all the way DOWN to clean up the remaining loot.

• 🧭 Return to your starting point by moving UP twice.

Now, for the main task: slowing the train. You'll need to activate three heavy switches by placing weights on them. Time to go weight hunting!

⚖️ Activating The Three Switches: A Step-by-Step Puzzle Guide

The First Switch: A Simple Start

The first weight is conveniently located near your starting position. From your default spot:

1. Move RIGHT twice to find the weight.

2. Interact with it and push it RIGHT once until it slides onto the pressure plate.

Success! You'll hear a satisfying clunk and see the train tracks ahead shift their alignment slightly. One down, two to go.

The Second Switch: Combat & Exploration

The second weight is further away, guarded by an obstacle. From the location of the first switch, follow the path to encounter a blocked route. Interacting with it triggers a cutscene and some dialogue, leading to a welcome reinforcement: Corin joins your squad! A combat sequence begins immediately. Here's a pro-tip: Both Corin and Nekomata excel at dealing massive Physical DMG. Use their synergy to mop up the group of enemies swiftly. They shouldn't pose much of a challenge with this duo.

With the path cleared, you can proceed. Now, a lucrative detour awaits:

• Move RIGHT twice to find a special valve. You can open it for 2,000 Gear Coins.

• Inside, valuable rewards await, including Official Investigator Logs, Denny (a useful item), and a W-Engine Power Supply.

To reach the weight, head LEFT once, then go UP towards the two weights you can see.

1. Go UP to get behind the weight, then push it DOWN.

2. Move RIGHT once here to find Hollow Observation Data. DO NOT SKIP THIS! It rewards precious Polychromes, the premium currency for pulls.

3. Finally, push the weight LEFT until it settles on the second switch, altering more tracks.

But wait, there's more! A hostile "Enemy TV" blocks the area near the weights. Engage it in combat (again, Corin and Nekomata make quick work of the mobs and the tougher mini-boss) to unlock the path forward and claim the surrounding loot.

The Third & Final Switch: The Home Stretch

Return to the second weight area. You left one weight behind, remember? It's time to use it.

1. First, push the weight UP to return it to its original higher ledge.

2. Then, push it RIGHT so it topples over and flips to the side you need.

3. Carefully guide this weight along the path (follow the obvious route down and around) to deliver it to the third and final pressure plate.

With a final heavy CLUNK, all three switches are active! The train is now slowed and vulnerable. It's boarding time. Bid farewell to Corin (for now) and prepare to jump onto the explosives-laden locomotive.

🎯 Boarding The Train & Claiming Your Rewards

From the final switch area, the path to victory is clear:

1. Move UP once.

2. Then, go all the way to the RIGHT.

3. Finally, head UP to successfully board the train and complete the mission!

Your heroic efforts don't go unrewarded. Completing the Explosive Last Train quest for the first time nets you a fantastic haul essential for progression in 2026's Zenless Zone Zero:

Reward	Description	Importance
60 Polychromes	Premium currency for Signal Searches (gacha pulls).	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Denny	A unique item obtained during the quest.	⭐⭐⭐
W-Engine Level-Up Materials	Resources to upgrade your agents' special weapons.	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Character Level-Up Materials	EXP materials to boost your team's base level and stats.	⭐⭐⭐⭐

💎 Final Tips & Tricks for 2026 Agents

• Resource Priority: Always grab the Hollow Observation Data. Those Polychromes are invaluable for expanding your roster.

• Combat Synergy: The Corin & Nekomata combo provided here is excellent for Physical weak enemies. Pay attention to enemy resistances in future content.

• Exploration is Key: The optional valve costing 2,000 Gear Coins is worth it for the resources inside, especially early on.

• Puzzle Patience: The weight puzzles are about observation. If stuck, check your surroundings for the correct pushing angle.

The Explosive Last Train is a perfect example of ZZZ's blend of action, puzzle-solving, and storytelling. It sets the stage for the dangers of the Hollow and the importance of your role as a Proxy. Now, with the Cunning Hares safe (for the moment), what other threats will New Eridu throw your way? Only time, and your next Hollow Raid, will tell. Good luck, Proxy! 🎮✨

Data referenced from SteamDB helps contextualize how live-service action RPGs like Zenless Zone Zero evolve through updates and player engagement, which is useful when planning time-sensitive story missions such as “Explosive Last Train” that mix combat pacing with puzzle gating and resource detours.