The Complete Guide to Getting ALL Free Characters in Zenless Zone Zero (2026 Update)

Hey everyone, it's your friendly neighborhood Proxy here! 🎮 Let's talk about the one thing we all love in gacha games: free stuff! And when it comes to Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), HoYoverse has been surprisingly generous, even as we roll into 2026. Starting your journey in New Eridu can feel overwhelming with so many flashy S-Ranks, but trust me, the free squad you get is more than capable of carrying you through the story and beyond. I've been playing since launch, and today I'm breaking down every single character you can get without spending a single Denny. Let's get into it!

Your Starter Crew: The Cunning Hares & More!

Right off the bat, the game hooks you up with a solid team. Forget being a lonely Proxy; you're getting a full squad to start your adventures. HoYoverse basically gives you 100 free pulls right at the beginning, which is insane value and sets you up nicely.

Your first and most important freebies are the legendary Cunning Hares. This trio is your core for the entire early to mid-game:

• Anby Demara (A-Rank, Electric, Stun): Your reliable anchor. She's not flashy, but her consistent damage and stun capabilities are a lifesaver. Perfect for learning the game's combat mechanics.

• Nicole Demara (A-Rank, Ether, Support): The brains (and the landlord!) of the operation. She provides crucial support with shields and buffs. You can't go wrong with her on your team.

• Billy Kid (A-Rank, Fire, Attack): The pure DPS of the group. He brings the heat (literally) with his high-damage output. Learning to chain his combos is super satisfying.

This team has incredible synergy. Anby sets up stuns, Billy unleashes hell, and Nicole keeps everyone alive. It's a perfectly balanced package, and they come from just playing the main story. No gacha required!

Beyond the Hares: Unlocking More Free A-Rank Agents

But wait, there's more! The Cunning Hares aren't the only free Agents you can recruit. As you progress through the main story and complete various tasks and missions around New Eridu, you'll unlock additional powerful A-Rank characters.

Here’s a quick list of other A-Rank Agents you can earn for free through gameplay (as of 2026):

The game does a great job of drip-feeding these characters to you, giving you new tools and team compositions to experiment with as the difficulty ramps up. Don't sleep on these A-Ranks—some of them are legitimately top-tier in their roles!

The Big Prize: Guaranteed S-Rank Agents! 🏆

Now, this is where things get really exciting. Besides the A-Ranks, ZZZ has not one, but TWO systems that guarantee you powerful S-Rank characters. This is the best part of the free-to-play experience.

1. Your First 50 Pulls (The Beginner's Luck)

On the Star-Studded Cast Banner (that's the permanent standard banner), you are guaranteed one S-Rank Agent within your first 50 pulls. Remember those 100 free pulls you started with? A big chunk of those should go here! This is a hard pity system that every player gets. No luck involved—just pull 50 times, and a 5-star Agent will come home. This is huge for defining your early-game power spike.

2. The Epic 300 Pulls Selector (The Grand Reward)

This is the long-term goal for every F2P player. Once you accumulate a total of 300 pulls on the Star-Studded Cast Banner, you unlock a special selector. This lets you choose any one S-Rank Agent you want from the standard pool.

The standard pool in 2026 includes some absolute monsters. While the specific lineup might have expanded since launch, the original six are still fantastic:

• Soldier 11 (Fire, Attack)

• Grace (Electric, Anomaly)

• Koleda (Fire, Stun)

• Lycaon (Ice, Stun)

• Nekomata (Physical, Attack) Yes, an S-Rank version!

• Rina (Ether, Support)

This selector is a game-changer. You can fill a gap in your team, pick your favorite waifu/husbando, or grab the current meta king/queen. It rewards consistent play over time.

Putting It All Together: Your Free-to-Play Powerhouse

Let's summarize the incredible value here. By just playing the game, you can realistically build a roster that looks like this:

1. A Full Starter Team: Anby, Nicole, Billy (from Main Story).

2. Additional A-Ranks: Nekomata, Ben, Corin, etc. (from various missions).

3. At Least One Guaranteed S-Rank: From your first 50 pulls on standard.

4. A Chosen S-Rank: From the 300-pull selector (a long-term goal).

That's a minimum of two S-Rank characters and 6+ A-Ranks without ever opening your wallet. In the world of gacha, that's borderline revolutionary. HoYoverse has set a new standard for player generosity with ZZZ.

My Personal Tips & Final Thoughts

Having played for a while, here's my advice:

• Don't rush the 300 selector. Take your time, see which characters you enjoy playing, and identify what your account is missing (a main DPS? a healer? a specific element?).

• The free A-Ranks are cracked. Seriously, Anby and Billy can carry you through most content. Invest in them; they are worth every resource.

• Plan your first 50-pull S-Rank. Look at the standard banner lineup and think about who would synergize best with your free Cunning Hares.

So, to all the new Proxies joining us in 2026, welcome! You're starting at the perfect time. The game's systems are polished, the free character roster is deep, and the community is thriving. You have all the tools you need to build an amazing team and conquer the Hollows. Now get out there, make some Bangboo friends, and enjoy the incredible, chaotic world of Zenless Zone Zero! Remember, the best things in (New Eridu) life are free! ✨

What was your first free S-Rank? Who are you saving your 300-pull selector for? Let me know in the comments below!