Zenless Zone Zero V2.5 Rerun Guide: New Mechanic & Characters

Zenless Zone Zero V2.5 Rerun marks a big shift in how HoYoverse handles banner rotations for ZZZ’s limited agents. Unlike the straightforward Phase 1 to Phase 2 banner swaps of past versions, 2.5 introduces a hybrid schedule where new characters stay up for most of the patch while reruns spin up in a separate channel. Giving Proxies more flexibility to plan their Polychrome pulls.

This guide breaks down the official structure, rerun mechanics, featured characters, and what it means if you’re trying to save or spend smartly. Think less guesswork and more strategy because V2.5 isn’t like other typical patches.

What Makes Zenless Zone Zero V2.5 Rerun Different

Zenless Zone Zero Version 2.5, titled “To Be Fuel for the Night,” doesn’t retire its initial limited banners when Phase 2 starts. Instead, both S-Rank debut banners (Ye Shunguang and Zhao) stay available for most of the patch. From the version’s release on December 30, 2025 through early February 2026. While a separate rerun banner channel (Exclusive Rescreening) activates later. 

This is a departure from earlier banner cycles where Phase 2 typically replaced Phase 1 entirely. In V2.5, you’re essentially juggling three limited opportunities:

• Ye Shunguang’s debut banner
• Zhao’s debut banner
• The rerun channel that appears mid-patch

That means you don’t lose access to a fresh banner when reruns go live. You just have more choices to juggle. 

See Also: Zenless Zone Zero Combat Stats & Mechanics Guide for Beginners

How the Zenless Zone Zero V2.5 Rerun Banner Works

The rerun channel has a few neat twists you don’t see in other limited banners:

• Guaranteed first S-Rank: Once you pick your desired agent, your first successful S-Rank pull in this channel must be that character.
• Separate pity counters: Pulls toward this rerun don’t interfere with the pity you’ve built on the main limited banners. 
• Persistent availability: The rerun runs through the back half of the patch (approx. Jan 21 – Feb 17/early Feb). 

That’s a big deal because it means if you’re skipping the main banners early, you can still reliably target a specific past unit later without fighting RNG as hard as normal.

ZZZ V2.5 Rerun Banner Schedule & Release

Version 2.5 goes live on December 30, 2025 (with maintenance wrapping up around 11:00 UTC+8, as usual for big updates). 

Phase 1: New Agent Banners (Dec 30 – Jan 21)

At launch, two new S-Rank limited agent banners go live simultaneously:

Ye Shunguang

Ye Shunguang debuts as an S-Rank Physical damage dealer built for sustained pressure rather than short burst windows. Her kit is designed to stay active on the field, rewarding players who maintain uptime and positioning instead of quick swap rotations.

She’s positioned as a core carry option for players who enjoy aggressive playstyles and consistent damage output, especially in longer combat scenarios where stagger windows matter. Her debut banner, Light Upon Fingertips, runs throughout most of Version 2.5, giving players time to plan instead of panic-pulling on day one.

Zhao

Zhao enters Zenless Zone Zero as an S-Rank Defense agent, filling a role that’s becoming increasingly valuable as enemy pressure ramps up in later content. Rather than being a passive tank, Zhao focuses on stabilizing the frontline, mitigating damage, and enabling safer rotations for damage dealers.

His banner, Priceless Heart, runs alongside Ye Shunguang’s, creating a clear choice for players: do you want raw damage, or do you want survivability that keeps your team online longer? Zhao is especially appealing for players who value consistency over speed clears.

Both remain active even after Phase 2 begins, unlike in prior versions where Phase 1 banners would cycle out. 

This extended availability gives Proxies a much larger window to chase either S-Rank or both without stressing about a mid-patch swap.

Phase 2: Exclusive Rescreening Rerun (Jan 21 – Patch End)

Starting January 21, 2026, Version 2.5 adds a rerun banner called Exclusive Rescreening alongside the ongoing debut banners. 

This rerun isn’t just your usual rerun: you choose which agent you want most, and the first S-Rank agent you pull from this rerun channel is guaranteed to be your selected character. That applies only to your first S-Rank in this channel, and the usual 50/50 limiter is removed for that pull. 

Version 2.5’s rerun banner uses the Exclusive Rescreening system, allowing players to select a target S-Rank agent and guarantee them as the first S-Rank pull from the banner. This removes much of the usual rerun frustration and makes planning far more reliable.

Alice Thymefield

Alice Thymefield returns as a Physical Anomaly specialist, excelling at sustained damage through status application rather than raw burst. She remains a strong pick for players who enjoy methodical combat and team compositions that scale over time.

With the selectable guarantee system, Alice becomes much easier to secure compared to her original release, making her a solid option for players who skipped her before.

Soldier 0: Anby

Soldier 0: Anby is one of the most popular reruns in Version 2.5, and for good reason. As an Electric attack agent, she fits cleanly into fast-paced, high-damage teams and remains one of the most flexible DPS options in the roster.

Her return is especially valuable for newer players looking to build a strong damage core without waiting for future debuts.

Astra Yao

Astra Yao rounds out the rerun lineup as an Ether support agent focused on team utility rather than personal damage. She shines in compositions that value buffs, debuffs, and overall team consistency.

For players who already have a main DPS but lack strong supports, Astra Yao is often the smartest long-term pickup from the rerun banner.

This rerun model gives you a way to target units you may have missed before without burning through additional pity the old way. 

Why This ZZZ V2.5 Rerun Matters for Pull Planning

Version 2.5 breaks the “one banner at a time” mold by letting you chase multiple priorities concurrently or sequentially:

• You can pull Ye Shunguang early and still have time to chase Zhao without sacrificing your chance on the rerun banner later.
• The Exclusive Rescreening guarantee reduces the fear of spending a ton only to miss your target. 
• Separate pity on reruns gives you flexibility to split goals between fresh and old favorites. 

That’s a huge quality-of-life improvement for Polychrome strategy especially if you’ve ever felt stuck between saving and spending.

Community Reaction So Far To Zenless Zone Zero V2.5 Rerun

Players on Reddit and Discord have been talking about how Version 2.5’s rerun channel actually changes the psychology of pulls. Some are hyped about the selectable rerun because it feels like a safety net compared to the old all-or-nothing 50/50 system, while others are warning that it could drain Polychromes because you can effectively plan for multiple S-Rank targets in one version. 

The “guaranteed first S-Rank” mechanic is getting especially positive buzz because it reduces the dreaded early RNG loss. A common complaint in gacha fandoms. 

See Also: Evelyn Zenless Zone Zero Build Guide – Skills, Gear & Teams

Zenless Zone Zero V2.5 Rerun isn’t just another patch, it’s a structural shift in how limited agents are rolled out and revisited. With the main new banners remaining available throughout the version and a separate rerun option with selectable guarantees, Proxies can approach pull planning with far more control than before.

If you’re preparing your Polychrome, take stock of what you want most, and use this version’s mechanics to your advantage rather than chasing everything at once.When you’re ready to focus your pulls and stay flexible, you can top up ZZZ on Joytify to make sure you’ve got Polychrome on standby for the agents you really want.