Best Lycaon build in Zenless Zone Zero
HoYoverseZenless Zone Zero features a huge cast of characters that will grow with every new update. Von Lycaon, from the Victoria Housekeeping Co. faction, has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to his calm demeanor and feral instincts.
If you’re planning to unlock the loyal wolf, here’s everything to know about the best Lycaon build including his abilities and upgrade materials.
Von Lycaon abilities explained
- Moon Hunter (Basic Attack): Unleashes up to 5 strikes in front, dealing Physical DMG. Hold down Basic Attack to charge up, increasing the power of the attack and dealing Ice DMG.
- Suitable Positioning (Dodge): He performs a rapid dodge, becoming invulnerable while using this skill.
- Keep it Clean (Dash Attack): Press Basic Attack during a dodge to activate. Slides forward, launching a series of strikes in front, dealing Physical DMG.
- Etiquette Manual (Dodge Counter): Press Basic Attack during a Perfect Dodge to activate. Strikes enemies in front, dealing Ice DMG.
- Time to Hunt (Special Attack): Unleashes a series of strikes in front, dealing Ice DMG. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill.
- Thrill of the Hunt (EX Special Attack): When Lycaon has enough Energy, press Special Attack to activate. Unleashes a series of powerful strikes in front, dealing massive Ice DMG.
- As You Wish (Chain Attack): When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate. Unleashes a series of powerful strikes at enemies in a small area in front of him, dealing massive Ice DMG.
- Mission Complete (Ultimate): When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press Chain Attack to activate. Unleashes multiple powerful strikes at enemies in a large area, dealing massive Ice DMG.
- Metallic Paws (Core Skill): When Lycaon charges his Basic Attack to completion, the attack deals 40% increased Daze.
- Elegant Predator (Additional Ability): When Lycaon hits a Stunned enemy, the target’s Stun DMG Multiplier increases by 35% (only activates once for the entire squad). This can only be triggered if someone in his squad is in the same faction or shares his element.
- Wolf Pack (Reactive Assist): When the on-field character is launched, press Perfect Assist to activate. Strikes enemies in front, dealing Ice DMG.
- Disrupted Hunt (Defensive Assist): When the character on the field is about to be attacked, press Perfect Assist to activate. Parries the enemy’s attack, dealing massive Daze.
- Vengeful Counterattack (Assist Follow-Up): Press Special Attack after a Defensive Assist to activate. Creates an icicle in front, which strikes all enemies within range, dealing Ice DMG.
Lycaon is a powerful S Rank Ice unit that focuses on dealing a huge amount of Daze DMG, since he specializes in Stun combos. His Basic Attacks increase the DMG taken by Stunned enemies, and his EX Special Attack and Assist Follow-up Attack are great for reducing the enemy’s Ice DMG Res.
Best W-Engines
The Restrained
- Base ATK: 684
- Impact: 18%
When an attack hits an enemy, DMG and Daze from Basic Attacks increase by 6% for eight seconds, stacking up to five times. This effect can trigger at most once during each skill. The duration of each stack is calculated separately.
The Restrained is Von Lycaon’s signature W-Engine, and its unique passive compliments his fast-paced attacks and staggering combos.
Precious Fossilized Core
- Base ATK: 594
- Impact: 15%
When the target’s HP is no lower than 50%, the unit inflicts 10% more Daze to the target. When the target’s HP is no lower than 75%, this bonus is further enhanced by 10%.
If you want to mix things up a bit, you can equip Lycaon with the Precious Fossilized Core, which will focus on boosting his Daze abilities.
Six Shooter
- Base ATK: 595
- Impact: 15%
The unit gains 1 Charge stack every 3s, stacking up to 6 times. When launching an EX Special Attack, consumes all Charge stacks and each stack consumed increases the skill’s Daze inflicted by 4%.
Similar to the Precious Fossilized Core, Six Shooter will boost Lycaon’s sub-stats to give him an extra boost to its Daze combos. Both W-Engines work great if you’re planning to use this unit as a crowd-control character.
Drive Disc
Shockstar Disco
- Two-piece set effect: Increases CRIT Rate by 8%.
- Four-piece set effect: Triggering a critical hit with a Basic Attack, Dodge Counter or EX Special Attack increases the unit’s ATK by 9% for 6s. The buff duration for different skills is calculated separately.
Getting the Shockstar Disco should be one of your priorities while building Lycaon, as his Stun combos will be able to fill the Daze meter faster thanks to this Drive Disc’s buffs. A full set will optimize his attacks to deal more Daze on top of the Impact increase.
If you can’t get this Drive Disc, you can get either of the following options below to boost Lycaon’s skills.
Swing Jazz
- Two-piece set effect: Energy Regen increases by 20%.
- Four-piece set effect: Launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate increases all squad members’ DMG by 15% for 12s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.
Woodpecker Electro
- Two-piece set effect: Increases CRIT Rate by 8%.
- Four-piece set effect: Landing a critical hit on an enemy with a Basic Attack, Dodge Counter, or EX Special Attack increases the unit’s ATK by 9% for 6s. The buff duration for different skills is calculated separately.
If your team composition is lacking DMG output, you can try pairing the 4-Piece Shockstar Disco with the 2-Piece Woodpecker Electro, so it boosts Lycaon’s overall damage. The 8% increase in Crit Rate from the Woodpecker Electro will also let him land more critical hits, which can work great when facing more resistant enemies.
HoYoverseBest Zenless Zone Zero teams for Lycaon
Lycaon specializes in high damage output and stun combos that will easily help other DPS characters take control of the battlefield. You can pair him with Corin since both of them can activate each other’s Core Skills. You can also add Soukaku as a Support in this composition, as she’ll increase Corin’s damage with her ATK buffs.
If you’re looking to build a Mono-Ice Team, you can pair Lycaon with Ellen and Soukaku. This will allow you to stack a crazy amount of damage thanks to Daze DMG, and increase this effect while providing Ice RES shred.
Lycaon Materials in ZZZ
| Level | Materials | Dennies |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Basic Stun Certification Seal x4 | 24,000 |
| 20 | Advanced Stun Certification Seal x12 | 56,000 |
| 30 | Advanced Stun Certification Seal x20 | 120,000 |
| 40 | Buster Certification Seal x10 | 200,000 |
| 50 | Buster Certification Seal x20 | 400,000 |
These are the materials you’ll need to promote Lycaon. Here’s what other materials you’ll need to level his skills up:
- Basic Freeze Chips x25
- Advanced Freeze Chips x75
- Specialized Freeze Chips x250
- Hamster Cage Pass x5
- Dennies x 2,500,000
Mindscape Cinema
| Mindscape Cinema | Effect |
|---|---|
| MC1 – Full Moon Momentum | When Lycaon’s EX Special Attack hits an enemy, the attack’s Daze increases by 12%. This effect can trigger once every 8s. When he charges his EX Special Attack to completion, this buff will increase by an additional 10%. |
| MC2 – Energy Feedback | When Stunning an enemy or triggering a squad member’s Chain Attack, Lycaon gains 5 Energy. Can trigger once every 1s. |
| MC3 – Attendant Training | Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack LV +2. |
| MC4 – Graceful Demeanor | If Lycaon is attacked while using a Basic Attack or Special Attack, he immediately gains a shield equal to 7.5% of his Max HP, lasting for 15s. During the Shield’s duration, his Anti-Interrupt level is increased. This effect can trigger once every 15s. |
| MC5 – Alpha Nature | Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack LV +2. |
| MC6 – Ruthless Hunter | When a charged attack hits an enemy, the target suffers 10% increased DMG from Lycaon, stacking up to 5 times and lasting 12s. Only one stack can be gained per skill use, and repeated triggers reset the duration. |
Zenless Zone Zero features redeemable codes to get useful items and many free Agents so you can build stronger teams. Make sure you know everything about its multiplayer and co-op features to enjoy what it has to offer.