Nekomata Guide and Best Builds for Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ)
Introduction - Nekomata
Nekomata is an S-Rank Physical Attack Agent in Zenless Zone Zero. She specializes in dealing Slash damage, gaining an ATK buff and reducing the enemies Physical RES. Nekomata belongs to the Cunning Hares faction alongside Nicole Demara, Billy Kid, and Anby Demara.
"The best mackerel is always the one you haven't eaten yet~" — Nekomiya
Mana An extremely energetic girl whose mischievous side sees her play the
occasional trick, though only occasionally~ Incredibly curious, with a real
love for mackerel.
Get to know her, and you'll find she's hiding something
behind that cheerful exterior.
How to Pull Nekomata
Nekomata can be pulled at a regular rate from all Channels, excluding the Bangboo Channel. After a total of 300 Signal Searches in the Stable Channel, you may recruit an additional S-Rank Agent of your choice from the options given. This recruit option is only available once per account. These characters include Grace Howard, Alexandrina Sebastiane, Koleda Belobog, Soldier 11, and Von Lycaon.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Great Physical DPS with AoE capabilities.- Fast-paced dodge-focused gameplay that allows you to deal more damage if you are skillful with dodges.
- Low Energy costs for their EX Special Attack.
Weaknesses
While being an S-Rank DPS, there are many other Physical DPS in the game already making her a less valuable pull compared to other characters.- Core Passive Stealthy Paws requires constant use of Dodge Counters and Quick Assists due to the passive's quick cooldown.
Skills, Mindscapes, and Promotions
Skills, Mindscapes, and Promotions
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Attack: Kitty Slash | Press to activate: Unleashes up to 5 slashes, dealing Physical DMG. On the last hit, there is a 33.33% chance to repeat this hit 3 times. |
| Basic Attack: Crimson Blade | Hold down during the first 3 hits of Nekomata's Basic Attack to activate: Slashes enemies in front and passes through them, dealing Physical DMG. Upon activation, there is a 33.33% chance to repeat this attack 3 times. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Dodge: Can't Touch Me-wo~ | Press to activate: A rapid dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Dash Attack: Over Here! | Press during a Dodge to activate: Slashes enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. |
| Dodge Counter: Phantom Claws | Press during a Perfect Dodge to activate: Slashes enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Quick Assist: Cat's Paw | When the on-field character is launched, press to activate: Slashes enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Defensive Assist: Desperate Defense | When the character on field is about to be attacked, press to activate: Parries the enemy's attack, inflicting massive Daze. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Assist Follow-Up: Shadow Strike | Press after a Defensive Assist to activate: Charge and slash enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Special Attack: Suprise Attack | Press to activate: Unleashes a downward strike, dealing Physical DMG. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill. |
| EX Special Attack: Super Surprise Attack! | With enough Energy, press to activate: Unleashes a powerful falling slash that deals massive Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Chain Attack: Claw Swipe | When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate: Unleashes a powerful slash at enemies ahead in a large area, dealing massive Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Ultimate: Claw Smash | When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press to activate: Unleashes powerful slashes at enemies ahead in a large area, dealing massive Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Core Passive: Stealthy Paws | When Nekomata's Dodge Counter or Quick Assist hits an enemy, her DMG increases by 30%(Lv.1) for 6s. |
| Additional Ability: Catwalk | When another character in your squad shares the same Attribute or Faction: After any character inflicts Assault, increases the DMG of Nekomata's next EX Special Attack by 35%, stacking up to 2 times. |
Nekomata's Best Mindscapes
Bird Hunter (M1) is an amazing Mindscape for Nekomata, this is because of both the 16% Physical RES ignore as well as every attack while an enemy is being stunned is considered a Back Attack.
| # | Mindscape | Description |
|---|---|---|
| M1 | Bird Hunter | When Nekomata hits an enemy from behind, she ignores 16% of her target's Physical RES. If the enemy is Stunned, all Nekomata's attacks are considered back attacks. |
| M2 | Cat & Mouse | When there's only one enemy on the field and Nekomata is in combat, her Energy Generation Rate is increased by 25%. |
| M3 | Curious Left Tail | Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2. |
| M4 | Sharpen Claws | When Nekomata uses her EX Special Attack, her CRIT Rate increases by 7% for 15s, stacking up to 2 times, with each stack's duration being calculated separately. |
| M5 | Lucky Right Tail | Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2. |
| M6 | Predator Lineage | When Nekomata launches a Chain Attacl or uses her Ultimate, her CRIT DMG increases by 18%, stacking up to 3 times, and expiring when she leaves battle. This effect gains max stacks immediately on defeating an enemy. |
Nekomata's Promotion Passives
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Core Skill Enhancement A |
|
| Core Skill Enhancement B |
|
| Core Skill Enhancement C |
|
| Core Skill Enhancement D |
|
| Core Skill Enhancement E |
|
| Core Skill Enhancement F |
|
How to Play Nekomata
Nekomata is a character who specialises in Dodge Counters. These are counter attacks whenever you are able to dodge an enemy attack. Nekomata benefits from these due to Stealthy Paws which increases her DMG by 30% for 6s whenever Nekomata is able to successfuly perform a Dodge Counter.
Additionally, when pressing during a Perfect Dodge, Nekomata deals Physical DMG in a wide AoE in front of Nekomata.
While Nekomata has other Physical or Cunning Hares characters in her squad. Nekomata is able to deal even more powerful EX Special Attacks after a character inflicts Assault. This makes it very important to time and use your EX Special Attacks after Assault has been inflicted.
Nekomata's DPS Build
| BiS W-Engine | Steel Cushion |
| Alternative W-Engines |
|
| Best Drive Discs | 4 Piece:
2 Piece:
|
| Main Stats |
|
| Substat Priority |
|
| Skill Priority |
|
Nekomata's best W-Engine is her signature Steel Cushion providing a significant amount of Physical DMG as well as increasing DMG when attacking enemies from behind which can be important for Nekomata. Other options include The Brimstone, Gilded Blossom, Starlight Engine and Street Superstar.
Puffer Electro and Woodpecker Electro are great general Disc Drives to aim for when building Nekomata. As with many other DPS, you should build her with CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK % and PEN.
Bangboo Information
Amillion is one of Nekomata's best Bangboo being both a
Physical and Cunning Hares character. 
Bagboo is a
great A-Rank option helping to deal massive Physical DMG to build up Anomaly
for Nekomata.
Nekomata's Team Comps and Synergy
| DPS | Stun | Support | Bangboo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nekomiya Mana | Anby Demara | Amillion |
This first team uses Anby Demara as the main Stun character while also being from the Cunning Hares faction to trigger the Core Passive. Because of this, the support slot can be used by other powerful supports such as Lucy or Soukaku.
| DPS | Stun | Support | Bangboo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nekomiya Mana | Nicole Demara | Amillion | |
| DPS | Support | Support | Bangboo |
| Nekomiya Mana | Caesar King | Nicole Demara | Amillion |
Other teams instead use the Cunning Hares member Nicole Demara as a support to provide crowd control making it easier for Nekomata to attack grouped up enemies. Stun Supports include Koleda Belobog and Qingyi while more offensive options include Caesar King who provides both defensive utility and ATK buffs.
Changelog
- 12 Oct. 2024: Reviewed and updated for 1.2.
- 13 Aug. 2024: Reviewed and updated for 1.1.
- 07 Jul. 2024: Full Guide Released.
- 15 Jun. 2024: Page added.
This guide has been written by Shikhu (Discord - Shikhu). A long-time player for various Hoyoverse games such as Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail.
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