Qingyi Guide and Best Builds for Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ)
Introduction - Qingyi
Qingyi is an S-Rank Electric Stun Strike Agent in Zenless Zone Zero. Despite seeming a little cryptic at times, this composed Automaton is both a thoughtful mentor to Zhu Yuan and dutifully devoted to protecting all citizens of New Eridu. Qinyi belongs to the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team, alongside Zhu Yuan, Jane Doe, and Seth Lowell.
"Slacking off? I don't get it... There's still so much I have yet to learn about youth slang."
"I may be on autopilot, but I'm still making progress at work."
"Well, since there's nothing left to do, I shall take my leave."
Qingyi Character Demo - "Youthful Appearance, Old Soul"
How to Pull Qingyi
Qingyi was last available as a limited-time -Rank Agent on the Exclusive Channel Banner "Untainted Jade" in Version 1.1 Part I. Currently, this Exclusive Channel Banner is unavailable, so players will need to wait for her next limited availability.
Qingyi Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Basic Attacks have indefinite combo extensions and good crowd control.
- Easily builds Flash Connect Voltage to better buff Qingyi and stun enemies.
- Subjugation stacks last until stunned targets recover.
- Flexible Invincibility Frames via Perfect Dodge.
- Blocks Projectiles while Running.
Weaknesses
Probable Cause of Repetitive Strain Injury.
- Needs to be attacking On-Field to build Flash Connect Voltage.
- Qingyi has no built-in defense, so Dodges and Defensive Assists are important.
- Lack of S-Rank Electric Attack Agents available.
Skills, Mindscape, and Promotions
Skills, Mindscapes, and Promotions
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Attack: Penultimate |
Press to activate: Launch up to four strikes forward, dealing Physical DMG and Electric DMG. During the 3rd hit, continually press to continue the attack, continuously striking the enemy. Using Dodge during this period will not interrupt Qingyi's Basic Attack combo count. During the 3rd hit, stop pressing to interrupt the continuous attack, transitioning automatically to the 4th hit. If the continuous attack lasts for a certain time, the 4th attack will be enhanced. Anti-Interrupt Level is increased and DMG received is reduced by 40% during the 3rd and 4th hit. |
| Basic Attack: Enchanted Blossoms |
Press to activate: Launches a forward rush attack, dealing Electric DMG. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill. |
| Flash Connect |
When Qingyi deals Electric DMG with a skill, she accumulates Flash Connect Voltage. When Flash Connect Voltage reaches 75%, she will enter the Flash Connect state. When using her Basic Attack: Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms, Qingyi will consume all Flash Connect Voltage and exit the Flash Connect state. For every 1% of Flash Connect Voltage consumed over 75%, her Damage and Daze inflicted by this skill will be increased by 1%/0.5%. Basic Attack: Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms itself does not accumulate Flash Connect Voltage. |
| Basic Attack: Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms |
During the Flash Connect state, hold to activate: Launch five consecutive forward rush attacks, then execute a Finishing Move that inflicts massive Electric DMG. Release during the move to trigger the Finishing Move early. Activate the Finishing Move just before the character is attacked to trigger Perfect Dodge. Anti-Interrupt level is increased and DMG received is reduced by 40% during the rush attack. Qingyi is invulnerable during the Finishing Move. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Dodge: Swan Song | Press to activate: A quick dash dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Dash Attack: Breach | Press during a dodge to activate: Dash forward and then launch an upward attack, dealing Physical DMG. |
| Dodge Counter: Lingering Sentiments | Press during a Perfect Dodge to activate: Leap into the air and then perform a downward attack, dealing Electric DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Quick Assist: Wind Through the Pines |
When the on-field character is launched, press to activate: Leap into the air and then perform a downward attack, dealing Electric DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Defensive Assist: Graceful Embellishment |
When the on-field character is about to be attacked, press to activate: Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Assist Follow-Up: Song of the Clear River |
Press after an Evasive Assist to activate: Rush forward with an attack and inject electrical energy into the ground, then pull back to trigger an explosion, dealing Electric DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Special Attack: Sunlit Glory | Press to activate: Quickly swings upward, followed by a downward smash, dealing Electric DMG. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill. |
| EX Special Attack: Moonlit Begonia |
With enough Energy, press to activate: Quickly swings upward and leaps into the air, turning around to launch a series of attacks, then follows up with a powerful downward smash, dealing massive Electric DMG. Hold to consume additional energy to increase the number of hits of the series of attacks. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. After executing the move, you can immediately follow up with the 3rd hit of a Basic Attack. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Chain Attack: Tranquil Serenade |
When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate: Launch a series of powerful strikes over a large area in front, dealing massive Electric DMG. When this attack hits an enemy, the skill's DMG increases by 3% for every stack of Subjugation in Core Passive: Eternal Seasons the target has. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Ultimate: Eight Sounds of Ganzhou |
When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press to activate: Launch a series of powerful strikes over a large area in front, followed by a Finishing Move, dealing massive Electric DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. |
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Core Passive: Eternal Seasons |
When Qingyi lands a Finishing Move on an enemy with her Basic Attack: Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms, it applies 5 stacks of Subjugation to the enemy, stacking up to 20 times. Each stack of Subjugation increases the target's Stun DMG Multiplier by 3%. For each rush attack performed during Basic Attack: Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms, the Finishing Move will apply an extra stack of Subjugation. If Perfect Dodge is triggered when using the Finishing Move, it directly applies 10 stacks of Subjugation. When applying Subjugation to normal and elite enemies, the target receives double the stacks. When the target recovers from being Stunned, the corresponding stacks of Subjugation are reset. |
| Additional Ability: Three Verses of Farewell at Yang Pass |
When another character in your squad is an Attack character or shares the same Faction: Basic Attacks deal 20% increased Daze. If Qingyi's Impact is greater than 120, each point over increases her Attack by 6, up to a maximum of 600. |
Qingyi's Best Mindscapes
For Qingyi's Mindscape Cinemas, while all of them benefit from her Flash Connect State to some degree, Qingyi is quite playable as a Stun Agent at M0, depending on players' gameplay and resources. Some of the best Mindscape upgrades to Qingyi are her M1 (for Voltage's quality of life), M2 (for Subjugation buffs), and M6 (for the squad's overall damage). The M4 is nice for an extra shield (as Qingyi will often be on-field for long periods) or extra Energy (for faster EX Specials), but it is not as significant of an upgrade.
| # | Mindscape | Description |
|---|---|---|
| M1 | Insulation Breakdown | When Qingyi enters combat, Flash Connect Voltage is instantly restored to its maximum, and the accumulation rate is increased by 30%. When using her Basic Attack: Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms, if Flash Connect Voltage is at its maximum, the attack will reduce the DEF of the enemy it hits by 15%, and Qingyi's CRIT Rate against that enemy will increase by 20% for 15s. |
| M2 | Minimal Effort, Maximum Impact | Each stack of Subjugation in Core Passive: Eternal Seasons increases the Stun DMG Multiplier to 135% of its original value. When Qingyi's attack hits an enemy and the stacks of Subjugation she applies reaches its maximum stacks, her Daze dealt to the target increases by 15%. |
| M3 | Drink Hot Water | Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2. |
| M4 | Stable Arc Barrier | Upon entering or exiting Flash Connect state, gain a shield equal to 10% of Qingyi's max HP. If a previous shield is still active when the shield effect refreshes, Qingyi generates 5 Energy. This Energy Generation effect can be triggered once every 10s. |
| M5 | Youthful Spirit | Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2. |
| M6 | Eight Meridians | The Interrupt Level of Basic Attack: Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms is greatly increased, and the CRIT DMG is increased by an additional 100%. When Qingyi hits an enemy with her Basic Attack: Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms, the target's Attribute DMG RES is reduced by 20% for 15s. |
Qingyi'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 Qingyi
As a Stun Agent, Qingyi is able to accumulate more Daze than Agents of other types, making it easy to stun targets and enable Chain Attacks. In addition, Qingyi is also able to Dodge while maintaining her Basic Attack Combo, which can have a wide area of effect. This gives Qingyi the freedom to manoeuver around multiple enemies without losing damage uptime nor daze accumulation.
Qingyi's general gameplay focuses on two goals:
- Building Flash Connect Voltage to enter the Flash Connect State
- In Flash Connect State, applying and maintaining stacks of Subjugation
Much of Qingyi's kit is synergetic, and she thrives in a squad that allows her to attack for long periods on-field. While she may not do as much damage as an Attack or Anomaly Agent can, Qingyi can provide an increase to overall squad DMG through Flash Connect, giving Qingyi a solid place in any composition looking for both fast stuns and better squad damage overall.
Qingyi's Flash Connect
Qingyi has a unique combat system called "Flash Connect." Whenever she does Electric DMG, she builds up her Flash Connect Voltage gauge. When this gauge hits 75% of the bar or higher (up to 100%), Qingyi enters the Flash Connect State, giving her increases to both Damage and Daze inflicted on targets.
Qingyi can build her Flash Connect Voltage through the following means:
- Basic Attack: Penultimate (also known as the Basic Attack Combo)
- Basic Attack: Enchanted Blossoms
- Special Attack: Sunlit Glory
- EX Special Attack: Moonlit Begonia
- Quick Assist: Wind Through the Pines
- Assist Follow-Up: Song of the Clear River
- Dodge Counter: Lingering Sentiments
- Chain Attack: Tranquil Serenade
- Ultimate: Eight Sounds of Ganzhou
Alternatively, Qingyi cannot build Voltage through her Basic Attack: Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms (only available in Flash Connect State), Defensive Assist, or Dash Attack.
As much of Qingyi's kit has Electric DMG built in, she benefits from staying on-field, dealing damage until she cycles through a Flash Connect State; or until the target is stunned (and a Chain Attack sequence can begin). As a result, players will want Qingyi to build her Voltage gauge and enter the Flash Connect State as soon as possible. This is feasible, as long as Qingyi is able to maintain her bread-and-butter, the Basic Attack Combo.
Qingyi's Basic Attack Combo
Before we get into Qingyi's Core Passive, we should go over Qingyi's primary Voltage builder: the Basic Attack Combo. Qingyi's Basic Attack: Penultimate allows her to indefinitely maintain the string of attacks after the 3rd hit applies, so long as she continues to attack the target(s). In doing so, she generates an Electric field of effect around her; if the attacks following the 3rd hit are maintained for a short period, she can do an enhanced finisher, dealing 200% more damage than the un-enhanced finisher. Qingyi can also continue to maintain her Basic Attack Combo through Dodge, giving her the freedom to move around without fear of getting hurt or interrupting her Combo.
If players start the attack string with an EX Special Attack, Qingyi can directly follow up with the 3rd hit of the Basic Attack Combo.
Qingyi's Subjugation Stacks
Qingyi's Core Passive: Eternal Seasons is only in effect when Qingyi is in the Flash Connect State. This means that, to start applying Subjugations, which are Stun DMG Multiplier stacks, Qingyi needs to build her Voltage gauge to 75% or higher as fast as possible.
In the Flash Connect State, Qingyi is able to do an enhanced Basic Attack Combo called "Enchanted Moonlit Blossoms". When Qingyi does the Finishing Strike (or Finisher) of the enhanced Basic Attack Combo, she can apply Subjugation stacks on enemy targets. This Finishing Strike can also be executed sooner if the combo button is released early. However, keep in mind that based on Rush and Finishing Strike Multipliers, ending the enhanced Basic Attack Combo early will make Qingyi do less Damage and Daze overall.
If Qingyi performs a Perfect Dodge with her Finishing Strike while in the Flash Connect State, Qingyi will immediately apply 10 stacks of Subjugation to the target upon hitting.
Each Subjugation stack increases the targets' Stun DMG Multiplier by 3%, up to 20 stacks total per target (or 60%). These stacks will remain indefinitely until the corresponding target recovers from being stunned, after which the stacks reset and Qingyi can re-build them again.
How to Play Qingyi Summary
Essentially, if players are looking to play Qingyi effectively, they should keep the following in mind:
- Qingyi can sustain damage over long periods of time on-field
- When built correctly for Impact, she can do both high Damage and Daze in one Basic Attack Combo (see Build and Team Composition sections)
- Her Basic Attack Combo can be held indefinitely with high mobility (both in and out of Flash Connect State)
- In Flash Connect State, early Finishers will have faster applications of Subjugation stacks and Invincibility Frames
- In Flash Connect State, the fastest way to build Subjugation stacks is to perform a Perfect Dodge while executing the Finisher
Qingyi's Build
| BiS W-Engine | Ice-Jade Teapot |
| Alternative W-Engines |
|
| Best Drive Discs | 4 Piece:
2 Piece:
|
| Main Stats |
|
| Substat Priority |
|
| Skill Priority |
|
Qingyi's Best in Slot Guide
Qingyi's best W-Engine is her signature Ice-Jade Teapot, which
is obtainable through the W-Engine Channel during limited-time periods.
However, if players are unable to obtain this W-Engine, there are several
alternatives to choose from, as Qingyi is fairly straightforward to build
as a Stun Agent.
S-Rank W-Engines
At Lv. 60, the Ice-Jade Teapot provides 18% Impact at base. For
every Basic Attack, the W-Engine's effect Ringing Melody provides an
additional 0.7% Impact for 8 seconds, stacking up to 30 times. The duration
of each stack, called Tea-riffic, is also calculated independently.
When the Tea-riffic stacks hit 15, the squad also receives a 20% ATK increase
for 10 seconds. This means if Qingyi does a maximum of 30 Basic Attacks while
on-field, she can receive up to 21% additional Impact for herself,
and also increase the squad's ATK by 20%.
Overall, this W-Engine is greatly beneficial for Qingyi, as she wants to finish her Basic Attack Combo as much as possible, to maximize on her Core Passive bonuses from Subjugation. Most of Qingyi's kit increases both her Stun and Damage potential, which this W-Engine can provide.
For W-Engine alternatives at the S-Rank, players can use either The Restrained
or Hellfire Gears for the 18% Impact Advanced Stat.
However, keep in mind the Daze % stacks from
The Restrained may be inconsistent on Qingyi compared to
other more compatible Stun Agents.
The recommendation for Hellfire Gears also depends on
the player's preferred gameplay, as to get either 10% or 20% additional Impact,
players must focus on using Qingyi's EX Special Attacks. Qingyi would also get
a passive Energy Regeneration Rate from using Hellfire Gears
off-field, which is a nice bonus to help with getting
more EX Specials with Qingyi (and therefore enter her Basic Attack Combo or
the Flash Connect State more often).
A-Rank W-Engines
As Qingyi primarily wants Impact, she can use various A-Rank W-Engines which would work fine with what she wants. While these W-Engines will not reach the same maximum base potential an S-Rank W-Engine can, they can still provide additional bonuses, such as:
- Steam Oven: Based on accumulated Energy, increases up to 10% Impact for a short duration. This W-Engine also provides up to 60% Energy Regen, which would benefit Qingyi if she does a lot of EX Specials.
- All of the following W-Engines provide Impact and some kind of benefit to Qingyi's
Stun or Damage capability. It just depends on what players prefer:
- More Daze ( Precious Fossilized Core or Six Shooter)
- More Electric DMG and Energy Generation Rate ( Demara Battery Mark II)
Of the A-Rank W-Engines mentioned, Six Shooter is probably the least beneficial for Qingyi when built properly, as she would likely hit a high Daze accumulation on any target from her Basic Attack Combo alone.
If players plan to use Hellfire Gears but do not have the W-Engine yet, they can use Steam Oven as a comparable alternative.
Qingyi's best Drive Disc set is Shockstar Disco, as it provides Impact and additional Daze upon using Basic Attacks, Dash Attacks, and Dodge Counters. All of these actions are likely what you will perform on Qingyi, so she benefits from using a 4-piece set when available. Other 4-piece set options include Thunder Metal, if you want to improve her personal Electric DMG output.
For 2-piece set alternatives, depending on what players would like to build on Qingyi, she can also use:
- Shockstar Disco: Increases Impact by 6%
- Thunder Metal: Increases Electric DMG by 10%
- Woodpecker Electro: Increases CRIT Rate by 8%
- Swing Jazz: Increases Energy Regen by 20%
Firstly, the base objective for Qingyi's best build is to reach her
Impact threshold for the ATK bonus from Three Verses of Farewell at Yang Pass.
If Qingyi's Impact stat is 120 or above, she can additionally increase her ATK
stat, up to 600 additional ATK total.
As her Impact to ATK stat increases at a 1:6 ratio, Qingyi would require a threshold of
220 Impact to fully benefit from her Three Verses of Farewell at Yang Pass.
Any additional Impact will increase the rate at which Daze accumulates on targets, which helps
Qingyi solidify her place as a beneficial Stun Agent in your squad.
However, keep in mind that by building Qingyi's Impact to 220, you may already accumulate enough Daze on certain targets with just one full Basic Attack Combo. If this happens, you may have diminishing returns on additional Impact beyond 220, and should consider looking into increasing her damage output instead, such as through ATK, CRIT Rate, CRIT Damage, PEN, and PEN Ratio. Players can also look into increasing her Energy Generation Rate, as it directly corresponds to Qingyi's Flash Connect utility.
It is difficult to suggest how much Impact is too much, as different players will have varying experiences based on their account progression, budget, or available resources. In addition, there is no definitive answer that works for all levels of content. With the current information available, players should expect to build Qingyi's Impact to at least 220 to capitalize on her build's Daze potential.
Bangboo Information
Qingyi's best Bangboo currently available are 
Officer Cui and 
Plugboo.
Plugboo is beneficial if you run a squad with strong Electric Agents,
as it increases the squad's Electric DMG potential. Additionally,
the Bangboo Chain Attack increases the Electric Anomaly Buildup on targets,
which further increases Qingyi and the Squad's overall damage output.
Officer Cui is good if players have multiple
Criminal Investigation Special Response Team
Agents, such as both Qingyi and Zhu Yuan or Jane Doe.
This Bangboo has a chance to re-trigger an Active Skill, up to 3 consecutive triggers,
which can increase the squad's damage independent of attribute.
If players do not have an -Rank Bangboo,
other -Rank considerations include 
Sumoboo
and 
Electroboo.
Qingyi's Team Comps and Synergy
Qingyi is a Stun Agent, and as a result, is compatible with most squad compositions that can benefit from Qingyi's high Daze potential.
In a Criminal Investigation Special Response Team focused squad, players can choose between having their main DPS as Zhu Yuan or Jane Doe. While Qingyi is not required for both Agents, Qingyi herself can quickly increase the targets' Daze accumulation with her Basic Attack Combo, allowing for optimal switching to either DPS Agent for increased damage output. This also means that Qingyi benefits from her additional ability Three Verses of Farewell at Yang Pass, which increases her Daze and personal ATK.
Qingyi and Zhu Yuan
| DPS | Stun | Support | Bangboo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | Officer Cui |
Zhu Yuan benefits from attacking Stunned targets often, thanks to her Core Passive, and she also receives an increased CRIT Rate when paired with another Criminal Investigation Special Response Team or Support Agent. However, players should still run a Support Agent, as they can increase the damage for both Agents. Based on what players want, they can choose: something with more Electric focus to improve Qingyi's personal damage and Daze Output (such as Alexandrina Sebastiane); or Ether focus, improving Zhu Yuan's damage instead (such as Nicole Demara).
Qingyi and Jane Doe
| DPS | Stun | Support | Bangboo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qingyi | Seth Lowell | Officer Cui |
For Jane Doe teams, players should ideally have another Anomaly Agent or Seth Lowell. Anomaly characters work the best off each other, as they all benefit from Anomaly Buildup and Anomaly Proficiency buffs. For example, with Grace Howard, she can both benefit Qingyi (because they share the same Attribute) and Jane Doe (because they can cause a Disorder). With Piper Wheel, she can benefit the overall Squad's damage and increase the Physical Anomaly Buildup on targets (which will help Jane Doe). However, keep in mind that Anomaly and Disorder attacks do not increase Daze.
If players want to focus on a more defensive Squad instead, they can opt to bring in Seth Lowell instead of another Anomaly Agent, whose additional ability helps reduce the Anomaly Buildup RES for all attributes. Seth Lowell also shares the same Attribute as Qingyi, which helps both to focus targets weak to Electric DMG.
Qingyi and Other Squads
If players want to use Qingyi in other squads, such as a squad focused on another Attribute or Faction, they should consider fulfilling Qingyi's Additional Ability conditions with an Attack Agent in the squad.
| DPS | Stun | Support | Bangboo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anton Ivanov | Qingyi | Alexandrina Sebastiane | Plugboo |
For example, you can use Qingyi with a Belobog Heavy Industries
focused squad that uses Anton Ivanov, as she benefits from
both 
Safety (Faction-specialized Bangboo) and
Anton Ivanov's Attack Agent Type. With Anton Ivanov,
the Agent duo can also make use of Plugboo instead, giving them
the freedom to pick a third Agent that is compatible
(such as Grace Howard or Alexandrina Sebastiane).
For other Attack alternatives, players can also make an Ice focused squad using Ellen Joe and Soukaku, or Fire focused such as with Soldier 11 and Lucy. However, keep in mind to maximize on Qingyi's Stun capabilities, she should be in a squad that targets enemies weak to Electric DMG, as it will be easier to accumulate Daze and Anomaly Buildup.
Changelog
- 16 Oct. 2024: Updated Team Compositions section for Version 1.2.
- 24 Sep. 2024: Modified Introduction section to include Jane Doe.
- 04 Sep. 2024: Updated sections on Pull Availability and Team Compositions for Version 1.1 Part II.
- 18 Aug. 2024: Updated all sections for Version 1.1. Added Strengths and Weaknesses.
- 12 Aug. 2024: Updated Promotional Passives, Tentative Build, Team Compositions, and How to Play Guide.
- 10 Aug. 2024: Updated Video with Character Demo.
- 06 Aug. 2024: Added Agent Combat Intel Video.
- 04 Aug. 2024: Added Tentative Skills and Mindscapes, and Updated How to Pull.
- 11 Jul. 2024: Page added.
Piyo is an active raider who has been playing Final Fantasy XIV Online since Shadowbringers. Though she can play all roles, she specialises in healer optimization and teaches both new players and peers alike. She often streams entertaining raid content, ranging from extreme trials to ultimates on release. In addition, she streams other games, such as Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact, as well as digital art commissions. Be sure to check her comfortably chaotic streams on Twitch, or commission her art on VGen!
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