Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) Shiyu Defense Guide and Overview for Critical Nodes
Struggling with a Shiyu Defense Critical Nodes? Check out our dedicated Shiyu Defense Critical Node Guide for stage information, Agent recommendations, and more!
What is the Critical Node in Shiyu Defense?
The Critical Node is comprised of stages that rotate on a twice monthly basis. Critical Node stages focus on killing a set number of enemies within a certain amount of time, and meeting certain thresholds will grant you the maximum rewards. You will be able to gain up to 720 Polychrome from this content, provided you manage to clear all seven stages on S-Rank. Each stage has 3 sets of rewards that you can gain at B, A and S-Grades respectively.
Clearing any stage at any grade will unlock the next one for you, so don't fret if you do not manage to get an S-Grade immediately.
In this guide we will provide detailed information on each of the 7 stages, highlighting the weaknesses of the enemies in each stage, as well as potential team recommendations that might make your life a little easier in order to claim the mode's rewards.
Keep in mind that a well built character may perform better than others, even if it does not match the enemies weakness. Just make sure to not pit them against enemies that are resistant to their damage type.
Critical Node Stages
There are 7 stages in the Critical Node section of the Shiyu Defense. Each stage has its own set of enemies, buffs and effects that boost your characters, as well as their own Challenge Target time-limits. In each stage you will have to field 2 teams, requiring 6 Agents and 2 Bangboos total. You cannot use the same Agent or Bangboo twice.
Critical Node Stage Information
Disclaimer: This early into the game's release cycle, you will likely only have a handful of characters leveled and equipped. While this guide will recommend different teams for different stages, you are more likely to succeed by playing your highest level characters that you have the most practice with, instead of the ones that match the stage's bonuses and vulnerabilities. Simply make sure to not field a team that the enemy units have resistances against.
Use the Stage-Slider to select the stage you would like more information on.
Move the slider below to make the guide update to your level!
This rotation of Critical Nodes heavily emphasizes Anomaly Agents, and you will likely want to bring them in almost every stage, regardless of weakness. While the below team recommendations are still heavily centered around the weaknesses of each stage, you can run Grace Howard, Jane Doe, and Piper Wheel as your main DPS for almost all stages, as well as Burnice White as a sub DPS for any of them.
Critical Node: First Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
With a Shield Active, Agents Anomaly Buildup Rate is increased by 25%. Agents deal 35% more DMG to enemies that are suffering an Attribute Anomaly. |
|
Recommended Teams for First Frontier
| DPS | Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Grace Howard | Anby Demara | |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Team 2 | ||
| Soldier 11 | Burnice White | Lucy |
| Soldier 11 | Koleda Belobog | |
Critical Node: Second Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
With a Shield Active, Agents Anomaly Buildup Rate is increased by 25%. Agents deal 35% more DMG to enemies that are suffering an Attribute Anomaly. |
|
Recommended Teams for Second Frontier
| DPS | Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Ellen Joe | Von Lycaon | |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Team 2 | ||
| Jane Doe | Burnice White | Lucy |
| Piper Wheel | Burnice White | |
| Soldier 11 | Burnice White | Lucy |
Critical Node: Third Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
With a Shield Active, Agents Anomaly Buildup Rate is increased by 25%. Agents deal 35% more DMG to enemies that are suffering an Attribute Anomaly. |
Recommended Teams for Third Frontier
| DPS | Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Grace Howard | Anby Demara | |
| Anton Ivanov | Anby Demara | Nicole Demara |
| Team 2 | ||
| Soldier 11 | Burnice White | Lucy |
| Soldier 11 | Koleda Belobog | |
| Jane Doe | Burnice White | Lucy |
Critical Node: Fourth Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
With a Shield Active, Agents Anomaly Buildup Rate is increased by 25%. Agents deal 35% more DMG to enemies that are suffering an Attribute Anomaly. |
|
Recommended Teams for Fourth Frontier
| DPS | Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Ellen Joe | Von Lycaon | |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Team 2 | ||
| Soldier 11 | Burnice White | Lucy |
| Jane Doe | Burnice White | Lucy |
| Piper Wheel | Burnice White | |
Critical Node: Fifth Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
With a Shield Active, Agents Anomaly Buildup Rate is increased by 25%. Agents deal 35% more DMG to enemies that are suffering an Attribute Anomaly. |
|
Recommended Teams for Fifth Frontier
| DPS | Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Ellen Joe | Von Lycaon | |
| Jane Doe | Lucy | |
| Team 2 | ||
| Soldier 11 | Burnice White | Lucy |
| Soldier 11 | Koleda Belobog | |
Critical Node: Sixth Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
With a Shield Active, Agents Anomaly Buildup Rate is increased by 25%. Agents deal 35% more DMG to enemies that are suffering an Attribute Anomaly. |
Recommended Teams for Sixth Frontier
| DPS | Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Jane Doe | Lucy | |
| Piper Wheel | Lucy | |
| Team 2 | ||
| Soldier 11 | Burnice White | Lucy |
| Soldier 11 | Koleda Belobog | |
Critical Node: Seventh Frontier
| Time Limit | Bonus Effects | Weakness | Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
With a Shield Active, Agents Anomaly Buildup Rate is increased by 25%. Agents deal 35% more DMG to enemies that are suffering an Attribute Anomaly. |
|
Recommended Teams for Seventh Frontier
| DPS | Stun | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | ||
| Ellen Joe | Von Lycaon | |
| Zhu Yuan | Qingyi | |
| Team 2 | ||
| Jane Doe | Burnice White | Lucy |
| Piper Wheel | Burnice White | |
| Soldier 11 | Burnice White | Lucy |
Changelog
- 17 Oct. 2024: Updated for Unyielding Momentum season.
- 01 Oct. 2024: Updated for Close Quarters Combat season.
- 16 Sep. 2024: Updated for Global Rollout season.
- 01 Sep. 2024: Updated for Irresistible Force season.
- 16 Aug. 2024: Updated for Precise Synergy season.
- 03 Aug. 2024: Page added.
This guide has been written and reviewed by Seliathan. With over 20 years of competitive gaming experience and an immense enjoyment of Honkai: Star Rails story and gameplay, he has now set his sights on another MiHoYo title in Zenless Zone Zero.
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