Zenless Zone Zero 2.5: First Look at Co-Op Multiplayer in ‘J

Zenless Zone Zero 2.5: First Look at Co-Op Multiplayer in "Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze"

By EarlyGG Editorial Staff

Introduction: Co-Op Arrives (With Caveats) in ZZZ 2.5—What Players Need to Know

Zenless Zone Zero’s long-awaited co-op multiplayer makes its official debut in Patch 2.5 through the limited-time event Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze. While not yet the full-fledged co-op many Proxies envisioned, this event signals HoYoverse’s first step toward a shared combat experience in New Eridu. For players invested in team strategies, banner pulls, and endgame min-maxing, understanding the nuances of this system is key—especially with future co-op systems likely to build off player feedback from this trial run.

At a Glance: Key Info for ZZZ 2.5 Co-Op Event

Event Name: Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze
Patch: Version 2.5
Live Dates: 2026-01-01 10:00 (Server TZ) to 2026-01-22 03:59 (Server TZ)
Mode: Three-player co-op (each controls a single Agent)
Eligibility: Inter-Knot Level 20+ & completion of Main Story Chapter 1 – Intermission
Major Rewards: Not specified in official materials
Systems Supported: PlayStation, PC, mobile (cross-progression as per launch standards)

Server Timing Differences

Asia servers: Early access/early conclusion
Europe servers: Middle window
America servers: Last to start, last to conclude

How Does Co-Op Work in ZZZ 2.5?

Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze is designed as a focused trial:
– Party Up: Three players each select one Agent from a pool of nine available units. (No full triple-Agent solo teams.)
– Combat Adjustments:
– Chain Attack overhauled—the new Chain Overdrive system enables a coordinated attack phase after meeting specific triggers (Stun, Anomaly effect, or Chain Time state).
– Revival: Downed players can be revived by teammates on the field via a proximity-based “healing link.” A shared special item further reduces revive time. Failure to revive places the fallen Proxy in spectator mode until victory or party wipe.
– Loadouts: Each player brings one character, making role selection—DPS, support, sub-DPS—critical.
– Communication: Coordination is emphasized, blending the tactical rhythm of regular team comps with real-time player decision-making.

Note: This event marks the studio’s first attempt at real-time multiplayer balancing in Zenless Zone Zero. Core mechanics (enemy HP scaling, cooldown timings, combo windows) are subject to live adjustment based on this test’s performance.

Banner & Event Table: ZZZ 2.5 Co-Op at a Glance

Event	Start Date (TZ)	End Date (TZ)	Player Cap	Entry Requirements
Joint Investigation: The Divine Maze	2026-01-01 10:00	2026-01-22 03:59	3	Inter-Knot Lv. 20+, Main Story Ch. 1 – Intermission

Not stated in official materials: Banner rates, free pulls, or new permanent multiplayer features for post-event.

Should You Play the Co-Op Event? (F2P & Spenders)

Why Participate:
– Exclusive first look at ZZZ multiplayer structure—your feedback may directly shape permanent co-op in future patches.
– Event-specific combat mechanics (Chain Overdrive, real-time revive) may never return in this exact form. Mastery now could give you an edge when co-op arrives permanently.
– Potential preview of future character synergy and party role meta.

Consider Skipping If:
– You’re focusing strictly on solo resource optimization (no stated primogem/Polychrome equivalent rewards in official material so far).
– Not yet at Inter-Knot Level 20 or haven’t cleared Main Story Ch. 1 – Intermission (grind required).

Recommended Team Roles: Fast-Track to Efficient Clears

With each Proxy bringing a single Agent:
– Balanced Core Team:
– One main DPS (high burst or AoE, e.g., Billy Kid or Nicole)
– One support/sub-DPS (buffs, shields, e.g., Zhu Yuan, Soukaku)
– One crowd control/disabler (e.g., Grace, Ben)
– Alternate Budget Comps:
– If limited to free units, focus on maximizing Anomaly procs (shock, freeze, burn) for easier Chain Overdrive triggers.
– Invest in survivability (healers/tanky Agents) if your coop partners are less experienced.
– Communication matters—pre-plan Chain Overdrive sequencing.

Not stated in official materials: full list of available Agents for event selection—confirm in event UI at launch.

Preparation Guide: Steps and Materials

Advance Inter-Knot Level: Prioritize daily/weekly tasks that grant experience. Solo activities may take 10–20 hours for new/returning players.
Main Story Progression: Complete Chapter 1 – Intermission.
Team Planning: Coordinate with friends or LFG for preferred Agents/roles.
Mechanics Refresher: Read up on Chain Attack and Anomaly effect guides (EarlyGG’s ZZZ mechanics hub).
Network/Platform Check: If cross-play is enabled, confirm version parity between platforms and patch updates.

Daily Prep Table

Task	Frequency	Efficient Method
Daily login	Daily	Reset at server time
Weekly bounties	Weekly	Run with friends for synergy
Combat practice	As needed	Chain Attack/Anomaly training
Story progression	One-time	Focus on Main Story push

Common Issues & Solutions

Team Mismatch: If your group doubles up on a single role, expect staggered Chain Overdrive triggers and revive downtime—balance team comp.
Disconnected Players: As with most live events, network instability can cause party drops. Confirm stable connection before challenging higher-tier stages.
Event Unlock: Not reaching Inter-Knot Level 20/Main Story Ch. 1 by start means you cannot participate—begin prep immediately if you’re not eligible.

FAQ: ZZZ 2.5 Co-Op Edition

Q: Will this co-op mode be permanent?
Not stated in official materials. Current implementation is time-limited and designated as a trial.
Q: Are there gacha-specific rewards or free banners?
Not stated in official materials as of 2.5 event preview; revisit after event’s launch for updates on currency or premium item distribution.
Q: Do pulls on existing banners affect co-op access?
No. Access depends solely on progress/milestones above, not gacha spend.

Next Steps & Outlook: Will Co-Op Become a Core ZZZ Mode?

If feedback and participation are robust, HoYoverse is likely to integrate a more expansive co-op mode in future patches, possibly as early as Patch 3.0. For now, maximize your experience by assembling a balanced team, experimenting with the event’s unique mechanics, and sharing your impressions through official feedback channels.

Stay tuned to EarlyGG for continued coverage of Zenless Zone Zero event guides, banner analyses, and co-op developments. For complete agent build theorycrafting, visit our ZZZ guide section.

Image Suggestions:
– Event lobby screenshot: co-op team selection UI; alt text: "Zenless Zone Zero Divine Maze co-op event team selection interface."
– In-combat visual of Chain Overdrive activation; alt text: "ZZZ co-op multiplayer battle—triggered Chain Overdrive animation."