Zenless Zone Zero 2.5: Return to Ridu Event Guide & Rewards
Version 2.5 introduces ‘Assembly Commission: Return to Ridu’—a major event offering Polychrome, PS5, and exclusive Zenless Zone Zero rewards. Full F2P
Lumine Lee Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 Event: Assembly Commission—Return to Ridu Guide and Analysis
Veteran’s Take: Why "Return to Ridu" Is ZZZ’s Most Generous Event Yet
Zenless Zone Zero's Version 2.5 arrives during a crucial period for HoYoverse’s urban action-RPG. With "Assembly Commission: Return to Ridu" (2025-12-30 to 2026-02-06, UTC+8), the focus is squarely on reactivating lapsed Proxies and rewarding ongoing players. With up to Polychrome ×740, rare merchandise, and even a PS5 up for grabs, this event is arguably ZZZ’s most competitive entry into the wider gacha event ecosystem—a clear response to both stagnating return rates and growing calls for enhanced F2P value.
For veterans with memories of Genshin’s "Windblume Festival" rerun incentives or Honkai: Star Rail’s early login drives, "Return to Ridu" stands out for the sheer breadth of items—both digital and physical—available to global Proxies. The prize structure is aggressive; the matchmaking between returning and active Proxies is designed to boost both sides. For F2P/low-spend players, maximizing these rewards is almost required maintenance heading into the back half of v2.x.
At a Glance: Assembly Commission Essentials
- Event Duration: 2025-12-30 after v2.5 launch to 2026-02-06 05:59:59 (UTC+8)
- Eligibility: Returning (inactive) or active Proxies; invitation and code-linking required
- Major Rewards:
- Polychrome ×740 per Proxy (invite + challenges)
- Polychrome ×60 for each Returning or Inactive Proxy linking your code
- Entry into random draw: PS5 Pro, Nekomiya Mana 1/7th Figure, Sixth Street Building Blocks, Plush Keychains
- Main Tasks: Invite returns, clear event challenges, participate in the web-based draw (official event page)
Event Timeline Table
| Milestone | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| Patch 2.5 Release | 2025-12-30 | 2026-02-06 (05:59, UTC+8) |
| Event Site Open | 2025-12-30 | 2026-02-06 (05:59, UTC+8) |
| Lucky Draw Access | 2025-12-30 | 2026-02-06 (05:59, UTC+8) |
All times UTC+8, as per official sources.
How Return Incentives Break the Usual Mold
Connected Returns & Polychrome Economics
The "Return to Ridu" event doesn’t just repeat common login or comeback formulas. By requiring returning and regular Proxies to interact using invite codes, it forges a rare two-way incentive loop. Both the inviter and the invitee collect Polychrome—crucial for banner pulls, especially with several limited-time reruns on the horizon.
This dual-sided structure marks a shift from one-off login rewards, bridging the gap between veteran commitment and community re-engagement. For reference, similar versions in other HoYoverse games have only rarely put premium pull currency directly into social-event structures. This also limits solo exploitation and arguably sustains a healthier player curve across the patch period.
Event Mechanic Overview
- Invite System: Active Proxies generate codes and recruit inactive/returning Proxies.
- Returnee Tasks: Link their invite code on the official event site, then complete Assembly Commission challenges (specifics not stated in official materials).
- Reward Distribution: Polychrome is awarded on completion of tasks; lucky draw participation is web-based and open after linking.
- Physical Prizes: Major items (PS5, figure, building blocks, plushies) provided via lucky draw; terms and shipping may be subject to regional restrictions (details not stated in official materials).
Community Chatter & Historical Context
Across forum discussions, many see "Return to Ridu" echoing Genshin’s "Stellar Reunion" event but with a more tangible payout and without the gated time lapses that frustrated past returnees. Some subreddit posts argue this could signal an ongoing pattern: gacha event structures now trend toward hybrid in-game/web events, with more F2P-facing rewards frontloaded to patch launches rather than mid-patch.
Notably, the inclusion of a Nekomiya Mana 1/7 figure is a direct nod to the growing collectors’ market around HoYoverse IP—mirroring moves by Honkai: Star Rail’s recent acrylic stand campaigns. The presence of Polychrome as a main prize, tied to social engagement, is seen as a fair, smart nudge—especially as speculation around 2.6’s next S-rank banner mounts (Unconfirmed—subject to change).
For the Min-Maxers: How to Optimize Returns & Rewards
If you’re F2P or low-spend:
– Polychrome Optimization: Prioritize inviting friends with recent lapsed logins; both player and invitee must participate to unlock maximum Polychrome. (See EarlyGG’s [Polychrome management guide]).
– Planning Pulls: Always cross-reference the timeline above with current pending banners. Don’t spend new Polychrome reflexively—pin it for high-value upcoming S-rank units or event reruns hinted at in internal files.
– Physical Draws: Participation is a bonus—never assume or plan around winning rare merch; treat as pure upside.
– Material Prep: While the event does not specify farmable ascension/upgrade mats, it is wise to structure daily play around likely new challenges reminiscent of standard Assembly Commissions.
Banner Context: Should You Save or Spend?
Patch 2.5’s timing—immediately post-holidays—historically sees an influx of high-value banners in HoYoverse games. If following prior ZZZ cadence, expect a new S-rank Agent phase within 2.5/2.6. Unless—Unconfirmed—a highly anticipated rerun or signature build component is revealed, Polychrome should be conserved for speculated shifts in the meta.
Summary Table: Pull Strategy
| Player Type | Recommended Use of Polychrome |
|---|---|
| F2P | Save; only pull on must-have S-Banner |
| Low-Spend | Bank for signature Agent/weapon runs |
| Collector | Split; some on event, most on meta units |
Hidden Details: What the Art and Text Suggest
The official artwork (depicting bustling Ridu streets, several Agents, and background cameos) subtly hints at upcoming playable units or narrative arcs. For eagle-eyed observers, a certain mask emblem in the background is reminiscent of NPC factions teased—but not revealed—since early 2.0 datamines (Unconfirmed—cross-reference with NDA-protected leaks).
Additionally, the modular nature of the “Sixth Street Series” building blocks in the lucky draw suggests possible future merchandise tie-ins. Watch for further clues in future promotional media, which often precede major narrative developments by one patch cycle.
Alt text suggestion: Artwork shows a vibrant Ridu cityscape at night, with multiple in-game Agents and background elements highlighting potential new characters and lore teases. This visual helps illustrate the thematic focus of the event and its narrative setting.
Conclusion: Should You Push for Maximum Rewards?
"Assembly Commission: Return to Ridu" in Zenless Zone Zero 2.5 is a high-value, low-risk event for all player types. By linking social engagement and regular play to both premium in-game currency and real-world prizes, HoYoverse is signalling an ongoing commitment to an active, rewarded community.
Maximize your participation early—recruit wisely, review the timeline, and plan Polychrome allocation around upcoming banners. As ZZZ moves into its latter 2.x era, expect similar hybrid events to become standard, blurring the once-clear lines between in-game activity and external rewards.
More on EarlyGG: [Zenless Zone Zero tier lists], [Upcoming banners and patch cycles], [Material farming guides].
Official event details and participation rules are available on the HoYoverse event page.