I still remember the first time Autonomous Tactical Unit - Conqueror looked at me in the HIA Club's Expert Challenge and, no joke, I felt like a rookie again. I had my team set, my rotations practiced, and my Battery Charges ready. Then the reward screen handed me a Higher Dimensional Data - Imitation Core, and I stared at it like it was a tiny metal fortune cookie. In Zenless Zone Zero, this little resource item is not flashy, but it is one of those quiet pieces of progress that makes a real difference once you understand it.

Here is the short version I wish someone had told me: the Imitation Core drops from Autonomous Tactical Unit - Conqueror in the HIA Club's Expert Challenge. Each session costs 40 Battery Charges. That is the baseline. Every patch, Burnout Mode shows up on Expert Challenge bosses tied to the current patch's featured S-Rank Characters, and it costs 80 Battery Charges for double rewards in one battle. I treat that as the game tapping me on the shoulder and whispering, 'You sure you want to farm this the slow way?' Most days, I listen.

Now, what does the Imitation Core actually do? It upgrades an Agent's Core Skill level. That is it. No secret menu, no hidden minigame, no weird ritual where I have to pet the core three times. I use it when I am committed to a character and want their kit to feel complete. The Core Skill is not just a number on a screen; it is the part of an Agent that makes their identity click. When I finally push a favorite Agent's Core Skill up, the whole team feels smoother, like a band that just found its rhythm.

Honestly, I have learned to be picky. I do not spend Imitation Cores on every new face in my character list. I check who I actually play, who fits my teams, and who has a Core Skill upgrade that changes how the kit feels. That might sound obvious, but when the reward screen is glowing and my Battery Charges are low, obvious advice is exactly what I need. I also keep an eye on Burnout Mode because double rewards are precious. If the featured S-Rank character is someone I use, I will happily pay the 80 Battery Charges. If not, I wait. That little pause saves me from a lot of regret.

Here is my personal checklist, with emojis because my brain likes them: ⚡ Check the Expert Challenge boss. 🔋 Count Battery Charges. 🎯 Decide which Agent gets the next Core Skill level. 🧠 Ask if Burnout Mode is active and worth it. 🛑 Stop if I am just farming out of habit.

One thing I appreciate about the Imitation Core is how honest it is. It does not pretend to be a weapon, a disk drive, or a lucky charm. It sits in my inventory like a tiny coach with a clipboard, waiting for me to make a decision. And sometimes that decision can wait... I will not pretend I always know the perfect moment to spend one. But when I do, the payoff is clean.

In 2026, my routine is simple: I run the Conqueror when I need the core, I respect the 40-Charge entry fee, and I jump on Burnout Mode when the patch lines up with an Agent I love. I check my character list, I check my items, and I try not to let the shiny reward screen do my thinking for me. If you are new to the grind, start with one clear goal: pick the Agent whose Core Skill you want to raise, then farm the boss that gives you the Imitation Core. No rush, no waste, no mystery. Just a quiet little resource doing quiet little work.