The pulse of every Zenless Zone Zero player quickens the moment a new banner drops. In this stylish urban action RPG, developer HoYoverse keeps things fresh by rotating limited-time event banners, also known as Exclusive Channels, alongside a permanent standard banner. Whether you’re saving up Polychrome for a dream agent or just tempted by a shiny new W-Engine, understanding the banner schedule is half the battle. Let’s dive into exactly who you can pull right now, what’s coming next, and how the whole system works.

The landscape at the time of writing, May 2026, is a busy one. Two event character banners are currently live, both packed with boosted A-Rank allies that can flesh out any squad. The Cold Rain Wanes in the Night banner spotlights Promeia, an S-Rank Ice Anomaly agent whose frosty control abilities can shut down even the most aggressive Ethereals. Running alongside it is Wandering Night Lantern, featuring Lucia, an S-Rank Ether Support who specializes in buffing teammates and keeping the team alive. For players hunting specific roles, the accompanying A-Rank rate-ups — Soukaku (Ice, Support) and Lucy (Fire, Support) — are excellent consolation prizes that appear on both banners.

It wouldn’t be a proper gacha without weapon banners, and Zenless Zone Zero delivers them in parallel. The Frostfall Sickle, Promeia’s signature S-Rank Anomaly W-Engine, and the Dreamlit Hearth, Lucia’s Support-focused W-Engine, are the big-ticket items currently on offer. Both are powerful tools that amplify their owners’ combat styles, so if you’ve already snagged the agent, a few pulls on the weapon banner can feel like adding rocket fuel to a sports car. These weapon banners share the same end date as the character events: May 27, 2026, so there’s still a little time to weigh your options.

As the current rotation winds down, the next pair of banners is already locked and loaded. Starting May 27 and running through June 16, 2026, Starlight, Shine Bright will introduce Starlight Billy, an S-Rank Physical Rupture agent who specializes in ripping through enemy shields. Right next to it, Wrathborn Duo brings the fiery combination of Orphie & Magus, a unique S-Rank Fire Attack duo that functions as a single character. It’s the kind of unorthodox design that makes HoYoverse’s roster so compelling. The A-Rank companions this time around are Pan Yinhu (Physical, Defense) and Manato (Fire, Rupture), both of whom will see boosted drop rates across both banners. Weapon hunters can also look forward to the Starlight Rider Faceplate for Rupture builds and the Bellicose Blaze for Attack-focused agents, with the A-Rank Tremor Trigram Vessel and Grill O’Wisp filling out the selection.

Looking further ahead, the 3.0 update is poised to drop right after the 2.8 cycle ends, most likely on June 16, 2026. That’s when brand-new S-Rank agents Velina and Norma are expected to debut. Velina, a Wind Anomaly wielder, is rumored to bring a playstyle that juggles multiple elemental debuffs, while Norma, a Fire Stun specialist, could become the backbone of burst-damage setups. One potential A-Rank newcomer, Pyrois (Ether, Attack), may also slip into the mix, though HoYoverse has only teased the S-Ranks so far. If the pattern holds, tailored weapon banners — one for Velina’s Anomaly gear and another for Norma’s Stun kit — will launch alongside them.

Beyond the limited-time carousel, there’s the steady companion of the Star-Studded Cast banner, also called the Stable Channel. This permanent banner never leaves and provides a reliable way to pull classic agents. The S-Rank pool here includes Grace, Koleda, Lycaon, Nekomata, Rina, and Soldier 11. New players especially benefit from its built-in perks: a 20% discount on the first five ten-pulls and a guaranteed S-Rank within the first 50 Signal Searches. After those bonuses dry up, the rates settle into the standard gacha rhythm.

Now, here’s the part that makes every Proxy’s heart skip a beat. No matter which banner you pull on, Zenless Zone Zero guarantees at least an A-Rank result every ten pulls and an S-Rank every 90 pulls. On limited event banners, that first S-Rank comes with a 50/50 chance of being the featured character. Lose the coin flip, and the next S-Rank is a sure thing. It’s a system that rewards patience and strategic saving — nobody wants to blow their hard-earned Polychrome on a duplicate of a standard character when a limited agent is just around the corner. Honestly, who hasn’t stared at the pull counter and thought, “Just one more ten-pull, and maybe luck will smile”?

Because event banners also boost two specific A-Ranks, they’re almost always the smarter place to invest. The standard banner is fine for rounding out your roster early on, but the Exclusive Channel is where the truly meta-defining units live. If you’ve got your heart set on a particular character, waiting for their return — or their debut — is worth its weight in Polychrome.

As 2026 unfolds, the Zenless Zone Zero banner roadmap promises a steady stream of new faces and returning favorites. Keep an eye on the latest codes for bonus Polychrome, consult updated tier lists to see who’s dominating the meta, and remember that a well-timed wish can turn the tide of your entire account. The city never sleeps, and neither do the banners.