Zenless Zone Zero - Controls

The Zenless Zone Zero controls look simple on paper, but combat becomes much deeper once dodges, assists, Agent switching and Chain Attacks start overlapping. You only need a handful of buttons to fight, yet the timing of those buttons can completely change the result.

This guide covers the default combat controls for PC, PlayStation and Xbox, plus the important inputs for exploring New Eridu. It also explains Perfect Dodges, Dodge Counters, EX Special Attacks, assists and Chain Attacks so you know what the buttons actually do during a fight.

Zenless Zone Zero PC Controls

Zenless Zone Zero PlayStation Controls

The PlayStation layout is shared between PS5 and a PlayStation controller used on PC. Some prompts can change according to the activity you are currently playing.

Zenless Zone Zero Xbox Controls

How Basic Attacks Work

Basic Attack is much more important than the name suggests. Repeated presses usually perform an Agent's standard attack sequence, but many Agents have unique mechanics tied to holding the button, reaching a particular hit in the combo or attacking under specific conditions.

Do not assume every Agent should simply mash Basic Attack until something else becomes available. Open the Agent's skill information and check for hold inputs, enhanced attacks and combo conditions. Two Agents can use the same button while playing completely differently.

Special Attack vs EX Special Attack

The same button performs both actions. When an Agent does not have enough Energy, pressing the Special Attack control performs their normal Special. Once enough Energy has accumulated, the icon becomes active and the input can perform the more powerful EX Special Attack.

EX Specials generally hit harder and often have additional properties that are central to an Agent's rotation. Energy is generated during combat, including through attacking enemies, so you do not need another button to switch between normal and EX versions.

How to Perfect Dodge and Dodge Counter

A normal dodge gives your Agent a quick way out of danger. Dodge immediately before an enemy attack connects and you can trigger a Perfect Dodge, granting a brief window of safety.

Press Basic Attack immediately after a Perfect Dodge to perform a Dodge Counter. This is one of the first techniques worth practising because it turns enemy aggression into an opportunity to deal damage instead of merely escaping it.

Dodging repeatedly is not unlimited. Consecutive dodges can enter a brief cooldown, so timing is more reliable than repeatedly pressing the button whenever an enemy moves.

How Perfect Assists Work

When an enemy attack produces the appropriate warning, switching Agents at the correct moment can trigger a Perfect Assist. Depending on the Agent involved and the incoming attack, this can become a Defensive Assist or Evasive Assist.

On controller, use the Agent switching buttons rather than instinctively dodging every warning. Learning which attacks can be answered with an Assist is one of the biggest steps from basic ZZZ combat to playing efficiently.

Assist Points are a limited combat resource, so you cannot parry everything indefinitely. Keep an eye on the available points during longer encounters.

How Daze, Stun and Chain Attacks Work

Attacking builds Daze on enemies. Once the Daze gauge is filled, the enemy becomes Stunned and takes increased damage according to its displayed Stun multiplier.

Landing the appropriate heavy attack on a sufficiently Dazed enemy can trigger a Chain Attack. When the selection appears, choose the Agent you want to bring into the sequence. On PC you can select the left or right option with the displayed Chain Attack controls, while controller players use the corresponding Agent selection buttons.

This is why team order matters. Think about which Agent you want entering after a stun rather than switching randomly throughout the fight.

How Ultimates Work Now

Older Zenless Zone Zero guides can be misleading here. Agents now accumulate Decibels individually, rather than forcing the entire squad to spend one shared Ultimate resource.

Once an Agent reaches the required Decibel Rating, their Ultimate becomes available. This gives you much more control over when each member uses their strongest move, so you can plan Ultimates around Stun windows, buffs and the Agent's own combat mechanics.

New Eridu PC Shortcuts

Outside combat, PC players have several useful direct shortcuts that make moving between menus much quicker.

Can You Change the Controls?

Zenless Zone Zero provides control settings for keyboard, mouse and supported controllers. PC can also recognise controller layouts and switch the displayed prompts according to the input method being used.

Before changing everything, play several fights with the standard layout. Basic Attack, Dodge, Special Attack and Agent switching are deliberately positioned for rapid access, and understanding the combat rhythm first makes it easier to decide which inputs genuinely need changing.

The Controls Worth Practising First

New players should concentrate on four things: Basic Attack, Dodge Counter, Special Attack and Agent switching. Once those feel natural, start deliberately triggering Perfect Assists and building Daze for Chain Attacks.

Zenless Zone Zero becomes much easier to read when you stop watching your own Agent all the time. Watch the enemy instead. Their animation and attack warning tell you when to dodge, assist or keep attacking, and your hands can handle the familiar buttons without taking your attention away from the fight.