Zenless Zone Zero: Complete Lighter Build Guide | Teams, Weapons, Disk Drives & More

If you’ve been eyeing Lighter in Zenless Zone Zero and wondering, “Is he worth the hype?”—let me assure you, he is. This hybrid Fire and Ice buffer is as versatile as they come, turning even the most basic team setups into finely tuned comps. Whether you’re melting foes with Fire or chilling them with Ice, Lighter brings the heat (and frost) with his unique mechanics. Trust me, as someone who’s spent countless hours tweaking team comps, he’s one of the most rewarding agents to master. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to make Lighter shine, from builds to synergies and more!

Complete Lighter Build Guide | Teams, Weapons, Disk Drives & More

Lighter in Zenless Zone Zero is a unique hybrid Fire and Ice support agent known for his ability to amplify the damage output of his teammates while maintaining versatility in team compositions.

Let’s address the question everyone’s asking: why is Lighter a hybrid Fire and Ice buffer? The answer is simple—he’s designed to embody both elements, making him a one-of-a-kind addition to your roster. While he’s labeled as a Stun Class Agent, Lighter shines as a dual-role buffer who elevates Fire and Ice teams alike.

Lighter’s kit might seem a bit intimidating at first, but trust me—it’s surprisingly easy to grasp in practice. His mechanics revolve around Morale Management, B5 Morale Boosted Attacks, and team-wide damage buffs. Let’s break it all down:

Basic Attacks

Lighter’s attack chain consists of five parts:

1. First Three Hits: Physical Damage
2. Last Two Hits: Fire Damage
3. Special Combo: Holding a directional input while mashing (or holding) the basic attack button enables a follow-up combo.

Key Highlight: When Lighter’s Morale exceeds 80, his B5 Morale Boost kicks in, turning his attacks into a high-damage flurry that completes in a chef’s kiss of a finishing blow.

Morale Mechanic

Managing Morale is the secret to unlocking Lighter’s full potential:

• Regeneration Rate: He gains 2.9 morale/second passively.
• Bonus Morale: Allies’ energy spending speeds up his morale gain.
• Sweet Spot: Around 20–25 seconds of passive regen + energy usage primes him for optimal performance.

Core Passive

• Spending Morale increases his Impact stat (2% per 10 morale, up to 20%).
• Morale-boosted attacks shred enemy Fire/Ice resistance by 15% and extend stun durations.
• These attacks also apply juicy team-wide buffs, making him a must-have support.

Talent Priority

1. Core Passive
2. EX Specials
3. Basic Attacks
4. Assist Skills
5. Dodge Mechanics
6. Chain Attack (lowest priority)

Drive Recommendations

• Main Set: 4-Piece Shock Star Disco + 2-Piece Swing Jazz for optimal energy regen and stun effectiveness.
• Alternate Set: 4-Piece Shock Star Disco + 2-Piece Proto Punk for raw team damage.

Stat Optimization

• Slot 6: Focus on Impact % for better buffs and stuns.
• Slots 4 & 5: Prioritize Attack % or Fire Damage based on your team’s needs.

Signature W-Engine – Blazing Laurel & Other Options

Blazing Laurel, Lighter’s signature W-Engine is a game-changer for him:

• Increases Fire/Ice Crit Damage by 30% (at Upgrade 1).
• Amplifies Lighter’s buffs to a whopping 75% bonus damage multiplier.
• Bonus: Ellen mains, rejoice! She gets an extra 30% crit damage, boosting her output significantly.

Ice Jade Teapot (Chingyi’s Signature):

• Great for anomaly teams like Bernice’s, enhancing Burn damage with its 20% bonus damage (sometimes surpasses Blazing Laurel in team utility).

Hellfire Gears:

• Requires precise rotations (EX1 and EX2 before punches) and 100 morale for full efficiency.

Restrain:

• Outputs high Daze but offers a lower core buff, making it a less optimal choice.

Steam Oven (F2P Option):

• Reliable free-to-play choice with 50% energy regeneration and decent Daze output.

Mindscape Progression

Lighter’s mindscapes should be evaluated primarily for how much they buff teammate damage, rather than his own. For instance, with Ellen’s B3 damage and her signature weapon equipped, Lighter provides a 3-second stun duration extension (not reflected in the damage calculations) and a 58.2% average bonus damage boost. Additionally, his 15% resistance shred amplifies Ellen’s output to 143.5% of her usual damage when compared to a free-to-play-friendly Lighter setup.

• Mindscape 1: Adds 10% resistance shred.
• Mindscape 2: Increases bonus damage multiplier to 90%.
• Mindscape 4: Provides energy regeneration for Ellen.

By Mindscape 4 U5, Ellen deals over double her base damage with Lighter’s support. While his personal damage improves significantly by Mindscape 6 (approximately 60% higher than at lower levels), his primary value remains in team utility.

Team Synergies: Building Around Lighter

Whether you’re an Ice specialist, Fire fanatic, or a Burn Disorder enthusiast, Lighter’s got you covered. Here’s how to pair him up:

Ice Teams

• Core Lineup: Lighter, Ellen, Lycaon.
• Why it works: Ellen’s insane damage scales beautifully with Lighter’s resistance shred and buffs, while Lyon keeps the rotations smooth with quick-swap abilities.
• Alternatives: Swap Lyon for Saku (energy regen) or Reena (support).

Fire Teams

• Core Lineup: Soldier, Lighter, Lucy.
• Why it works: Soldier’s DPS goes through the roof with Lighter’s crit boosts and damage bonuses. Lucy’s utility is icing on the cake.
• Pro Tip: Sub Lucy with Caesar for even higher firepower.

Burn Disorder Teams

• Core Lineup: Bernice, Piper, Lighter.
• Why it works: Piper triggers burns while Bernice capitalizes on them, ensuring constant damage even if Lighter’s buffs aren’t fully utilized.
• Alternative: Yanagi can replace Piper for similar synergy.

Simplified Gameplay: How to Play Lighter

1. Trigger abilities like EX Specials or Dodge Counters to enter B5 Morale Boost Mode.
2. Hold the attack button to unleash devastating combos.
3. Manage Morale wisely to maintain consistent buffs and high damage output.

Final Thoughts

Here’s what I’ve learned from testing Lighter in various comps:

• Budget-Friendly Fire Team: Soldier + 4-star weapons + Lighter = amazing results. You don’t need to break the bank to make this work.
• Double Stun Team: Ellen, Lyon, and Lighter capitalize on stuns for crazy damage windows. Perfect for Ice fans.
• Burn Disorder Powerhouse: Even without maximizing Lighter’s buffs, the natural synergy between Bernice and Piper/Yanagi ensures top-tier damage.

Lighter is the go-to support for hybrid Fire/Ice teams in Zenless Zone Zero. His buffs, resistance shred, and unique morale system make him a standout pick. Whether you’re a casual player or a competitive player, he’s worth pulling for.