Aftershock is a brand new damage type introduced inZenless Zone Zero1.6, and it packs a punch if you know how to use it. Here’s everything you need to know.
How to use Aftershock Damage in Zenless Zone Zero
Aftershock Damage cannot be applied by just any character or Agent inZenless Zone Zero.It is a specialized type that currently onlySilver Soldier Anby,Pulchra,andTrigger, three new characters recently introduced, can use. Aftershock has to be built into a character kit to be enabled, so no other previously released characters will ever have access to it.
Largely, Aftershock is damage that is most associated with follow-attack playstyles, but not always. This statement will be apparent when I go into the details behind how Anby and Pulchra use it.
Silver Soldier Anby
Silver Soldier Anby (just Anby from its point forward) makes use of Aftershock Damage when she uses her kit’s main mechanic,Special Attack: Azure Flash. Every time her skill is used to consumeWhite Thunder, the resulting damage dealt will be considered Aftershock Damage. When Anby lands three Azure Flashes on a target, the resultingThunder Smitewill deal major damage which is also considered Aftershock Damage.Additionally, Anby buffs the Aftershock damage of her teammates, allowing her to be beneficial to future Aftershock-dealing Agents.
Pulchra
When Pulchra is in theHunter’s Gaitstate, which is achieved by using her EX Special or after an Evasion Assist, she can utilize herSpecial Attack: Rending Claw – Nightmare Shadowwhen a teammate lands a heavy attack with either an EX Special or normal Special. Note that this attack can only occur when Pulchra isoff-field, and is a follow-up attack. The resulting damage for Pulchra’s Nightmare Shadow is considered Aftershock.
Pulchra deals Aftershock damage but also buffs the Aftershock damage of her teammates when using Nightmare Shadow.
Trigger
Although not yet released, Trigger is playable during the 1.6 story and Silver Soldier Anby Agent questline, thus we already know her official kit. Like Pulchra, Trigger’s Aftershock damage comes entirely from her beingoff-field. Her Aftershock abilities require a resource calledPurge, which she gains by Basic Attacking in herSniper Stance.
How does Aftershock damage differ from Standard damage in Zenless Zone Zero?
In reality, Aftershock is not much different from Standard damage inZenless Zone Zero.The key takeaway is that Aftershock is most associated withdamage that follows another teammate’s attack. This isn’t always true, as with Anby, but it is the most common use case. While Aftershock could have easily been standard damage, the additional ‘Aftershock’ tag allows for future characters to specifically take advantage of it through unique mechanics tied to it, without messing up the balance of past characters.
