NicoleBuild and Guide

Character
Introduction

Nicole is an
A Rank
rank character with the Ether attribute who belongs to the
Support
Support Specialty and who is part of the
Gentle House AKA Cunning Hares
Cunning Hares faction.

The leader of the odd-job agency the Cunning Hares, who accept all kinds of Hollow-related commissions. She's been on the streets for many years, and has a reputation among her peers as being exceedingly cunning. She's been blacklisted by many clients due to her all-or nothing approach. She loves money, but is surprisingly bad at managing it, leaving the Cunning Hares constantly on the edge of bankruptcy and owing many debts.

To learn more about Nicole check the sections below. Use the tabs to quickly switch to the kind of information you're looking for.

Video guide

Nicole has at least one video guide available, so if you prefer this sort of medium to learn more about a character, check it out:

Last updated

Nicole profile has been last updated on October 17th, 2024.

To learn more about Nicole check the sections below. Use the tabs to quickly switch to the kind of information you're looking for.

Profile

Review

Build

Shiyu Defense

Rotation & Teams

Calculations

Profile

Core skills
Core

Core Passive Mechanical Case

Lv. 1

After hitting an enemy with a Special Attack, EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate, Nicole can reload, enhancing her Basic Attack and Dash Attack. When her enhanced bullets or Energy Field hits an enemy, the target's DEF is reduced by 20% for 3.5s.

Base Energy Regen 0

BASE ATK: 0

Core

Additional Ability Hare of Many Burrows

When another character in your squad shares the same Attribute or Faction:

When Nicole's Core Passive: Mechanical Case applies a debuff to an enemy, all squad members deal 25% more Ether DMG to the target for 3.5s.

Skills
Basic
Basic
Dodge
Dodge
Assist
Assist
Special
Special
qte
Chain
Core

Basic Attack: Cunning Combo

Press to activate. Unleashes up to 3 strikes, dealing Physical DMG.

Lv. 1
1st-Hit DMG Multiplier
65.90%
1st-Hit Daze Multiplier
40.20%
2nd-Hit DMG Multiplier
71.30%
2nd-Hit Daze Multiplier
56.60%
3rd-Hit DMG Multiplier
304.30%
3rd-Hit Daze Multiplier
242.30%
Core

Basic Attack: Do As I Please

After using a Special Attack, EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate, Nicole can reload, and her Basic Attack and Dash Attack are enhanced, increasing the power of her bullets.

Lv. 1
1st-Hit DMG Multiplier
88.10%
1st-Hit Daze Multiplier
40.20%
2nd-Hit DMG Multiplier
100.90%
2nd-Hit Daze Multiplier
56.60%
3rd-Hit DMG Multiplier
452.30%
3rd-Hit Daze Multiplier
242.30%
Core

Dodge: Speed Demon

Press to activate. A rapid dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Drag the to dodge, then hold to reload while dodging, enhancing Basic Attacks and Dash Attacks up to 8 times.
Core

Dash Attack: Jack in the Box

When dragging the during a dodge, press : Dashes in the target direction and strikes nearby enemies, dealing Physical DMG. When not dragging the during a dodge, press : Vaults backward and launches a ranged strike against enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance her Basic Attack and Dash Attack, up to 8 times.

Lv. 1
Forward Dash DMG Multiplier
158.20%
Forward Dash Daze Multiplier
73.20%
Backward Vault DMG Multiplier
60.00%
Backward Vault Daze Multiplier
60.00%
Core

Dodge Counter: Diverted Bombard

Press during a Perfect Dodge to activate. Dodge backwards and send a ranged strike at enemies in front, dealing Ether DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.

Lv. 1
DMG Multiplier
182.40%
Daze Multiplier
163.40%
Core

Special Attack: Sugarcoated Bullet

Press to activate. Unleashes a ranged strike against enemies in front, dealing Ether DMG. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.

Lv. 1
DMG Multiplier
52.60%
Daze Multiplier
50.00%
Core

EX Special Attack: Stuffed Sugarcoated Bullet

With enough energy, press to activate. A powerful ranged strike, generating an energy field that pulls enemies towards its center to deal Ether DMG. Hold down to charge up this attack, during which a small energy field is generated at the muzzle as Energy is consumed, dealing bonus DMG to enemies nearby. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. A Quick Assist is triggered when this skill hits an enemy. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.

Lv. 1
Charged Attack DMG Multiplier
215.20%
Charged Attack Daze Multiplier
179.80%
Bombard DMG Multiplier
215.10%
Bombard Daze Multiplier
179.80%
Energy Field DMG Multiplier
387.00%
Energy Field Daze Multiplier
323.60%
Charger Attack Energy Cost (per sec)
20
Bombard Energy Cost
60
Core

Chain Attack: Ether Shellacking

When a Chain Attack is triggered, select a character to activate: Unleashes a powerful ranged strike at enemies in a small area, generating an energy field that pulls enemies towards its center to deal Ether DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. A Quick Assist is triggered when this skill hits an enemy. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.

Lv. 1
Bombard DMG Multiplier
209.60%
Bombard Daze Multiplier
50.00%
Energy Field DMG Multiplier
283.00%
Energy Field Daze Multiplier
67.50%
Core

Ultimate: Ether Grenade

When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press to activate: Unleashes a powerful ranged strike at enemies in a small area, generating an energy field that pulls enemies towards its center to deal Ether DMG. When using this skill, other squad members recover 10 Energy. The next character to switch in gains an additional 20 energy. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. A Quick Assist is triggered when this skill hits an enemy. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.

Lv. 1
Bombard DMG Multiplier
646.80%
Bombard Daze Multiplier
36.00%
Energy Field DMG Multiplier
873.20%
Energy Field Daze Multiplier
48.60%
Core

Quick Assist: Emergency Bombard

When the on-field character is launched, press to activate. Dodge backwards and send ranged strikes at enemies in front, dealing Ether DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.

Lv. 1
DMG Multiplier
63.40%
Daze Multiplier
63.40%
Core

Defensive Assist: The Hare Strikes Back

When the character on field is about to be attacked, press to activate. Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

Lv. 1
Light Defensive Daze Multiplier
246.70%
Heavy Defensive Daze Multiplier
311.70%
Chain Defensive Daze Multiplier
151.70%
Core

Assist Follow-Up: Window of Opportunity

Press after a Defensive Assist to activate. Charge forward and bombard enemies, dealing Ether DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

Lv. 1
DMG Multiplier
377.10%
Daze Multiplier
330.30%
Mindscapes
M1

Supercharged Bomb

Mindscape 1

The DMG and the Anomaly Buildup inflicted by Nicole’s EX Special Attack increases by 16%. For each additional 0.1s of charging when Nicole activates her EX Special Attack, the duration of the energy field created at the target location increases by 0.15s.
M2

Charging Device

Mindscape 2

Nicole recovers 5 Energy when Core Passive: Mechanical Case's debuff is triggered. This effect can trigger once every 15s.
M3

A Hare’s Cunning

Mindscape 3

Basic Attack, Assist, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2
M4

Field Expansion

Mindscape 4

When Nicole uses her EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate, the diameter of the energy field generated at the target location is increased by 3m.
M5

Industry Star

Mindscape 5

Basic Attack, Assist, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2
M6

Corrupting Energy Field

Mindscape 6

When Nicole’s energy fields deal DMG to an enemy, all squad members CRIT Rate against that enemy increases by 1.5%, stacking up to 10 times, and lasting 12s. The duration of each stack is calculated separately.
Stats (Level 60)

Nicole Stats at level 60 (including Core passive bonuses).

Stat
HP
8146
Stat
DEF
623
Stat
ATK
649
Stat
CRIT Rate
5%
Stat
CRIT DMG
50%
Stat
PEN Ratio
0%
Stat
Impact
88
Stat
Anomaly Mastery
93
Anomaly Proficiency
90
Stat
Energy Regen
1.56
Voice Actors
ENG
-
JPN
Serizawa Yu (芹澤優)
CN
Tingting Chen (陈婷婷)
KR
-
Gallery

Nicole images aren't available yet. They will be added soon!

Review

Pros & Cons
Pros

  • Can apply a very large Defense Shred debuff on enemies increasing the damage they take considerably.

  • Increases the entire squads' Ether damage by 25% while her Additional Ability is active

  • She’s free!

  • One of the only characters that synergizes with characters such as Billy and Nekomata due to the limited roster of characters on release in 1.0.

Cons

  • There are no Ether damage characters for Nicole to support on release, but this will quickly change with the release of Zhu Yuan - still, for now, her Ether boost is only useful for herself.

  • Requires specific timing or constant swapping to maintain good uptime of DEF shred debuff on enemies due to its low duration.

Review

Nicole review isn't available yet. It will be added soon!

Ratings

This tier list assesses characters based on their combat potential in Zenless Zone Zero’s current most demanding content, Shiyu Defense (SD). SD is a mode similar to Genshin Impact’s Spiral Abyss or Honkai Star Rail’s Memory of Chaos and requires multiple teams, Disk Drives and good W-Engines. This mode offers a reasonable mix of Boss encounters (single target) and Elite packs (2-3 targets), allowing multiple characters to find a niche but in the end, there is a bias toward single target focused characters at the top-end and tier list ratings will reflect that.

Please keep in mind Zenless Zone Zero is a skill-based game and each character has a different playstyle, difficulty level and even special tricks and combos. Zenless Zone Zero is also a team based game and it's only by combining both these factors to the highest level a character can reach optimal performance.

T0.5

Shiyu Defense

Build and teams

Best W-Engines

The W-Engines are listed in order of priority. Sometimes the percentages appearing near them won't reflect their performance as pure damage or Stun output isn't the only thing we're looking at - the utility of the W-Engine might be more important than the calculations imply.

1

While off-field, Energy Regen increases by 0.6/0.75/0.9/1.05/1.2 per second. Attacks from the equipper enhance the squad's DMG against a struck target by 10/12.5/15/17.5/20% for 3 seconds. During this period, this effect is further increased by 1.7/2/2.5/3/3.3% every 0.5s, up to a maximum additional increase of 10.2/12/15/18/19.8%. Repeated triggers only refresh its duration without refreshing the DMG increase effect. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 684
PEN Ratio (Lv 60): 24%

2

Dealing Ether DMG using an EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate increases all squad members' DMG against the target by 15/17.5/20/22/24% and increases the equipper's Energy Regen by 0.5/0.58/0.65/0.72/0.8 per second for 2s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 624
Energy Regen (Lv 60): 50%

3

When any friendly unit in the squad attacks and hits an enemy, all friendly units' ATK increases by 2.5/2.8/3.2/3.6/4% for 8s, stacking up to 4 times. The duration of each stack is calculated separately, and each friendly unit can provide 1 stack of the buff. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 624
Energy Regen (Lv 60): 50%

4

Launching an EX Special Attack or Chain Attack increases all squad members' Anomaly Mastery and Anomaly Proficiency by 10/12/13/15/16 for 10s. This effect can trigger once every 20s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 475
Energy Regen (Lv 60): 40%

5

Launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate increases all squad members' ATK by 8/9/10/11/12% for 10s. This effect can trigger once every 20s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 475
HP (Lv 60): 20%

6

Whenever the equipper's attack triggers an Attribute Counter effect, all squad members' CRIT Rate against the struck enemy increases by 12/13.5/15.5/17.5/20% for 12s. The bonuses triggered by the same type of passive effects do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 594
Energy Regen (Lv 60): 50%
Best Disk Drives Sets

1

(2)
Energy Regen +20%.
(4)
Launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate increases all squad members' DMG by 15% for 12s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Best set for Supports aiming to support direct damage dealers or Anomaly characters that do not require the buff from Freedom Blues. Grants the entire squad a 15% DMG increase for 12 seconds following a Chain Attack or Ultimate. Almost always activated via a Chain Attack which perfectly buffs all allies right before the team's largest damage window during stun.

Best combined with your choice of 2-PC Set:

  • Freedom Blues for 30 Anomaly Proficiency to boost Anomaly damage (Recommended),
  • Hormone Punk or Puffer Electro to buff overall damage.
Best Disk Drives Stats
Disk 4
ATK%
ATK%
=
Anomaly Proficiency
Anomaly Proficiency
Disk 5
Ether DMG
Ether DMG%
>
ATK%
ATK%
Disk 6
Energy Regen
Energy Regen
=
ATK%
ATK%

Substats: Anomaly Proficiency = ATK% > PEN = FLAT ATK

Best Endgame Stats (Level 60)
  • ATK: 2000 - 2400+ (Optional)

  • HP: 10000+

  • DEF: 800+

  • Anomaly Proficiency: 200 - 320+(Optional)

Skill priority
Core

Chain Attack

Core

Special Attack

Core

Basic Attack

Core

Assist

Core

Dodge

Video guides

Rotation & Teams

Synergy

Nicole and Nekomata enable each other’s Additional Ability, opening up the last slot of a team member to your choice. Nicole also provides Nekomata an incredibly impactful Defense Shred debuff on enemies which when timed right can significantly increase Nekomata’s total damage output. On other hand, Nekomata appreciates an ally who can allow her to perform Quick Assist in order to activate her Core Ability and Nicole is not only capable of that but also very good at making it happen as her playstyle revolves around weaving her EX into combat often in order to keep her Defense Shred active. Nicole wants to keep her Defense Shred up using her EX which grants Nekomata a Quick Assist which keeps Nekomata’s buff up ending in a nice synergy giving her the tool’s she needs to deal max damage even when she can’t perform Dodge Counter.

Billy’s biggest issue is his lack of access to good synergizing supportive options, especially ones that can enable his Additional Ability if possible. Fortunately for Billy, while there aren’t any Physical supports in 1.0, Nicole is a support who shares a faction with Billy, allowing them both to activate their Additional Abilities with each others help. Nicole also offers Billy other benefits - primarily through her excellent DEF Shredding debuff capabilities. Nicole’s DEF Shred is a great damage amplification tool but due to its low duration it should be deployed before Billy intends to execute burst damage and if possible weaved in between the teams rotation frequently to keep it active as much as possible.

Teams

If a column has multiple characters, the bigger one is the priority choice for the team while the smaller ones are alternatives. If they are the same size, either of them can be used.

Best Zhu Yuan Team

F2P Zhu Yuan Team

Billy Team

Amillion
Amillion
Boollseye
Boollseye
Bagboo
Bagboo
Bangboo

Nekomata Team

Calculations

Calculations

Nicole calculations aren't available yet.

Shiyu Defense

Shiyu Defense

This section contains information about Nicole performance in the latest Shiyu Defense cycle (1.3.1). The page will be automatically updated every patch once enough data is gathered.

  • The data has been last updated on 15/11/2024,
  • 6581 players shared their 1.3.1 Shiyu Defense clear data with us (1269 of the sample are self-reported players that filled our form, 5312 are from random UIDs that we scanned).

If you want to share your clear information with us, you simply need to fill the form below and provide us with your UID and make your Hoyo profile public - we will automatically parse the Shiyu Defense clear information from your profile after that!

Shiyu Defense Stats Form
Usage rate

Characters are ranked with appearance rate, which is how often a character was used in Shiyu Defense by the players who we have scanned, regardless of whether they own the character or not. Ownership rate currently cannot be obtained.

Common partners

This section lists the characters that were most commonly paired with Nicole in the current phase of Shiyu Defense.

Teams

This section lists most popular teams featuring Nicole in the current phase of Shiyu Defense.

Rank 1

App. rate: 32.41%

Avg. Score 2.94

Zhu Yuan
Qingyi
Nicole

Rank 7

App. rate: 6.08%

Avg. Score 2.88

Zhu Yuan
Anby
Nicole

Rank 19

App. rate: 1.94%

Avg. Score 2.81

Zhu Yuan
Nicole
Caesar

Rank 31

App. rate: 1.01%

Avg. Score 2.91

Jane Doe
Seth
Nicole

Rank 37

App. rate: 0.87%

Avg. Score 2.82

Zhu Yuan
Koleda
Nicole

Rank 49

App. rate: 0.47%

Avg. Score 2.94

Nekomata
Qingyi
Nicole

Rank 62

App. rate: 0.35%

Avg. Score 2.76

Zhu Yuan
Lycaon
Nicole

Rank 66

App. rate: 0.33%

Avg. Score 2.62

Billy
Nicole
Caesar

Rank 70

App. rate: 0.31%

Avg. Score 3

Anton
Qingyi
Nicole

Rank 70

App. rate: 0.31%

Avg. Score 2.56

Ellen
Soukaku
Nicole
Mindscapes

Mindscapes data comes from 2379 players we have scanned who used Nicole in the current Shiyu Defense.

0.29%

2.29 score

Mindscape 0

0.55%

2.64 score

The DMG and the Anomaly Buildup inflicted by Nicole’s EX Special Attack increases by 16%. For each additional 0.1s of charging when Nicole activates her EX Special Attack, the duration of the energy field created at the target location increases by 0.15s.

1.3%

2.69 score

Nicole recovers 5 Energy when Core Passive: Mechanical Case's debuff is triggered. This effect can trigger once every 15s.

1.85%

2.84 score

Basic Attack, Assist, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2

2.19%

2.77 score

When Nicole uses her EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate, the diameter of the energy field generated at the target location is increased by 3m.

3.32%

2.78 score

Basic Attack, Assist, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2

90.5%

2.92 score

When Nicole’s energy fields deal DMG to an enemy, all squad members CRIT Rate against that enemy increases by 1.5%, stacking up to 10 times, and lasting 12s. The duration of each stack is calculated separately.
W-Engines

W-Engines usage data comes from 2379 players we have scanned who used Nicole in the current Shiyu Defense.

90.04%

2.91 score

Dealing Ether DMG using an EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate increases all squad members' DMG against the target by 15/17.5/20/22/24% and increases the equipper's Energy Regen by 0.5/0.58/0.65/0.72/0.8 per second for 2s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 624
Energy Regen (Lv 60): 50%

5.21%

2.87 score

While off-field, Energy Regen increases by 0.6/0.75/0.9/1.05/1.2 per second. Attacks from the equipper enhance the squad's DMG against a struck target by 10/12.5/15/17.5/20% for 3 seconds. During this period, this effect is further increased by 1.7/2/2.5/3/3.3% every 0.5s, up to a maximum additional increase of 10.2/12/15/18/19.8%. Repeated triggers only refresh its duration without refreshing the DMG increase effect. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 684
PEN Ratio (Lv 60): 24%

1.64%

2.76 score

Any squad members' Dodge Counter, EX Special Attack, Assist Attack, or Chain Attack respectively generates 20/23/26/29/32 (Dodge) | 25/28.5/32/35.5/40 (Special) | 30/34.5/39/43.5/48 (Assist) | 35/40/45/50/55 (Chain) more Decibels and generates 0.7/0.8/0.9/1/1.1 Energy for the equipper. This effect can trigger once every 12s. The cooldown for each type of attack is independent of others. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 594
PEN Ratio (Lv 60): 20%

1.51%

2.76 score

When any friendly unit in the squad attacks and hits an enemy, all friendly units' ATK increases by 2.5/2.8/3.2/3.6/4% for 8s, stacking up to 4 times. The duration of each stack is calculated separately, and each friendly unit can provide 1 stack of the buff. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 624
Energy Regen (Lv 60): 50%

0.46%

2.7 score

Launching an EX Special Attack or Chain Attack increases all squad members' Anomaly Mastery and Anomaly Proficiency by 10/12/13/15/16 for 10s. This effect can trigger once every 20s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 475
Energy Regen (Lv 60): 40%

0.42%

3 score

Whenever the equipper's attack triggers an Attribute Counter effect, all squad members' CRIT Rate against the struck enemy increases by 12/13.5/15.5/17.5/20% for 12s. The bonuses triggered by the same type of passive effects do not stack.

Base ATK (Lv 60): 594
Energy Regen (Lv 60): 50%
Disk Drives

Disk Drives usage data comes from 2379 players we have scanned who used Nicole in the current Shiyu Defense.

42.75%

2.91 score

(2)
Energy Regen +20%.
(4)
Launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate increases all squad members' DMG by 15% for 12s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

(2)
Ether DMG +10%.
(4)
The equipper's CRIT DMG increases by 20%. When any character in the squad triggers Corruption's additional DMG, this effect further increases by 5.5% for 8s, stacking up to 6 times. Repeated triggers reset the duration.

28.71%

2.91 score

(2)
Energy Regen +20%.
(4)
Launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate increases all squad members' DMG by 15% for 12s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

(2)
Anomaly Proficiency +30.
(4)
When an EX Special Attack hits an enemy, reduce the targets Anomaly Buildup RES to equippers attribute by 20% for 8s. This effect does not stack with others of the same attribute.

4.58%

2.92 score

(2)
Energy Regen +20%.
(4)
Launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate increases all squad members' DMG by 15% for 12s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.
Flex

3.49%

2.78 score

(2)
Ether DMG +10%.
(4)
The equipper's CRIT DMG increases by 20%. When any character in the squad triggers Corruption's additional DMG, this effect further increases by 5.5% for 8s, stacking up to 6 times. Repeated triggers reset the duration.

(2)
Energy Regen +20%.
(4)
Launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate increases all squad members' DMG by 15% for 12s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

3.49%

2.84 score

(2)
Anomaly Proficiency +30.
(4)
When an EX Special Attack hits an enemy, reduce the targets Anomaly Buildup RES to equippers attribute by 20% for 8s. This effect does not stack with others of the same attribute.

(2)
Energy Regen +20%.
(4)
Launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate increases all squad members' DMG by 15% for 12s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

3.45%

2.94 score

(2)
Energy Regen +20%.
(4)
Launching a Chain Attack or Ultimate increases all squad members' DMG by 15% for 12s. Passive effects of the same name do not stack.

(2)
CRIT Rate +8%.
(4)
Triggering a critical hit with a Basic Attack, Dodge Counter or EX Special Attack increases the equippers ATK by 9% for 6s. The buff duration for different skills are calculated separately.
Stats

Nicole stats aren't available yet. They will be added soon.