Zhao
An Ice Support that scales off HP, activating Ether Veil to buff the whole team's ATK + Max HP + DMG% — nearly universal for any Attack/Anomaly team.
Tier S+ · Defense · Ice. BiS: Half-Sugar Bunny. An Ice Support that scales off HP, activating Ether Veil to buff the whole team's ATK + Max HP + DMG% — nearly universal for any Attack/Anomaly team.
Best W-Engines
Recommended Drive Discs
Swing Jazz adds energy regen.
Bunny in Wonderland as the core, swapping to 2pc 
Moonlight Lullaby for extra Energy Regen.4: HP% · 5: HP% (or Ice DMG) · 6: Energy Regen (ER)
HP% > Energy Regen (ER) > CRIT DMG; stack as much HP as possible toward ~27k Max HP.
Skill priority: Core Skill first → Basic Attack → Chain / Ultimate.
Very much worth pulling: a rare universal support whose buffs scale off HP, so you just stack HP and go — she doesn't care who your DPS is. Her weaknesses are needing enough HP (~27k) to unlock all her buffs and dealing no damage herself, but as a support she's top meta in 3.0.
The KEY threshold: 27,000 'initial Max HP' (counted BEFORE % buffs) — only there does her full +40% team-wide DMG open (per game8/genshinlab/mobalytics). Mechanic: below 15,000 HP it's just the +10% base; above 15,000, every +400 HP adds +1% DMG, capping at +40% at 27,000. At 27k HP her Core also self-grants ~37.8% Crit Rate (per genshinlab, at max Core level of 1.4% per 1,000 HP). Main stats: Slot 4 HP% · Slot 5 HP% (or Ice DMG) · Slot 6 Energy Regen to sustain the Ether Veil/Ult loop. Substat priority: HP% > Energy Regen > Crit DMG (Crit DMG amplifies her self-critting hits). Keep enough ER to recast Ether Veil on rhythm.
1) OPENER: Zhao enters, uses basics/skills to charge up, then fires Ether Veil: Wellspring — the whole squad gets ATK +1000, Max HP +5%, and (if at 27k HP) DMG +40%. 2) SWAP: immediately swap to the main DPS (Ellen/Ye Shunguang/Hugo…) to hit inside the buff window; buffs last 40-50s so they persist off-field. 3) SUSTAIN: recast Ether Veil each time it's up to keep buff uptime; her Special heals ~2,500 HP every ~30s to keep the team alive. 4) SUB-DPS: in stun windows, weave Zhao's Chain/Ultimate + Basic 'Final Verdict' for extra damage (her hits self-crit via her Core). 5) Repeat from step 2. Note: the 27k mark is 'initial Max HP', so her own +5% HP does NOT count toward the threshold — you must stack HP from discs/engine.
When Zhao switches out, the whole squad ignores 15% of the target's All-Attribute RES for 50s. A team-wide damage gain but conditional (needs a swap-out), and prydwen recommends her signature Half-Sugar Bunny OVER M1 if you must choose. Nice to have, not game-changing.
When Zhao heals: her own ATK +20% and the whole squad's ATK +15% for 50s. Stacks on top of her existing buff package (ATK +1000, HP +5%, DMG +40%), pushing the team's buff ceiling up a notch. A reasonable value stop for moderate investors — more team buff without whaling.
All skills +2 levels. A small flat bump with no gameplay change — low value, just a stepping stone to M4.
Activating Ether Veil grants 250 Decibels outright; and the CRIT DMG of Zhao's Ultimate + Chain Attack + Basic 'Final Verdict' +40%. Both speeds up her Ultimate (opening buffs sooner) and turns Zhao into a hard-hitting sub-DPS (her hits self-crit via her Core). The second most valuable node.
All skills +2 levels again. Still just flat numbers, a bridge to M6 — low value.
The biggest jump: the CRIT Rate buff from her Core (Ideal Colleague) rises to 125% of the base value, 'Final Verdict' damage +140%, and it no longer consumes charge on cast. Boosts both her personal punch and crit — but whale-tier; regular players stop at M0/M2, only those with spare resources aim for M6.
- Near-UNIVERSAL support: her buff package (flat ATK +1000, Max HP +5%, team-wide DMG +40%) doesn't care about the DPS's element — she slots into almost any Attack/Anomaly/Support team.
- Strong just by stacking HP: her buffs scale off HP, so no fiddly Crit/ATK requirements — a simple, F2P-friendly build; hit 27k HP and you're 'done'.
- High survivability: her Special heals based on Max HP, and her core abilities come with invincibility/anti-interrupt/damage reduction — she buffs AND keeps the team alive in long content.
- Doubles as sub-DPS: since her Core turns HP into Crit Rate, her Final Verdict/Chain/Ult hits self-crit — she chips in damage instead of only buffing (most noticeable from M4).
- Not a primary damage source herself: without M4/M6 her personal damage is modest — her value is in buffs, and she needs a real DPS to carry.
- HP-threshold dependent: you must reach ~27,000 'initial Max HP' to unlock the full +40% DMG; short of it the buff drops hard (base is only +10%) — demands HP% disc farming and easy to miss with a loose build.
- Needs enough Energy Regen to recast Ether Veil on rhythm; short on ER and buff uptime drops, leaving the team underpowered in burst windows.
Excellent in Shiyu Defense: a top-tier universal support in 3.0 — her ATK +1000 / HP +5% / DMG +40% package directly lifts the main DPS's output in single-target burst windows, plus heals to survive tough nodes. Slots into nearly any Attack/Anomaly team (Ellen, Ye Shunguang, Hugo…).
Also strong in Deadly Assault: her HP-scaling buffs are consistent and DPS-agnostic, fitting long fights against high-HP bosses; heals + invincibility/anti-interrupt keep the team through heavy hits. Pair with a stunner + real DPS to max score. Zhao adds sub-DPS damage with M4/M6.
Basic Attack2
Basic Attack: Glacial Judgment
Press to activate: Launches up to five slashes forward, the first dealing Physical DMG, and the following four Ice DMG.
Basic Attack: Final Verdict
Hold to activate: After getting ready, Zhao starts charging up, then launches a forward slash on release, dealing massive Ice DMG. While charging, Zhao accumulates up to 5s of charge time. When the Finishing Move of Basic Attack: Final Verdict, Chain Attack, or Assist Follow-Up hits, the stored charge time is consumed to deal additional DMG. For every 1 second of charge time, Zhao deals 13% of Max HP as additional DMG. When Zhao is in any Ether Veil, if she gets switched out while charging, the charge can continue. If Frostbite Points are maxed out when the skill activates, all Frostbite Points are consumed to trigger Ether Veil: Wellspring and a Quick Assist. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging. During skill activation, Anti-Interrupt level increases, and DMG taken is reduced by 40%. While not the currently controlled character, the character is invulnerable while using this skill.*Stats shown are at Base level.
Dodge3
Dodge: Bunny Hop
Press to activate: A quick dash dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Dash Attack: Bouncing Dash
Press during a dodge to activate: Slashes forward, dealing Physical DMG and Ice DMG.
Dodge Counter: Swift Blink
Press during a Perfect Dodge to activate: Performs a falling slash ahead, dealing Ice DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist4
Entry Skill: Burst of Frost
When Zhao has maximum Frostbite Points, and is in combat, press to activate: Launches consecutive attacks forward, followed by a slash, dealing massive Ice DMG. Upon activating this skill, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring. Upon activating this skill, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging. Activating this skill is considered as activating a Quick Assist. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Quick Assist: Patch the Gaps
When the active character is launched, press to activate: Launches a falling slash in front, dealing Ice DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Defensive Assist: Frostveil Suppression
When the on-field character is about to be attacked, press to activate:Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze. This skill excels at parrying enemy attacks and reduces the consumption of Assist Points when the character is under intense attacks. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist Follow-Up: Frostlight Reflection
Press after a Defensive Assist to activate: Launch multiple slashes in front, dealing massive Ice DMG. Upon activating this skill, if Frostbite Points are maxed out, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring. Upon activating this skill while in any Ether Veil, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Special Attack2
Special Attack: Shatterfrost Surge
Press to activate:Launches a forward slash, dealing Ice DMG.Upon activating this skill, consumes 5% of current HP to grant all squad members HP regeneration equal to 1.06% of Zhao's Max HP per second for 5s. The HP-consuming effects of Special Attack: Shatterfrost Surge and EX Special Attack: Frostflow Tundra can trigger at most once every 30s.*Stats shown are at Base level.
EX Special Attack: Frostflow Tundra
With enough energy, press to activate:Launches multiple forward slashes, dealing massive Ice DMG.Upon activating this skill, consumes 5% of current HP to grant all squad members HP regeneration equal to 1.06% of Zhao's Max HP per second for 5s. The HP-consuming effects of Special Attack: Shatterfrost Surge and EX Special Attack: Frostflow Tundra can trigger at most once every 30s.Upon activating this skill, gain 20 Frostbite Points. If Frostbite Points are maxed out, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring.Upon activating this skill while in any Ether Veil, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging.Character is invulnerable while using this skill.*Stats shown are at Base level.
Chain Attack2
Chain Attack: Temporary Alliance
When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate:Launches multiple slashes in front, dealing massive Ice DMG. After using this skill, gains 5 Frostbite Points. If Frostbite Points are maxed out, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring. Upon activating this skill while in any Ether Veil, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Ultimate: Bunny Barrage
When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press to activate: Launches consecutive attacks in front, followed by a falling slash, dealing massive Ice DMG. After using this skill, gains 20 Frostbite Points. If Frostbite Points are maxed out, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring. Upon activating this skill while in any Ether Veil, a Quick Assist is triggered. If a squadmate is then switched in via Quick Assist, Zhao automatically follows up with Basic Attack: Final Verdict and begins charging. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Core Skill2
Core Passive: Ideal Colleague
Zhao gains bonus CRIT Rate based on her initial Max HP, gaining 0.8% CRIT Rate for every 1,000 initial Max HP. Upon entering the battlefield, Zhao gains 100 Frostbite Points. This effect can trigger once every 180s in Investigation Zone mode. The maximum amount of Frostbite Points is 100. When the currently active character's attacks hit an enemy, Zhao gains 6 Frostbite Points. This can be triggered once every 3s. When Frostbite Points are maxed out, switching Zhao to the field while in combat will activate her Entry Skill. When Zhao activates her Entry Skill, all Frostbite Points are consumed to activate Ether Veil: Wellspring. While Ether Veil: Wellspring is active, all squad members gain 5% Max HP for 40s. Re-activating Ether Veil: Wellspring ends the existing instance before applying a new Ether Veil: Wellspring. When Zhao activates Ether Veil: Wellspring, all squad members' ATK increase by 100 for 50s. Repeated triggers reset the duration.*Stats shown are at Base level.
Additional Ability: Crystallization
When another character in your squad is an Attack, Anomaly, or Support character: When Zhao is within any Ether Veil, the whole squad's DMG increases by 10%. If Zhao's initial Max HP exceeds 15,000, every additional 400 initial Max HP increases this DMG bonus by an additional 1%, up to a total maximum increase of 40%. This bonus reaches its maximum when Zhao's initial Max HP reaches 27,000.
What is the best W-Engine for Zhao?
Zhao performs best with Half-Sugar Bunny. See alternatives and required stats in the Gear section above.
Is Zhao worth pulling?
Very much worth pulling: a rare universal support whose buffs scale off HP, so you just stack HP and go — she doesn't care who your DPS is. Her weaknesses are needing enough HP (~27k) to unlock all her buffs and dealing no damage herself, but as a support she's top meta in 3.0.
What is the best team for Zhao?
Zhao works best in the Ye Shunguang carry team. Full members and rotation are in the Teams section.
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