Zenless Zone Zero: Best build for Lighter

Don't sleep on this agent because he could be the key to help you reach endgame content, if you lack sufficient power for your fire and ice teams.

Lighter has finally arrived in Zenless Zone Zero! Lighter is a Fire Stun character who is part of the Sons of Calydon faction. Although there are plenty of Stun agents in the game and a stacked roster of Fire Agents, he's the first limited 5-star male character with a very unique kit. It is worth pulling him, especially if you're looking to get a Fire Stun agent for your team.

On top of that, Lighter is not just a Stun agent; his abilities also grant damage buffs for fire and ice teams and RES reduction to the E-skill. So, if you'd like to build Lighter to become part of your core teams, we've got you covered. In this guide, we'll discuss Lighter's kit, skill prioritisation, best W-Engines and Drive Discs, and best team compositions.

How to play Lighter

Lighter's kit is interesting, because it looks complicated on paper but is simple to use in practice. His basic attack sequence is divided into five parts:

1. The first three hits deal physical damage
2. The last two hits deal fire damage

Holding the basic attack button allows you to loop through his combos, including alternate follow-up sequences, seamlessly.

Morale system

A standout feature of Lighter's kit is his Morale Boosted B5 attack. When Lighter's Morale reaches 80 or higher, he enters morale state where he performs his morale boosted B5 attack, which extends into a flurry of punches, culminating in a powerful finisher when morale is depleted.

Morale is restored passively at +2.9 Morale/per second (on or off-field) and +0.26 Morale/energy spent by his teammates.

Simply put, you can have your teammates expend energy for 20-25 seconds for Lighter tor each 80 Morale, and then you can release his flurry of attacks from there.

Core Passive

Lighter's core passive mechanics revolve around spending morale:

• For every 10 morale spent, Lighter gains 2% impact (up to 20%).
• His B5 morale punches lower enemy Ice and Fire resistance by 15%, extend stun duration by 3 seconds, and apply the Collapse debuff.
• With an attacker or Sons of Calydon member on the team, morale punches provide Elation Stacks, boosting Fire and Ice damage for the entire team by up to 75%, scaling with his impact stat.

Based on his kit, you can perform Dodge Counter, Defensive Assist, and Quick Assist Extra special attacks, or hold the Attack button for him to perform his B5 Morale punches.

Skill Prioritisation

To make the most of Lighter's potential, here's the recommended skill upgrade priority:

1. Core Passive: Upgrade this first, as it boosts Lighter's damage buff on himself.
2. Special Attack: Focus on this next for consistent damage output and team synergy with his playstyle.
3. Assists: Since Lighter often enters the field through Quick Assist, upgrade this alongside his Special Attack.
4. Basic Attacks: While you'll use his Basic Attack frequently, it's mainly as a follow-up to his Special Attack and Quick Assist.
5. Chain Attack: Keep this a low priority unless future updates allow multiple ultimates per team.
6. Dodge Counter: This can be skipped or saved for last, as it adds little to his overall effectiveness.

Build Recommendations

W-Engines

Recommended: Blazing Laurel

The best W-Engine for Lighter is Blazing Laurel, since it increases the ice and Fire CRIT damage opponents receive. However, if that isn't available, any W-Engine specialising in Normal Attacks would also be a good option.

Alternative W-Engines:

• Ice Jade Teapot (Qingyi's Signature W-Engine): The Ice Jade Teapot is a great alternative, offering a 20% bonus damage buff that can outshine the Blazing Laurel in burn-focused teams like those with Bernice. While the Laurel adds 30% Crit Damage, the Teapot's utility makes it ideal for specific setups.
• Hellfire Gears: Hellfire Gears, ranked third, needs rotation adjustments to maximise its 75% core buff. It requires 100 Morale and uses EX1 and EX2 before punches. Despite the complexity, it delivers strong results for high-impact rotations.
• Restrained Steam: Excels in raw basic attack damage but lacks a strong core buff, placing it below Hellfire Gears despite solid overall output.
• Steam Oven (Free-to-Play Option): The Steam Oven is a budget-friendly choice, achieving six stacks reliably and up to eight in ideal conditions. With a 50% Energy Regen bonus, it's the top W-Engine for free-to-play players lacking higher-tier options.

Recommended Drive Discs sets

• Shockstar Disco (4-pc), with Inferno Metal (2-pc) – for added impact and increased Daze, combined with Fire Damage.
• Woodpecker Electro (4-pc) with Shockstar Disco (2-pc): A 4-piece Woodpecker Electro can increase Lighter's Critical Hit Rate and Attack Power while on the field, allowing him to deal more damage.

Mindscapes

Lighter's Mindscapes prioritise boosting the team's damage output rather than his own. Key highlights include:

• Mindscape 1: Adds 15% resistance shred, amplifying damage for teammates like Ellen.
• Mindscape 2: Increases the bonus damage multiplier to 90%.
• Mindscape 4: Provides extra energy regeneration, which benefits energy-reliant teammates.
• Mindscape 6: Maximises Lighter's damage, providing a 60% increase compared to earlier levels.

For example, Ellen's damage can increase by over 60% when paired with Lighter equipped with the Blazing Laurel. By Mindscape 4, Ellen's damage can double, showcasing Lighter's invaluable role as a team support.

Best Teams for Lighter

Lighter Fire Team

• Soldier 11 – Attack
• Lighter – Stun
• Caesar – Defense
• Support Alternatives: Lucy (ATK buffs) or Ben (shielding and CRIT buff)
• Bangboo – Red Moccus
• Alternative Bangboos: Cryboo, Paperboo, Rocketboo

Lighter is Soldier 11's top Stun unit, offering a Fire DMG buff that boosts Soldier 11's overall damage output. Meanwhile, Caesar enhances survivability with shielding and increases damage with an ATK buff.

Lighter Double-stun Ice team

• Ellen – Attack
• Lighter – Stun
• Lycaon – Stun
• Bangboo – Sharkboo
• Bangboo Alternatives: Penguinboo and Knightboo

A top-tier team where Lycaon's buffs synergise perfectly with Lighter's quick-swap playstyle. Their combined stuns and damage multipliers create a devastating duo.

If you want to buff Ellen's damage further, taking Soukaku as support is also an option. And in case you need more survivability, Caesar will also be the optimal agent for a fire-ice combination.

Lighter Anomaly Team

• Burnice - Anomaly
• Jane Doe – Anomaly
• Lighter – Stun
• Bangboo: Rocketboo
• Bangboo Alternatives: Cryboo, Magnetiboo, Red Moccus, Baddieboo

Lighter and Burnice work exceptionally well together in this Anomaly team. Lighter boosts Burnice's Burn damage, while Burnice's energy consumption helps build up Lighter's Morale. That said, any two Anomaly units can be effective if they consistently trigger Disorder.

In conclusion, Lighter may not be the hottest agent to take with anomaly compositions, but his versatility with fire and ice teams will be valuable for clearing end-game content, especially in levels needing Ice teams.

With his straightforward kit and versatility, it might be worth investing resources in him, depending on your team composition needs.