Ellen Joe vs Zhu Yuan: Which is the better S Rank to pick in Zenless Zone Zero 1.0?

Ellen Joe vs Zhu Yuan is likely in the minds of all players who are excited about Zenless Zone Zero. Developer HoYoverse has hinted that the free-to-play ARPG will feature two S-rank characters at launch - Ellen Joe and Zhu Yuan - across two halves of the game. These units have different play styles and specialties.

Ellen Joe is initially a better choice for the majority of players. However, Zhu Yuan becomes pretty important in the late game.

If you are wondering which character you should invest in upon Zenless Zone Zero’s launch, this Ellen Joe vs Zhu Yuan comparison might help you make a decision.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the opinions of the writer

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Ellen Joe vs Zhu Yuan character overview in Zenless Zone Zero

Here are highlights of Ellen Joe and Zhu Yuan in Zenless Zone Zero, including their elements and play styles:

Ellen can clean up any mess (Image via HoYoVerse)

Ellen Joe:

• Ice element character
• Has access to Freeze and Shatter effects
• High armor penetration
• Excels at taking out tough enemies
• Skilled players can utilize dodge follow-ups
• Special tail attacks provide good i-frame opportunities
• Best suited for on-field play
• Considered the top DPS at game launch
• May be stronger in the early game but could potentially fall off in the endgame

Zhu is here to dominate (Image via HoYoverse)

Zhu Yuan:

• Ether element character
• Corrupted Attribute applies damage amplification to enemies
• Provides team-wide damage buff
• Potentially better long-term investment
• Could fare better with future balance patches

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Ellen Joe vs Zhu Yuan: Whom should you choose?

Ellen is best for the initial part (Image via HoYoverse)

If you are prioritizing immediate power and early-game domination in Zenless Zone Zero, Ellen Joe is the perfect choice for you. Her strong DPS capabilities and Ice element utility make her an excellent starter character.

However, if you are thinking bigger and want a character that can stick around with for a long time, Zhu Yuan is the best companion.

Zhu is more of a late-game champ (Image via HoYoverse)

Zhu Yuan comes into play a little later in the game, but she is a heavy hitter. Not only her buffs can give your team an edge, but her DPS capabilities can also turn the tides of battle in your favor.

Although it’s possible to pull both of them if you are ready to swipe your card a couple of times, you will have to make a choice between Ellen Joe and Zhu Yuan if you want to keep things free to play.

Personally, in the Ellen Joe vs Zhu Yuan debate, I would choose the former as the ideal choice for the majority of players due to her instant effectiveness and highly effective DPS capabilities.