Zhu Yuan Complete Build Guide

Version: 1.5+ | Updated: 2026-03-04 | Sources: Game8, Eurogamer, Icy Veins, VG247

Character Overview

Attribute	Details
Rarity	S-Rank
Attribute	Ether 💜
Specialty	Attack
Faction	Criminal Investigation Special Response Team
Core Stat	CRIT DMG
Acquisition	Limited Gacha

Why Zhu Yuan is SS Tier

💥 Extremely high burst damage through Enhanced Shotshells
🎯 Unique ammo management gameplay creates satisfying loops
💜 Strong Ether application for Corruption procs
🎪 Excellent in boss content due to burst nature
🆓 F2P-friendly teams with Nicole and Anby

Understanding Enhanced Shotshells

Core Mechanic

Zhu Yuan uses a unique Enhanced Shotshell system that dramatically increases her damage:

Action	Shotshells Gained
EX Special Attack	+4 shells
Chain Attack	+6 shells
Ultimate	+8 shells
Dodge Counter	+1 shell

Maximum: 8 Enhanced Shotshells

How to Use Shells

Attack Type	Shells Consumed	Effect
Basic Attack (Suppressive Mode)	1 per shot	Enhanced damage
Dash Attack	1 per shot	Enhanced damage

Suppressive Mode

When Zhu Yuan has Enhanced Shotshells, she enters Suppressive Mode:

Basic Attacks consume shells for massive damage boost
Dash Attacks also consume shells
Mode ends when all shells are spent

Best Drive Disc Sets

Option 1: Dawn's Bloom (4pc) + Woodpecker (2pc) - Best in Slot

Set	Pieces	Effect
Dawn's Bloom	4pc	+10% Ether DMG, +30% Basic/Dash ATK DMG when Energy ≥60
Woodpecker Electro	2pc	+8% CRIT Rate

Why Best: Zhu Yuan's Enhanced Basic Attacks benefit fully from Dawn's Bloom. She naturally maintains high Energy due to her rotation.

Option 2: Woodpecker (4pc) + Chaotic Metal (2pc)

Set	Pieces	Effect
Woodpecker Electro	4pc	+8% CRIT Rate, ATK buff on CRIT
Chaotic Metal	2pc	+10% Ether DMG

Why Good: More CRIT-focused build. Better if Nicole already has Chaotic Metal 4pc.

Drive Disc Main Stats

Slot	Main Stat	Priority
4	CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG	CRIT DMG preferred (Core Skill gives Rate)
5	Ether DMG%	Always
6	ATK%	Always

Substat Priority

CRIT Rate = CRIT DMG > ATK% > PEN > Flat ATK

Best W-Engines

Tier List

Rank	W-Engine	Stars	Notes
1	Riot Suppressor Mark VI	S-Rank	Signature, perfect synergy
2	The Brimstone	S-Rank	ATK stacking, universal
3	Zanshin Herb Case	S-Rank	Yanagi's sig, Ether synergy
4	Cannon Rotor	A-Rank	Accessible, CRIT proc
5	Starlight Engine	A-Rank	F2P friendly
6	Street Superstar	A-Rank	Budget option

Riot Suppressor Mark VI (Signature)

Attribute	Effect
Main Stat	CRIT Rate
Passive	+15% CRIT Rate, EX Special grants 8 Charge stacks, Basic/Dash consumes stacks for +35% DMG

Why Perfect: Designed for her kit. The Charge mechanic mirrors her Enhanced Shotshell rotation perfectly.

Best Team Compositions

SS Tier: Zhu Yuan + Qingyi + Nicole

Character	Role	Why
Zhu Yuan	Main DPS	Ether burst
Qingyi	Stunner	Best stun in game, same faction
Nicole	Support	DEF shred, Ether resonance

Rotation:

Nicole E → DEF shred field
Qingyi Flash Connect → Apply Subjugation
Qingyi stuns → Enemy vulnerable
Zhu Yuan EX/Chain → Get Enhanced Shotshells
Zhu Yuan Basic spam → Destroy target
Repeat

Why This Works:

Qingyi's Subjugation increases Stun DMG Multiplier
Nicole's DEF shred amplifies damage
Ether resonance bonus
Same faction bonus with Qingyi

S Tier: Zhu Yuan + Qingyi + Astra

Character	Role	Why
Zhu Yuan	Main DPS	-
Qingyi	Stunner	-
Astra	Support	ATK buff + Energy

Why Good: Astra provides ATK buffs and Energy, enabling more frequent Enhanced Shotshells.

A Tier: F2P Team - Zhu Yuan + Anby + Nicole

Character	Role	Why
Zhu Yuan	Main DPS	-
Anby	Stunner	Free, accessible
Nicole	Support	Free (Cunning Hares)

Why Good: All obtainable early, still effective for all content.

Bangboo Recommendations

Priority	Bangboo	Why
1	Resonaboo	Ether DMG buff
2	Devilboo	Ether team buff
3	Booressure	Universal support
4	Sumoboo	Stagger support

Skill Priority

Priority	Skill	Reason
1	Core Skill	Stunned enemy DMG boost + CRIT Rate
2	Basic Attack	Main damage source (Suppressive Mode)
3	Dodge	Dash Attack uses Enhanced Shotshells
4	Special Attack	Shell generation
5	Chain Attack	Shell generation + damage
6	Assist	Lowest priority

Gameplay Guide

Optimal Rotation

1. Build to 8 Enhanced Shotshells
   - Use EX Special (+4), Chain Attack (+6), or Ultimate (+8)
   
2. Enter Suppressive Mode
   - Basic Attacks consume shells with enhanced damage
   
3. Burst Window
   - Save Enhanced attacks for stunned enemies
   - Zhu Yuan's Core Skill gives +40% DMG to stunned targets
   
4. Support First
   - Use Nicole's DEF shred before Zhu Yuan's burst
   - Qingyi's Subjugation increases multiplier
   
5. Repeat

Tips & Tricks

Tip	Details
Don't waste shells	Make sure enemy is stunned before spending
Nicole first	Always DEF shred before Zhu Yuan attacks
EX Special timing	Use right before stun window
Dodge for shells	Dodge Counter gives +1 shell, use when needed
CRIT DMG circlet	Core Skill gives 30% CRIT Rate, prioritize CRIT DMG

Mindscape Cinema (Constellations)

MC	Effect	Value
M0	Complete kit	★★★★★
M1	Extra Enhanced Shotshell capacity	★★★★
M2	Ether DMG boost	★★★★★
M6	Massive damage increase	★★★★★

Recommendation: M0 is fully functional. M2 is a notable power spike.

Promotion Materials

Ascension Materials

Level	Materials
10→20	Ether Chip × 4
20→30	Ether Module × 12
30→40	Ether Module × 20, Basic Operative Chip × 4
40→50	Ether Circuit × 10, Advanced Operative Chip × 4
50→60	Ether Circuit × 20, Advanced Operative Chip × 8

Quick Reference

Build Summary

W-Engine: Riot Suppressor Mark VI (or Brimstone)
Drive Discs: Dawn's Bloom (4) + Woodpecker (2)
Main Stats: CRIT DMG / Ether DMG / ATK%
Team: Qingyi + Nicole/Astra
Bangboo: Resonaboo/Devilboo

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths	Weaknesses
✅ Massive burst damage	❌ Needs Stunner to maximize
✅ Unique satisfying gameplay	❌ Getting shells is rotation-dependent
✅ F2P-friendly teams	❌ Lower sustained DPS
✅ Ether synergy	❌ Learning curve for shell management