Nicole in Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ): Skills, Kit and Jiggle Physics

Nicole in Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ): Skills, Kit and Jiggle Physics

An overview of Nicole’s Kit in Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), playstyle and a recap of the now infamous nerf to her jiggle physics.

Throughout the Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) betas, Nicole was a fan favorite, and she has remained one of the most popular characters post-release.
Nicole is unlockable immediately in Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), and remains one of only two Ether element characters in the starting roster.

Who is Nicole Demara in Zenless Zone Zero?

In Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ), Nicole Demara is the leader of the odd-job agency known as the Cunning Hares, who accept commissions for Hollow-related jobs. Known for her love of money and her cunning nature, Nicole has been one of the most featured characters in promotional materials about the game.

How old is Nicole in ZZZ? (Age, Height, Birthday)
Race: Human
Height: 5ft 5 / 165 cm
Birthday: Nov. 11

Nicole's birthday is Nov. 11, as for Nicole's exact age she's estimated to be between 20-24 years old. She's the owner of the Cunning Hares odd-job agency which we know has had "many clients". Business owners typically need to be 18+, and given Cunning Hares have been on the edge of bankruptcy "constantly", Nicole being 20-24 years old makes sense.

How to unlock Nicole Demara in Zenless Zone Zero?

You will unlock Nicole Demara as a free character after completing the opening mission of Zenless Zone Zero.

Nicole's infamous nerf during the ZZZ betas

Nerfing characters in a beta is common, but for Nicole her nerf came in the form of changes to her "jiggle physics" and her appearance. Zenless Zone Zero is a 16+ age rated game, compared to HoYoverse's previous titles Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail which are both 12+. The 16+ age rating of Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) allows the developer to be a bit more risqué with their characters in Zenless Zone Zero.

Nicole jiggle physics changed, community cried censorship

That said the original design for Nicole during the beta was still deemed a little "too" sexy and the now famous "Nicole nerf" took place. In November 2023, developer MiHoYo noticeably turned down the jiggle physics of her body and reduced the size of her chest, leading to outcries on Reddit.

The "Nicole nerf" also adjusted her outfit to show slightly less skin, with her cleavage covered up more, as well as the top of her legs. The changes were quickly picked up on by the players in the beta test, with many calling out the censorship, while others realizing it might have not been their choice.

The scenario is not too dissimilar to the censorship changes to EVE in Shift Up's PlayStation 5 title Stellar Blade, where certain outfits were made less revealing in a day 1 patch to the game. The Stellar Blade censorship became a huge trend on Twitter, with the developer ultimately introducing recolors of the original outfits as a hidden reward in a later update.

The "nerfs" to Nicole have not stopped Nicole's outfit becoming popular with cosplayers interested in Zenless Zone Zero. Nicole remains the most recognisable ZZZ character outside of Ellen Joe and new additions Jane Doe and Burnice.

Nicole's Kit, Skills and playstyle in Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ)

Nicole's weapon is a massive Sledgehammer which she can swing to deal AOE damage around her. Nicole also has multiple abilities (EX Special Attack, Chain Attack or Ultimate) that all create Ether black holes that pull enemies towards the centre, setting her up perfectly to take a big swing - or for her allies to pile on.

Nicole is a support character that is great at crowd control, and let's be honest pretty kickass. She can also apply a debuff that reduces an enemy's DEF by 20% for 2 seconds if they were hit by either her Enhanced Bullets or Energy Fields.

Basic Attacks

Basic Attack: Cunning Combo
Unleashes up to 3 strikes, dealing Physical DMG
Basic Attack: Do As I Please
After Nicole's performs a Special Attack, EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate, Nicole can reload, enhancing the power of her Basic Attack and Dash Attack. Enhanced bullets also give a debuff to DEF of 20% for 2 seconds.

Dodge

Zenless Zone Zero introduces dodge mechanics that rewards players who perform Dodges or Perfect Dodges.

Dodge - Speed Demon
Nicole is invulnerable while using Speed Demon. Hold Dodge to reload after dodging, enhancing Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.

Dash Attack - Jack in the Box
Dashes in the target direction and strikes nearby enemies, dealing Physical damage. To perform press Basic Attack while moving during a dodge (if not moving Basic Attack will perform a backwards flip)

Dodge Counter - Diverted Bombard
Dodge backwards and send ranged strikes at enemies in front of her, dealing Ether damage. Nicole is invulnerable while using this skill. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.

Nicole's Special Attacks

After both of her Special Attacks, Nicole automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.

Special Attack - Sugarcoated Bullet
Unleashes a ranged strike against enemies in front of her, dealing Ether damage. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill.
X Special Attack - Stuffed Sugarcoated Bullet
A powerful ranged strike, generating an energy field that pulls enemies towards its center to deal Ether damage.

Hold Special Attack down to charge up this attack, during which a small energy field is generated at the muzzle as Energy is consumed, dealing bonus damage to enemies nearby. Nicole is invulnerable while using this skill.

Nicole's Chain Attack & Ultimate

After her Chain Attacks, Nicole automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times. Nicole is invulnerable during both her Chain Attack and Ultimate.

Chain Attack - Ether Shellacking
Unleash powerful ranged strikes at enemies in a small area, generating an energy field that pulls enemies towards its center to deal Ether damage.
Ultimate - Ether Grenade
Unleash powerful ranged strikes at enemies in a small area, generating an energy field that pulls enemies towards its center to deal Ether damage. The anomaly Buildup dealt to the struck target is increased by 10%.

Core Skills

Core Passive - Mechanical Case
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 2s.
Additional Ability - Hare of Many Burrows
When another character in your squad is either an Ether element or Cunning Hares faction member:
When Nicole's Core Passive: Mechanical Case applies a debuff, the target takes 25% additional Ether DMG.
Reactive Assist - Emergency Bombard
When the on-field character is launched, press to activate Perfect Assist. Dodge backwards and send ranged strikes at enemies in front of Nicole, dealing Ether DMG. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.
Defensive Assist - The Hare Strikes Back!
Parries the enemy's attack, dealing massive Daze. Nicole is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist Follow-Up - Window of Opportunity
Charge forward and bombard enemies, dealing Ether DMG. Nicole is invulnerable while using this skill.

Talents

Nicole will be playable in version 1.0 of Zenless Zone Zero which launches on July 4, 2024.

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