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 with the game releasing on July 4, her reign of popularity is likely to continue.
Nicole will be unlockable at the launch of Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) on July 4, and 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 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.
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.
Related articles
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
Talent | Talent Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| A | Sugarcharge Bomb | The DMG and the Anomaly Buildup inflicted by Nicole's EX Special Attack increases by 16%. For each additional 0.1s of charging when Nicole activates her EX Special Attack, the duration of the energy field created at the target location increases by 0.15s. |
| B | Charging Device | When Nicole hits an enemy with her Basic Attack or Dash Attack, the attack's Energy Generation Rate is increased by 15%. |
| C | A Hare's Cunning | Basic Attack, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2 |
| D | Field Expansion | When Nicole uses her EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate, the radius of the energy field generated increased by 3m. |
| E | Industry Star | All skill levels +2 |
| F | Corrupting Energy Field | When Nicole’s energy fields deal damage to an enemy, the target’s Attribute Anomaly RES is reduced by 2.5%, stacking up to 20 times, and lasting 12s. The duration of each stack is calculated separately. |
Nicole will be playable in version 1.0 of Zenless Zone Zero which launches on July 4, 2024.
