Zenless Zone Zero Shadow Chase Showdown starts on September 16, 2026 and runs until October 5, bringing a new VR challenge event with six Alliance stages, three Special Offensive stages and a scoring system built around damage, techniques and fast clears. HoYoverse has also confirmed trial characters, stage-specific buffs and rewards including Polychromes and a Tuning Calibrator.
Zenless Zone Zero Shadow Chase Showdown dates and requirements
The Zenless Zone Zero Shadow Chase Showdown event begins at 10:00 server time on September 16 and ends at 03:59 server time on October 5. To enter, you need to reach Inter-Knot Level 20 and complete Main Story Chapter 1 – Intermission.
Once eligible, head to Lumina Square and speak with Nangong Yu, then travel to the HIA and find Lyla. That opens the new VR challenge content rather than sending you into a normal Hollow exploration route.
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Start | September 16, 2026 at 10:00 server time |
| End | October 5, 2026 at 03:59 server time |
| Requirement | Inter-Knot Lv. 20 and Chapter 1 – Intermission complete |
| Alliance stages | 6 |
| Special Offensive stages | 3 |
| Major rewards | Polychromes, Tuning Calibrator and other materials |
How the Alliance stages work
In the Zenless Zone Zero Shadow Chase Showdown Alliance stages, each stage has its own Buff Effect mechanic. You can choose from the trial Agents and Bangboo provided for that challenge, so you do not need a perfectly built personal roster just to take part.
A new themed stage unlocks each day. That means the event is designed to open gradually instead of dumping all nine stages into the menu on day one. Check back daily if you want to stay caught up rather than clearing the whole event at the end.
How Special Offensive stages work
The three Special Offensive stages are the more unusual part of Zenless Zone Zero Shadow Chase Showdown. These stages only allow the trial Agents provided for the challenge and use a new scoring model rather than simply asking whether you cleared within a time limit.
Your final score combines Damage Score, Technique Score and a Time Coefficient based on how quickly you finish. With Claret, using different techniques in quick succession builds Technique Combos. Maintaining that chain raises the score multiplier, while leaving too long between techniques causes the combo state and multiplier to disappear.
Best way to score higher
The most important Zenless Zone Zero Shadow Chase Showdown tip is to play for the stage mechanic rather than treating every challenge like ordinary combat. Alliance stages reward smart use of their Buff Effects, while Special Offensive stages reward clean technique chains and fast completion.
- Read the stage Buff Effect or Tactical Buff before starting.
- Use the provided trial lineup instead of forcing an unsuitable personal team.
- With Claret, rotate different techniques quickly enough to maintain Technique Combos.
- Do not chase raw damage if it breaks the mechanic that awards Technique Score.
- Repeat a stage after learning the enemy pattern if your first clear loses time.
Are trial characters available?
Yes. Zenless Zone Zero Shadow Chase Showdown includes trial Agents in both stage types. Alliance stages let you choose from the available trial Agents and Bangboo, while Special Offensive stages restrict you to the trial Agents assigned to that challenge.
That makes the event unusually accessible for newer accounts that meet the story requirement. You can still benefit from understanding each Agent’s kit, but the event does not expect every player to own or fully build the featured roster.
What rewards can you earn?
HoYoverse confirms that Zenless Zone Zero Shadow Chase Showdown rewards include Polychromes, a Tuning Calibrator and additional event materials. The Tuning Calibrator is the standout reward because it is a scarce account-progression item rather than another small bundle of basic upgrade currency.
The exact challenge-by-challenge reward split is best checked in the live event menu once each stage opens. The event announcement confirms the headline rewards, but it does not publish a complete per-stage table for every daily unlock.
Should you do Shadow Chase Showdown every day?
You do not need to panic on September 16. Zenless Zone Zero Shadow Chase Showdown remains available until October 5, giving you time to catch up after later stages open. However, logging in as the themes unlock makes it easier to learn each scoring mechanic without leaving nine stages for the final weekend.
The official Zenless Zone Zero event announcement contains the confirmed schedule, entry requirements, stage rules and reward categories.
