Best Nekomata Zenless Zone Zero Build: W-Engine, Drive Disc, Team Composition, and More

Nekomata is among the top-ranked agents that can be obtained in Zenless Zone Zero.

S-rank agents, which are formidable and uncommon characters, can be acquired in the gacha game Zenless Zone Zero. Similar to Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, obtaining S-rank units requires luck and pulling from banners.

During the period of July 4 to July 23, 2024, the game’s first limited banner will feature Ellen as the S-rank character. The banner will also offer A-rank characters Anton Ivanov and Soukaku.

To discover the most suitable W-Engines, Drive Discs, and other features for Nekomata, continue reading for those interested in recruiting another S-rank agent.

Nekomata Abilities in Zenless Zone Zero

Nekomata in Zenless Zone Zero — HoYoverse

Basic Attack

Basic Attack – Kitty Slash
- Press Basic Attack to activate. Unleashes up to 5 slashes, dealing Physical DMG. On the last hit, there is a 33.33% chance to repeat this hit 3 times.
Basic Attack – Crimson Blade
- Hold down Basic Attack during the first 3 hits of Nekomata’s Basic Attack to activate. Slashes enemies in front and passes through them, dealing Physical DMG. Upon activation, there is a 33.33% chance to repeat this attack 3 times.

Dodge – Can’t Touch Me-ow
- Press Dodge to activate. A rapid dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Dash Attack – Over Here!
- Press Dodge during a dodge to activate. Slashes enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG.
Dodge Counter – Phantom Claws
- Press Dodge during a Perfect Dodge to activate. Slashes enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

Assist

Reactive Assist – Cat’s Paw
- When the on-field character is launched, press Assist to activate. Slashes enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Defensive Assist – Desperate Defense
- When the character on the field is about to be attacked, Press Assist to activate. Parries the enemy’s attack, inflicting massive Daze. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Assist Follow-Up – Shadow Strike
- Press Special Attack after a Defensive Assist to activate. Charge and slash enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

Special Attack

Special Attack – Surprise Attack
- Press Special Attack to activate. Unleashes a downward strike, dealing Physical DMG. Anti-Interrupt level is increased while using this skill.
EX Special Attack – Super Surprise Attack!
- When Nekomata has enough Energy, press Special Attack to activate. Unleashes a powerful falling slash that deals massive Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

Chain Attack

Chain Attack – Claw Swipe
- When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the character to activate. Unleashes a powerful slash at enemies ahead in a large area, dealing massive Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Ultimate – Claw Smash
- When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press Chain Attack to activate. Unleashes powerful slashes at enemies ahead in a large area, dealing massive Physical DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.

Core Skill

Core Passive – Stealthy Paws
- When Nekomata’s Dodge Counter or Reactive Assist hits an enemy, her DMG increases by 30% for 6s.
Additional Ability – Catwalk
- When another character in your squad shares the same Attribute or Faction:After any character inflicts Assault, increases the DMG of Nekomata’s next EX Special Attack by 35%, stacking up to 2 times.

Core Skill Enhancements

A
- Crit Rate increases by 4.8%, Stealthy Paws skill level +1.
B
- Base attack increases by 25, Stealthy Paws skill level +1.
C
- Crit Rate increases by 4.8%, Stealthy Paws skill level +1.
D
- Base attack increases by 25, Stealthy Paws skill level +1.
E
- Crit Rate increases by 4.8%, Stealthy Paws skill level +1.
F
- Base attack increases by 25, Stealthy Paws skill level +1.

Mindscape Cinema

The levels in Mindscape Cinema share similarities with Genshin Impact’s constellation system, as obtaining multiple copies of a character grants increasing buffs. The following are the effects of each level in Mindscape Cinema for the character Nekomata:

Bird Hunter (MC1): Nekomata’s attacks from behind ignore 16% of her target’s Physical Resistance. Additionally, if the enemy is Stunned, all of Nekomata’s attacks are considered back attacks.
Cat and Mouse (MC2): While engaged in combat with a single enemy, Nekomata’s Energy Generation Rate increases by 25%.
Inquisitive Left Tail (MC3): Levels for Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack are boosted by two.
When Nekomata activates her EX Special Attack, Sharpen Claws (MC4) increases her Crit Rate by 7% for 15 seconds. This effect can stack up to two times, with each stack having its own separate duration.
The levels of Basic Attack, Dodge, Assist, Special Attack, and Chain Attack for Lucky Right Tail (MC5) all increase by two.
Predator Lineage (MC6): Whenever Nekomata initiates a Chain Attack or activates her Ultimate, her Crit Damage is boosted by 18%, with a maximum of three stacks. This enhancement will end once she leaves combat. Additionally, defeating an enemy instantly grants her the maximum number of stacks.

Recommended W-Engines for Nekomata in Zenless Zone Zero

The optimal W-Engine for Nekomata in Zenless Zone Zero is the S-rank Steel Cushion. This W-Engine enhances Nekomata’s Physical DMG by 20% and her overall DMG output by 25% when striking the enemy from behind.

The Starlight Engine is an excellent A-rank alternative for Nekomata’s W-Engine. This powerful engine enhances Nekomata’s ATK by 12% for 12 seconds whenever she performs a Dodge Counter or Quick Assist. This is especially advantageous for Nekomata as she often utilizes Dodge Counters in battle.

W-Engine	Details
Steel Cushion	Increases Physical DMG by 20%. The equipper’s DMG increases by 25% when attacking the enemy from behind.
Starlight Engine	Launching a Dodge Counter or Quick Assist increases the equipper’s ATK by 12% for 12s.

Top Drive Disc for Nekomata in Zenless Zone Zero

The optimal Drive Disc for Nekomata in Zenless Zero is Woodpecker Electro. This Drive Disc offers the following set bonus:

Set	Set Bonus
Woodpecker Electro	2-piece: Increases CRIT Rate by 8%.4-piece: Triggering a critical hit with a Basic Attack, Dodge Counter, or EX Special Attack increases the equipper’s ATK by 9% for 6s. The buff duration for different skills are calculated separately.

We suggest utilizing Fanged Metal for Nekomata to fill the last two spots. The Drive Disc’s set bonus is listed below:

Set	Set Bonus
Trapped Metal	2-piece: Increases Physical DMG by 10%.

Promotion and Skill Enhancement Materials for Nekomata

Promotion

To obtain Nekomata, it is necessary to collect the Basic Offense Certification Seal, Advanced Offense Certification Seal, and Pioneer’s Certification Seal. The exact amount of materials required is listed below:

x4 Basic Offense Certification Seal
x32 Advanced Offense Certification Seal
x30 Pioneer’s Certification Seal
800,000 Dennies

Skill Enhancement Materials for Work

In order to progress in Zenless Zone Zero, Nekomata requires several items including a Basic Physical Chip, Advanced Physical Chip, Specialized Physical Chip, Hamster Cage Pass, Ferocious Grip, and Higher Dimensional Data: Crimson Awe. The specific quantity of each item needed is listed below:

Hamster Cage Pass x5
Ferocious Grip x9
Higher Dimensional Data: Crimson Awe x60
Basic Physical Chip x25
Advanced Physical Chip x75
Specialized Physical Chip x250
2.9 million Dennies

Nekomata Benefits and Drawbacks in Zenless Zone Zero

Pros	Cons
AoE damage is activated through Nekomata’s Skills	Nekomata is not a straightforward agent to play due to her fast playstyle.
Quick Assist and Dodge Counters improve Nekomata’s DMG output	Requires Physical support units to synergize with in a team comp

Best Nekomata Team Composition in Zenless Zone Zero

We suggest including Nekomata in a team that prioritizes stunning enemies. Pairing Nekomata with Lycaon and Nicole is highly effective as Lycaon’s Basic Attack can inflict Daze and Nicole’s DEF reduction ability can greatly increase the damage dealt.

For your Bangboo, we recommend using Avocaboo to restore HP by shooting juice bullets that miss an opponent.

Zenless Zone Zero Nekomata Trailer

On March 21, Zenless Zone Zero released Nekomata’s official character demo early, before the game’s launch. The video can be viewed below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2jboOEMt9I

Nekomata Character Demo – "An Offer you Can't Refuse" | Zenless Zone Zero (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2jboOEMt9I)

To gain further information about HoYoverse’s newest gacha game, be sure to check out our guides on Zenless Zero codes and how to use a controller.