Ye Shunguang Best Build ZZZ (March 2026) Ultimate Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
December 31, 2025
Gaming

Looking for the ultimate Ye Shunguang build in Zenless Zone Zero? You’ve come to the right place! As the second playable Void Hunter introduced in version 2.5, Ye Shunguang has quickly established herself as one of the most powerful DPS characters in the game. With her unique Honed Edge element and complex yet devastating kit, she can absolutely shred through bosses when built correctly.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to maximize Ye Shunguang’s damage potential. From her best W-Engines and Drive Discs to optimal team compositions and skill priorities, you’ll learn how to turn every Ether Veil window into a boss-deleting experience. Whether you’re F2P or a whale, this guide has you covered with multiple build paths and team options.

Quick Build Overview

Build Component	Best Choice	F2P Alternative	Priority
W-Engine	Cloudcleave Radiance	Starlight Engine	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Drive Discs	White Water Ballad (4pc) + Branch & Blade Song (2pc)	White Water Ballad (4pc) + Puffer Electro (2pc)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Main Stats	CRIT DMG/ATK%/Physical DMG	CRIT DMG/ATK%/Physical DMG	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Team Comp	Ye Shunguang + Zhao + Dialyn	Ye Shunguang + Zhao + Nicole	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ye Shunguang Character Overview

Ye Shunguang is an S-Rank Physical Attack agent from Yunkui Summit who wields the unique Honed Edge element. As a Void Hunter, she brings unprecedented damage potential to the table with her stance-based combat system and Ether Veil mechanics.

Base Stats @ Level 60:

HP: 7,673
ATK: 863
DEF: 606
Impact: 83
Anomaly Mastery: 94
Anomaly Proficiency: 93

Strengths:

Absurd Basic Attack DMG during Enlightened Mind state
Powerful Ultimate damage that can delete bosses
Relatively easy to learn despite complex mechanics
Innate CRIT Rate makes building easier than other units
Excellent boss-killing capabilities with near-constant uptime

Weaknesses:

Signature W-Engine has significant performance gap vs alternatives
Damage is only decent outside of Enlightened Mind state
Requires specific team compositions to maximize potential

Best W-Engines for Ye Shunguang

Signature W-Engine: Cloudcleave Radiance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stats: ATK 743, HP 30% Effect: Increases equipper’s Physical DMG PEN Ratio by 15%; When equipper activates Ether Veil, increases own DMG by 30% and CRIT DMG by 20% for 30 seconds, repeated triggers reset the duration.

Cloudcleave Radiance is absolutely tailor-made for Ye Shunguang. The Physical PEN directly boosts all her stance strings and EX Special Attacks, especially against tanky bosses where penetration shines brightest. Since she’s constantly triggering Ether Veil through Ultimate, Entry, and Ready to Strike abilities, the DMG + CRIT DMG buff is active for nearly every Sword Stance window.

Alternative W-Engines

1. Severed Innocence ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This S-Rank W-Engine provides massive CRIT DMG scaling that ramps quickly during Ye Shunguang’s Basic and Special attacks in Sword Stance. While she can’t utilize the Electric DMG bonus, the sheer crit scaling makes it a solid off-element option.

2. The Brimstone ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A simple but reliable S-Rank option that stacks ATK buffs through Basic, Dash, and counter hits in Sword Stance. The steady ATK steroid feeds all her Physical damage, making it a good universal choice if you lack more tailored options.

3. Steel Cushion ⭐⭐⭐

Increases Physical DMG by 20% and provides 25% DMG increase when attacking from behind. The CRIT Rate substat allows for more flexible stat distribution on Drive Discs.

4. Gilded Blossom ⭐⭐⭐

Provides 6% ATK increase and 15% increased EX Special Attack damage. While not as impactful as other options, it’s a solid choice when struggling with build resources.

5. Starlight Engine ⭐⭐⭐ (Best F2P Option)

This A-Rank W-Engine increases ATK% when triggering Dodge Counter or Quick Assist – something Ye Shunguang naturally does during gameplay. The 12-second duration is sufficient for maintaining uptime.

Best Drive Discs for Ye Shunguang

Optimal Drive Disc Combination

4-Piece: White Water Ballad ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2-Piece: Physical DMG +10% 4-Piece: While the equipper is within any Ether Veil, their CRIT Rate increases by 12%. After leaving the Ether Veil, this buff persists for 15 seconds. When the equipper is an Attack Character, activating or extending the duration of Ether Veil additionally increases their CRIT Rate by 12% for 30 seconds; repeated triggers reset the duration.

White Water Ballad is essentially Ye Shunguang’s signature set. As a Physical Attack unit, the 2-piece provides direct damage. More importantly, her Ultimate, Entry, and Ready to Strike constantly activate or refresh Ether Veil, allowing her to maintain near-permanent CRIT Rate buffs that stack with her innate Sword Aura CRIT.

2-Piece Options

Primary Choice: Branch & Blade Song ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Effect: CRIT DMG +16%
Why it works: Perfect complement to White Water Ballad’s CRIT Rate, ensuring every crit hits significantly harder

Alternative: Puffer Electro ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Effect: PEN Ratio +8%
Why it works: Clean, unconditional damage that helps her Physical burst pierce through enemy defenses

Drive Disc Main Stats Priority

Slot	Priority	Stats
Slot 4	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	CRIT DMG
Slot 5	⭐⭐⭐⭐	PEN Ratio / ATK% / Physical DMG
Slot 6	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	ATK%

Drive Disc Substats Priority

CRIT Rate/CRIT DMG ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Top Priority)
ATK% ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High Priority)
PEN Ratio ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium Priority)

Ye Shunguang thrives on constant stance strings and powerful finishers, making reliable crits essential. Aim for stable CRIT Rate first (around 50-60%), then stack CRIT DMG to maximize damage output. PEN Ratio excels in boss fights and high-DEF content.

Skill Priority Guide

Understanding which skills to upgrade first is crucial for maximizing Ye Shunguang’s damage potential:

Skill Upgrade Priority

Core Skill ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Highest Priority)
- Powers up Sword Stance scaling and Veil Vulnerability
- Every point directly multiplies main DPS windows and boss-killing output
Basic Attack ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Highest Priority)
- Upgrades all stance strings and third-hit finishers
- Since most time is spent on Basic Attack loops, this provides the biggest direct damage boost
Special Attack ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High Priority)
- Stronger Specials/EX make Sword Stance economy smoother
- Buffs Sword Stance – UP and cranks up EX Special Attack damage
Chain Attack ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium Priority)
- Great for big AoE and clean stance entries
- Longer cooldown makes it lower priority than always-available abilities
Dodge ⭐⭐ (Low Priority)
- Useful for Perfect-Dodge counters and tech
- More quality of life than core damage
Assist ⭐ (Lowest Priority)
- Provides extra Daze/safety but least important for primary DPS role

Best Team Compositions

Premium Team: Ye Shunguang + Zhao + Dialyn ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bangboo: Sprout

This is Ye Shunguang’s optimal team composition. Dialyn provides free ultimates that allow Ye Shunguang to enter Enlightened Mind state more frequently, while also offering 40% DMG Bonus and 30% Stun DMG Multiplier increases. Zhao generates Qingming Sword Forces off-field and provides universal buffs including 1,000 ATK and up to 40% DMG Bonus.

F2P Team: Ye Shunguang + Zhao + Nicole ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bangboo: Avocaboo

For F2P players, this composition works exceptionally well. Zhao and Nicole barely contribute DPS, leaving all damage output to Ye Shunguang – which she handles effortlessly due to her overpowered kit. Zhao provides essential buffs while Nicole shreds enemy DEF, though the short duration requires careful timing.

Quick-Swap Team: Ye Shunguang + Astra Yao + Trigger ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bangboo: Luckyboo

When Dialyn isn’t available, this composition allows Ye Shunguang to maintain longer field time. Trigger enables off-field damage and Stun DMG multiplier, while Astra Yao provides 1,000 ATK, 25% CRIT DMG, and 20% DMG Bonus, making her nearly on par with Zhao.

Alternative Team Options

Stun Agents: Trigger, Ju Fufu, Qingyi, Caesar, Seed

Can increase Stun DMG Multiplier but effectiveness varies by enemy
Seed offers unique double-Attack playstyle potential

Support/Defense Agents: Astra Yao, Zhao, Lucy, Caesar

Provide essential buffs and utility
Astra Yao excels with ATK and CRIT DMG buffs for the entire party

Understanding Ye Shunguang’s Mechanics

Enlightened Mind State & Ether Veil

Ye Shunguang’s power comes from her Enlightened Mind state, activated through Ultimate or Entry Skill when she has 6 Qingming Sword Force points. This 16-second state (pauses when off-field) transforms her kit completely and activates Ether Veil: Verdict.

Ether Veil: Verdict Mechanics:

Applies Veil Vulnerability to enemies
Converts enemy Stun DMG Multiplier into damage taken bonus
Capped at 110% additional multiplier
Allows constant “stun-tier” damage without waiting for full Stun windows

Qingming Sword Force System

Ye Shunguang uses a unique resource system:

Build Points: Through attacks, EX Special (1 point), Ultimate (6 points), or teammate Ether Veil activation (3 points)
Excess Conversion: Points beyond 6 become “Bearer” stacks (max 3)
State Transition: 6 points trigger Enlightened Mind, converting to Enlightened Mind points
Resource Return: Bearer stacks convert back when state ends

Stance System

In Enlightened Mind state, Ye Shunguang switches between:

Airborne Stance: High mobility, invulnerable attacks
Grounded Stance: Different attack patterns, some without invulnerability

This stance system allows for complex combo routes and sustained damage while maintaining near-constant invulnerability frames.

Advanced Tips & Pro Strategies

Resource Management

Always try to enter Enlightened Mind with maximum Qingming Sword Force
Use Bearer stacks strategically for extended state duration
Coordinate with team members for additional point generation

Combo Optimization

Master the transition between airborne and grounded stances
Use EX Special attacks efficiently to consume resources
Time Ultimate usage for maximum Ether Veil uptime

Team Coordination

Position supports to activate Ether Veil when Ye Shunguang needs points
Time buffs to align with Enlightened Mind windows
Use Bangboo abilities to complement her damage patterns

Common Mistakes to Avoid In 2026

Overstacking ATK: Too much ATK from multiple sources leads to diminishing returns
Ignoring CRIT Balance: Focus on CRIT Rate first, then CRIT DMG
Poor Team Synergy: Avoid teams that compete for field time
Wasting Resources: Don’t enter Enlightened Mind without full resources
Incorrect Stat Priority: Don’t neglect PEN Ratio for boss content

Materials Required

For players planning to build Ye Shunguang, here are the key materials needed:

Ascension Materials:

Pioneer’s Certification Seal
Physical Chip
Clouded Crystalline Substance
Higher Dimensional Data: Spiked Corruption Core

Skill Upgrade Materials:

Various certification seals and data chips
Credit requirements for multiple skill upgrades

Frequently Asked Questions

How much CRIT Rate should I aim for?

Aim for 50-60% CRIT Rate before focusing heavily on CRIT DMG. Ye Shunguang’s innate CRIT Rate from Sword Aura and White Water Ballad makes this achievable without sacrificing too much other stats.

Is her signature W-Engine worth it?

Yes, Cloudcleave Radiance provides significantly better performance than alternatives. The Physical PEN and consistent DMG/CRIT DMG buffs make it essential for maximizing her potential.

Can she work without specific team members?

While she can work in various compositions, pairing her with characters who provide Ether Veil activation (like Zhao) or free ultimates (like Dialyn) dramatically improves her performance.

What’s the best Bangboo for her?

Sprout is her optimal Bangboo as it activates just by having her in the squad and provides Physical damage bonuses. For F2P players, Avocaboo is a solid alternative.

How difficult is she to play?

Despite her complex mechanics, Ye Shunguang is relatively accessible. The basics are easy to learn, though mastering her stance system and resource management takes practice.

Conclusion

Ye Shunguang stands as one of Zenless Zone Zero’s most powerful DPS characters when built correctly. Her unique combination of high damage output, near-constant invulnerability, and boss-shredding capabilities makes her an invaluable addition to any account.

Whether you’re running the premium setup with Cloudcleave Radiance and optimal teammates, or building her F2P with Starlight Engine and free characters, she delivers exceptional performance. The key is understanding her resource system and maintaining consistent Enlightened Mind uptime.

Remember to prioritize her Core Skill and Basic Attack upgrades, focus on CRIT Rate before CRIT DMG, and build teams that complement her playstyle rather than competing for field time. With this build guide, you’ll be well-equipped to make Ye Shunguang the cornerstone of your Zenless Zone Zero roster.