NTE Esper Zero 1.0 Build Guide: Best Arcs & Modules

Protagonist “Esper Zero” — Free but Powerful Cosmos Main DPS

Following the official launch of Neverness to Everness (NTE) on April 29, the protagonist “Esper Zero” is an S-rank character that every player receives for free at the start. Many might assume that as a starter character, they are just a placeholder—but that is far from the truth. In the 1.0 launch version, Zero is a clearly defined On-field Main DPS who deals sustained Cosmos attribute damage while driving the team’s Esper Cycle, acting as an indispensable core.

Even better, Zero supports switching between male and female versions (different appearances but identical stats), allowing players to choose based on preference. This article will provide a comprehensive analysis of skill mechanics, Arcs, Modules, Awakening nodes, and team compositions to help you maximize Zero’s potential on launch day!

NTE April 29 Global Launch Official Promo — Neverness to Everness April 29 Global Launch Promo (Source: HoYoverse / COGNOSPHERE, © Copyright)

Zero Basic Profile

Here is an overview of Zero’s basic attributes:

Item	Details
Rarity	S-Rank
Attribute	Cosmos
Weapon Type	Sword (Solid)
Role	On-field Main DPS / Driver
Version	1.0 Launch Version (2026/04/29)
Acquisition	Free at start, no gacha required
Gender	Switchable Male/Female (Same stats)

NTE Zero Character Intro Promo — NTE Protagonist Zero Official Character Art (Source: COGNOSPHERE, © Copyright)

Core Mechanics: Esper Cycle and Cosmos Damage System

To fully utilize Zero, you must first understand NTE’s core combat resource—the Esper Cycle. The Esper Cycle is charged through normal attacks, using skills, or perfect parries. Zero’s skills have an extremely high cycle charging rate, allowing them to quickly fill the Esper Cycle bar and trigger Cosmos-based reaction damage.

Zero’s core gameplay logic is divided into three layers:

Maintaining Field Presence with Normal Attacks: Zero’s basic attack is a 5-hit combo, allowing them to stay on the field for sustained output while constantly accumulating Esper Cycle energy.
Skill-Triggered Core Damage: “Appraise and Engrave” is Zero’s core output button—after a 3-hit combo, they ascend to charge and release a Cosmos bombardment, dealing AoE Cosmos damage. If the enemy’s level does not exceed Zero’s, an additional Cosmos strike (equal to 200% ATK) is triggered.
Ultimate Burst Realization: “Divide by Zero” is when Zero converts all accumulated energy into massive damage. The passive “Anomaly Perception” adds an extra 25% damage to the Ultimate, making it the core of their burst potential.

This makes Zero’s team logic very clear: let Zero stay on the field to drive the cycle, rather than swapping out quickly like burst-only characters. With a team structure that provides off-field reactions, Zero can maintain high-efficiency output.

NTE Launch Version Combat System Showcase — NTE 1.0 Launch Version Combat Gameplay (Source: COGNOSPHERE, © Copyright)

Skill Details and Upgrade Priority

Zero’s skill set is as follows:

Skill Name	Type	Effect Description
Appraisal Severance	Normal Attack	Channels energy for up to 5 consecutive strikes to maintain field rhythm.
Appraise and Engrave	Skill (Core)	3-hit combo → Ascend & Charge → Cosmos Bombardment. Deals AoE Cosmos damage; extra 200% ATK damage to enemies at or below Zero’s level.
Divide by Zero	Ultimate	Multi-stage Cosmos damage. With Anomaly Perception passive, damage is +25%. Zero’s primary burst tool.
Rift Blossom	QTE Assist	Slashes space to detonate rifts, dealing 2 stages of Cosmos damage. Triggered by specific teammate actions.

Upgrade Priority: Skill > Ultimate > Normal Attack

The Skill is prioritized because it isn’t just an output tool; it’s the core that drives the entire Esper Cycle rhythm. Upgrading the Skill allows Zero to complete cycle setups faster. The Ultimate is next, as it is the primary window for converting energy into damage. Normal attacks are leveled last once the core loop is stable.

Best Arc Recommendations

Arcs are the weapon-equivalent equipment slots in NTE. Here are the top three recommendations for Zero:

Priority	Arc Name	Main Stats	Key Effects
🥇 Best Choice	The Rain That Shook the World	ATK +512 / Crit Rate 22%	“Hypervortex”: Skill and Ultimate Cosmos damage +42%. Using a skill grants +72 Cycle Intensity for 15s (resets on trigger).
🥈 Second Choice	Hethereau’s Keeper	ATK +512 / ATK 27.5%	“Justice Executioner”: Global ATK +25%, Damage to BOSS +25%. Summons Officer Whisker to assist (deals 2% of Zero’s ATK per hit for 30s). Great for boss fights.
🥉 F2P Alternative	Day Off	ATK +512 / Energy Regen 33%	“Eclipse”: ATK +50%. Each kill restores 10 Ultimate energy (up to 5 times). Very useful for mob clearing. 300s CD.

Editor’s Tip: “The Rain That Shook the World” is tailor-made for Zero’s core output windows (Skill + Ultimate). The extra Cycle Intensity also makes the Esper Cycle smoother. F2P players can use “Day Off” early on—the 50% global ATK is unconditional and very beginner-friendly.

NTE Open World Hethereau Scene — NTE Open World Hethereau City — Zero’s Stage (Source: COGNOSPHERE, © Copyright)

Best Module Recommendations

Modules are the gear set system in NTE. Zero’s best choice is:

Lost Radiance (4-Piece Set)

2-Piece Effect: Cosmos Damage +10%
4-Piece Effect: After using Ultimate, ignore 25% of enemy DEF for 20 seconds.

“Lost Radiance” perfectly fits Zero’s combat rhythm: the 2-piece set provides their primary attribute damage, while the 4-piece DEF ignore triggers right after the Ultimate, covering the subsequent output window and boosting follow-up attacks and skills.

Main Stat Priority

Slot	Recommended Main Stat
Slot 4	Cycle Intensity
Slot 5	Cycle Intensity / Cosmos Damage Bonus
Slot 6	Cycle Intensity / ATK%

Sub-stat Priority: Cycle Intensity > Crit Rate / Crit Damage > Damage Bonus > ATK% > Flat ATK

NTE Launch Game Scene — NTE Launch Version Game Scene (Source: COGNOSPHERE, © Copyright)

Awakening Node Priority

The Awakening system is crucial for raising a character’s ceiling. Here is the recommended order for Zero:

Priority	Node Name	Effect Description
① (Top Priority)	Finding the Calling	Using “Appraise and Engrave” restores 8 Ultimate energy. Accelerates the burst cycle significantly.
②	Anomalies Record	Ultimate “Divide by Zero” Crit Rate +50%. Vital for stability before perfect Module sub-stats are achieved.
③	Deceptive Liberation	“Appraise and Engrave” additional damage ratio increased to 300% ATK. High value for sustained rotation.
④	Theopneustos	After triggering a Support Skill, Zero’s ATK +10% for 20s. A stable global buff.
⑤	Undecided Factors	Enhances the damage scaling of “Divide by Zero”.
⑥ (Last)	Blooming Gaze	Adds an extra attack that ignores 75% DEF, but only against enemies lower level than Zero. Best for open-world farming.

Best Team Compositions

As an on-field driver DPS, Zero excels when teammates provide Blossom and Remora reaction chains. Here are two recommended teams:

🔥 Premium All-Rounder: Zero + Nanally + Hathor + Fadia

This is the most recommended team for Zero in the launch version:

Zero (Main DPS): Sustained Cosmos damage and Esper Cycle driver.
Nanally (Support): Anima attribute support, enhances Blossom reactions and generates Lebenstamm.
Hathor (Sub-DPS): Enhances Remora reactions; enters an empowered state after Ultimate.
Fadia (Healer): Provides healing and +10% Max HP to the team for survival in high-difficulty content.

NTE Nanally Official Character Art — Nanally — Zero’s strongest team partner (Source: COGNOSPHERE, © Copyright)

🌊 AoE Mob Clearing: Zero + Nanally + Jiuyuan + Sakiri

This team focuses on Jiuyuan’s “Blossom Mark” system combined with Zero’s Cosmos output for high clearing efficiency:

Zero (Driver): Maintains Cosmos reactions and Esper Cycle.
Nanally (Blossom Buff): Increases Blossom trigger efficiency and damage.
Jiuyuan (Anima Sub-DPS): Supplements Blossom damage and triggers Blossom Mark clearing damage.
Sakiri (Control): Provides crowd control to group enemies for maximum AoE impact.

Is Zero Worth Building? Editor’s View

The answer is: Absolutely, and you don’t have much choice—Zero is free!

Many players might think Zero is just a placeholder until they pull a limited character. However, Zero’s role as a Cosmos-type on-field driver is currently unique. There are few other Cosmos Main DPS options, and the Esper Cycle system heavily relies on an on-field driver.

Even if you want to build a team around Nanally, Zero contributes massive cycle rates and Cosmos damage as the “strongest driving partner.” For beginners, practicing rotations with Zero helps in understanding the core logic of the combat system.

In short: Zero is a character that gets more impressive the more resources you invest. Don’t underestimate them just because they are the free protagonist—with the right Arcs and Awakenings, Zero can carry you through all early-game content.