Last updated: Update log : Updated skill priority and added character’s mechanism.
Nicole Overview
Nicole is one of the Ether characters with role. Nicole is one of the A Rank characters in Zenless Zone Zero.
Nicole Build is included in this guide, you can jump to Nicole Build Here.
Nicole Mechansim
Active Grouping Skill Nicole is currently the only character with an active pulling skill and is the only ether character in this version. Her Special attack can create an energy field with a pulling effect and reduce the enemy’s defense by up to 40%. Although the core passive of ether benefits no one, Nicole is still an excellent support. Like other support characters, Nicole also has damage reduction attributes and several support effects, which is very easy to trigger. Any bullet, or energy field that Nicole shoots and hits an enemy will grant a buff.
Nicole’s Buff Effects
Staggering Damage Boost Including all equipment buffs, Nicole provides an impressive 76.3% damage boost to ether DPS characters. The DPS contributed by Nicole in the team can go up to 1/3, which is similar to the buff levels provided by Rina and Soukaku. However, Nicole’s buff coverage time is very short, lasting only two seconds after hitting, but it can be refreshed. To balance coverage and efficiency, Nicole often needs to use Special attack’s energy field to increase the buff time. With her special attack pulling ability, Nicole is good at working with high-burst characters to deliver high instant small area damage.
Press to launch this attack. Unleashes up to 3 strikes, dealing Physical DMG.
Moveset
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
Do As I Please
Nicole Basic Attack
After using a Special Attack, EX Special Attack, Chain Attack, or Ultimate, Nicole can reload, and her Basic Attack and Dash Attack are enhanced, increasing the bullet damage.
Moveset
OR
OR
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
Nicole Dodge Skills
Speed Demon
Nicole Dodge
Press to dodge. A rapid dodge. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Hold to reload after dodging, enhancing Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.
Moveset - Normal Dodge
Moveset - Reload
Jack in the Box
Nicole Dash Attack
When moving during a dodge press : Dashes in the target direction and strikes nearby enemies, dealing Physical DMG. When not moving during a dodge, press : Vaults backward and launches a ranged attack against enemies in front, dealing Physical DMG. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance her Basic Attack and Dash Attack, up to 8 times.
Moveset - Scatter
Moveset - Focus
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
Diverted Bombard
Nicole Dodge Counter
Press during a perfect dodge to activate. Dodge backwards and send ranged strikes at enemies in front, dealing Ether DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times..
Moveset
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
Nicole Special Attacks
Sugarcoated Bullet
Nicole Special Attack
Press to activate. Unleashes a ranged strike against enemies in front, dealing Ether DMG. Anti-Interupt level is increased while using this skill. Atuomatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times..
Moveset
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
Stuffed Sugarcoated Bullet
Nicole EX Special Attack
When Nicole has enough Energy, Press to activate. A powerful ranged strike, generating an energy field that pulls enemies towards its center to deal Ether DMG. Hold down to charge up this attack, during which a small energy field is generated at the muzzle as Energy is consumed, dealing bonuns damage to enemies nearby. Character is invulnerable whil eusing this skill. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.
Moveset - Normal
Moveset - Charged
DMG Multiplier & Cost
Lv:
Nicole Chain Attacks
Ether Shellacking
Nicole Chain Attack
When a Chain Attack is triggered, select the Agent to activate. Unleash powerful ranged strikes at enemies in a small area, generating an energy field that pulls enemies towards its center to deal Ether DMG. Character is Invulnerable while using this skill. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack, up to 8 times.
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
Ether Grenade
Nicole Ultimate
When Decibel Rating is at Maximum, press to activate. Unleash powerful ranged strikes at enemies in a small area, generating an energy field that pulls enemies towards its center to deal Ether DMG. The anomaly Buildup dealt to the struck target is increased by 10%. Character is invulnerable while uisng this skill. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.
Moveset
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
Nicole Core Skills
Mechanical Case
Nicole Core Passive
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%/25%/30%/34%/36%/38%/40% for 3.5s.
Hare of Many Burrows
Nicole Additional Ability
When another character in your squad shares the same Attribute or Faction:
When Nicole’s Core Passive: Mechanical Case applies a debuff to an enemy, all squad members deal 25% more Ether DMG to the target for 3.5s.
Nicole Assist Skills
Emergency Bombard
Nicole Quick Assist
When the character in combat is knocked back, press to launch this attack. Dodges backwards and unleash a ranged strike against enemies in front, dealing Ether DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill. Automatically reloads after the attack to enhance Basic Attack and Dash Attack up to 8 times.
Moveset
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
The Hare Strikes Back!
Nicole Evasive Assist
When the character in combat is about to be attacked, press to activate. Dodge the enemy’s attack and trigger Vital View. Character is Invulnerable while using this skill.
Moveset
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
Window of Opportunity
Nicole Assist Follow-Up
Press after an Evasive Assist to activate. Charge forward and bombard enemies, dealing Ether DMG. Character is invulnerable while using this skill.
Moveset
DMG Multiplier
Lv:
Nicole Key Mindscapes
Nicole’s Mindscapes Comparison
The % indicates the Dmg Increase of the Mindscape to the previous Mindscape (For M1, it is compared to no Mindscape).
No Data Found
Nicole Mindscapes
Nicole Mindscape 1
Nicole Mindscape 2
Nicole Mindscape 3
Nicole Mindscape 4
Nicole Mindscape 5
Nicole Mindscape 6
Nicole Build
Nicole Best W-Engine
The percentage indicates the Support Capability comparison relative to the W-Engine set marked with 100%.
The top choice for W-engine is The Vault. The Vault provides a 20% energy regeneration boost, increasing Nicole’s usage rate of Ex Special. The Vault’s effect is that when Ex Special, Chain, or Ultimate causes Ether damage, the entire team deals 15% more damage to that target, and it also recovers 2 points of energy for the equipped character. This makes it Nicole’s signature W-engine. The second choice is Unfettered Game Ball, which increases the team’s Crit Rate against the target by 12%, with the drawback that it requires the equipped character’s attribute to counter the enemy to trigger.
If you able to get Weeping Cradle, which is Rina’s signature W-Engine, did provide the similar effect, but its stats boost is PEN Ratio which is not the best for Nicole, and it’s energy regen only increase while she is off-field.
For early game, [Reverb] Mark II can be used as transitional options. It can increase the entire team’s Anomaly Proficiency and Anomaly Mastery.
Generally, it is recommended to use 4 pcs Chaotic plus 2 pcs Freedom, especially when teammates are Ether attribute, as Chaotic’s 4 pcs set bonus can be triggered more frequently. The 2 pcs Freedom set can increase Anomaly Mastery (AM). Alternatively, you can use 4 pcs Freedom to increase Corruption DMG.
As a Support, Nicole’s stats should focus on AM and Anomaly Proficiency (AP) to enhance Anomaly Buildup and damage. For main stats, use AM for Slot 4, Ether DMG Bonus for Slot 5, and AP for Slot 6. For sub-stats, prioritize AM, followed by PEN and ATK%.
Nicole can provide substantial Anomaly Buildup in the team and can enhance the team’s AoE capabilities by gathering enemies. As a Support, Nicole mainly relies on Ex Special and Chain to quickly gather enemies and build up Anomalies.
The top choice for Bangboo is Devilboo to increase Ether Buildup efficiency, with Butler as the second choice to provide energy recovery for the team.
Nicole can provide the Ether Anomaly Effect – Corruption, allowing Electro characters to trigger Disorder. Anton, with his high-frequency attacks, can trigger the additional damage effect of the Corruption state. Grace can also quickly build up Shock. Nicole’s enemy gathering ability can also help Anton and Grace maximize their output.
For Bangboo, you can choose Electroboo and Devilboo, both of which can increase the team’s Anomaly Buildup efficiency.