Soul of Steel - Golden Bond Event - Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ)- Version 2.0

Soul of Steel - Golden Bond Event - Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ)- Version 2.0

Soul of Steel: Golden Bond

The **Soul of Steel: Golden Bond** event in *Zenless Zone Zero* (ZZZ) 2.0 is a mecha battle event where players control a giant mech, piloted by Eous, to combat Ethereals and other threats within a Hollow. Below is a comprehensive guide based on available information:

### Event Overview
- **Event Duration**: June 6, 2025 – July 7, 2025.
- **Location**: Brant Street Construction Site, accessed after speaking with Anton Ivanov near Howl's News Stand on Sixth Street.
- **Objective**: Players operate a customizable mech developed by Belobog Heavy Industries, engaging in combat training and missions to neutralize enemies in a Hollow.
- **Story Context**: The event ties into the main storyline, involving characters like Anton Ivanov, Grace Howard, and Billy Kid. Players assist Grace in building and controlling a massive mecha.

### Prerequisites
To participate, players must:
- Reach **Inter-Knot Level 15**.
- Complete **Agent Story: Mole in the Hole I**.
- Unlock **Brant Street Construction Site** during Main Story Chapter 2: *A Call From the Hollow's Heart*.
- Complete commissions for **Anton Ivanov** and **Grace Howard**.

### Gameplay Mechanics
- **Mecha Control**: Players pilot the "Golden Mecha" to fight enemies, with Eous as the pilot. Combat involves unique mechanics like power punches, dodge counters, and special abilities such as flamethrower attacks.
- **Customization and Upgrades**: Outside the Hollow, players can undergo pilot training to enhance the mech’s skills, unlock new abilities, and modify its appearance. Recommended upgrades include:
- **Void Deconstruction**: Briefly stops time for strategic advantage (has a cooldown).
- **Pulse Barrage** and **Star Devourer**: Boost combat efficiency in later stages like Golden Inferno.
- **Event Stages**: The event features progressive stages, such as:
- **Ashes and Origins (Day 1 and 2)**: Focus on combat against enemies like the Notorious Dead End Butcher and Mecha Golden Bangboo. Strategies include dodging Ether Ball attacks and using ranged mode for specific enemies.
- **Golden Inferno (Day 3)**: Features random enemy waves (normal, elite, and boss). Players earn points per enemy defeated, requiring readiness for consecutive waves.
- **Endless Mode**: A challenging mode where enemies spawn continuously, allowing players to rack up high scores for rewards.

### Event Commissions
The event includes a storyline with multiple commissions:
- **Soul of Steel: Golden Bond (I)**: Involves seeking the Golden Mecha, talking to Anton and Grace, and completing initial combat training sessions.
- **Soul of Steel: Golden Bond (II)**: Continues with interactions involving Billy Kid and further combat training.
- Additional parts (III, IV, V) progress the narrative, though specific details are less documented.

### Rewards
Completing event stages and commissions grants:
- **Polychromes**: Used for pulling characters and items.
- **Dennies**: In-game currency.
- **Character EXP Materials**: For leveling up agents.
- **Other Rewards**: Vary by stage, with higher scores in Endless Mode yielding better rewards.

### Tips and Strategies
- **Combat Tips**:
- Watch for enemy attack cues to time dodge counters effectively, especially in Ashes and Origins stages.
- Use the flamethrower attack by charging and releasing for maximum damage in Golden Inferno.
- Prioritize upgrades like Void Deconstruction to gain tactical advantages in tougher stages.
- **Scoring Issues**: Some players reported difficulties reaching high scores (e.g., 20,000 points), with potential bugs affecting skill points after stage completion. Ensure you follow guides closely and check for patches addressing such issues.
- **Preparation**: Upgrade your mech’s loadout before battles like Golden Inferno to handle random enemy waves efficiently.

### Known Issues
- A reported bug caused players to lose progress on mech skills (except firearms) after completing the third stage, reducing skill points significantly. It’s unclear if this is intentional or a glitch, but players should monitor official updates for fixes.
- General bug fixes in Version 2.0 addressed unrelated issues (e.g., agent abilities, NPC models), suggesting ongoing support for event stability.

### Additional Context
- The event coincides with ZZZ’s first anniversary, offering generous rewards like a free S-Rank Agent and W-Engine, 1,600 Polychromes, and more via login events.
- Version 2.0 introduces the Waifei Peninsula, new characters (Yixuan, Ju Fufu, Pan Yinhu), and gameplay enhancements like 3D maps and Rupture Agents, enriching the event’s context.

For further details, check in-game announcements or community resources. If you encounter issues or need specific stage guides, let me know, and I can dive deeper!