Billy Kid (also known as Billy), the enthusiastic cyborg member of the Cunning Hares faction, is a free A-Rank Physical Attack Agent in Zenless Zone Zero. As a ranged DPS specializing in rapid-fire basic attacks from his dual machine guns, Billy excels at safe, consistent damage output with strong AoE potential and burst via his ultimate and chain attacks. His kit revolves around the Crouching Shot stance for enhanced firing, distance-based buffs, and Dodge Counters for mobility and invulnerability frames.
In the current meta (March 2026, around Version 2.x), Billy remains a solid F2P-friendly main DPS, especially for physical teams. He shines in content like Shiyu Defense, Hollow Zero, and boss fights where ranged safety and Assault anomaly buildup matter. While not top-tier like S-Rank hypercarries, invested Billy (with good Mindscapes and supports) clears endgame comfortably—many players report strong performances with him as a main or sub-DPS.
This comprehensive Billy build guide covers his overview, skill priority, best W-Engines, drive disc sets, main/substats, team compositions, and Mindscape Cinema (dupes) to help you optimize him in Delhi’s ping-friendly Asia server.
Billy Agent Overview
Billy is an A-Rank Physical Attack Agent from the Cunning Hares. He’s a straightforward ranged shooter: hold Basic Attack to enter Crouching Shot (machine-gun barrage), weave in Dodge Counters for invulnerability and damage, build Decibel for Chain Attacks, and unleash his Ultimate for massive physical burst.
Key strengths:
- Excellent range and safety (minimal close-range risk).
- Strong Assault anomaly application (Physical DoT + stagger).
- Great AoE for mob clears; focused single-target burst.
- F2P accessible (free at start; easy to M6 over time).
Weaknesses
- Relies on maintaining distance for buffs (some W-Engines punish close range).
- Lower personal multipliers than premium DPS without investment.
- Needs team support for stun windows and debuffs.
Playstyle: On-field DPS with quick swaps for stuns; animation cancels and distance management are key for max DPS.
Billy Skill Priority
The upgrade order focuses on his main damage sources (basic attacks in Crouching Shot, EX Special, and Ultimate):
- Basic Attack ★★★★★ (Top priority)—Core Crouching Shot damage; level first for consistent output.
- Special Attack / EX Special ★★★★★ (Essential)—High multipliers; EX for burst and Assault buildup.
- Chain Attack / Ultimate ★★★★☆ (High)—Massive burst during stun; prioritize for endgame.
- Dodge / Assist ★★★☆☆ (Medium)—Dodge Counter invuln and damage; Assist for team utility.
- Core Skill (Passives)—Unlock as you level for buffs.
Max basic attack and special attack first, then chain/ultimate. Dodge last unless using heavy dodge tech.
Billy Best W-Engines
Billy wants Crit Rate/DMG, ATK%, Physical DMG, and distance buffs (many reward ranged hits).
Best W-Engine (Signature):
- Starlight Engine Replica (A-Rank, his sig)—Increases Physical DMG by up to 57.5% for 8s on hits 6m+ away (easy to maintain). Top choice for ranged consistency.
Strong Alternatives:
- The Brimstone (S-Rank)—Massive ATK stack on hits; great burst potential.
- Steel Cushion (S-Rank)—Physical DMG + back-attack bonus (viable with positioning).
- Starlight Engine (A-Rank)—Solid ATK and crit; F2P staple.
- Street Superstar (A-Rank)—Energy and team buffs; good for quick-swap.
Prioritize Crit Rate or Crit DMG secondary; substats: ATK%, Physical DMG, and PEN Ratio.
Billy Best Drive Disc Sets
Billy benefits from basic attack DMG, crit, physical DMG, and PEN ratio for Assault synergy.
Best Drive Disc Set:
- Dawn’s Bloom (4-pc) + Woodpecker Electro (2-pc) — 4-pc Dawn’s Bloom: +15-35% Basic Attack DMG (stacks with Crouching Shot); 2-pc Woodpecker: +8% Crit Rate + ATK on crit hits. Meta for sustained DPS.
Alternatives:
- Woodpecker Electro (4-pc) + Puffer Electro (2-pc) — Crit Rate + PEN Ratio + ATK on crits; strong for Assault penetration.
- Fanged Metal (2-pc) + Woodpecker Electro (2-pc) + Puffer Electro (2-pc) — Physical DMG + Crit + PEN.
- Hormone Punk (4-pc)—ATK amp on swap-in; budget option.
Main Echo/Drive Stats:
- Slot 4: Crit Rate or Crit DMG
- Slot 5: Physical DMG Bonus or ATK%
- Slot 6: ATK%
Substats Priority:
- Crit Rate / Crit DMG (1:2 ratio target)
- ATK%
- Physical DMG%
- PEN Ratio / PEN
- Energy Regen (for Ult uptime)
Aim: 50-70% crit rate, 150%+ crit DMG, high ATK/physical for assault procs.
Billy Best Teams
Billy thrives in physical assault teams with stun support, debuffs, and quick swaps.
Best Team (Meta):
- Billy (Main DPS) + Qingyi (Stun/Support) + Nicole (Debuffer/Grouping)
- Qingyi stuns for safe burst windows; Nicole groups enemies + DEF shred.
Strong Alternatives:
- Billy + Caesar (Defense/Stun) + Astra (Support/Heal)—Tanky physical team with shields.
- Billy + Lucy (Buffer) + Nicole—ATK buffs + grouping for AoE.
- F2P-Friendly: Billy + Anby (Stun) + Nicole (Debuffer)—Classic Cunning Hares synergy.
- Premium Variant: Billy + Trigger (Sub-DPS) + Pulchra (Support)—High burst fun.
Rotation example: Swap to stun → Billy field time (Crouching Shot + EX) → Chain Attack/Ult → Dodge Counters → Repeat.
Bangboo: Rocketboo or physical anomaly boosters for extra assault.
Billy Mindscape Cinema
Billy scales well with dupes (Mindscapes); A-Rank makes M6 achievable F2P.
- M1: Dazzling Entrance—Extra Energy on Dash/Dodge Counter (better uptime).
- M2: Roaming Gunslinger—+25% Dodge Counter DMG: Rolling shots count as dodges (invuln + perfect dodge triggers).
- M3—Skill levels +2 (Basic, Assist, Dodge, Special, Chain).
- M4: Starlight Ballistics—Ult buffs or extra shots.
- M5—More skill levels.
- M6—God-tier; massive multipliers or team amps.
M2 is a huge spike (dodge tech); M6 pushes him to near-S-rank levels. Even M0/M1 clears content fine.
In summary, Billy is an underrated, fun ranged physical DPS—build him with Starlight Engine Replica, Dawn’s Bloom + Woodpecker, crit/physical focus, and pair with stun/debuff supports like Qingyi/Nicole. His “pew-pew” style and Assault procs make him a joy for F2P players in the 2026 meta. Farm those commissions and dominate Hollows!
