Ultimate Hugo Guide Zenless Zone Zero Best Build, W-Engines, Teams, and More

Hugo Vlad is the latest addition to Zenless Zone Zero, and he’s already making waves as a powerful Ice-type agent. If you’re looking to master Hugo, this guide will walk you through everything from his unique playstyle and build priorities to the best W-Engines and team setups. Whether you’re free-to-play or a spender, there’s something here to help you maximize his damage potential and play him effectively. Also check out our previous Zenless Zone Zero Trigger and Pulchra Guide!

Hugo’s Role & Playstyle Explains

Hugo is a burst-damage agent who shines when enemies are stunned. His core mechanic revolves around Totalize, a massive damage nuke that converts the enemy’s remaining stun duration into direct damage.

This makes him a strong pick for quick-swap playstyles, where you stun an enemy with another agent and bring in Hugo to deliver a devastating blow. His basic attacks are simple and effective, but the real damage is in his EX Special Attack and Ultimate, which are designed to be used during the stun window for maximum impact.

How Totalize Works:

• When an enemy is stunned, Hugo’s EX Special or Ultimate can trigger the Totalize effect. The more stun time remaining, the bigger the multiplier on Totalize.
• On average, if you hit within the first couple of seconds of the stun, you’ll be getting a multiplier around 3000%, dealing massive burst damage and removing the stun from the enemy.
• Additionally, after Totalize is triggered, the enemy’s Daze bar doesn’t reset entirely — it leaves about 25% filled, making it easier to re-stun and repeat the rotation.

Rotation & Gameplay Tips:

1. Use your stun-focused agents to daze and stun the enemy.
2. Swap in Hugo and immediately trigger his EX Special or Ultimate for Totalize.
3. Follow up with Basic 4 or 5 (optional) to extend combo damage.
4. Repeat the cycle once the enemy is ready for another stun.

Note: This rotation is extremely forgiving, and thanks to Hugo’s synergy with auto combos, it’s one of the easiest high-damage teams to use effectively.

Skill & Talent Priority

If you’re leveling up Hugo’s kit, here’s what to focus on first:

1. Core Passive – Increases attack and unlocks Totalize conditions.
2. Chain Attack & Ultimate – Essential for triggering Totalize.
3. Basic Attacks – Especially Basic 4 and 5 for small follow-up damage.
4. Assists & Dodge Counters – Lower priority, but still helpful.

Recommended Drives (W-Engine Sets)

Best 4-Piece Set:

• Hormone Punk (4-piece)
  Ideal for burst rotation playstyles. Only swap Hugo in during stun windows, as this set loses value if triggered too early.

Best 2-Piece Combos:

• Woodpecker Electro
• Polar Metal
• Astral Voice

Substat Focus:

• Slot 4: Crit Rate
• Slot 5: Ice Damage
• Slot 6: Attack%

Avoid sets that prioritize Pen Ratio unless using a signature W-Engine, as it doesn’t scale well in most builds. Because Totalize is Hugo’s core source of damage, critting is essential. Aim for a higher-than-usual crit rate, even up to 100%, to avoid missing crits during the stun window. Factor in his passive (12% crit rate + 25% crit damage) when calculating final builds.

Top W-Engines for Hugo

Best-In-Slot:

• Myriad Eclipse (Signature W-Engine)
  Offers the highest damage and synergizes perfectly with Hugo’s kit.

Great Alternatives:

• Deep Sea Visitor – Bonus crit rate after basic attacks.
• Heartstring Nocturne, Riot Suppressor, Severed Innocence – Strong 5-star stat sticks.

Free-to-Play Option:

• Street Superstar – Craftable and grants up to 72% Ultimate damage at 3 stacks. A reliable and accessible choice.

Team Recommendations

Hugo performs best when paired with agents who can consistently stun enemies. Consider team comps like:

• Lycaon + Lighter + Hugo – A synergy-heavy, easy-to-execute team where all three can operate with simple hold combos.
• Aim for at least 1–2 stun agents in the team to unlock Hugo’s full potential and bonus attack scaling.

Hugo is a top-tier burst agent with simple execution but enormous damage potential. His entire playstyle revolves around precision timing during stun windows, and if played right, he can carry your damage charts with ease. Whether you’re playing casually or pushing late-game content, Hugo is a solid investment and a unique ice agent to add to your roster. If you enjoy stylish, efficient, and rewarding gameplay, Hugo might just become your favorite agent in Zenless Zone Zero.