Von Lycaon, the impeccably dressed ice-element agent from Victoria Housekeeping Co., continues to dominate the Stun role in Zenless Zone Zero even in 2026. With his graceful yet devastating hand-to-hand combat style, this S-rank gentleman wolf can turn the tide of any battle if equipped correctly. To maximize his potential, players need to focus on the optimal combination of W-Engine and Drive Discs that amplify his Daze application and Ice damage output. Here’s the most effective Von Lycaon build for the current meta, refined through two years of gameplay evolution.

Why Von Lycaon Remains a Top-Tier Stun Agent

Von Lycaon distinguishes himself with a kit built entirely around crippling enemies. His basic attacks chain into elegant combos that accumulate Daze rapidly, while his special and ultimate abilities deliver wide-area Stun effects. The Ice attribute adds a layer of utility through freeze reactions, granting the team precious seconds of uninterrupted damage. Unlike weapon-reliant colleagues such as Rina, Lycaon’s melee prowess makes him exceptionally mobile, allowing him to close gaps and pressure foes relentlessly. Recent balance adjustments in version 2.4 have only reinforced his position, making his Daze scaling more consistent against elite enemies and bosses.

The Restrained – The Ultimate W-Engine

For players seeking the absolute best performance, The Restrained stands as the premier W-Engine choice. This S-rank engine provides a consistent boost to Ice DMG, Basic ATK DMG, and – crucially – the Daze inflicted by all attacks. The passive effect, often dubbed “Frozen Elegance,” triggers a stacking ATK buff whenever Lycaon inflicts Freeze or Stun, allowing him to pivot from controller to secondary damage dealer without losing field time. With high base stats and a straightforward condition, The Restrained fits seamlessly into any rotation.

As an alternative, Precious Fossilized Core offers a respectable fallback. Its niche lies in accelerating Daze buildup against enemies with lower HP thresholds. When a target’s health drops below 50%, the engine’s effect increases Daze dealt by a significant margin, making it deadly for cleaning up weakened foes. While less versatile than The Restrained, this W-Engine shines in timed challenge modes where burst Stuns are essential.

Drive Discs: Shockstar Disco Meets Polar Metal

The right Drive Disc configuration turns Lycaon into a Daze-locking machine. The 4-piece Shockstar Disco set is irreplaceable for its ( 15 \% ) bonus to Daze from Basic Attacks, Dash Attacks, and Dodge Counters – three moves that Lycaon uses constantly. On top of that, the full set grants an extra ( 20 \% ) Daze against targets suffering from Stun, creating a self-perpetuating loop where one Stun quickly leads to another.

To complement the Stun focus, the 2-piece Polar Metal set capitalises on Lycaon’s Ice nature by increasing Ice DMG by ( 10 \% ). This double-dipping into both Stun capability and Ice damage makes the build an all-rounder that doesn’t sacrifice utility for a modest damage bump. Some players experiment with a 2-piece Woodpecker Electro for the ATK bonus, but tests throughout 2025-2026 consistently show that Polar Metal’s type-specific boost outperforma in all practical scenarios, especially when paired with fellow Ice DPS agents.

Recommended Drive Disc Stats

Slot	Main Stat Priority	Ideal Substats
1	HP (fixed)	CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%
2	ATK (fixed)	CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, PEN
3	DEF (fixed)	CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%
4	CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG	ATK%, PEN, Anomaly Proficiency
5	Ice DMG Bonus	CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, ATK%
6	Impact	Energy Regen, ATK%, CRIT Rate

Prioritising Impact on the sixth slot remains essential for maximising Lycaon’s primary function. A secondary focus on CRIT stats allows him to contribute meaningful damage during Stun windows, particularly after activating The Restrained’s conditional effects. Energy Regen substats should not be overlooked, as his EX Special can turn the tide with an instant Freeze.

Team Synergies to Amplify the Build

Lycaon excels alongside agents who can exploit frozen targets. The classic pairing with Ellen Joe endures through 2026 due to her Ice DMG boost against Frozen enemies, and Lycaon’s rapid Stuns feed directly into her burst windows. For a more defensive setup, Ben can provide shields while Lycaon draws aggro and sets up Freeze reactions. In the current environment, newer support units like Soukaku (who received a buff in version 3.0) are invaluable for their ATK transfer and Ice RES shred, making the Lycaon-Soukaku-Ellen trio one of the most reliable compositions for Hollow Zero expeditions.

For those who lack limited Ice carries, Lycaon still finds a home in generic Stun teams. His crowd control allows any main DPS to operate safely. In such cases, consider equipping the Swing Jazz 2-piece set instead of Polar Metal to boost energy regeneration and spam his EX Special more frequently, though the overall damage ceiling will be lower.

Playstyle Tips for Maximum Efficiency

• Open with dodge counters: Lycaon’s Dodge Counter deals significant Daze and has generous i-frames. Bait enemy attacks to trigger it early and start the assault.

• Chain into EX Special after Stun: Once an enemy is stunned, immediately use Lycaon’s EX Special to apply Freeze; this extends the window of vulnerability and activates team buffs.

• Rotate wisely: Lycaon needs field time to build Daze, so avoid tagging out during his combo strings. Use Assists only to avoid fatal damage or to set up a powerful chain attack.

• Mind the energy: Without sufficient energy, Lycaon loses access to his quick Freeze. Keep an eye on the gauge and plan Energy Regen substats accordingly.

With this build and discipline, Von Lycaon becomes an unstoppable force that can bully bosses into perpetual Stun states. The combination of The Restrained, Shockstar Disco, and Polar Metal has proven its worth across countless updates, and as Zenless Zone Zero enters its third year, there is little reason to fix what isn’t broken. Equip your Lycaon today and watch the enemies crumble before his feline grace.