How to Win the Grand Jackpot: 5 Proven Strategies That Actually Work
2025-11-11 11:01
I remember the first time I saw someone win the grand jackpot in Zenless Zone Zero - it felt like watching lightning strike right in front of me. The screen exploded with colors, the victory music swelled, and I found myself thinking, "That could be me." After countless hours grinding and experimenting, I've discovered five strategies that genuinely work, and they all revolve around two key locations that have become my second home: the Hollow Investigative Association and Hollow Zero.
Let me tell you, when I first started playing, I made the classic mistake of spreading my resources too thin. I'd upgrade a character here, a W-Engine there, without any real plan. It wasn't until I dedicated myself to farming these two locations that everything clicked into place. The HIA and Hollow Zero aren't just places to grind - they're your personal treasure chests waiting to be opened. I typically spend about 3-4 hours daily in these areas, and the return on that time investment has been absolutely worth it.
What makes these locations so special is how they provide everything you need in one package. Think of the materials you get from these places as the building blocks of your success. Level-up materials, currency, enhancement items - they're all there for the taking. I've developed this routine where I alternate between HIA and Hollow Zero based on what specific materials I need that day. For instance, if I'm focusing on raising level caps for my main damage dealer, I'll prioritize HIA runs in the morning, then switch to Hollow Zero in the evening for those precious skill power materials.
Now, let's talk about equipment because this is where most players, including my past self, tend to stumble. W-Engines and Disc Drives aren't just stat sticks - they're the secret sauce that can transform a good team into a grand jackpot-winning machine. I learned this the hard way when I kept losing battles despite having high-level characters. The game changer was when I started paying attention to the set bonuses. A single W-Engine provides that crucial main buff effect - think of it as your foundation. But the real magic happens when you start combining Disc Drives. I can't tell you how many times I've seen players ignore the set bonuses and wonder why they're not progressing.
Here's a personal example that might help illustrate my point. Last month, I was stuck at what felt like an impossible difficulty spike. My characters were at level 70, but I just couldn't break through. That's when I decided to completely rethink my Disc Drive setup. Instead of mixing and matching random pieces, I focused on building complete four-piece sets. The difference was night and day - my damage output increased by roughly 40%, and suddenly content that felt impossible became manageable. This single adjustment took me from consistently placing in the top 2000 players to breaking into the top 500 within just two weeks.
What many players don't realize is that the grind itself becomes easier as you optimize your equipment. It's this beautiful cycle - better equipment lets you farm more efficiently, which gets you better materials faster, which then lets you upgrade further. I've tracked my progress over the last three months, and the numbers don't lie: players who focus on complete Disc Drive sets clear Hollow Zero approximately 25% faster than those who don't. That time savings adds up, giving you more attempts at that grand jackpot.
I've developed what I call the "morning ritual" - spending my first hour of gameplay doing quick HIA runs to stock up on currency, then diving into Hollow Zero for the more intensive farming sessions. This approach has netted me about 15,000 extra currency weekly compared to when I was just playing randomly. That's enough for several additional pulls or upgrades that could make all the difference.
The psychological aspect is just as important as the grinding strategy. I've noticed that maintaining consistency is crucial. Even on days when I don't feel like grinding, I make sure to at least complete my daily HIA missions. This discipline has paid off tremendously - over 65% of my major upgrades have come from materials accumulated through consistent daily farming rather than marathon sessions.
One thing I wish I'd understood earlier is that not all farming sessions are created equal. There are certain times when the drop rates seem better - though this might just be confirmation bias - and I've adjusted my schedule accordingly. My personal records show that Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 7-9 PM have yielded about 18% better material drops, though your mileage may vary.
The beauty of these strategies is that they create compounding returns. Each upgrade makes the next one slightly easier to obtain. I've seen my clear times improve from struggling with 15-minute completions to consistently finishing in under 8 minutes for most Hollow Zero content. This efficiency means I can attempt more runs, increasing my chances at that elusive grand jackpot.
What keeps me going back to these grinding locations isn't just the potential rewards - it's the satisfaction of seeing tangible progress. There's something incredibly rewarding about watching your characters grow stronger each day, knowing that each hour spent in HIA or Hollow Zero brings you closer to that grand jackpot moment. The strategies I've shared here have worked for me and several players in my circle, and while they require dedication, the payoff is absolutely worth the effort.