Image Credit: HoyoVerse
Version 2.8 introduced one of the most anticipated alternate agents in Zenless Zone Zero: Starlight Billy, an S-Rank Physical Rupture Agent who transforms Billy Kid from a ranged gunslinger into a motorcycle-riding powerhouse. Trading HP for devastating damage, Starlight Billy specializes in dealing Physical Sheer Damage that ignores enemy DEF, making him one of the strongest DPS characters currently available.
Thanks to his unique HP-scaling mechanics, powerful burst windows, and surprisingly beginner-friendly combos, Starlight Billy has quickly established himself as a top-tier Rupture hypercarry. Whether you’re planning to pull him or already have him on your account, here’s everything you need to know about building him.
Starlight Billy Overview
Rarity: S-Rank
Attribute: Physical
Specialty: Rupture
Faction: Cunning Hares
Unlike the original Billy, Starlight Billy revolves around converting his Physical damage into Sheer Damage, which ignores enemy Defense and scales heavily with his Max HP. His kit encourages aggressive gameplay by sacrificing HP to activate powerful abilities while gaining increased survivability when his health falls below certain thresholds.
Strengths
- Massive burst damage
- Sheer Damage ignores enemy DEF
- Strong HP scaling
- Excellent boss-killing potential
- Flexible team options
- Beginner-friendly core gameplay
Weaknesses
- HP management required
- Signature W-Engine provides a substantial upgrade
- Relies heavily on maintaining buffs
- Can be vulnerable without proper support
Best W-Engines
Best-in-Slot: Starlight Rider Faceplate
Starlight Rider Faceplate is comfortably Starlight Billy’s strongest W-Engine.
Benefits include:
- Large Crit Rate increase
- Additional Physical Sheer Damage
- Strong synergy with Special Attacks
- Excellent consistency during long fights
The weapon’s stacking bonuses perfectly complement Billy’s gameplay loop, allowing him to maintain high damage throughout his rotations.
Other Strong Options
Knight’s Morale
One of the strongest alternatives if you don’t have his signature weapon. It provides Crit Rate and additional Sheer Damage bonuses.
Radiowave Journey
A strong option that increases Sheer Force through Chain Attacks and Ultimates, helping improve overall damage output.
Cauldron of Clarity
A popular alternative among players due to its strong Crit-focused bonuses and synergy with Billy’s HP-scaling kit.
Puzzle Sphere
A solid choice that offers additional Crit Damage and burst potential.
Best Drive Disc Sets
Best Set: Yunkui Tales (4-Piece)
The current best-in-slot Drive Disc set for Starlight Billy is Yunkui Tales.
Effects include:
2-Piece Bonus
- HP +10%
4-Piece Bonus
- Gain Crit Rate after using EX Special Attacks, Chain Attacks, or Ultimates
- Additional Sheer Damage bonuses at maximum stacks
Since Billy scales heavily with HP while also requiring Crit stats, this set perfectly supports his entire kit.
Best 2-Piece Pairings
Woodpecker Electro
Provides an additional 8% Crit Rate and remains one of Billy’s strongest complementary sets.
Branch & Blade Song
Offers 16% Crit Damage and works exceptionally well for high-investment builds.
Fanged Metal
Provides Physical Damage bonuses and serves as a solid alternative if your Crit stats are already strong.
Main Stats and Substats
Slot 4
Crit Rate or Crit Damage
Slot 5
Physical DMG% or HP%
Slot 6
HP%
These stat choices maximize Billy’s Sheer Damage scaling while maintaining strong critical hit consistency.
Substat Priority
- Crit Rate
- Crit Damage
- HP%
- Flat HP
- ATK%
Billy gains substantial benefits from HP investment due to his unique scaling mechanics.
Skill Priority
Priority Order
Core Skill > Special Attack > Chain Attack > Ultimate > Basic Attack
Most of Billy’s damage comes from his Sheer Damage scaling and Special Attack interactions, making these abilities the highest priority for upgrades.
Best Teams
One of Starlight Billy’s strengths is his flexibility. His Additional Core Ability activates when paired with Stun, Support, or Defense characters, making team building relatively straightforward.
Premium Hypercarry Team
Starlight Billy + Lucia + Dialyn
This is currently one of Billy’s strongest teams.
Why it works:
- Lucia provides powerful offensive buffs.
- Dialyn supplies reliable Daze generation.
- Billy remains on-field dealing uninterrupted damage.
This composition excels in both boss encounters and endgame content.
Ju Fufu Team
Starlight Billy + Lucia + Ju Fufu
Ju Fufu is widely considered one of Billy’s best stun partners.
Benefits include:
- Excellent Daze application
- Additional Crit Damage support
- Strong burst windows
- Consistent stun cycles
Many players regard this as one of Billy’s most comfortable and reliable team setups.
Pan Yinhu Rupture Team
Starlight Billy + Lucia + Pan Yinhu
Pan Yinhu provides powerful Rupture synergy and helps amplify Billy’s damage output.
This team is especially effective for players who want to maximize Sheer Damage performance.
Rotation Guide
A typical Starlight Billy rotation looks like:
- Begin on-field.
- Use Special Attack: Drive Suppression.
- Follow with EX Special Attack.
- Build Determination through attacks and dodges.
- Refresh Crit Damage buffs.
- Reach 100 Determination.
- Hold Basic Attack to activate Full-Throttle Starlight.
- Use Chain Attacks and Ultimate during buff windows.
Maintaining buff uptime and maximizing Determination generation are the keys to reaching Billy’s full damage potential.
Best Mindscapes
M1
One of Billy’s strongest upgrades.
Benefits:
- Ignores additional Physical Resistance
- Significant damage increase
M2
Another excellent stopping point.
Benefits:
- Roughly 50% increased damage on key abilities
- Major improvement to overall performance
For most players, M1 or M2 offers the best balance between investment and value.
Final Verdict
Starlight Billy takes everything players loved about the original Billy and elevates it into a high-octane, high-damage playstyle. His combination of HP scaling, Sheer Damage, motorcycle-based combat, and explosive burst windows makes him one of the most exciting characters currently available in Zenless Zone Zero.
With the right build, Starlight Billy can dominate nearly every piece of content the game has to offer and should remain relevant well into future updates.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re deciding if Starlight Billy is worth your Polychromes or looking to optimize his build after pulling him, understanding his HP-scaling mechanics and team synergies is the key to unlocking his true potential.
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