Zhezhi: The Ultimate Glacio Artist - My 2026 Guide to Mastering Her Kit and Materials

As a seasoned Wuthering Waves veteran in 2026, I can confidently say that Zhezhi remains one of the most mesmerizing and complex 5-Star Glacio characters to ever grace the game. When I first laid eyes on her splash art, I knew she was going to be something special—and boy, was I right! Her returning Banner in version 2.0 sent shockwaves through the community, and even now, her kit feels as fresh and innovative as the day she debuted. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about this brush-wielding virtuoso.

Zhezhi's Kit: A Symphony of Ink and Ice 🎨❄️

Zhezhi is not just a character; she's an artist painting destruction on the battlefield. Her entire playstyle revolves around building 'Afflatus' stacks—think of it as her creative inspiration meter. This mechanic is what makes her so unique and, frankly, a blast to play. Here's the breakdown of her abilities:

Basic Attack (Dimming Brush): Her normal attacks aren't just for show—they build Afflatus stacks! Each swing of her Rectifier adds to her creative reservoir.

Resonance Skill (Depiction): This is where things get spicy. Depending on her Afflatus stacks, this skill transforms:

• With 60+ stacks (Ground): Summons Phantasmic Imprint: Left and Right on the ground.

• With 60+ stacks (Air): Holding the skill or using it mid-air summons them in the air.

Enhanced Skills: When she's feeling particularly inspired:

• Stroke of Genius: Boosts her attack by 6% for 22 seconds (stackable 3 times!).

• Creation's Zenith: The big guns—this is where her damage potential skyrockets.

Resonance Liberation (Spiritful Animation): Her ultimate ability. Summons Inklit Spirits that swarm enemies with Glacio damage. At higher Resonance Chain levels, this becomes absolutely ridiculous.

Forte Circuit (Ink and Wash): This passive ability is her bread and butter. It modifies her Heavy Attack when she has at least 30 Afflatus stacks, summoning Phantasmic Imprint: Middle. The real magic? You can have all three Imprints (Left, Middle, Right) active simultaneously for 15 seconds—that's a lot of frozen enemies!

Support Capabilities: Don't think she's just a selfish DPS! Her Outro Skill amplifies the next Resonator's Skill damage by 20%, and her second Inherent Skill restores 15 Energy to the incoming character. Talk about team player!

Ascension Materials: The Grind is Real (But Worth It) 💎

Alright, let's talk about what it takes to get our artistic queen to level 90. The farming list might look intimidating, but trust me—every Lanternberry and Howler Core is worth it.

Material	Quantity Needed	Primary Source
Lanternberry	60	Huanglong Exploration
Sound-Keeping Tacet Core	46	Echo Drops / Weekly Bosses
LF Howler Core	4	Low-level Howlers
MF Howler Core	12	Mid-level Howlers
HF Howler Core	12	High-level Howlers
FF Howler Core	4	Final Form Howlers
Shell Credits	170,000	Everything, honestly

Pro tip from someone who's been there: Start farming those Tacet Cores early. They're the real bottleneck, especially if you're building multiple characters. And those Lanternberries? Yeah, they only grow in specific areas of Huanglong, so plan your routes carefully. I remember spending hours just running the same paths—my fingers still cramp thinking about it!

Forte Materials: Unlocking Her True Potential 🔓

This is where Zhezhi goes from "cool character" to "absolute monster." Her Forte materials are... extensive, to say the least. But hey, greatness requires sacrifice!

Total Forte Materials Checklist:

• Howler Cores:

• LF: 25

• MF: 28

• HF: 40

• FF: 57

• Helix Materials:

• Lento: 25

• Adagio: 28

• Andante: 55

• Presto: 67

• Monument Bell: 26

• Shell Credits: 20.3 million (yes, million with an M)

Now, about those Monument Bells—they're not exactly common. You'll need to tackle some of the tougher world challenges and puzzles to get them all. And those Helix materials? They drop from specific enemies that only spawn during certain in-game weather conditions. Talk about demanding!

But here's the thing: when you finally max out her Fortes and see those damage numbers? Chef's kiss. Absolute perfection.

Resonance Chain: When Good Becomes Godly 🌟

If you're lucky enough to pull multiple copies of Zhezhi (or willing to open that wallet), her Resonance Chain transforms her from excellent to exceptional. Each level adds another layer of destruction.

Resonance Chain Breakdown:

1. Vitality (RC1): +6 max Inklit Spirits on her Liberation. More spirits = more pain for enemies.

2. Anatomy (RC2): Using Stroke of Maestro now restores 15 Energy AND gives 10% Crit Rate for 25 seconds. Energy management solved!

3. Resemblance (RC3): Casting her basic Skill or enhanced Skills boosts attack by 15% per stack (up to 3 stacks). The damage scaling gets insane.

4. Hue (RC4): Team-wide 20% attack boost after her Liberation. She's not just buffing herself anymore!

5. Proper Structuring (RC5): For every 3 Inklit Spirits, summon an extra Fairy for coordinated attacks. The screen becomes a beautiful chaos of ink and ice.

6. Imitation and Inheritance (RC6): The crown jewel. Enhanced Skills summon an extra Fairy Sketch dealing 160% of Stroke of Genius damage. This is where she becomes a true main DPS monster.

My Personal Experience & Tips 🎯

Having mained Zhezhi since her debut, I've learned a few things:

• Rotation is key: Build Afflatus stacks with Normal Attacks → Use Enhanced Skills → Unleash Liberation when all Imprints are active.

• Team synergy: Pair her with characters who can benefit from her Outro Skill boost. The damage amplification is no joke.

• Resource management: Don't blow all your materials at once. The farming is real, so pace yourself.

• Practice makes perfect: Her kit has a learning curve. Spend time in the training area getting those stack timings down.

And remember—all this information comes from the original leaks and has held up remarkably well through her official release and subsequent updates. Kuro Games really nailed her design from the start.

Final Thoughts 💭

Zhezhi represents everything I love about Wuthering Waves in 2026: complex mechanics, beautiful design, and rewarding gameplay. She's not a "press button to win" character—she requires thought, timing, and investment. But when everything clicks? When those Imprints are all active, her Liberation is charged, and the screen fills with ink and ice?

Pure. Art.

So go forth, farm those materials, master her rotations, and unleash the artist within. Just be prepared for everyone on your friends list to ask how you're hitting those damage numbers. Not that I'd know anything about that... 😉