Zenless Zone Zero 2.8 Starlight - Billy Announced Alongside Promeia

The game HoYoverse has launched its latest combat system through Zenless Zone Zero 2.8 Starlight - Billy, which serves as a main feature in their upcoming update 2.8 set for release on March 28, 2026. The character first appeared in the initial preview of the upcoming update 2.8. The character Starlight - Billy takes his inspiration from Billy Kid, who served as an A-rank fighter in the Cunning Hares faction while he supported the Proxies during their Hollow operations.

Starlight - Billy Upgrade System

The visual overhaul of Zenless Zone Zero 2.8 Starlight-Billy brings an upgraded version of the character, who uses his previous battle experience to generate his new power. Billy maintains his connection to Calydon through his title as “Red Scarf,” which shows his history of participating in military conflicts and competitive fighting events.

The character's official artwork shows his red scarf, which serves as a visual representation of his identity. The latest version of Billy Kid will show similar aspects to his past version, especially for players who have experience playing the character.

The gameplay features of Starlight - Billy

The campaign revealed some gameplay elements that demonstrated how the character performs during team battles.

• Fighting Style: Rupture
• Element: Physical
• Faction: Cunning Hares

The fighting style of "Rupture" generally indicates breaking the enemy's defense or attacking when the enemy is at a disadvantage. The Hollow mission presents an effective combat solution that enables players to combat shielded opponents who currently possess a battle advantage, resulting in them sustaining increased damage.

The Physical element is simple and does not require many reactions for its operation. The ability to handle elemental-resistant opponents enhances its combat effectiveness while providing different mission options. Players following updates like ZZZ 2.7 Banners will find this reveal important because it shows which characters and gameplay elements will be added in upcoming updates.

Release Timing and the Expected Banner Schedule

The release of the Starlight-Billy character in the 2.8 version of the game has been confirmed. In most cases, the new character is released in the first phase or the second phase of the update. The expected release for the 2.8 version of the game is May 6, 2026. This is after the ongoing banners in the 2.7 version of the game conclude. More details on the expected release should be revealed in the official livestream. In the livestream, the expected banner and the event details should be revealed.

Starlight—Billy's Impact on Cunning Hares Team

The introduction of Zenless Zone Zero 2.8 drip marketing, Starlight - Billy, also has a significant impact on the overall structure of the Cunning Hares faction. The group is already famous for its versatile team members.

Since Billy is already a known character, this version changes how he is used in teams. Pairing him with crowd control support can speed up fights, especially in higher Hollows. It also reflects a trend of upgrading existing characters while maintaining gameplay variety. This comes after the ongoing banners in the Zenless Zone Zero 2.7 Update Patch conclude.