Zenless Zone Zero Operation Bagel Guide

Operation Bagel changes the question at the end of a Zenless Zone Zero fight. Victory is no longer the only objective. A Proxy must decide whether the squad can carry more supplies, whether the route still has enough time, whether the next encounter is worth the risk, and whether to extract before a strong run collapses.

The full title is Enigma of the Labyrinth: Operation Bagel. Version 3.1 introduces it as a permanent mode rather than a short anniversary event. The mode sends the squad into a corrupted Hollow to search for Eous, gather supplies, restore a research station, and craft equipment that improves combat inside the Hollow.

Because Operation Bagel is permanent and designed for seasonal updates, the correct approach is not clearing everything in one exhausting session. Build a reliable extraction routine, understand which progress persists, and use weekly play to improve the research station over time.

Unlock Requirements

Operation Bagel becomes available after reaching Inter-Knot Level 20 and completing the required Chapter 1 Interlude progression. Players who meet the account level but cannot see the mode should check main-story completion, the event or permanent-mode menu, and any introductory commission attached to the research station.

The low account-level requirement does not mean every difficulty is equally suitable for a fresh account. Permanent modes usually introduce additional risk, seasonal progression, or stronger enemy conditions as the player advances. Begin with the lowest available route until the extraction and equipment loop is understood.

Complete the tutorial without skipping its supply, crafting, and extraction explanations. Operation Bagel uses familiar combat, but its resource decisions differ from a normal commission where all rewards are secured after the final enemy.

The Core Run in Six Decisions

Every successful run can be reduced to six decisions.

Select a squad that can survive repeated encounters.
Enter the corrupted Hollow and identify the available route.
Gather supplies and temporary combat resources.
Decide which battles, containers, and side paths are worth the remaining time.
Reach an extraction point before the run becomes unsafe.
Spend extracted supplies on permanent infrastructure or crafted equipment.

The fifth decision is the center of the mode. Supplies carried inside the Hollow do not have full value until they are brought out. Continuing deeper can improve the haul, but it also places the existing haul at risk.

Build the Squad for Repetition

A short boss showcase team is not automatically the best Operation Bagel squad. The mode rewards repeated combat, movement, recovery, and flexible answers to different enemy groups.

Choose one reliable damage core, one source of sustain or defensive stability, and one Agent who improves grouping, anomaly control, stun, buffs, or off-field damage. The exact specialties depend on the available roster, but the team should survive imperfect play without requiring a complete restart after one missed dodge.

Energy and Decibel generation matter across multiple encounters. A squad that needs a long setup before every small pack may consume more time than a slightly weaker team with fast entrances and simple rotations.

Keep at least one alternative Agent ready if seasonal conditions favor a different Attribute or specialty. Permanent modes often rotate enemy and buff environments, so one fixed squad may not remain ideal.

Supplies Are More Than a Score

Supplies extracted from the Hollow serve two reported purposes. They can build infrastructure that repairs and develops the research station, or they can be used to craft equipment that improves Agents within the mode.

That creates a long-term-versus-short-term choice. Infrastructure can improve future runs and unlock persistent functions. Crafted equipment can make the current or next run safer immediately.

Early progression should favor upgrades that improve the reliability of every run: inventory capacity, access, recovery, crafting efficiency, route information, or other permanent benefits shown by the station interface. A temporary damage increase is useful, but it should not delay a major infrastructure upgrade that pays back over many sessions.

Once the core station is functional, shift more supplies toward equipment that solves the current seasonal difficulty.

The Research Station Upgrade Order

Read each upgrade description and classify it into one of four groups.

Upgrade group	Purpose	Early priority
Access and information	Reveals routes, functions, missions, or resources	High if it unlocks decisions
Safety and recovery	Reduces the cost of mistakes or failed encounters	High for new players
Economy and storage	Improves supply gain, capacity, or crafting efficiency	High for long-term play
Combat specialization	Increases damage or supports a particular squad	Raise after the basic loop is stable

Do not spend by icon color alone. A modest economy upgrade can produce more total value than an expensive combat bonus if it accelerates every future run.

If an upgrade requires a rare supply, check all nearby nodes before spending it. The same material may unlock a new station function or craft a high-impact equipment piece.

Crafted Equipment Inside the Hollow

Operation Bagel's crafted equipment is designed to improve combat capability within the mode. Treat it as part of the run build rather than a replacement for normal Drive Discs, W-Engines, levels, and skills.

Prioritize equipment that activates consistently. A smaller unconditional bonus can outperform a larger effect tied to an enemy type or action the squad rarely uses.

Next, support the team's weakest stage. If normal encounters are easy but bosses take too long, choose single-target damage or stun support. If attrition causes failed extractions, choose recovery, shields, defensive utility, or faster crowd control.

Avoid collecting several pieces that all demand the same trigger unless the squad can maintain it. A coherent build around one repeatable action is more reliable than a collection of impressive but disconnected effects.

When to Extract

Extraction should be decided before the squad reaches critical danger. Use a simple three-zone rule.

In the green zone, the team has healthy Agents, enough time, functioning equipment, and a clear route. Continue gathering supplies.

In the yellow zone, one Agent is vulnerable, recovery is limited, time is shrinking, or the next route is uncertain. Move toward an extraction option while taking only low-risk supplies.

In the red zone, the squad can no longer survive another serious encounter, a dangerous pursuer is active, or the timer and route make escape uncertain. Extract immediately if possible.

Greed is most expensive when the current haul contains a rare station material or enough supplies for a major upgrade. The value of one extra room should be compared with the entire carried inventory, not with an empty run.

Route Planning and the Timer

Beta footage and early mode information show a timed extraction structure. The final interface should be treated as the authority for the exact time and failure conditions, but players should assume that route efficiency matters.

At the start of a run, identify the closest extraction route and one backup. Do not wait until the final minutes to learn how exits are marked.

Take high-density supply paths that also move toward an objective. Long dead ends are worthwhile only when the reward preview justifies the return trip.

Combat time is part of route cost. A difficult optional enemy can consume more time than several resource rooms. If it does not provide a needed material or mission objective, skipping is a valid strategy.

Shared Weekly Progress With Hollow Zero

Operation Bagel shares weekly progress with Hollow Zero. This is an important quality-of-life rule because the new permanent mode does not necessarily add an entirely separate weekly obligation.

Before grinding both modes, open the weekly progress interface and confirm which activities contribute to the same bar. Complete the mode that supplies the rewards, materials, or gameplay variety currently needed.

Players who prefer classic Hollow Zero can retain that route when allowed. Players who want Operation Bagel's research-station progression can spend the shared weekly requirement there. Do not assume that clearing both produces double weekly Polychrome rewards.

Seasonal missions, first-clear rewards, achievements, and station progression may remain separate even when the weekly bar is shared. Read each reward source individually.

Permanent and Seasonal Rewards

Reported Operation Bagel rewards include additional Proxy accessories, Pyro's Mindscapes, and W-Engine overclock materials. The mode also connects with achievements and long-term station progression.

Separate one-time rewards from recurring rewards. A large first week may include tutorial completion, first clears, station milestones, achievements, and weekly progress simultaneously. Later weeks will naturally be smaller.

Pyro's Mindscapes are particularly valuable because they strengthen the relevant Bangboo without requiring a separate banner decision. W-Engine overclock materials should be saved for equipment that is already part of a real build rather than spent simply because the material is new.

Proxy accessories are cosmetic, so their priority depends on collection goals. Claiming permanent progression first ensures that the account benefits even if a cosmetic milestone takes longer.

A First-Week Plan

On the first day, unlock the mode, finish the tutorial, complete one safe extraction, and inspect the full research-station tree. Do not spend rare supplies until the major branches are visible.

On the second session, build one repeatable squad and test a deeper route. Record which encounter causes the most time or health loss.

During the third session, craft equipment that solves that problem and purchase one broad station upgrade. Compare the result with the first run.

Before the weekly reset, complete only the shared progress and seasonal missions still needed. Stop once additional runs no longer advance a useful reward or upgrade.

This rhythm preserves the mode as permanent content instead of turning launch week into burnout.

Players planning Monochrome or other account purchases during Version 3.1 can compare options through Topuplist and the dedicated Zenless Zone Zero top-up page. Confirm the correct HoYoverse account, server, product amount, and final cost before payment; Operation Bagel itself should be approached through progression rather than spending pressure.

Common Run Failures

The first common failure is entering with maximum damage and no recovery. Repeated encounters turn small mistakes into a failed extraction.

The second is spending every supply on temporary equipment. The current run becomes stronger, but the research station never improves.

The third is continuing after the run has already entered the red zone. One additional container is rarely worth losing the entire haul.

The fourth is treating shared weekly progress as two separate chores. Check the interface before repeating content for rewards already capped.

The fifth is copying a build without matching its triggers. Equipment selected for an Anomaly squad may do little for an Attack-and-Stun rotation.

How the Mode Should Evolve

HoYoverse has described Operation Bagel as permanent content with seasonal updates. Future seasons may change routes, enemies, equipment pools, station goals, modifiers, and rewards.

That makes flexible infrastructure more valuable than one narrow damage route. It also means old guides should be checked against the current season rather than treated as permanent rules.

When a season changes, compare the new reward list, shared weekly rules, station reset behavior, and equipment pool. Persistent upgrades should remain the foundation, while seasonal builds can be replaced.

Operation Bagel succeeds when each run creates a decision rather than another fixed checklist. Extracting early can be correct. Skipping a fight can be correct. Spending on infrastructure instead of damage can be correct. The best route is the one that converts risk into permanent progress reliably.

FAQ

Is Operation Bagel a limited event?

No. Enigma of the Labyrinth: Operation Bagel is introduced as a permanent Version 3.1 mode and is expected to receive seasonal updates.

How do I unlock Operation Bagel?

Reach Inter-Knot Level 20 and complete the required Chapter 1 Interlude progression. Follow the introductory commission shown by the permanent-mode interface.

Does Operation Bagel have separate weekly progress from Hollow Zero?

The mode shares weekly progress with Hollow Zero. First-clear, station, achievement, and seasonal rewards may still be separate.

What should I upgrade first at the research station?

Prioritize upgrades that improve information, safety, storage, and supply efficiency across every run. Add narrow combat upgrades after the extraction loop becomes reliable.

Where can I prepare Zenless Zone Zero purchases during Version 3.1?

After confirming the account and server, review payment options through Topuplist's official website and the Zenless Zone Zero recharge page. Set a budget independently from permanent-mode progression.