ZZZ 3.2 Deadly Assault: Claret Norma & Rina Boss Guide

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

In Zenless Zone Zero 3.2, the Deadly Assault mode adds a new boss fight against Claret Norma, a powerful Ethereal supported by Rina, who appears as a secondary threat during the encounter. This guide explains the full boss mechanics, team-building strategies, and how to earn maximum points, including the best ways to counter Rina’s support abilities.

Background: What is Deadly Assault?

Deadly Assault is a high-difficulty endgame mode in Zenless Zone Zero that rotates bosses and modifiers every few weeks. It challenges players to defeat powerful enemies within a time limit while earning points based on damage dealt, time remaining, and team survival. The 3.2 update introduces Claret Norma, a new boss designed to test both your DPS output and your ability to manage multiple threats at once.

Unlike previous Deadly Assault bosses that focus on a single enemy, the Claret Norma fight includes Rina as a persistent support unit. Rina doesn’t fight directly but buffs Claret Norma with increased attack, defense, and resistance to certain elements. This makes the fight more complex, as you must decide whether to focus on the main boss or take down Rina first to weaken her.

Boss Mechanics: Claret Norma and Rina’s Roles

Claret Norma is a melee-type Ethereal with a large health pool and fast, sweeping attacks. She has two phases: in the first phase (below 70% HP), she uses basic combos and a charging attack. In the second phase (below 40% HP), she gains a shield that reduces damage by 50% until broken, and she summons Rina to the battlefield.

Rina is not a traditional boss but functions as a summon. She appears at the edge of the arena and periodically casts buffs on Claret Norma:

Attack Up: Increases Claret Norma’s damage by 30% for 15 seconds.
Defense Up: Reduces all damage taken by 20% for 15 seconds.
Elemental Resistance: Grants resistance to the element that dealt the most damage in the last 30 seconds (fire, ice, electric, or physical).

Rina has her own health bar (about 20% of Claret Norma’s HP). If defeated, she disappears for 30 seconds before respawning. During that time, Claret Norma loses all buffs and becomes vulnerable to a daze state, allowing for a burst damage window.

How to Choose Your Team for This Fight

Team composition is critical in the Claret Norma fight because of Rina’s elemental resistance mechanic. You want a team that can deal consistent damage across multiple elements, or a team that can quickly break Claret Norma’s shield in phase two.

Here are the key factors to consider:

Elemental Coverage: Bring at least two different elements to avoid being hard-countered by Rina’s resistance buff. For example, a team of Ellen (ice) and Zhu Yuan (ether) works well, as Rina can only resist one element at a time.
Shield Breaking: In phase two, Claret Norma’s shield requires 20 hits to break, regardless of damage. Use agents with rapid multi-hit attacks, such as Soldier 11 or Nekomata, to break it quickly.
Support and Healers: Since the fight is long and Rina’s buffs can increase incoming damage, bring a support like Nicole or a healer like Cesar to sustain your team.

Step-by-Step Strategy for the Showcase Fight

To maximize your score in the Deadly Assault, follow this sequence (based on the official 3.2 patch notes and community findings):

Phase 1 (100-70% HP): Focus on Claret Norma. Dodge her charge attack (telegraphed by a red flash) and punish with a full combo. Do not attack Rina yet, as she hasn’t spawned.
Phase 2 Start (70% HP): Claret Norma will roar and gain a 10-second invulnerability. Use this time to position yourself near the center of the arena.
Phase 2 (70-40% HP): Rina appears. Immediately switch to your second DPS and attack Rina. If you can defeat her before she casts her first buff (about 5 seconds), you’ll get a free damage window. Otherwise, break Claret Norma’s shield first, then focus Rina.
Phase 3 (Below 40% HP): Claret Norma enrages, gaining a 20% attack speed increase. Rina will respawn every 30 seconds. Prioritize Rina whenever she appears, but only if Claret Norma’s shield is already broken. If the shield is up, break it first.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many players lose points in this fight by making avoidable errors. Here are the most common pitfalls:

Ignoring Rina: Letting Rina stack multiple buffs (attack up + defense up + elemental resistance) makes the fight nearly impossible. Always interrupt her buff casting by hitting her with any attack.
Wrong Elemental Focus: If you bring a mono-element team and Rina resists that element, your damage will plummet. Always have a backup element.
Overcommitting to Rina: If Rina has already cast her buffs, defeating her is still useful, but don’t waste time if Claret Norma’s shield is up. Break the shield first, then kill Rina.
Not Using Daze Windows: When Rina is defeated, Claret Norma becomes dazed for 5 seconds. This is the perfect time to use your ultimate and chain attacks. Many players miss this window.

Rewards and Scoring in Deadly Assault

Deadly Assault rewards are based on the total points you earn from defeating the boss and completing optional objectives. In the 3.2 version, the Claret Norma fight offers three medal tiers:

Bronze (6000 points): Defeat Claret Norma within 5 minutes.
Silver (8000 points): Defeat her within 4 minutes and defeat Rina at least once.
Gold (10000 points): Defeat her within 3 minutes, defeat Rina twice, and break Claret Norma’s shield at least once.

Rewards include Polychrome, Denny, and exclusive W-Engine upgrade materials. The gold tier is required to max out the monthly battle pass rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rina respawn infinitely in the Claret Norma fight?

Yes, Rina respawns every 30 seconds after being defeated. However, if you defeat her twice in a single run, she will not respawn again for the remainder of the fight, which is essential for the gold medal.

What happens if I ignore Rina and only attack Claret Norma?

If you ignore Rina, she will stack her buffs indefinitely. After two full cycles (about 30 seconds), Claret Norma will have a 60% attack boost and 40% damage reduction, making the fight extremely difficult. It’s recommended to at least interrupt Rina’s casting.

Can I use a physical team against Claret Norma?

Yes, physical teams work well because Rina’s elemental resistance only affects fire, ice, and electric. However, Claret Norma has a 10% physical resistance, so you’ll need high crit rates to compensate.

What is the best way to break Claret Norma’s shield?

The shield requires 20 hits, not damage. Use agents with fast attack chains like Nekomata (physical) or Corin (physical) to break it in under 3 seconds. Avoid using heavy single-hit attacks.

Does Rina’s elemental resistance affect the same element as my main DPS?

Yes, Rina’s resistance is based on the element that dealt the most damage in the last 30 seconds. If your main DPS is fire, she will resist fire after 30 seconds. This is why bringing a second element is crucial.

Is there a time limit for the Deadly Assault Claret Norma fight?

Yes, the standard time limit is 5 minutes. However, the gold medal requires a 3-minute clear, which means you must be very efficient with your rotations and take advantage of every daze window.

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