As a seasoned gamer who's spent countless hours in New Eridu, I can tell you firsthand that HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero continues to evolve, and its puzzle mechanics remain some of the most engaging—and occasionally frustrating—aspects of the game. Two years after its initial release, the "Experiencing Dadd-E" mission from Chapter 2 still stands out as a real brain-bender for both newcomers and veterans. This mission isn't just about flashy combat; it's a test of your spatial reasoning and strategic planning, forcing you to think outside the box. And let me be real with you: if you're not prepared, these puzzles can stop your progression dead in its tracks. The good news? Once you hit Level 28, you can dive right in, no matter your squad's combat prowess. Forget grinding for gear; this is all about mental agility.

How to Crack the Code: The Core Mechanics

The "Experiencing Dadd-E" puzzles are all about mirrored movements. You're presented with two separate grids of monitors—yours on the left, and an NPC named Dadd-E's on the right. Here's the kicker: whatever path you draw on your screen, Dadd-E mirrors it exactly on his. Your objective is to complete a "Hollows exploration training" by drawing a single, continuous path that starts in the top left corner of your grid and hits every monitor with a golden screen. But here's the rub: you have to ensure that Dadd-E's mirrored path also hits all the golden screens on his grid. The two grids are not identical, which means you'll often need to double-back and retrace your steps to make sure both sides are covered. Oh, and you only get 30 moves per puzzle—talk about pressure!

The strategy is to plan your route on your side first, visualizing how it will translate to Dadd-E's side. It's a total mind game. Mastering this isn't just for bragging rights; achieving an S-Rank on these puzzles maximizes your Gear Coin rewards. Given how the game has developed since 2024, these puzzle mechanics have become integral to certain daily and weekly activities, so getting good at them now is a smart long-term play. It's not just a one-and-done mission; it's a skill that pays dividends.

Every Puzzle Solution, Step-by-Step

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks. There are six puzzles in total, and each one ramps up the complexity. I've replayed this mission recently in 2026, and the solutions remain consistent. Remember, it doesn't matter which Proxy or Agent you use; the puzzle logic is universal.

Here’s a quick reference table for the optimal path moves for each puzzle. Think of this as your cheat sheet to S-Rank glory:

Puzzle Number	Key Move Pattern (Your Grid)	Critical Tip for Dadd-E's Mirror
Puzzle 1	Right, Down, Right, Up, Right, Down	Start simple. Focus on hitting your gold screens first, then see how it mirrors.
Puzzle 2	Down, Right, Down, Left, Down, Right, Up	Watch the center column. You'll need to loop back to activate a specific screen for Dadd-E.
Puzzle 3	Right, Down, Left, Down, Right, Right, Up, Left	This introduces dead ends. Planning backtracking early is key.
Puzzle 4	A longer L-shaped path with two full loops.	Efficiency is everything here. Every wasted move counts against the 30-move limit.
Puzzle 5	Complex spiral pattern starting from the top-left.	The mirrored grids are very different. You must visualize Dadd-E's grid constantly.
Puzzle 6 (Final)	Intricate path covering all four corners.	The ultimate test. Use all your learned skills—prioritize screens that are hard for Dadd-E to reach.

The golden rule? Follow the optimal path for maximum rewards. Completing all six nets you a hefty sum of Gear Coins, but snagging that S-Rank on each one is the real prize. As of 2026, doing so unlocks three special Observation Sites on the map. These sites are no joke; they grant access to exclusive materials and bonuses that are super valuable for endgame content. It's worth taking the time to get it right.

Why These Puzzles Still Matter in 2026

Looking back from 2026, the "Experiencing Dadd-E" mission was a glimpse into HoYoverse's design philosophy for Zenless Zone Zero. It showed they weren't afraid to challenge players with non-combat, logic-based content. This mission has legs—its concepts have popped up in later events and even in some of the game's rogue-like dungeon modes. For current players, mastering these puzzles is like learning the fundamentals; it makes you a better, more versatile Proxy.

So, my final piece of advice? Don't just rush through for the story. Take a moment, maybe grab a notepad (old school, I know), and plot out those paths. The satisfaction of solving them and the tangible in-game rewards make it more than worth the effort. In the ever-expanding world of Zenless Zone Zero, being a puzzle-solver is just as important as being a top-tier fighter. Now get out there and show Dadd-E who's boss!