ZZZ Merits Shop: Buy Tuning Calibrators First (2000 Merits, 1/Month)

Listen up—straight to the point: in the Investigation Merits Shop at Scott Outpost, grab Tuning Calibrators first (2000 merits each, 1/month limit). They let you pick main stats for Drive Disc slots 4-6, blowing tapes out of the water for endgame builds. Stockpile merits from Notorious Hunt, Shiyu Defense, Deadly Assault (50 merits/1-6 stars, 80/7-9 stars). Other paths? Battle Pass or Hollow Licenses. Guides everywhere back this for DPS beasts like Ellen.

Introduction to Investigation Merits Shop

What Are Investigation Merits?

You snag these from Notorious Hunt (solid weekly hauls), Shiyu Defense (monthly spins), and Deadly Assault (50 merits per 1-6 stars, 80 for 7-9 stars—bi-weekly reset). Hoard 'em weekly until you hit 2000. Quick farm rundown: Clear your weekly Notorious Hunt. Nail Shiyu Defense rotations. Grind Deadly Assault to 9 stars for that sweet 80-merit payout.

Shop Location and Access

Unlock it through NPC Casper at Scott Outpost Association Supplies— but only after Shiyu Defense (Inter-Knot Lv. 40+). Here's how: Finish the Shiyu Defense story. Teleport to Scott Outpost. Chat up Casper (monthly refresh). Don't mix it up with Z-Merits Outpost Logistics or Hollow Zero Shop.

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Understanding Tuning Calibrators

What They Do for Drive Discs

S-Rarity Tuning Calibrators unlock Advanced Disk Drive Tuning in the Bardic Needle—for slots 4-6 main stats and sets. Permanent upgrade. Skip the early slots 1-3 hassle. Slot 5? Nine choices, like Ice DMG% on Polar Metal for Ellen. Slot 4: Six options (Crit Rate% or DMG%). Slot 6: Six more (ATK% or Energy Regen). Easy steps: Jump into Drive Disc menu → Bardic Needle. Filter for S-rank sets. Slap on the Calibrator.

Acquisition Alternatives

Shop gives you 1/month (2000 merits). Freebies: One from Hollow Zero Lost Void License (200 points cap), Withered Domain (90 points cap, weekly). Battle Pass drops one monthly. Co-op runs? 1-2 per 30 minutes. Heads up—v2.5 (Dec 30, 2026) tweaks it: 1 for single substat tune, 2 for dual (minimum 12 per disc set). Cap Hollow Licenses weekly.

Cost in Merits Shop

2000 merits apiece, 1/month (monthly reset). Weekly merits from Notorious Hunt/Shiyu plus Deadly Assault stars net you 25-40. Always prioritize over tapes; v2.6 even holds 20-30% back for universal stats.

Breaking Down Polychrome Tapes

Role in Drive Disc Upgrades

Trade tapes for Polychrome (160 per tape) in the Signal Shop (Encrypted or Master Tapes). They're backup to Calibrators—unless your slots 4-6 mains are already golden. Calibrators save you 28,800 Polychrome over 10 rerolls. Dump extras into gacha.

Farming Options Outside Shop

Signal Shop runs on other currencies; Z-Merits from Bounty Commissions. Smart play: Stock Calibrators first. Then merits surplus goes to tapes if you're under 160 Polychrome per pull.

Merits Shop Pricing

No direct tapes here—Calibrators at 2000 merits take top spot. Scoop tapes only after.

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Direct Comparison: Calibrators vs Tapes

Value Per Merit Analysis

Drop 2000 merits on a Calibrator: Full control over slots 5-6 (think 60% Crit Rate, 120% DMG minimum). Tapes? Polychrome equivalent, but RNG roulette. Data shows Calibrators pump S-rank dealers (CRIT jumps 2.4-14.4%, PEN 6-24%).

Progression Speed Impact

Calibrators mean Ellen rocking Ice DMG% in Slot 5 + Crit in 4. Tapes? You're pulling and praying—delays galore. Co-op edge: Calibrators paired with Polychrome per 30-min run.

Rarity and Demand Factors

S-Rarity Calibrators (1/month) outshine tapes; v2.5 doubles your need.

When to Buy Tuning Calibrators First

Early Game Scenarios

Fresh off Shiyu? Snap one for DPS Slot 5 element DMG%. Stamina split: 40% dungeons, 30% co-op, 30% domains.

Team Builds Needing Drive Disc Power

DPS crave CRIT/ATK%; supports need Energy Regen. Prime picks: Polar Metal Ellen, Woodpecker Electro Crit. Do this: Stack merits at month-start. Buy. Tune 5-4-6.

ROI Calculations

One Calibrator equals heaps of rerolls. Stockpile for v2.5 dual tunes.

When Tapes Take Priority

Drive Disc Dependency Builds

Slots 4-6 mains solid? Tapes for Polychrome—gacha calls.

Late-Game Optimization

Post-Calibrator surplus; Freedom Blues Anomaly Mastery in Slot 6.

Cost-Benefit Examples

Tapes shine if you need 160 Polychrome per pull.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Overbuying Low-Value Items

Big no: Tapes sans disc mains, or A/B-rank tuning. (Editor's take: I've watched F2P accounts stall here—fix by chasing S-rank right sets.) Stamina trap: Overcooking non-DPS.

Ignoring Shop Refresh

Monthly reset. Hit 2000 merits by day one.

F2P vs Whale Strategies

F2P leans merits + Hollow freebies. Whales layer Battle Pass.

Alternatives and Farming Strategies

Other Shops and Events

Battle Pass: x1/month. Hollow Licenses: x1. Z-Merits for tapes.

Merits Farming Routes

1. Weekly Notorious Hunt. 2. Shiyu S+. 3. Deadly Assault 9-stars (80 merits).

Hybrid Spending Plans

Calibrators lead. Tapes from surplus. 40% merits to shop.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Final Priority Tier List

1. Tuning Calibrators (slots 4-6 mains).
2. Tapes (Polychrome if stocked).
   Eye the monthly refresh. Prep stockpiles for v2.5 (Dec 30, 2026).

FAQ

What are Investigation Merits in Zenless Zone Zero?
Currency for Scott Outpost Association Supplies from Notorious Hunt, Shiyu Defense, Deadly Assault (50-80 merits/star).

Where is the Investigation Merits Shop located?
Scott Outpost, NPC Casper (post-Shiyu Defense).

What do Tuning Calibrators do in ZZZ?
Select main stats for Drive Disc slots 4-6 (2000 merits, 1/month).

Are Polychrome Tapes worth buying in Merits Shop?
Secondary; prioritize Calibrators unless mains sufficient.

How often does the Merits Shop refresh?
Monthly for Calibrator stock.

Best order to spend Investigation Merits?

1. Tuning Calibrators. 2. Tapes if surplus.