Tales of the Hobbling Crow Event Guide: Dates, Commissions and Rewards
The Tales of the Hobbling Crow event is a limited-time Zenless Zone Zero story event running from July 3, 2026, at 10:00 to July 20, 2026, at 03:59 server time. During the event, Proxies work alongside Hobble and Crowe of the Hobbling Crow Detective Agency to investigate incidents affecting Booastrum's residents.
You need to reach Inter-Knot Level 20 and complete Main Story Chapter 1 - Intermission before you can participate. Once unlocked, the event takes you through five connected commission incidents, with each new case becoming available after you complete the previous one and reach its required unlock time.
Tales of the Hobbling Crow Event Summary
The event combines story commissions with useful progression rewards. Rather than focusing on combat challenges alone, Tales of the Hobbling Crow centers on solving problems, investigating incidents, and helping Booastrum’s residents.
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event name | Tales of the Hobbling Crow |
| Start date | July 3, 2026, 10:00 server time |
| End date | July 20, 2026, 03:59 server time |
| Location | Booastrum |
| Featured group | Hobbling Crow Detective Agency |
| Featured characters | Hobble and Crowe |
| Minimum Inter-Knot Level | Level 20 |
| Story requirement | Main Story Chapter 1 - Intermission |
| Event content | 5 commission incidents |
| Main rewards | Polychromes, Boopons, upgrade materials |
| Unlock system | Previous commission + specified time |
The event lasts more than two weeks, giving eligible Proxies time to work through all five incidents. However, the commission chain is not designed as five immediately available missions because later incidents require earlier cases to be completed first.
When Does Tales of the Hobbling Crow Start and End?
The Tales of the Hobbling Crow event begins on July 3, 2026, at 10:00 server time and ends on July 20, 2026, at 03:59 server time. The event therefore remains available for over two weeks.
The important deadline is 03:59 server time on July 20. Proxies who have not completed the available event content before that cutoff may lose access once the limited-time event closes.
| Date and Time | Event Milestone | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| July 3, 2026, 10:00 | Event begins | Eligible Proxies can start the event |
| July 3–19, 2026 | Event period | Complete available commission incidents |
| During event | Sequential unlocks | Finish the previous incident and meet its time requirement |
| July 20, 2026, 03:59 | Event ends | Limited-time event period closes |
The official Zenless Zone Zero announcement confirms the event duration and participation requirements.
What Is Tales of the Hobbling Crow About?
The event follows Hobble and Crowe, members of the Hobbling Crow Detective Agency, as they investigate unusual problems in Booastrum. Proxies join their efforts to uncover what is really happening and help residents.
The focus on a detective agency gives this event a different structure from activities built mainly around combat. Players progress by working through a sequence of commission incidents, with each case contributing to the wider story.
Who Are Hobble and Crowe?
Hobble and Crowe are the central figures associated with the Hobbling Crow Detective Agency in this event. Their investigation provides the framework for the five commissions.
The event description specifically places the pair alongside Proxies as they attempt to uncover the truth behind the incidents affecting Booastrum. This makes the commission chain more connected than a set of unrelated side tasks would be.
What Are the Five Event Commissions?
The event contains five commission incidents, each with its own title and role in the overall investigation. Players must complete the previous incident and reach the required time before the next commission becomes available.
The five commissions are:
Woofy Weirdness
Despairing Boo
Debt Crisis
Parent-Child Time Lag
Last-Minute Special Blend
These titles suggest that the Hobbling Crow investigation covers several distinct problems in Booastrum rather than following a single straightforward incident from beginning to end.
How the Commission Chain Works
The five incidents are connected through a sequential unlock system. You cannot simply open every commission as soon as the event begins.
First, you need to complete the currently available commission. Then, you must wait until the specified unlock time for the next incident. This structure spreads the story across the event period and prevents the entire commission chain from becoming available at once.
For players who want to finish the event efficiently, checking back after each scheduled unlock is important.
Tales of the Hobbling Crow Requirements
You need Inter-Knot Level 20 and Main Story Chapter 1 - Intermission completed to access the event. These requirements place the event within the early-to-mid progression path for active Proxies.
Requirement Breakdown
Inter-Knot Level 20: Your account must reach at least Level 20 before you can participate.
Main Story Chapter 1 - Intermission: Reaching the required Inter-Knot Level alone is not enough. You must also complete this specific story milestone.
Previous commission completion: Later incidents in the event chain require that the preceding commission be completed.
Specified unlock time: Completing a commission does not immediately unlock the next one if its scheduled time has not arrived.
This means a player who meets the main requirements on July 3 can begin the event, but they may still need to return later to access subsequent commissions.
What Rewards Can You Get?
The main event rewards include Polychromes, Boopons, and upgrade materials. These rewards make the commission chain useful for both story-focused players and Proxies who want additional progression resources.
| Reward | Role in the Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Polychromes | Event reward | Useful for obtaining resources associated with the game's Signal Search system |
| Boopons | Event reward | Used for Bangboo-related Signal Search |
| Upgrade materials | Event reward | Help improve characters or other progression-related elements |
| Commission completion rewards | Earned through event incidents | Encourage players to complete the full investigation |
The official event notice confirms Polychromes, Boopons, and upgrade materials as rewards for completing the event commissions. It does not specify individual quantities in the supplied announcement, so those amounts should not be assumed.
Should You Complete All Five Commissions?
Yes, completing the full commission chain is the clearest way to experience the event and collect its available commission rewards. Since the five incidents are connected, stopping after the first case also means missing the later parts of the Hobbling Crow investigation.
Players who want the complete story should therefore plan to return when each new commission unlocks.
How to Complete the Event Efficiently
The easiest approach is to start the event as soon as it becomes available and then follow the commission sequence. Because later incidents depend on both completion and time, there is little benefit in trying to rush through all five cases immediately.
A Simple Event Plan
Start on July 3: Begin the first available commission after 10:00 server time.
Complete each available incident: Finish the current commission before expecting the next one to become available.
Check the required time: If the next commission does not appear immediately, its scheduled unlock time may not have arrived.
Return during the event: The event remains active until July 20, giving players multiple opportunities to continue the investigation.
Finish before the deadline: Complete the available commissions before 03:59 server time on July 20.
This approach is especially useful for players who do not log in every day. You can progress through the chain whenever the next required incident becomes available rather than treating the event like a single-session activity.
How Does This Event Differ From a Standard Commission?
Tales of the Hobbling Crow is different because its commissions form a timed story chain with event-specific rewards. Standard commissions can serve individual gameplay or story purposes, while these five incidents are tied directly to the limited-time Hobbling Crow investigation.
The event also has a clear cast and setting. Hobble, Crowe, the Hobbling Crow Detective Agency, and the residents of Booastrum all form part of the event’s narrative framework.
At Animon Life, we also track official Zenless Zone Zero content and limited-time releases, especially when an update combines story material with collectible or progression rewards.
Is Tales of the Hobbling Crow Worth Playing?
The event is worth completing if you meet the requirements because it combines a five-part story with Polychromes, Boopons, and upgrade materials. It also offers additional context around Hobble, Crowe, and the Hobbling Crow Detective Agency.
The relatively long event window gives players flexibility, but the sequential unlock system means you should not wait until the final day if you want to experience every commission comfortably.
Final Takeaway
Tales of the Hobbling Crow is a five-commission story event running from July 3 to July 20, 2026. Eligible Proxies join Hobble and Crowe of the Hobbling Crow Detective Agency to investigate incidents and help the residents of Booastrum.
The key requirements are Inter-Knot Level 20 and completion of Main Story Chapter 1 - Intermission. Once the event begins, complete each commission and return when the next one reaches its specified unlock time.
With Polychromes, Boopons, and upgrade materials available from event commissions, the event offers both narrative content and useful progression rewards.
Animon Life continues to follow and update official Zenless Zone Zero releases and related updates for North American customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level is required for Tales of the Hobbling Crow?
You need to reach Inter-Knot Level 20 and complete Main Story Chapter 1 - Intermission before participating.
How many commissions are in Tales of the Hobbling Crow?
The event contains five commission incidents: “Woofy Weirdness,” “Despairing Boo,” “Debt Crisis,” “Parent-Child Time Lag,” and “Last-Minute Special Blend.”
What rewards does the event give?
Completing the event commissions can provide Polychromes, Boopons, and upgrade materials. The official announcement does not specify the exact quantity of each reward in the provided event details.
When does Tales of the Hobbling Crow end?
The event ends on July 20, 2026, at 03:59 server time. Proxies should complete the available event content before this deadline.
