Basketball: Zero’s latest update introduces one of the most unique playstyles we’ve seen so far. The new Thief Style, inspired by Haizaki, revolves entirely around stealing abilities from opponents and using them against their original owners.
Unlike most styles that focus on shooting, speed, or flashy dribbles, Thief Style is built around disruption, mind games, and turning your opponent’s strongest moves into your own weapons.
Here’s a complete breakdown of everything added in the update.
New Legendary Style: Thief (Haizaki)
The Thief Style is a new Legendary Style focused on ability theft and aggressive playmaking.
Its entire kit is designed around taking control away from opponents and forcing them to adapt once their favorite abilities are no longer available.
For players who enjoy countering enemy builds and creating unpredictable plays, this could quickly become one of the strongest and most entertaining styles in the game.
Ability 1: Pillage
Pillage introduces an entirely new mechanic to Basketball: Zero.
When activated, players can steal the last ability used by an opponent.
After stealing it:
- The ability becomes available for you to use.
- The original owner temporarily loses access to it.
- Visual indicators show which abilities can be stolen.
- Cooldown markers display when stolen abilities become available again.
This makes Pillage one of the most tactical abilities currently in the game.
Instead of simply focusing on your own moves, you’ll constantly be watching opponents to identify which abilities are worth stealing.
Ability 2: Rough Play
Rough Play gives Thief Style a physical edge.
This shoulder-charge attack is designed to disrupt dribblers and break offensive momentum.
Effects include:
- Knocking opponents off balance.
- Interrupting dribble chains.
- Potentially forcing loose-ball situations.
- Creating scramble opportunities for possession.
Against ball-dominant players, Rough Play can be incredibly annoying to deal with.
Ability 2.1: Stolen Dribble
Stolen Dribble serves as the style’s advanced dribbling move.
The animation combines:
- Multiple crossovers.
- Quick direction changes.
- A nutmeg finish.
Successfully completing the move grants a temporary dunk-range increase.
That extra range can be the difference between getting blocked and throwing down an easy finish.
Players who enjoy flashy offensive plays will probably use this ability frequently.
Awakening: USURP
The Thief Style Awakening perfectly captures Haizaki’s personality.
The sequence begins when Haizaki notices his opponent’s techniques and becomes interested in taking them for himself.
He states:
“Huh? Those moves are pretty nice. I think I’ll make them mine now.”
This serves as the introduction to one of the most dangerous awakenings currently available.
Awakening Ability 1: Total Theft
Total Theft takes the Pillage mechanic to an entirely different level.
Instead of stealing from a single target, players can steal abilities from multiple opponents within range.
Additional benefits include:
- Multi-target ability theft.
- Rapid ability chaining.
- No cooldowns on stolen abilities.
- Powerful combo potential.
In team matches, this ability could become extremely oppressive if used correctly.
The ability to cycle through several stolen moves without cooldown restrictions opens the door to some incredibly creative scoring sequences.
Awakening Ability 2: It’s Mine
This is easily one of the most cinematic abilities added to Basketball: Zero.
The cutscene activates when an opponent attempts to score using an ability that Haizaki previously stole.
During the sequence:
- The enemy begins their scoring animation.
- Haizaki suddenly appears behind them.
- He steals the ball mid-play.
- The opponent crashes to the floor.
- Haizaki reminds them who owns the move now.
The scene concludes with the line:
“It’s mine.”
It’s a brutal finisher and one of the coolest defensive cutscenes currently in the game.
Devour Zone Explained
The update also introduces the new Devour Zone effect.
When activated, it provides two powerful benefits:
Steals Enemy Zone Energy
- Drains 20% of nearby opponents’ Zone Bars.
This not only strengthens you but actively weakens the opposing team.
Disrupts Blocking Range
Enemies affected by Devour Zone suffer reduced blocking effectiveness.
This creates easier scoring opportunities and helps finish drives at the rim.
Combined with the ability-stealing mechanics, Devour Zone makes Thief Style extremely disruptive.
Codes
- “THIEF” – 10 Lucky Spins, 50,000 Money
- “30THIEF” – 10 Lucky Spins, 150,000 Money
New Thief Bundle
Players can also purchase the new Thief Bundle, which includes several Haizaki-themed cosmetics and customization options.
For fans of the character, this is likely the best cosmetic package released so far.
Limited Shop Additions
Several new items have arrived in the Limited Shop.
Score Effect
- Thief Score Effect
Cutscene
- Thief Cutscene
Emote
- Happy Birthday
Cosmetic
- Thief Jacket
Player Card
- Skill Thief Card
These items are expected to remain available for a limited time, so players interested in collecting them may want to grab them before the next rotation.
New Music
The update adds:
- Haizaki Theme
This track can be used as OTS music and helps complete the overall Thief Style experience.
Clan Rewards Coming Next Week
The developers also confirmed that Clan Rewards are arriving next week.
While specific rewards haven’t been revealed yet, the announcement confirms that clans will soon have their own progression incentives.
More details are expected in the next Basketball: Zero update.