Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.0 is expected to arrive on June 17, 2026, kicking off Season 3 and ushering in the game's second anniversary season.
The update introduces Velina as the first-ever Wind attribute Agent, Norma as a new Fire Stun specialist, and Pyrois — the Etheric Other combat form of Phaethon — alongside a brand-new explorable region: the floating sky city Roscaelifer.
HoYoverse has officially confirmed that Version 2.9 is skipped — the game jumps directly from 2.8 to 3.0. With three new Agents, a new element, and the anniversary window stacking back-to-back, this is a patch that demands early planning. Here is a full breakdown of everything confirmed so far.
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💡 This article is based on officially confirmed information from the ZTALK Season 3 Special (April 21, 2026), the "Before the Wind Rises" teaser (April 30, 2026), official drip marketing, and the Version 2.8 Special Program livestream. Community predictions are clearly labeled. We will update this page as new details become available.
ZZZ 3.0 Update Schedule
Version 2.8 "New: Eridan Sunset" is now live, serving as the final chapter of Season 2. With no Version 2.9 in between, here is the full timeline from the current patch through the start of Season 3:
The 3.0 Special Program livestream will confirm the final banner order, full kit reveals, and any anniversary-related rewards — keep an eye out for it in early June.
ZZZ 3.0 Banner Overview
Version 3.0 introduces three new playable Agents. Based on drip marketing and official reveals, here is the expected banner structure.
New S-Rank Agents
Pyrois — Phaethon's Combat Form
Pyrois's rarity has not been officially confirmed. Some community sources label Pyrois as S-Rank, while others point out that the drip marketing video used a static image — typically a hallmark of A-Rank characters in ZZZ. Until the 3.0 livestream confirms Pyrois's rarity, treat all claims as speculation.
Velina Airgid: First Wind Agent in ZZZ History
Velina leads the External Strategy Department in Roscaelifer and will act as the Proxies’ guide to the floating sky city. Calm, sharp, and extremely efficient, she has a talent for solving problems in ways nobody expects, whether she is dealing with paperwork or difficult people.
As the first-ever Wind Anomaly Agent, Velina single-handedly defines the archetype from the ground up. There are no existing Wind units to compare her to, meaning her kit sets the benchmark for all future Wind characters.
Velina first appeared as an NPC alongside Norma in the “Encore for an Old Dream” Season 2 Interlude in Version 2.7. She later returned in the “New: Eridan Sunset (A)” Season 2 Epilogue.
In-game, she is presented as an ESD specialist who handles important documents and high-level meetings. Her design is easy to recognize, with long gray hair, a large white bow, gold accessories, and a folding hand fan.
Expected Combat Mechanics
Velina's kit is expected to revolve around the new Windswept status and Vortex compound reaction — the core mechanics of the Wind element. For a full breakdown of how Wind works, see the Wind Attribute section below.
Version 2.8 introduces a new boss that enters a Wind Attribute Anomaly state during specific combat phases, allowing players to familiarize themselves with the mechanics before Velina arrives in 3.0.
As the sole Wind Agent at launch, Velina has zero competition in her niche. First-movers on a new element historically benefit from strong initial tuning — but wait for full kit reveals during the 3.0 livestream before committing resources.
Norma Hollowell: Fire Stun Specialist
Norma is the ESD’s Chief Technician and works closely with Velina as her partner. She is energetic, unpredictable, and fully believes that “destruction is the mother of creation.” That mindset also explains why the ESD hallways have fire suppression systems installed every thirty meters.
She is also known for her work with Bangboo, especially when it comes to building and modifying them.
Like Velina, Norma first appeared as an NPC in the Version 2.7 Interlude, introducing herself as a specialist from the Marcel Group's Special Affairs department. She was the one who introduced Velina to the Proxies.
Norma enters the Fire Stun space, joining established names like Qingyi and Lighter. The niche is relatively saturated, but her unique mechanics and potential synergy with Velina's Wind element could carve out a distinct role — especially in mixed-element Anomaly teams designed around the new Vortex reaction.
Full kit details have not been officially revealed yet. We will update this section once the 3.0 beta or livestream confirms her abilities.
Pyrois: Phaethon's Combat Form
Pyrois is the Etheric Other — the combat manifestation of the power hidden within the Phaethon siblings since their time at Helios Academy. This is the first time in Zenless Zone Zero that the Proxy (player character) will have a direct, physical presence in Hollow combat.
As the developers stated in the ZTALK Season 3 Special: "The power that's been hidden inside Phaethon all along, or what we call the legacy of Helios Academy, will officially make its appearance to everyone in the form of the Etheric Other, Pyrois."
Pyrois is the second Ether Attack Agent in ZZZ, after Zhu Yuan. According to the official drip marketing, Pyrois can perceive everything within the Proxy's senses and fight in combat, while also monitoring the Proxy's condition during exploration.
Pyrois can also unlock special techniques for enhanced gameplay and exploration.
Lore Significance
The name "Pyrois" carries mythological weight: in Ancient Greek mythology, Pyrois ("The Fiery One") and Eous ("He of the Dawn") were among the four Horses of Helios that pulled the sun chariot.
Phaethon, a mortal son of Helios, famously attempted to drive the chariot and lost control — a narrative parallel that likely foreshadows Season 3's storyline.
Notably, the Proxy's Bangboo is already named Eous — corresponding to another of the four horses. Community theorists speculate that with two horses still unrevealed, the Proxies may unlock additional combat forms in future versions, potentially forming a full squad.
Free or Gacha?
HoYoverse has not confirmed Pyrois's acquisition method. However, because Pyrois is directly tied to the player character (Belle/Wise), and the story explicitly frames Pyrois's awakening as a narrative event, the community consensus leans strongly toward a free story unlock in Version 3.0.
The Wind Attribute: A New Combat Era
Version 3.0 doesn't just add characters — it fundamentally expands the combat system by introducing Wind, the first new element added to ZZZ since launch.
- ▶ Windswept (Weathered) Wind's signature Anomaly status, applied through Wind damage. Causes interruption and Wind damage to afflicted targets.
- ▶ Erosion Increases the target's Wind direct damage taken for 20 seconds.
- ▶ Vortex A compound reaction triggered when Wind Anomaly interacts with other Attribute Anomalies. Rewards multi-attribute team compositions.
These mechanics were shared by reliable leaker Leifa and are consistent with what the ZTALK Dev Talk previewed. The staggered rollout mirrors previous combat expansions: Version 2.8 introduces Wind through a boss encounter, while Version 3.0 delivers the playable Wind Agents.
Meta Impact
With no existing Wind Agents or W-Engines in the game, Velina will define the entire Wind meta from day one. Players who invest early gain the advantage of building around a completely uncontested element.
However, the lack of supporting Wind teammates means Velina's initial team compositions may require creative cross-element pairing until more Wind units arrive in later versions.
New Region: Roscaelifer — The Sky City
Season 3 takes Proxies to Roscaelifer, a classified airspace zone and floating city that has been teased since Version 1.0 through in-game texts.
Setting & Aesthetics
The city's visual identity is described as retro-futuristic — blending vintage European architecture with advanced technology.
Originally established as a sanctuary during the Old Eridu period, Roscaelifer is designed around a "warm nostalgia" aesthetic, emphasizing atmosphere and lived-in spaces rather than spectacle.
The Season 3 teaser showcased flying cars, opulent buildings, double-decker buses, and a relaxed atmosphere where Bangboos appear to live more freely than anywhere else in New Eridu.
Roscaelifer was founded by Lady Sunbringer, a legendary figure who is the creator of Bangboos, the former CEO of the Marcel Group, and one of the original Void Hunters. The city operates as a "Bangboo utopia" under her rule.
New Systems & Exploration
The ZTALK Season 3 Special confirmed multiple new systems launching alongside Roscaelifer:
Season 3 Story Preview
The story continues after the end of Season 2. The power inside the Phaethon siblings has been unstable since their encounter with The Creator in Version 2.5. The affected sibling has struggled with weakness and headaches ever since, and Version 2.8’s trailer makes it clear that the situation is getting worse.
Key Narrative Threads
Pyrois & Helios Academy
The Etheric Other's awakening forces the siblings to confront events from their past at Helios Academy, the top-tier research institution of Old Eridu that was destroyed when the Old Capital fell.
The Hunt for Ramiel
Revealed as Remielle Dan. In the Season 3 trailer, her wings have turned white — a stark contrast to the black wings seen in Version 2.7.
Faction Politics
Multiple factions collide in Roscaelifer: the External Strategy Department, Krampus Compliance, Public Safety, and Marcel Group remnants.
Lady Sunbringer
Ruler of Roscaelifer and original Void Hunter. Her true nature is a major mystery; intel suggests her strength is on par with Void Hunters.
The Storyteller
A mysterious figure with an ominous presence connected to Phaethon's childhood past.
The developers confirmed that the narrative structure is shifting to a two-patch build for major story climaxes:
| Version | Title | Notes |
| 3.0 | A Sleepwalker's Confession | Season 3 opening chapter |
| 3.1 | The Long Goodbye | 2nd Anniversary celebration version (game launched July 4, 2024) |
Full Season 3 Character Roster
The official "Before the Wind Rises" teaser introduced 10 named characters with confirmed voice actors. Not all are confirmed playable — banner timing beyond 3.0 is unknown.
Severian has been gaining story weight since Version 2.6, especially through his links to Cissia and the Remielle arc. Based on current community speculation, Severian and Remielle are two of the strongest candidates for playable releases in Version 3.1 or later.
As for the four new characters, Claret, Roxy, Sigrid, and Phoenix, their attributes, roles, and banner timing have not been revealed yet.
Pull Strategy: Should You Pull in 3.0?
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Final Thoughts
Version 3.0 is shaping up to be the biggest update since launch. It brings a new element, a new sky city, the Proxy’s first combat form, and three new Agents in one patch, all landing at the start of the game’s second anniversary season.
For now, the safest plan is to farm the Wind boss in Version 2.8 so you can prepare Velina’s materials early. Keep enough Polychrome saved for the Phase 1 banner, but wait for the 3.0 livestream before making final pull decisions.
Bookmark this page for updates once the official kits and banner schedule are confirmed. Follow GamsGo for more Zenless Zone Zero banner news and strategy guides.
FAQ
When Does Zenless Zone Zero 3.0 Launch?
Version 3.0 is expected on June 17, 2026. HoYoverse has confirmed that Version 2.9 is skipped, so the game jumps directly from 2.8 to 3.0. The Special Program livestream should air in early June, approximately one week before the update.
Who Are the New Characters in ZZZ 3.0?
Three new Agents are confirmed: Velina Airgid (S-Rank Wind Anomaly), Norma Hollowell (S-Rank Fire Stun), and Pyrois (Ether Attack, Phaethon's combat form). Velina is the first Wind Agent in ZZZ history.
What Is the Wind Attribute?
Wind is the first new element added to ZZZ since launch. It introduces the Windswept/Weathered Anomaly status, the Erosion debuff (increases Wind damage taken), and the Vortex compound reaction, which triggers when Wind Anomaly interacts with other Attribute Anomalies — rewarding multi-element team building.
What Is Roscaelifer?
Roscaelifer is a classified airspace zone — a floating sky city ruled by Lady Sunbringer. Originally established during the Old Eridu period, it serves as the new explorable region in Season 3, featuring retro-futuristic aesthetics, flying vehicles, and a Bangboo-centric society.
Should I Skip 3.0 and Save for the Anniversary in 3.1?
Version 3.1 "The Long Goodbye" is the official 2nd anniversary patch (the game launched July 4, 2024). Anniversary versions historically bring generous freebies and high-impact limited characters. If your Polychrome reserves are low, prioritizing Velina in 3.0 Phase 1 and then saving for 3.1 is the safest strategy.
How Many Polychromes Do I Need to Guarantee an S-Rank Agent?
ZZZ's hard pity is at 90 pulls for an S-Rank Agent. In the worst-case scenario (losing the 50/50 and hitting hard pity twice), you need up to 180 pulls. At 160 Polychromes per pull, that's approximately 28,800 Polychromes for an absolute guarantee. Soft pity kicks in around pull 75, so most players secure an S-Rank between 75–85 pulls.
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