Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.0 Phase I Banners: Velina, Ye Shunguang, W-Engines, and Signal Search Guide
Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.0 Phase I introduces four limited-time Signal Search channels featuring new S-Rank Agents and exclusive W-Engines. Following the Version 3.0 update, players can recruit Velina and Ye Shunguang, obtain their signature W-Engines, and participate in limited-time trial stages before the banners conclude on July 8, 2026, at 11:59 (server time).
The first phase combines two exclusive Agent banners and two dedicated W-Engine banners, giving players multiple opportunities to strengthen their teams. Alongside the new S-Rank characters, returning A-Rank Agents Piper and Nicole also receive boosted drop rates, making this period valuable for both new and veteran Proxies.
At Animon Life, official character announcements like these are closely followed because major banner releases often coincide with new promotional artwork and licensed merchandise that attract Zenless Zone Zero fans.
Version 3.0 Phase I Banner Schedule
All four Signal Search channels become available immediately after the Version 3.0 update. Players can participate in the limited-time banners until July 8, 2026, at 11:59 (server time). After the event ends, the featured S-Rank Agents and W-Engines will no longer be obtainable through these exclusive channels.
Unlike permanent Signal Searches, the featured S-Rank content in Phase I is available only during the event period. Players interested in recruiting the new characters or obtaining their signature equipment should plan their pulls before the banners expire.
Limited-Time Agent Signal Searches
Version 3.0 Phase I features two exclusive Agent banners with different S-Rank characters. Each banner highlights one limited S-Rank Agent while sharing the same boosted A-Rank lineup.
Graceful Gale
Graceful Gale introduces Velina as the featured S-Rank Agent. Players pulling on this banner have an increased chance of obtaining:
Velina (S-Rank – Wind / Anomaly)
Piper (A-Rank – Physical / Anomaly)
Nicole (A-Rank – Ether / Support)
Velina makes her debut as a Wind Anomaly specialist, offering players another powerful option for anomaly-focused team compositions.
Light Upon Fingertips
Light Upon Fingertips focuses on Ye Shunguang as the featured S-Rank Agent. The boosted lineup includes:
Ye Shunguang (S-Rank – Honed Edge / Attack)
Piper (A-Rank – Physical / Anomaly)
Nicole (A-Rank – Ether / Support)
Players interested in offensive playstyles may find Ye Shunguang especially appealing thanks to the character’s Attack specialization.
Phase I Agent Banner Overview
Each Agent banner targets a different playstyle while sharing the same A-Rank lineup. This allows players to choose between a Wind Anomaly specialist and an Attack-focused damage dealer without missing the featured A-Rank characters.
Signal SearchFeatured S-Rank AgentFeatured A-Rank AgentsAttribute / Specialty
Graceful Gale
VelinaPiper, NicoleWind / Anomaly
Light Upon Fingertips
Ye ShunguangPiper, NicoleHoned Edge / Attack
| Signal Search | Featured S-Rank Agent | Featured A-Rank Agents | Attribute / Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graceful Gale | Velina | Piper, Nicole | Wind / Anomaly |
| Light Upon Fingertips | Ye Shunguang | Piper, Nicole | Honed Edge / Attack |
Velina Brings a New Wind Anomaly Playstyle
Velina expands the Anomaly roster with a Wind-based combat style. As the featured S-Rank Agent in Graceful Gale, she is designed for players who enjoy triggering elemental anomaly effects while supporting advanced team compositions.
Although the announcement focuses primarily on banner availability rather than gameplay mechanics, her classification as a Wind – Anomaly Agent suggests she will play an important role in teams built around status effects and elemental reactions.
Her arrival also introduces another premium option for players looking to diversify their Anomaly-focused roster during Version 3.0.
Ye Shunguang Strengthens the Attack Role
Ye Shunguang offers a dedicated Attack-focused alternative during Phase I. Featured in Light Upon Fingertips, this S-Rank Agent specializes in the Honed Edge – Attack attribute, making the banner an attractive choice for players seeking direct offensive power.
While HoYoverse has not detailed the character’s complete combat kit in this announcement, the official classification clearly positions Ye Shunguang as a high-damage unit intended for players who prefer aggressive gameplay.
Because both Agent banners share the same A-Rank characters, players can also improve copies of Piper and Nicole regardless of which featured S-Rank banner they choose.
Piper and Nicole Return With Increased Drop Rates
Both limited Agent banners include boosted reception rates for Piper and Nicole. These returning A-Rank Agents provide additional value for players who may already be targeting Velina or Ye Shunguang.
Piper continues to represent the Physical – Anomaly role, while Nicole remains one of the game’s Ether – Support characters. Their inclusion gives players another opportunity to strengthen existing teams or unlock additional Mindscapes while pursuing the featured S-Rank Agent.
Exclusive W-Engine Signal Searches
Version 3.0 Phase I also introduces two limited-time W-Engine banners designed to complement the featured S-Rank Agents. Players can pull for Joyau Dore and Cloudcleave Radiance, each serving as the signature S-Rank W-Engine for one of the new Agents. Like the Agent banners, these Signal Searches remain available until July 8, 2026, at 11:59 (server time).
Both W-Engine banners also feature increased reception rates for two returning A-Rank W-Engines, giving players additional opportunities to upgrade their equipment while pursuing the featured S-Rank reward.
Joyau Dore Highlights Anomaly Teams
Joyau Dore is the featured S-Rank W-Engine in the “Joyau Dore” Signal Search. This exclusive Anomaly W-Engine is designed to support Velina and other Agents who specialize in applying Anomaly effects during combat.
Alongside the featured S-Rank equipment, players can also obtain boosted copies of:
Roaring Ride (A-Rank – Anomaly)
The Vault (A-Rank – Support)
This banner is an excellent option for players focusing on Anomaly-based teams, as every featured W-Engine complements status-effect or support-oriented gameplay.
Cloudcleave Radiance Supports Attack-Focused Builds
Cloudcleave Radiance serves as the signature W-Engine for Ye Shunguang. Featured in its own dedicated Signal Search, this S-Rank Attack W-Engine is aimed at players who want to maximize the offensive potential of Attack-class Agents.
The accompanying A-Rank lineup remains identical to the other W-Engine banner, featuring:
Roaring Ride (A-Rank – Anomaly)
The Vault (A-Rank – Support)
Because both banners share the same A-Rank W-Engines, players can continue improving these weapons regardless of which S-Rank W-Engine they choose to pursue.
| Signal Search | Featured S-Rank W-Engine | Featured A-Rank W-Engines | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joyau Dore | Joyau Dore | Roaring Ride, The Vault | Anomaly |
| Cloudcleave Radiance | Cloudcleave Radiance | Roaring Ride, The Vault | Attack |
How Exclusive Signal Search Counters Work
The pity system carries over within the same banner category, making long-term pulls more efficient. HoYoverse confirms that the Signal Search count for guaranteed rewards is shared between banners of the same type but does not transfer across different banner categories.
For example, Graceful Gale and Light Upon Fingertips both belong to the Exclusive Agent Channel. If you switch from one Agent banner to the other, your guaranteed Signal Search progress remains unchanged.
The same rule applies to Joyau Dore and Cloudcleave Radiance, both of which belong to the W-Engine Channel. Players can freely switch between these banners without losing accumulated pity.
However, Exclusive Agent Channels and W-Engine Channels maintain separate counters. Pulls made on Agent banners do not contribute toward W-Engine guarantees, and vice versa.
Limited S-Rank Items Will Not Join the Permanent Banner
The featured S-Rank Agents and W-Engines remain exclusive to Version 3.0 Phase I. HoYoverse confirms that Velina, Ye Shunguang, Joyau Dore, and Cloudcleave Radiance will not be added to the Star-Studded Cast Stable Channel after the event concludes.
As a result, players interested in these exclusive rewards should plan their Signal Searches before the banners end on July 8, 2026. Missing the event means waiting for a future rerun, since these limited items will not be added to the standard recruitment pool.
Choosing Between the Two Banner Sets
Your preferred team composition should determine which banner offers the greatest value. Players building Anomaly-focused teams may benefit more from recruiting Velina alongside Joyau Dore, while those seeking a dedicated damage dealer may prefer Ye Shunguang paired with Cloudcleave Radiance.
Because Piper, Nicole, Roaring Ride, and The Vault appear across both banner types, players can still strengthen their supporting roster regardless of which limited S-Rank reward they prioritize.
The Final Callback Lets Players Test Featured Agents for Free
The Final Callback event gives players an opportunity to try every featured Phase I Agent before spending their Signal Searches. Available from the Version 3.0 update until July 8, 2026, at 11:59 (server time), the Audition Stage allows Proxies to experience the playstyles of the newest characters while earning first-clear rewards.
Unlike the limited-time Signal Search banners, this event focuses on hands-on gameplay rather than recruitment. It helps players decide whether Velina or Ye Shunguang better suits their preferred combat style before committing their resources.
Event Requirements and How to Participate
Players must meet a few progression requirements before accessing the Audition Stage. According to the official announcement, participants need to:
Reach Inter-Knot Level 8
Unlock the Event feature during the Main Story Prologue – Intermission
Once these requirements are met, the Audition Stage becomes available for the duration of the Phase I event.
The trial stages are designed to introduce each featured Agent’s abilities in a controlled environment, making them especially useful for newer players who have not yet experienced these characters in combat.
Featured Trial Agents
The Audition Stage includes every Agent featured during the Phase I banners. Players can test each character to better understand their weapons, combat roles, and team potential before deciding which Signal Search banner to prioritize.
The available trial characters include:
Velina — Wind / Anomaly
Ye Shunguang — Honed Edge / Attack
Piper — Physical / Anomaly
Nicole — Ether / Support
This lineup gives players the chance to experience both featured S-Rank Agents alongside the boosted A-Rank characters available throughout Phase I.
First-Time Completion Rewards
Every trial stage offers rewards for first-time completion. After clearing an Audition Stage for the first time, players can immediately claim the corresponding reward from the results screen.
HoYoverse also provides an additional convenience feature for returning players. If you have already completed the Cooperation Exercise stage for one of the featured A-Rank Agents, you can claim that Agent’s Audition Stage reward directly from the event interface without replaying the trial.
This system reduces unnecessary repetition while ensuring experienced players do not miss out on available rewards.
Why the Audition Stage Is Worth Completing
Trying the featured Agents before pulling can help players make better recruitment decisions. Instead of relying only on promotional videos or character descriptions, the Audition Stage allows players to experience each Agent’s movement, combat mechanics, and overall playstyle firsthand.
This is especially useful when deciding between Velina’s Wind Anomaly gameplay and Ye Shunguang’s Attack-focused combat, as both characters fill different roles within a team.
Even players who have already decided which banner to pull on should complete the event, since the first-clear rewards provide additional value with minimal time investment.
For fans who enjoy collecting official character artwork and promotional releases, banner launches such as Version 3.0 Phase I also generate significant interest within the community. Official character illustrations and themed merchandise are commonly distributed through licensed retailers such as Animon Life in North America, making banner announcements noteworthy beyond the game itself.
Summary
Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.0 Phase I introduces two exclusive Agent banners, two signature W-Engine banners, and a free Audition Stage event that helps players explore the newest characters before recruiting them. Running from the Version 3.0 update until July 8, 2026, the event features Velina, Ye Shunguang, Piper, and Nicole, alongside their corresponding W-Engines and trial stages.
Players can choose between Graceful Gale and Light Upon Fingertips based on their preferred playstyle, while the dedicated W-Engine banners offer equipment tailored to each featured S-Rank Agent. The addition of The Final Callback further enhances the experience by allowing Proxies to test each featured character and earn rewards before committing their Signal Searches.
Whether you’re building an Anomaly-focused squad or strengthening an Attack-based team, Version 3.0 Phase I provides multiple opportunities to expand your roster with limited-time content.
Animon Life continues to follow and update official Zenless Zone Zero merchandise releases and major character announcements for North American customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Version 3.0 Phase I banners end?
All Phase I Signal Search banners remain available until July 8, 2026, at 11:59 (server time). After that, the featured limited S-Rank Agents and W-Engines will no longer be obtainable through these exclusive channels.
Can I test Velina and Ye Shunguang before pulling?
Yes. The Final Callback – Audition Stage allows players to try Velina, Ye Shunguang, Piper, and Nicole during the event period before using their Signal Searches.
Are the Version 3.0 featured Agents added to the permanent banner?
No. HoYoverse has confirmed that the limited S-Rank Agents and their signature W-Engines will not be added to the Star-Studded Cast Stable Channel after Phase I ends.
What are the requirements to unlock The Final Callback event?
Players must reach Inter-Knot Level 8 and unlock the Event feature during the Main Story Prologue – Intermission. Once these requirements are met, the Audition Stage becomes available until the Phase I event concludes.
