Phoenix or Severian? ZZZ 3.3 Journey to the Sky Pull Guide

Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.3 is bringing two new S-Rank Agents, and if you have been saving Polychrome, you are about to face a real choice. This GameMarket.gg breakdown focuses on the two headliners of the Journey to the Sky update launching October 21, 2026: the Fire Anomaly Agent Phoenix and the Wind Attack Agent Severian. They land on separate banners across the patch, and most players will not have the pulls for both, so the question the update keeps asking is which one you have been waiting for. Here is who each Agent is, how they play, and how to decide where your saved pulls should go.

Two S-Ranks, one hard choice

The patch is split into two halves, and each one is built around a single new S-Rank. Phoenix headlines the first half of Version 3.3, while Severian takes over the second, so you get a natural gap between the two banners to regroup your resources. That structure is exactly why planning matters, since landing both without spending money takes a serious Polychrome stockpile and a lot of patience.

What makes the decision genuinely tricky is that these two could not be more different. Phoenix is an Anomaly-focused damage dealer, and Severian is a direct Attack-type carry, so they appeal to completely different playstyles rather than competing for the same slot on your team. This is not a case of one simply being stronger than the other; it is a case of which kind of combat you actually enjoy and what your current roster is missing.

For anyone new to it, Zenless Zone Zero is HoYoverse's stylish action gacha set in the city of New Eridu, where you build squads of Agents and pull for new ones on limited-time banners. Agents come in different Attributes, like Fire and Wind, and different Specialties that define their role, so picking the right new unit comes down to matching their kit to the team you are trying to build.

Phoenix, the Fire Anomaly carry

Leading the update is Phoenix, an S-Rank Fire Anomaly Agent and a combat specialist for the Krampus Compliance Authority. She is built around the Anomaly playstyle, which means her damage comes from applying and detonating elemental status effects rather than landing single big hits. For Fire teams in particular, a dedicated S-Rank Anomaly unit is a major addition, since she anchors a damage style that scales hard in longer fights.

• Rarity & role: S-Rank Fire Anomaly damage dealer.
• Faction: Krampus Compliance Authority combat specialist.
• Signature trait: Anomaly damage that can land critical hits.
• Survivability: Rebirth revives her at full HP after a fatal blow.
• Signature W-Engine: "Plume of Rebirth."
• Banner: First half of Version 3.3.

Her kit has two features that make her stand out from the usual Anomaly carry. The first is that her Anomaly damage can trigger critical hits on affected enemies, fusing two damage systems that normally stay separate and giving her a higher ceiling than most units in her role. The second is her signature survivability tool: a Rebirth mechanic that revives her with full health after a fatal blow, perfectly on-theme for a phoenix and a genuine safety net that makes her forgiving to pilot through demanding content.

Phoenix also arrives with her own signature weapon. The S-Rank W-Engine "Plume of Rebirth" launches alongside her and is tuned to squeeze the most out of her kit, so dedicated pullers will be weighing whether to chase the weapon on top of the Agent. If your roster is light on Fire damage or you have been wanting a forgiving, high-ceiling Anomaly carry, Phoenix is the banner your saved Polychrome was probably waiting for.

Severian, the Wind Attack carry

Taking over the back half of the patch is Severian, an S-Rank Wind Attack Agent with a completely different identity. He is a senior commissioner with New Eridu Public Security, and instead of stacking status effects, he is a direct Attack-type damage dealer who rewards aggressive, reactive play. For anyone who prefers raw on-hit damage and a hands-on combat rhythm, he is the more natural fit of the two.

• Rarity & role: S-Rank Wind Attack damage dealer.
• Faction: New Eridu Public Security senior commissioner.
• Signature trait: Automatic dodges and counterattacks.
• Playstyle: Chains powerful slashes fueled by accumulated Energy.
• Signature W-Engine: "Incarcerating Grip."
• Banner: Second half of Version 3.3.

His kit is built around turning defense into offense. Severian leans on automatic dodges and counterattacks, then chains powerful slashes fueled by accumulated Energy, so the better you are at reading and punishing enemy attacks, the harder he hits back. It is a demanding but satisfying loop that gives him a high skill ceiling, rewarding players who like to stay in an enemy's face and capitalize on every opening rather than playing it safe.

Like Phoenix, he brings his own gear to the table. His S-Rank W-Engine "Incarcerating Grip" debuts alongside him to push his damage even further, giving second-half pullers their own weapon decision to make. If you already have your Anomaly bases covered and would rather add a flashy, counter-driven Attack carry to your lineup, Severian is the one worth holding out for.

Phoenix vs Severian: how they really differ

Put side by side, the contrast between the two is the whole point. Phoenix wants you to apply status effects and let Anomaly damage snowball, which tends to reward patience and strong team support that keeps those effects flowing. Severian flips that on its head, asking you to stay aggressive, dodge into counters, and spend Energy on big slashes, a more moment-to-moment style that lives and dies on your reactions. One is a buildup payoff, the other is constant pressure.

Their team-building needs differ too, which matters more than most players expect. A Fire Anomaly carry like Phoenix slots into Fire and Anomaly-focused teams and leans on units that help apply and amplify status effects, while a Wind Attack carry like Severian fits Wind and Attack-oriented comps built to maximize raw damage windows. Before you pull, it is worth asking which of those two cores you already have pieces for, because a new carry is only as strong as the team you can surround it with.

This is where Zenless Zone Zero's team structure comes into play. Most squads are built around a damage carry backed by a Stun unit and a Support, so the real question is not just which new Agent you want but whether you own the partners to make them shine. Phoenix wants supports who keep her anomalies rolling, while Severian wants a Stun unit who can open enemies up for his big counter-fueled slashes. If you already have a strong supporting cast leaning one way, that existing roster should tip your decision as much as the Agents themselves do, since pulling a carry you cannot yet team up is a recipe for buyer's remorse.

That is also the honest answer to the power question. Neither Agent is a clear-cut "better" pull, because they headline different archetypes that shine in different situations. The right choice is the one that fills a gap in your roster and matches how you like to fight, not whichever name is trending that week. A unit you enjoy playing and can actually build a team around will always outperform a theoretically stronger one gathering dust on the bench.

So which should you pull?

Here is the practical way to decide:

• Pull Phoenix if: you want a forgiving, high-ceiling Anomaly carry with a built-in revive, your Fire roster is thin, or you prefer a patient, status-driven playstyle.
• Pull Severian if: you enjoy aggressive, reaction-based combat, want a direct Wind Attack carry, and already have your Anomaly bases covered.
• Pull neither (for now) if: you lack the supports or Stun units to build a team around either, and would rather save for a future banner that fits your roster.

Matching the Agent to your preferred style is the single most important factor, since you will be playing whoever you land for weeks.

If you are a newer player or your savings are limited, the smartest move is to commit to one rather than splitting your Polychrome and risking walking away with neither. Pick the Agent whose role your team is missing, pull with a target in mind, and resist the temptation to gamble on both unless you have the stockpile to guarantee it. Going in with a clear plan is how you avoid the classic trap of spreading pulls thin and ending the patch empty-handed.

Either way, Phoenix and Severian give Journey to the Sky two genuinely distinct reasons to spend your saved pulls, and the only wrong choice is one that does not fit how you actually play. Decide which combat fantasy speaks to you, line up your Polychrome before the banners open, and go into Version 3.3 knowing exactly who you are aiming for.

If you want to make the most of the new banners, you can explore trusted Zenless Zone Zero accounts to start with a stacked roster, save time clearing content with reliable Zenless Zone Zero hourly services, or power through the toughest challenges with dependable Zenless Zone Zero boosting.

GameMarket.gg is a trusted digital marketplace for everything gaming-related. We serve the gaming community by providing secure access that enhances every gaming journey.