It might be tempting to pull both Lighter and Yanagi, but what do each of them bring to your teams?
Version 1.3 of Zenless Zone Zero is almost upon us, with the banners of two intriguing new agents soon to drop. For the first half of 1.3, the spotlight will be on Tsukishiro Yanagi, an S-rank Electric Anomaly agent from Section 6. In the second half, the attention will shift to another S-rank agent from the Sons of Calydon faction: Lighter, a Fire Stun agent who will be the second male S-rank in the game.
Which agent should you pull for? The short answer is that it depends on what your team composition needs to tackle tougher content, but we’re here to help if you're still undecided. Both agents bring unique capabilities to their teams, offering valuable synergies for specific playstyles. If you’re considering which one to prioritise, this guide breaks down everything we know about their kit, team roles, and what they might bring to your roster.
Tsukishiro Yanagi
Yanagi, an S-rank Electric Anomaly agent from Section 6, excels as an off-field support—a boon for players who rely on anomaly setups.
Yanagi’s Kit
Her Special Attack allows her to switch stances mid-combat, with each stance providing a different set of buffs that persist for a short period even after she changes. By maintaining a rhythm of stance-switching, players can keep these buffs active, amplifying Yanagi’s impact on the battlefield and making her ideal for teams that benefit from consistent damage output.
When Yanagi enters her Shinrabanshou state via her EX Special Attack, she lunges forward with a swift stab followed by a powerful downward slash, delivering substantial electric damage. If her target is under an Anomaly effect, she triggers a unique Disorder reaction without removing the Anomaly, allowing her to stack even more damage while keeping her buffs active. This synergy makes her highly effective in teams centered on Disorder setups, particularly those with allies who can create Anomalies for her to exploit.
Yanagi’s Potential Team Synergies
Yanagi could fit well in lineups with characters like Jane, Piper, or Burnice, allowing for continuous anomaly build-up while enabling other agents to manage crowd control or damage amplification. Her kit is versatile, offering flexibility in both anomaly-focused and multi-role teams. For those seeking a stable off-field damage source with strong anomaly application, Yanagi could be a solid addition.
Lighter
Lighter, a limited S-rank Fire Stun agent from the Sons of Calydon, introduces fire-based abilities to the field, making him the second male S-rank character in the game. His limited status, combined with his unique role, might make him an appealing choice, especially for collectors.
There are already a few stunners in the game, including Koleda in the Standard Banner and Qingyi from version 1.1. However, Lighter stands out with unique attributes that allow him to be more than just another stunner.
Lighter’s Kit
Lighter is a front-line brawler, bringing powerful stun abilities and fiery attacks to his team. With each punch, he builds up Morale, and once fully charged, his fifth attack propels him into an enhanced state that boosts his Impact, making it easier to stun-lock enemies. In this mode, he also reduces Fire and Ice resistances on his targets, leaving them staggered longer and primed for follow-up attacks.
When teamed with Attack-specialty teammates or fellow Sons of Calydon, Lighter enhances the Fire and Ice damage they deal, boosting overall DPS. He can also use a Quick Assist entry to dash in with rapid punches, setting up big plays and heavy DPS bursts.
Lighter’s Ultimate is a showstopper—a ground slam that deals massive AoE damage and leaves nearby enemies Dazed, making them vulnerable to finishing attacks. With his crowd control, debuffs, and high stun potential, Lighter is a standout pick for players wanting a strong DPS and control character.
Lighter’s Team Synergies
Lighter can synergise with multiple team setups, particularly with the Sons of Calydon. He’s also a good addition to teams with a main DPS Fire or Ice attack agent like Soldier 11 or Ellen, an Ice Attack agent, as he boosts the effectiveness of attack-focused agents. For players seeking additional stun options in their fire and ice teams, Lighter could be the right addition, especially if a team needs a DPS boost.
Ultimately, when deciding between Yanagi and Lighter, consider your team's needs and choose the character that best aligns with your playstyle and long-term goals.
