In the neon-drenched streets of New Eridu, whispers of the legendary Obol Squad have reached fever pitch as HoYoverse drops bombshell after bombshell about the team's expanding roster. The developer has utterly shattered expectations with their latest character reveals for Zenless Zone Zero, leaving fans absolutely gobsmacked and thirsting for more information about these enigmatic new additions coming to the game.
Every single day has transformed into an Obol Squad appreciation day since their show-stopping performance in Version 2.1's events. HoYoverse, the diabolical geniuses behind this urban fantasy masterpiece, have teased their continued involvement in future content with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. The playable roster is expanding with none other than Seed, Obol's colossal mechanical behemoth... but wait, there's more! Apparently, this destruction-dealing giant has a petite pilot? The plot thickens to molasses consistency!
The community has been absolutely losing their minds, engaged in heated digital battles over whether Seed is a female-identifying robot or AI (similar to Fairy), or if there's actually a female pilot at the controls. At long last, the drip marketing has offered some tantalizing crumbs of information to the ravenous fanbase.
According to the mysterious reveal: "While Seed Sr. was asleep, I made quite a few modifications to him~ I think... I gave him stealth capabilities in the latest update~ How did I do it, you ask? I just made some adjustments and tweaks by feel~"
This revelation suggests we might be looking at a situation more akin to Svarog and Clara than the return of Firefly, though fans of the latter shouldn't lose hope entirely. The cryptic nature of the announcement has only fueled the wildfire of speculation.
Trigger, another Obol Squad member, helpfully adds that if you can't locate this mysterious pilot, you should check narrow, enclosed spaces or mechanical storage areas where she apparently hides to avoid human interaction. Poor Captain Magus finds herself perpetually cleaning up after her team's chaotic wake - like when Seed casually broke the joint operation commander's ribs (again), while simultaneously capturing a rebel leader (and breaking his bones too) in one spectacular move. Talk about efficient brutality!
The Enigma of Seed's True Nature
The plot curdles further when an unidentified woman, gazing at yellowed medical reports, questioned Seed Sr. about whether a "mysterious, dangerous, cold-blooded monster" like her is worth risking his life to protect.
So who exactly is this Seed character? Is she:
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A carefree spirit with an easygoing attitude?
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An introverted wallflower who shuns the spotlight?
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Or perhaps most intriguingly, a cold-blooded predator masquerading behind a cheerful facade?
The gaming community is positively frothing at the mouth to discover the truth!
Orphie & "Magus": The Dynamic Duo
If the Seed revelation wasn't mind-blowing enough, HoYoverse has doubled down with another jaw-dropping announcement. Defense Force enthusiasts can now collect their fourth S-rank Attack character - a peculiar statistic that has players scratching their heads in bewilderment. After Soldier 11, Soldier 0: Anby, and Seed, we now welcome the bizarre pairing of Orphie & "Magus" to the battlefield.
This utterly bizarre addition to Obol Squad arriving in V2.2 Phase II consists of the cheerful yet somewhat uncoordinated Orphie paired with "Magus" - the squad's no-nonsense captain who is, quite literally, functioning as Orphie's tail. Where Orphie embodies shyness and hesitation, Magus counters with directness and aggression, a dynamic that was on full display during the Version 2.1 storyline.
Soldier 11 astutely observes that the two balance each other perfectly, with Orphie stepping up when circumstances demand (and even when they don't, considering the pair is literally attached at the hip). This bizarre partnership has triggered déjà vu for many veterans of the genre, with some hilarious dialogue exchanges already becoming fan favorites:
"Stop staring at those flashy action figure ads! Or I'll confiscate all those ones you've got stashed in your drawer!" Magus barks with characteristic bluntness.
Orphie retorts with unexpected spunk: "That won't do, Captain! Unless you want to wake up tomorrow with pink holsters!"
"Tch... Get me two boxes of gun oil, and I'll pretend I didn't see anything."
"Thanks Captain! You want the Nitro-Fuel flavored ones again, right?"
The Expanding Obol Universe
The introduction of these wildly unpredictable characters has sent shockwaves through the Zenless Zone Zero community. Forums are ablaze with theories about how these new additions will reshape the meta, while fan artists have already produced mountains of artwork depicting the mysterious Seed and the comically attached Orphie & Magus.
HoYoverse has once again demonstrated their unparalleled mastery in character design by creating entities that defy conventional archetypes. The juxtaposition of a potentially deadly, cold-blooded operator inside a massive destructive robot, alongside a physically conjoined duo with polar opposite personalities, showcases the developer's commitment to pushing boundaries in character development.
Players are now frantically stockpiling in-game currency in anticipation of these releases, with many declaring they'll go absolutely broke trying to collect these unique additions to their roster. The character designers at HoYoverse deserve standing ovations for continuing to deliver such outlandish yet compelling new personalities to the already rich tapestry of New Eridu.
As 2026 progresses, Zenless Zone Zero continues to evolve in ways nobody could have predicted. The game's character roster has expanded beyond all expectations, with each new addition bringing fresh mechanics and narrative possibilities. The Obol Squad, once a mysterious faction on the periphery, has now cemented itself as a centerpiece of the ongoing storyline.
Whether you're a day-one veteran or a newcomer to New Eridu's chaotic streets, one thing is certain: the next few months in Zenless Zone Zero will be an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, surprises, and probably a fair bit of property damage courtesy of our new mechanical friend Seed and the inseparable odd couple Orphie & Magus. Prepare your controllers, empty your wallets, and brace for impact! 🎮💥