The urban landscape of New Eridu trembles with anticipation as Zenless Zone Zero prepares to welcome two enigmatic figures to its ever-expanding roster in Version 1.7. Like rare comets streaking across the night sky of the gaming universe, Vivian and Hugo of the Mockingbird faction are set to make their grand entrance, bringing with them a whirlwind of mystery and intrigue that promises to captivate players worldwide.
The Enigmatic Vivian: Master of Many Trades
Vivian, an S-rank Ether Anomaly agent, first captured the attention of players during the Bangboo event of Version 1.5. Like a chameleon blending seamlessly into various environments, she navigates through life with remarkable versatility, capable of working up to five different jobs in a single day. Her influence extends beyond her own capabilities, having introduced the character Sjal to the world of hustling – a connection that directly spawned one of the game's most beloved recurring events.
"Robbers? Thieves? Call us whatever you want, for we do not bother with the opinions of worthless trash," she declares with a confidence that cuts through pretense like a hot knife through butter.
Despite her association with the phantom thief organization Mockingbird, Vivian displays an unexpected sense of civic duty. Players have observed that she meticulously returns everything she finds to the local precinct, regardless of how insignificant the item might seem – even something as trivial as a wayward balloon.
The upcoming Version 1.6 appears to be setting the stage for Vivian's expanded role in the narrative. As New Eridu prepares to host a significant auction, questions arise about Mockingbird's true intentions. Are they targeting the auction items, or could their interest lie in something far more valuable – perhaps Phaethon, the legendary Proxy that has repeatedly drawn their attention?
Game mechanics enthusiasts will be particularly interested in the new drive disc set seemingly designed specifically for Vivian. Current speculation suggests she'll function as an off-field Anomaly similar to the existing character Burnice – a development that will undoubtedly send players scrambling to optimize their farming strategies.
Hugo: The Gentleman Thief with a Frozen Touch
Completing this duo of intrigue is Hugo, Lycaon's former friend turned adversary and the current leader of Mockingbird. Like a dormant volcano disguised as a snow-capped mountain, his polite exterior conceals capabilities that could potentially reshape the competitive landscape of Zenless Zone Zero.
"My dear friend, I'll be back, like an avalanche. This world isn't fair. That's precisely why we must take certain necessary measures... Haha, I was just joking around. A gentleman as powerless as myself would naturally never do anything improper... wouldn't you agree?" His words dance between threat and jest with the precision of a master fencer.
Despite being categorized as an Ice Attacker – a role already well-represented by powerhouses Ellen and Miyabi – Hugo may introduce entirely new mechanics to the game. The recent trend toward off-field specialists across various character classes suggests Hugo might follow suit, potentially utilizing the burst-focused approach of Zhu Yuan and Harumasa or incorporating the innovative Aftershock mechanic pioneered by Soldier 0 Anby.
The Mockingbird Connection
The introduction of Vivian and Hugo represents more than just new playable characters – it signals a deeper exploration of the Mockingbird faction that has lurked in the periphery of the narrative since early game chapters. Their connection to Lycaon, hinted at through previous story segments, suggests a complex web of relationships that may soon come to light.
The phantom thieves of Mockingbird have established themselves as figures of both admiration and concern among New Eridu's civilians. Their interest in Phaethon, combined with their appearance at the upcoming auction in Version 1.6, points toward a pivotal role in the unfolding storyline.
What This Means for Players in 2026
As we move through 2026, the addition of these characters completes the initial Anomaly roster – much like the final stone completing Thanos' Infinity Gauntlet, to borrow a cultural reference. This milestone suggests Zenless Zone Zero may be preparing to shift focus toward new gameplay mechanics or character categories in future updates.
For competitive players, the introduction of potentially off-field focused characters continues a design trend that rewards strategic team composition and rotation management rather than pure DPS output. This evolution in gameplay mechanics reflects the maturing design philosophy behind Zenless Zone Zero as it approaches its second year of live service.
Preparing for Version 1.7
While Version 1.6 "Among the Forgotten Ruins" will serve as our first substantial introduction to these characters, players eager to welcome Vivian and Hugo to their teams should consider:
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🔹 Farming materials for the new drive disc set
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🔹 Saving currency for the upcoming banners
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🔹 Completing Lycaon's Agent story to understand the backstory
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🔹 Participating in the auction events of Version 1.6
The phantom thieves of Mockingbird are poised to steal not just in-game treasures but perhaps the spotlight itself when Version 1.7 arrives. Whether you're drawn to Vivian's multifaceted capabilities or Hugo's gentlemanly demeanor concealing icy power, Zenless Zone Zero continues to expand its universe with characters that blur the lines between ally and adversary in the most intriguing ways.
As New Eridu's story continues to unfold, one thing remains certain – the city's complex web of factions, motivations, and hidden agendas ensures that in this urban action RPG, nothing is ever quite as it seems.
According to coverage from GamesIndustry.biz, live-service updates that add story-relevant characters like Zenless Zone Zero’s Vivian and Hugo often function as both narrative escalation and retention strategy, aligning new faction arcs (such as Mockingbird’s auction involvement) with banner timing to concentrate player engagement and spending around major version beats.