Who else remembers the absolute frenzy when HoYoverse dropped the Tour De Inferno livestream back in September 2024? It feels like just yesterday I was glued to my screen, watching the reveal of the Sons of Calydon, that fierce gang ruling the Outer Ring. The hype was unreal—especially when two S-Tier agents, Caesar King and Burnice White, stepped into the spotlight. Fast forward to 2026, and here I am still debating whether to pull for constellations on Caesar or save for a new anomaly enabler. Let me take you back to that game-changing update and explain why these two powerhouses still dominate the meta today.
Screenshot captured from the original 1.2 reveal. Look at that shield! It’s practically a symbol of her authority. The Sons of Calydon didn’t just bring flair—they brought a whole new tactical layer to Zenless Zone Zero. And honestly, did anyone expect a defense unit to become such a must-pick? Caesar King flipped that narrative harder than her parry counters flip blocked attacks into devastating ripostes.
The 1.2 Banner Breakdown: Phase 1 and Phase 2
HoYoverse split the version 1.2 Signal Search Event into two phases. Phase 1 launched on September 25, 2024, with Caesar King as the featured S-Rank Agent. She was the cunning leader with a shield engraved with the Sons of Calydon’s boar insignia. But she wasn’t just a wall—she thrived by converting blocked hits into massive counterattacks using her EX Special Move, Parry Counter. And here’s the kicker: she also debuffed nearby enemies while buffing her teammates. A tactical commander, right?
Then came Phase 2, and that’s when the flames really ignited. Burnice White, the S-Rank Fire Anomaly Agent, arrived with her dual flamethrowers. Her whole kit screamed “scorch first, ask questions never.” She excelled at building up Anomaly stacks so fast that enemies were engulfed in flames before they could even swing back. Seriously, how many times have you cleared a tough Hollow Exploration node just by letting Burnice go ham with Fire damage?
Caesar King: More Than Just a Shield
When Caesar first dropped, a lot of players asked, “Can a defense-focused agent really compete with pure DPS?” The answer, my friend, was a resounding yes—and here we are in 2026, still building teams around her. Her Parry Counter doesn’t just block damage; it creates an opening that turns the tide of any battle. I’ve survived content I had no business surviving simply by timing those counters perfectly. On top of that, her debuff aura reduces enemy resistances, letting your main carries—even older ones—hit like trucks. That’s the kind of utility that never goes out of style.
Her W-Engine, Tusks of Fury, was also tailor-made for her playstyle, boosting impact and giving her even more survivability. If you didn’t pull for it back then, you might have found yourself grinding for alternatives. Did you know that even now, many players consider her the best enabler for high-difficulty Shiyu Defense rotations? And why wouldn’t they? She turns incoming attacks into your biggest advantage.
Burnice White: The Fire Queen Still Rules
Burnice, on the other hand, is the definition of relentless offense. Her dual flamethrowers and the Flamemaker Shaker W-Engine let her stack Anomaly almost instantly. I remember the first time I paired her with a support that boosted Anomaly Proficiency—she melted a boss’s health bar before the second phase could even trigger. Insane, right? Even in 2026, with the introduction of new Ether and Ice Anomaly agents, Burnice remains the gold standard for pure Fire Anomaly application.
What’s her secret? It’s the efficiency. Other anomaly agents need precise rotations and setup; Burnice just needs to breathe on the enemy. In a game where split-second decisions matter, having a character who can instantly detonate burn effects is priceless. I still see top-tier Hollow Zero speedrun records dominated by Burnice fronts. If you weren’t playing back in late 2024, you might have missed her debut banner, but she’s returned in a couple of reruns—most recently in early 2026. So if you managed to snag her, you’re probably still maining her, right?
How Do They Shape the Meta in 2026?
Let’s talk current state. The Sons of Calydon faction has expanded since 2024, but Caesar and Burnice remain the cornerstone. Caesar’s ability to protect the team while shredding enemy stats makes her relevant for any new endgame content. And Burnice? Fire-type weaknesses are still everywhere in the latest Ether Activity stages. I’ve been farming the new disk drive sets, and having a reliable Burnice clear team cuts my farming time by half.
But here’s a question for you: is it worth pulling for their Mindscape Cinemas in 2026? I’d argue yes—if you already have them at M2 or higher, they scale incredibly well with the new support units released this year. For new players, however, prioritizing their initial banner (if it reruns) is a smarter move. The investment-to-return ratio is still off the charts.
And we can’t ignore the gorgeous design. Even after almost two years, the Sons of Calydon aesthetic holds up. That leather, the wild west biker vibe—it’s perfect for the Outer Ring setting. Every time Caesar raises that shield or Burnice dual-wields her flamethrowers, I get that same rush I felt watching the Tour De Inferno livestream. HoYoverse really nailed the character identity.
Final Thoughts from a Day-One Player
Looking back, version 1.2 was a turning point for Zenless Zone Zero. It proved that S-rank agents didn’t need to be straight DPS to shape the meta—they just needed unique, well-designed kits. Caesar King and Burnice White delivered exactly that. If you’re still rocking them in your squad, you know how many times they’ve saved a run. If you don’t have them, are you really experiencing the full depth of team building? I’m still hoping we get a Sons of Calydon faction event where we learn more about why Caesar and Burnice lead with such fire and iron. Until then, I’ll keep parrying and burning my way through every new challenge. What about you—are you team Caesar, team Burnice, or both?