You’re wandering through Sixth Street, the neon humming against the asphalt, and everyone is talking about a legend. They don't call them by name. They call them Zenless Zone Zero Phaethon. If you’ve spent more than five minutes in New Eridu, you know that being a Proxy isn't just about navigating a map; it’s about survival in a world where the laws of physics decided to take a permanent vacation.
But who is Phaethon, really?
On the surface, it’s just Wise and Belle. They run a video rental shop called Random Play. It’s a cozy, slightly dusty spot that smells like old tape and cheap snacks. Most people just see two siblings trying to keep a small business afloat in a city that’s constantly one "Hollow" away from total collapse. But behind the counter, they’re the most sought-after Proxies in the business. They aren't just guideposts. They are the brains behind the brawn of every Agent you pull on a banner.
The Dual Identity of the Phaethon Proxy
Most games give you a silent protagonist. HoYoverse did something different here. Whether you pick Wise or Belle, the other sibling stays in the story as your technical support and emotional anchor. This isn't a "Player 1 and a ghost" situation. It's a partnership. Zenless Zone Zero Phaethon functions as a singular entity composed of two distinct personalities.
They have a secret.
Long before you started clicking through menus, Phaethon lost something huge. They were legendary, then they were "erased." Their high-level accounts? Gone. Their reputation? Scrubbed. They’re basically rebuildng from zero, which is a clever way to explain why a world-class Proxy is suddenly helping neighborhood kids find lost cats or escorting low-level construction crews through the grittiest Hollows.
It’s honestly kind of relatable.
Imagine being at the top of your field and then waking up to find your login credentials don't work and the "Internet" (or the Inter-Knot, in this case) doesn't remember you exist. That's the baseline for the Phaethon experience. You’re playing as a fallen legend masquerading as a rookie.
The Fairy Factor and Technical Superiority
Why is Phaethon better than the average Proxy? It's not just "protagonist syndrome." It's Fairy.
Early in the story, you stumble upon an AI that is... well, she’s a lot. Fairy is an Unconventional Entity. While other Proxies are using standard Bangboo setups to navigate the shifting labyrinth of the Hollows, Phaethon has a literal super-intelligence plugged into their system. This allows for the "HDD" system—the Hollow Deep Dive.
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It’s the reason you can see the "TV Grid" while others are just wandering blind. Fairy processes data at a rate that makes standard New Eridu tech look like a calculator from 1994. But this edge comes with a price. The Public Security officers and the governing bodies of New Eridu don't exactly love the idea of an unregistered, hyper-intelligent AI running around.
Living the Double Life in New Eridu
The gameplay loop of Zenless Zone Zero Phaethon is split between two worlds.
In the city, you’re managing the shop. You talk to NPCs like Enzo at the gadget store or get a bowl of noodles from Chop. It feels grounded. You're just a person. You have to manage your stamina, talk to your neighbors, and maybe pet a dog or two. It’s the "quiet" side of the Phaethon legend.
Then you plug in.
Once the headset goes on, you’re the eye in the sky. You’re directing Agents from factions like Belobog Heavy Industries or the Cunning Hares. You are the tactical lead. When Billy Kid is spinning around with his revolvers or Anby is slicing through an Ethereal, they are doing it because you—as Phaethon—are telling them exactly where the safe zones are.
Why the Name "Phaethon" is a Warning
If you’re a mythology nerd, the name "Phaethon" might make you nervous. In Greek myth, Phaethon was the son of Helios who tried to drive the sun chariot. He couldn't control it. He got too close to the earth, nearly burned the world down, and was ultimately struck out of the sky by Zeus to save humanity.
Is that foreshadowing?
In the context of Zenless Zone Zero, the name suggests someone who flies too high and plays with a fire they can't quite handle. The Hollows are that fire. They are corruptive, reality-warping pockets of chaos. Every time Wise or Belle enters the HDD, they are risking "Ether Corruption." They are driving the chariot. The question the game constantly asks—subtly, through flavor text and side quests—is whether these siblings will suffer the same fate as their namesake.
The Dynamics Between Wise and Belle
Let’s talk about the vibe.
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Wise is the "composed" one. He’s meticulous, calm, and has that tired-older-brother energy. Belle is the spark. She’s energetic, a bit more impulsive, and brings the humor. Depending on who you choose to control, the dialogue shifts slightly, but the core relationship remains the same.
They bicker. They worry about each other. They care about the rent.
This human element is what makes the Zenless Zone Zero Phaethon identity work. You aren't playing as a god or a chosen one with ancient bloodlines. You’re playing as a tech-savvy freelancer who is really good at their job but still has to worry about whether the video store is making enough money to keep the lights on.
Navigating the Inter-Knot
The Inter-Knot is the heartbeat of the game’s social world. It’s a forum, a job board, and a gossip rag all rolled into one. As Phaethon, your "reputation level" is literally your account rank on this site.
- You pick up "Commissions" from anonymous users.
- You build "Street Cred" by finishing tasks without dying.
- You interact with "Proxies-in-training" who look up to you.
It’s a brilliant way to handle questing. Instead of a gold question mark over a head, you get a notification on a digital board. It makes the world of New Eridu feel lived-in. You see the same usernames popping up. You see the drama. You see the fear people have of the Hollows.
The Reality of Ether Corruption
We need to address the stakes.
Being a Proxy isn't a safe desk job. Even with the HDD and Fairy's help, Zenless Zone Zero Phaethon is constantly exposed to Ether. In the game’s lore, Ether is both the most valuable resource and the greatest threat to life. It creates the Ethereals—those monsters you spend your time fighting.
The Agents you command have a higher tolerance for Ether, but they aren't immune. As the Proxy, you are the one responsible for pulling them out before they turn into the very things they are hunting. If you fail to navigate the grid effectively, the corruption builds. It’s a mechanical representation of the narrative tension.
The Mystery of the "Old Capital"
New Eridu is the "last bastion" of civilization. The old world was swallowed by a massive Hollow.
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Phaethon seems to have links to the events surrounding the fall of the old city. There are breadcrumbs scattered throughout the main story—references to "Special Operations" and lost data—that suggest the siblings weren't always just video store owners. Their mastery of Proxy tech didn't come from a manual. It came from experience.
When you play as Phaethon, you're essentially uncovering your own forgotten history while trying to survive the present.
Actionable Tips for Mastering the Phaethon Role
If you’re looking to actually play the game and not just read about the lore, you need to understand how to maximize your efficiency as the legendary Proxy.
Prioritize your Inter-Knot level above almost everything else. A lot of players get distracted by just doing combat trials. Don't do that. Your Inter-Knot level gates your ability to upgrade your Agents and unlock new story beats. Check the board every single morning (in-game time) for new requests.
Talk to everyone on Sixth Street. The "trust" system isn't just for flavor. Building relationships with the shopkeepers and your Agents unlocks specific buffs and items that make Hollow exploration significantly easier. It also fills in the gaps of the world-building that the main cutscenes might skip over.
Manage your Bangboo plugins wisely. In the TV grid (the Hollow exploration), your Bangboo is your avatar. Upgrading your Bangboo and choosing the right active skills for a specific Hollow can mean the difference between an easy S-rank and a desperate scramble for survival.
Watch the "Corruption" meter. Don't be greedy in the Hollows. Taking every "Resonium" (buff) might seem like a good idea, but if it comes with high pressure/corruption, you’ll find yourself facing debuffs that make the final boss of the run a nightmare.
Focus on "Daze" mechanics. In combat, Phaethon’s job is to coordinate. The most effective way to win is to build up the "Daze" bar on enemies using your "Stun" class Agents, then switch to your "Attack" Agents for the chain attacks. It’s the core rhythm of the game.
The story of Zenless Zone Zero Phaethon is still unfolding. With every update, we learn a little more about what they lost and what they’re willing to do to get it back. For now, keep the shop open, keep the Bangboo charged, and stay out of the red zones.
Next Steps for New Eridu Citizens:
- Check your schedule: Ensure you've completed all "Daily" tasks in the Inter-Knot to maximize your account EXP.
- Inventory Check: Look at your W-Engines and Drive Discs. If you haven't leveled them in the last two Proxy ranks, you're likely leaving damage on the table.
- Visit Coffee Cafe: Grab a drink from Tin Master. The stamina boost and drop-rate buffs are essential for farming upgrade materials effectively.