The Reason Zenos.

[Lauront]

I guess I just find the ascians base motive(s) very.... base? Zenos, we don't truly know the goal in mind. Ascians, it's always muahahaha we'll kill the light muahahaha....While that's been able to fly for some time now, I'm kinda more interested in going beyond all that? I find a being wanting to be the end all be all of universal beginning and end to be a bit more appealing. I'm almost positive Zenos is going to become the opposite of the Big Bang. Or at least, I think he wants some form of that that includes maximum power WoL vs Maximum power Zenos.

I'm afraid I just don't agree. Their goals are far from base (restoring the world to what it once was) and the story behind it is pretty complex, opening the curtains to the world before the Sundering. Zenos isn't going to take it beyond that, except and insofar as he may rush Zodiark's summoning. His role in the plot is, as far as I can tell, to thrust Zodiark into the story much faster than he otherwise would be and any real world-ending potential comes from Zodiark's power and not him. Zenos is also quite open about what his goal is - it's more so the means that vary, but even so, there's only so long you can sustain that and maintain player interest.

I do think the Zodiark/Hydaelyn arc has dragged on for a while now, but I just don't see Zenos providing any lasting depth beyond it... if anything, he will catalyse its conclusion and we will move onto some other story, especially with the knowledge that there are other worlds out there beyond the shards, each with their own threats. Few people have much appetite for Zenos as some enduring villain who just keeps trying to ratchet up the "power levels" to get his kicks. A lot of people - myself included - would find that a lot more boring. Meanwhile, we're still finding out what the world before the Sundering was like and what Zodiark and Hydaelyn truly are.

I'm honestly praying at this point that he starts working with the Ascians whether willingly or otherwise since I can't see how him continuing to be a wild card is going to contribute to the plot in a meaningful fashion.

I think that ship has sailed, and it is a pity. IMO, his new "friend", whom I suspect to be a former WoD or Ascian, disgruntled or otherwise, is going to lead him by the nose so that SE can get Zodiark into the story sooner rather than later.

Note: If other people like Zenos that's fine, I'm not saying my opinion is fact and anyone that likes him is dumb or anything. For me though he just really fell flat as a character and as a meaningful obstacle in the story, and I was disappointed again in that what I felt would have been an actually interesting arc for him in SHB was wrapped up all too quickly and easily. But for those that liked him, more power to him, and as much as I don't like him, for the initial premise of this thread I do think he makes the most sense to add to Dissidia because the only other long running villain we really have left is Elidibus who doesn't seem to be a combatant exept when possessing Zenos' body anyway.

Whether Elidibus is or not, Emet-Selch would be the likelier pick for an Ascian addition to Dissidia given his now established popularity.

The issue with simple and complex sympathetic villains, is that they don't play that well with eachother in the same story and narrative. Our current over arching story relies heavily on moral relativism and subverting our definition of good and evil. Aside from the Ascians, we've been fed the narrative that there is no truly good and evil. Villains have their agenda, and we just disagree with them (for varying reasons and degrees).

Now with SHB even the Ascians been upgraded to that standing. They are no longer just EVUL, but have a justification and reason why they are doing what they are doing.

Placing a simple character in such an ongoing story usually doesn't go well. It either goes against established narrative, or comes across as a simpleton.

Zenos had his chance in SB. He did not impress. Maybe they'll hammer out his character so more people will enjoy it later, but the negativity towards him isn't unfounded.

Agreed. His main use is that he can fast track Zodiark's involvement in the story, IMO.

[Bright-Flower]

I'm afraid I just don't agree. Their goals are far from base (restoring the world to what it once was) and the story behind it is pretty complex, opening the curtains to the world before the Sundering. Zenos isn't going to take it beyond that, except and insofar as he may rush Zodiark's summoning. His role in the plot is, as far as I can tell, to thrust Zodiark into the story much faster than he otherwise would be and any real world-ending potential comes from Zodiark's power and not him. Zenos is also quite open about what his goal is - it's more so the means that vary, but even so, there's only so long you can sustain that and maintain player interest.

I do think the Zodiark/Hydaelyn arc has dragged on for a while now, but I just don't see Zenos providing any lasting depth beyond it... if anything, he will catalyse its conclusion and we will move onto some other story, especially with the knowledge that there are other worlds out there beyond the shards, each with their own threats. Few people have much appetite for Zenos as some enduring villain who just keeps trying to ratchet up the "power levels" to get his kicks. A lot of people - myself included - would find that a lot more boring. Meanwhile, we're still finding out what the world before the Sundering was like and what Zodiark and Hydaelyn truly are.



I think that ship has sailed, and it is a pity. IMO, his new "friend", whom I suspect to be a former WoD or Ascian, disgruntled or otherwise, is going to lead him by the nose so that SE can get Zodiark into the story sooner rather than later.



Whether Elidibus is or not, Emet-Selch would be the likelier pick for an Ascian addition to Dissidia given his now established popularity.



Agreed. His main use is that he can fast track Zodiark's involvement in the story, IMO.

Maybe, but Emet Selch was a one expansion baddie. Elidibus and Zenos now are really the only two to be in more than one expansion. Okay technically Emet Selch was in a couple late SB patches but it was mostly just setting him up, he didn't really do anything big or get explored much until SHB and now....