How to fix Zenos one dimentional character

[Kesey]

Zenos serves the same function as the Joker does in the Batman series, a foil.

I just want to clarify the Zenos is foil theory.

The setup shows that Zenos is a foil, but that only comes to fruition if the interaction with Zenos actually causes the WOL to change their behavior when they recognize the similarity. As a literary term this can only analyzed properly from the end of the story.

Until that is achieved, its only setup to be that way and may not go that way at all. So until we get the fight Zenos is jonesing for and it fundamentally changes the WOL they aren't "foiled" yet.

[TheRealQuah]

Zenos is the only villain we fight that doesn't have a sympathetic back story. We need that sometimes, you can't have us feeling sorry for every guy we defeat. His personality makes him unpredictable, so you don't know where his story is gonna go.

[Kesey]

Zenos is the only villain we fight that doesn't have a sympathetic back story. We need that sometimes, you can't have us feeling sorry for every guy we defeat. His personality makes him unpredictable, so you don't know where his story is gonna go.

Although I agree with what you're saying, Gaius didn't have a sympathetic backstory until recently. In fact if you're not super forgiving, you could argue he wasn't sympathetic until well into Sorrows of Werlyt.

So Zenos wasn't the only one.

[KageTokage]

Zenos is the only villain we fight that doesn't have a sympathetic back story. We need that sometimes, you can't have us feeling sorry for every guy we defeat. His personality makes him unpredictable, so you don't know where his story is gonna go.

He already has a frame of a backstory as a coddled prince who was given everything he needed or desired, but was completely cut off from associating with others outside of those grooming him to be the next heir to the throne (Who were not exactly the nicest people), which is why he ended up becoming a battle-crazed sociopath.

I'm not really expecting him to change much at all by the end of 6.x unless the dormant memories within him are somehow awakened and start to influence him.

[Iscah]

I don't think he needs a tragic backstory. It's trite if every villain has one.

He needs to be made more interesting by his present-day actions. I think they really missed a chance by not having him learn or re-evaluate anything from his death. He seemed aware and in denial of a chance for repentance in 4.3 when he first reappeared; now he just seems to be back in the same routine and everything is too easy and boring for him again.

[Endeleon]

Give him a sob story, y'all fall for those immediately.

[Vyrerus]

People keep complaining that Zenos shows up and does nothing, and he does that for an awful lot of scenes... Well, recently sure, but he's not even had the same amount of scenes where he shows up and basically does nothing as compared to the older Ascians, like Elidibus. Elidibus showed up in 2.1 in a big way, and then was our stand in for meanwhiles and erstwhiles and end scenes where he'd say something vague, stare at the planet, and not do anything beyond that.

The only difference for Zenos is that we know what he wants as his end goal, the mystery is in what Fandaniel's cooking up instead. Something that's mildly interesting is that until recently, Zenos hasn't even bothered training or anything, then again, how often do villains get training montages? He is off to find a new sword, and I'm curious to see if he's going to go and get Susano summoned in order to take that blade, cause he has the Susano and Shinryu blades in Dissidia. I don't expect something truly cool or insane, but it'd be cool if he fought the Auspices for a new katana.

As far as fixing him goes... he doesn't need it. There's enough of an allure with his Ancient memories, and how that will tie into our own. He's definitely still a foil for the WoL and the player. I do wonder if he will last into 6.0 or not. I'll be fine whatever they decide to do with him, I'm sure it will be cool. Just as we don't need every villain to have a relatable/sympathetic backstory, we don't need every villain to be deep or engaging outside of the fights either. Most really weren't, honestly, anyway. I think people just by and large like to rag on Zenos.

Personally, I'd like to see him last, and I'd like to see Fordola get wrapped back into the MSQ along with Arenvald. It'd be cool to see her fight against him, even if she was fated to lose. Resonant vs. Resonant.

Also, one more thing.

After he slit his own throat, he achieved immortality. Zenos will need to be killed just like an Ascian, so for all intents and purposes, he is one. I find it likely that we may defeat him, kill him, only to find that he can just come back and we need White Auracite type workings. Unless, of course, he disappoints Fandaniel, and Fandaniel does something that can kill beings like that.

[ItMe]

Zenos is a rare character who can just sit there menacingly and still give me a spook.
I actually like where he is TBH...

[Khalithar]

I actually liked one dimensional Zenos whose only goal was to fight and kill the strongest enemies while caring little to nothing for those around him. I found that motivation strangely... honest for lack of a better term. There were no deeper plans or motivations, no plans to recreate the word, distort the balance. No he wanted us to get stronger and kill us because he saw us as a powerful opponent.

The end of launch Stormblood shouldn’t have been Shinryu, it should have been a 1v1 duel with Zenos where we beat him and he ends his own life having found fulfillment in an opponent he cannot beat. That’s as far as his story should have gone in my opinion.

[Adeacia]

Zenos is fine as he is. They are very clearly setting up something involving him in the future. I can see at least 2 paths he may go down, and neither of them involves changing him.

I'm very story focused on pretty much everything so I'm able to easily see where things may potentially go. Based on that, Zenos is fine as he is.