How to fix Zenos one dimentional character

[Delily]

The entire purpose of Zenos is his one-dimensionality.

Every other character we have fought has some motivating factor behind them that causes them to cross our path. The Griffin wanted to force the Alliance to get involved with the war for Ala Mihgo. The Ascians wanted to restore the sundered world. The Archbishop wanted to bring law and order to the world.

Zenos serves the same function as the Joker does in the Batman series, a foil. His backstory is irrelevant. He is what he is because of what others did to him. He has no motive or concern beyond fighting the WoL. He's not really evil or good, as he doesn't care about power, wealth, or status. (He is sadistic.) He is a slow-moving force of nature. You may not like his personality, but it's crucial to his character. In his mind, he is so powerful that nothing interests him; everything is a bore.

I think Fanadiel was a mistake. Another Ascian? Who cares? We've defeated every Ascian we've come across. His shtick is that he's like Thanos, an insane nihilist. He's going to do crazy things like summon towers and primals. Big deal. Zenos just cuts everything down.

I'm also reading people say Zenos is like us? In theory, everyone is like us, a sundered soul. They made that clear. Zenos was never awakened like we were by Hydaelyn/Zodiark. A big part of Stormblood's story was they Zenos's "Echo" is artificial and that the process that granted him the Resonance drove him insane. (Fordola has the Resonance as well, but not to the degree Zenos does and she received it later). This further drives home the point that he is our counter.

The WoL travels the world helping others because we want to. Our strength comes from others.
Zenos travels the world seeking combat, his strength is all internal.

The WoL is a "friend to all", an empathetic caring person. Zenos is utterly isolated.

The WoL received his/her Echo "naturally" from Zodiak/Hydaelyn, and it has grown with us as we have traveled. Arguably it has increased our compassion to others as we glimpse parts of their story that shows us their motivation. Zenos received his power artificially and was driven insane by it.

[Puremallace]

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

This maybe true and I am ok with that if you find me one Heath Ledger to finally play him correctly out of 20+ prior iterations that noone really remembers. If they are going full one dimensional driving force narrative like goblin wanting the ring then they need drop the comic book villain stuff and have him start icing some friends.

Zenos needs to show up and take out Krile or something straight up Sephiroth style and right then and there make you realize his goal is to drive you crazy with rage to become like him. At that point you take the high road and take him out like Luke Skywalker.

Maybe have him become Zodiarks new heart.

[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.