Pyrois is the S-Rank Ether Attack agent introduced in the Zenless Zone Zero 3.0 update, and it doubles as the combat avatar of the Proxy. As an on-field main DPS, it leans on raw skill multipliers rather than anomaly procs, so it wants heavy CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and ATK%. The best part is the price of entry. Pyrois, its Mindscapes, and its signature W-Engine can all be earned for free by playing through the Roscaelifer main story and exploring the map, which makes it one of the easiest premium-tier carries to fully kit out.
Quick answer: Equip Sol Exuvia, run a 4-piece The Sky Ablaze set with a 2-piece Woodpecker Electro, prioritize CRIT Rate, CRIT DMG, and ATK%, level Core Skill first, and pair Pyrois with a Stun and a Support agent so its Glorious Legion passive stays active.
| Build slot | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Rarity | S-Rank |
| Attribute | Ether |
| Specialty | Attack (Main DPS) |
| Best W-Engine | Sol Exuvia |
| Best Drive Disc | The Sky Ablaze (4-piece) + Woodpecker Electro (2-piece) |
| Main stat priority | CRIT Rate / CRIT DMG > ATK% > Ether DMG > PEN |
How Pyrois works in combat
Pyrois runs on a resource called Solar Prominence. You start each fight with 30 from the Core Passive, gain 0.5 per second in combat, and build more by landing different attacks, up to a cap of 60. Once you hold 30 or more, you can spend it to fire the enhanced Basic Attack: Celestial Light, whose third and fourth hits carry most of Pyrois’ damage and can be shortcut into from almost every action.
The agent also has four separate Ultimates, each tied to a direction and a distinct effect. Total Annihilation (Upper) grants a Mirage state with bonus CRIT DMG against Stunned targets. Triumphant Return (Lower) gives a long Sunflare buff that raises Energy generation and overall damage. Unbound Swordstorm (Left) and Eternal Imprisonment (Right) add big bonus damage when heavy attacks hit Contaminated or Stunned enemies. Because each Ultimate only costs 2,000 Decibels, the gameplan is to generate Decibels and chain several Ultimates inside a stun window.
The Additional Ability, Glorious Legion, is central to the build. As long as another agent in your squad is a Stun or Support character, Pyrois gains 40% CRIT DMG and a Chain Attack grants 300 Decibels. Keep that condition satisfied in every team you run.
Best W-Engine for Pyrois
Sol Exuvia is Pyrois’ signature W-Engine and its clear best-in-slot. It carries 713 base ATK with a 30% ATK bonus stat and grants a flat 20% CRIT Rate. When Pyrois equips it, using an Ultimate or entering combat applies a Solar Eclipse effect that lets its damage ignore a portion of the enemy’s defense for 45 seconds, with repeated triggers refreshing the timer. Since it comes free through the 3.0 story content, there is little reason to chase anything else once you have it.
If you are still working toward the signature, several alternatives cover the same CRIT-focused stats.
| W-Engine | Rank | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Sol Exuvia | S | Signature pick. 20% CRIT Rate, 30% ATK, and defense-ignoring Solar Eclipse. |
| Riot Suppressor Mark VI | S | Adds CRIT Rate plus stacking Ether DMG bonuses to Basic and Dash Attacks. |
| Heartstring Nocturne | S | Boosts CRIT DMG and helps Chain Attack and Ultimate damage pierce resistance. |
| Marcato Desire | A | Strong free-to-play option with CRIT Rate and ATK gains on EX Special and Chain hits. |
| Cannon Rotor | A | Cheap CRIT Rate plus extra damage on critical hits. |
Best Drive Discs and stats
The Sky Ablaze is the dedicated 4-piece set for Pyrois. Its 2-piece bonus adds 10% Ether DMG, and the 4-piece raises CRIT DMG by 30% for Ether agents while granting 10% ATK for 30 seconds after an EX Special Attack or Ultimate. Pair it with a 2-piece Woodpecker Electro for 8% CRIT Rate, which keeps Pyrois’ hits landing consistently. If you have surplus CRIT Rate elsewhere, you can swap the 2-piece for Chaotic Metal or another Ether DMG option instead.
| Disc slot | Main stat |
|---|---|
| Slot 4 | CRIT Rate or CRIT DMG |
| Slot 5 | Ether DMG Bonus or ATK% |
| Slot 6 | ATK% |
For substats, target CRIT Rate and CRIT DMG first, then ATK%, with PEN as a useful extra. A common goal is to keep CRIT Rate high enough that Pyrois reliably crits, then load up on CRIT DMG to scale the burst.
Pyrois skill priority
Upgrade the Core Skill first. It boosts Pyrois’ base stats and powers up the four Ultimates, which are the agent’s largest damage source. After that, focus on the attacks that build and spend Solar Prominence.
- Core Skill > Basic Attack > Special Attack > Chain Attack
- Leave Dodge and Assist for last, since they contribute little to offense.
Best teams for Pyrois
Pyrois follows the standard Attacker, Stunner, Support structure. The aim is to stun the enemy, stack buffs, then cycle Ultimates and enhanced Basic Attacks while the target is open. Always include at least one Stun or Support agent so Glorious Legion stays active.
| Team | Stun | Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | Dialyn | Sunna | Dialyn converts Ultimates for more frequent Pyrois bursts and extends stuns; Sunna adds ATK, healing, and off-field damage. |
| Buff-heavy | Norma | Astra Yao | Norma applies Daze and stun multipliers; Astra Yao supplies healing and large damage buffs. |
| Free-to-play | Anby | Nicole | Anby stuns reliably while Nicole shreds DEF and Ether RES in a wide area. |
Flexible swaps work well too. Ju Fufu can replace a Stunner for off-field Daze and CRIT DMG, Qingyi or Trigger offer strong stun control, and Lucy is a free Support that raises ATK. Because Pyrois is so easy to obtain and slots into existing rosters, you can build a competitive team without spending Polychromes, then upgrade the Stun and Support slots as you pull stronger units.
