NTE Version 1.3 banners: Zankou runs first, Linko waits in Phase 2
The wait is over for anyone who has been hoarding pull currency. Neverness to Everness Version 1.3 finally has a locked banner order, and it pits a former story boss against a tech-themed anomaly specialist. Zankou runs first, and Linko follows in the second half. That much is settled. What is not settled is how you split your savings between them.
The Version 1.3 Special Program aired on August 8, 2026, and put an end to months of speculation. Both characters had appeared in teaser footage before, but their banner phases stayed unconfirmed until the broadcast. Now players can make real decisions instead of guessing. The update follows the same two-phase rhythm NTE has used since launch, so the pacing should feel familiar.
Zankou: From boss fight to playable fighter
Zankou stands out for one reason above others: she was the final boss of Chapter 4’s Debt Collector questline. Version 1.3 turns that encounter into a roster slot. She carries an S-Rank rarity and the Incantation attribute, and she belongs to the Scarlet Letter faction. Her look carries over from her story appearance – white hair, red eyes, a dark kimono-style outfit. The splash art confirms she is ready for a banner.
Her banner hits Phase 1. That means she arrives the moment Version 1.3 goes live, and anyone who wants her needs currency ready from day one.
Linko: The ETD-6 anomaly specialist
Linko takes the Phase 2 slot. She is an S-Rank character with the Anima attribute and a member of ETD-6, the group she appeared alongside in earlier footage. Her design leans into a tech-heavy aesthetic – pink hair, a signature headset, and a visual style that matches her anomaly partner. Where Zankou comes from the game’s story past, Linko signals where NTE’s character design is headed next.
Because she arrives in the second half, players who target her have extra time to stockpile pulls. That buffer matters, especially if you also want Zankou.
How to plan your pulls with the order locked
The confirmed order changes the pull calculus. Zankou comes first, so she pressures your currency immediately. Linko waits until Phase 2, which rewards patience. If you are still pulling on Version 1.2 banners, finish those calls before the patch ends. The update will not wait.
For players who want both S-Ranks, the safe play is a limit. Set a hard stop for Zankou in Phase 1, then reserve the rest for Linko. Two five-star characters in one version is expensive, and blowing everything in the first half all but guarantees regret when Phase 2 starts.
Free-to-play and low-spend accounts should pick one. Zankou’s Incantation kit may fit your current roster better. Or you might already have strong Incantation units, which makes Linko’s Anima style the smarter bet. The exact pity rates and soft pity details for Version 1.3 have not been published, so plan assuming standard numbers and be conservative with your currency.
What we know – and what we still do not know
The Special Program confirmed the banner order but left several questions open. The exact release date for Version 1.3 was not stated. Specific team synergies and optimal compositions for Zankou and Linko were not shown – those will have to wait for community testing after launch. Event schedules and reward totals were also absent from the broadcast, though the program did mention a housing system and quality-of-life improvements coming in the update.
For more Neverness to Everness coverage, follow our updates at GenshinBuilds.
Pre-patch checklist
- Finish Version 1.2 banner pulls before the servers go down.
- Complete any limited-time events that expire with the current patch.
- Stack pull currency for whichever Phase 1 or Phase 2 target you choose.
- Check your existing roster to see whether Zankou’s Incantation or Linko’s Anima fills a gap.
First-day priorities
- Open the in-game banner schedule to confirm exact start and end times for both phases.
- Redeem any livestream codes from the Version 1.3 Special Program before they expire.
- Run Zankou’s trial stage before spending anything. Hands-on testing beats theory.
- If Linko is your target, keep a currency reserve from day one. Do not touch it in Phase 1.
The Version 1.3 banner order is settled: Zankou in Phase 1, Linko in Phase 2. One is a boss turned ally. The other is a tech specialist with an anomaly partner. Both are S-Rank. Pick your priority, set your budget, and do not let the first banner empty your wallet before the second one arrives.