In the ever-spinning carnival of Zenless Zone Zero's meta, shiny new Agents like Remielle usually grab the microphone and hog the chorus. Version 3.1, however, has decided that the old folks deserve a turn at karaoke. Enter the Potential System—a six-tier upgrade track that hands selected veteran Agents a fresh batch of effects and a fighting chance to stay relevant in 2026's chaotic roster. Three familiar faces are first in line for the glow-up: Jane Doe, Rina, and Nekomata. Cue the polite applause and maybe a tiny confetti cannon.

For anyone who has been living under a Hollow, the Potential System is basically a second Cinema track with a different wardrobe. Players spend Agent-specific currencies to unlock six tiers, each layering new effects onto the Agent's kit. Higher tiers mean spicier bonuses. It is not a full rework, but it is enough to make these old-timers stretch their creaky joints and rejoin the party. Think of it as a retirement fund that pays out in Anomaly Proficiency, team buffs, and the occasional permission slip to stab enemies in the back.

Here is the short version, because tables are easier on the eyes than a wall of text:

Agent	Specialty	Potential Buff Vibe	Investment Priority
Jane Doe	Physical Anomaly	Smoother EX Special, faster Assault	Only if already building her
Rina	Electric Support	Puppet field time, Pen Ratio team buff	Must-build
Nekomata	Physical Attack	Purr Energy, back-attack mode	Temporary DPS at best

Now, let's unpack the buffet.

Jane Doe: The 'Keep It Simple, Sweetie' Special

Jane Doe's Potential buff is the plain bagel of the batch—reliable, unsurprising, and perfectly fine. It greases the wheels of her EX Special Attack, letting her use it more like her Dash Attack. That means faster Anomaly gauge buildup and more reliable Assault triggers. Higher tiers toss her extra Anomaly Proficiency, which is like giving a caffeine addict a bigger mug. Does it change her life? Not really. Does it make her damage numbers less embarrassing? Sure.

Her kit politely asks for a tune-up, and the Potential System answers with a nod. Let's be real—this is a polish job, not a resurrection. Jane remains the same smooth, stylish Agent she always was, just with a slightly shinier EX button. If you already love her, great. If you were hoping for a meta earthquake, keep waiting.

Rina: The Puppet HR Department Finally Hires a Manager

Rina is the star of this patch, and it is not particularly close. Her Potential buffs massively improve her puppets' field time and let her summon them to trigger quick assists much more smoothly. In plain English, her tiny employees finally learned to clock in on time. The buff also reduces Rina's on-field presence, making it easier to swap between her and the team's DPS. That is huge for a support who used to feel like she was hogging the couch.

At higher Potential tiers, Rina gains a team-wide buff that scales off her Pen Ratio, handing out Attack and Defense like a generous aunt with an unlimited candy bowl. This turns her into a universal stat support who can rival even premium options like Astra Yao. Her one glaring flaw? No healing. So players should keep that in mind before declaring her the second coming of support Jesus.

Spoiler alert: she is the one you want. Rina's puppets are the real employees of the month, and their manager deserves a raise.

Nekomata: The Busiest Cat in the Business

Nekomata received the most changes, and her kit now reads like a cat that discovered espresso. All her damaging moves deal multiple instances of Physical damage and accumulate Purr Energy. Gaining and consuming that energy triggers automatic dodges and enhanced Dodge Attacks, while also buffing her Basic Attack and EX Special Attack. At enough Purr Energy, she enters a special mode where all her damage counts as back attacks—removing her positional limitations and letting her claws finally stab with purpose.

Higher Potential levels add Crit Damage, which boosts her ceiling further. Is she suddenly top-tier? No. Her low damage modifiers still hold her back when compared to Physical heavyweights like Ye Shunguang and Starlight Billy. Honestly, folks, she is a rental, not a forever home. If you lack a better Physical DPS, she can hold the fort. Otherwise, your resources are better spent elsewhere.

The Verdict: Who Gets Your Resources?

Let's cut to the chase with a handy checklist:

• ✅ Rina — Build her. Her team-wide Pen Ratio buff and smoother puppet gameplay make her a universal support. She is the patch's clear winner.

• ⚠️ Nekomata — Use her as a temporary Physical DPS if you are desperate. Her back-attack mode is fun, but her modifiers keep her from the big leagues.

• 🤷 Jane Doe — Invest only if you already planned to. Her buff is a nice extra, not a reason to start from scratch.

Version 3.1 does not reinvent the wheel. It just adds training wheels to a few old bikes. Rina fans should rejoice, Nekomata fans can enjoy the temporary promotion, and Jane fans can nod politely and keep doing their thing. And that is... fine.

Now go forth, spend those currencies wisely, and remember: even old Agents deserve a little love. Or at least a decent Potential tier.