Ethan Crossfield 
The Duskbloods’ first network test gave players an early look at several Bloodsworn, but one character quickly dominated fan discussions. Zork’s industrial diving suit, blood-drinking beak, missiles, and Human Rocket mobility have made him the game’s unofficial mascot before launch. Players deciding whether to follow the Switch 2 exclusive should know that the attention is not based on appearance alone: Zork is also a specialized heavy fighter with a clear risk-and-reward playstyle.
What changed after The Duskbloods network test
Zork stood out almost immediately among a roster designed around different eras, visual influences, and combat identities. While Layla, Senator Samir Patres, Albert, Jan, and Trang Lanh each attracted interest, Zork became the character most associated with the test weekend. Fan art, memes, and Reddit posts repeatedly focused on him, with players turning his name into jokes about using his abilities. That momentum has made Zork the breakout star even though the test did not establish him as the clear best character.
Who should pay attention to Zork
Players who prefer deliberate, close-range combat may find Zork worth watching. He is a slow and heavy Bloodsworn with powerful melee attacks, missile-based offense, and unusual movement through Human Rocket. His strengths are most apparent when he can pressure opponents at close range, but his slower attacks can expose him to faster characters. That makes him less of a universal choice and more of a distinctive specialist. His comedy-focused appearance also hides several details that reinforce his identity, including a beak that extends like a straw for drinking blood after victories.
What comes next for the character
Zork’s popularity should not be confused with a settled competitive hierarchy. Testers also praised Layla’s ranged tools and Samir’s transformation, suggesting that the wider roster has enough variety to support different preferences. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has also identified Zork as one of his favorite characters from the test. His concept began with the idea of a Bloodsworn rising from the deep sea, with Ultraman and Ultra Seven monsters influencing the final industrial diving-suit design. That background suggests Zork was intended to be both memorable and playable, rather than existing only as comic relief.
What players should know
- Zork became the most visible fan favorite during the first network test.
- His kit combines heavy melee attacks, missiles, and Human Rocket mobility.
- Slow attacks can leave him vulnerable against faster Bloodsworn.
- His popularity reflects meme appeal, not proof that he is the strongest character.
- Miyazaki’s comments indicate that Zork has meaningful design and gameplay intent behind the joke.
Expert View
Zork is an excellent early symbol for The Duskbloods because his visual design is immediately recognizable and his mechanics give players more to explore than a simple joke character. The network test does not prove that he will dominate matches or remain the most popular Bloodsworn after launch. For now, however, he has already won the game’s first major popularity contest, while the broader roster still appears strong enough to keep competitive and casual interest from narrowing around one character.
