Update (July 6, 2026): This guide has been updated with confirmed kit details, CN server buff information, and post-launch meta analysis ahead of the global July 8 release.
With Neverness to Everness Version 1.2 launching globally on July 8, players are faced with a tough decision: Should you pull for Shinku, Iroi, or save your Annuliths?
Version 1.2 introduces two highly synergistic S-Rank characters from the Containment Strike Unit Division 2 (C.S.U. 2). While they work beautifully together, most Free-to-Play (F2P) players will only have enough resources to guarantee one. Here is our complete, updated pull guide to help you decide.
⚔️ Shinku: The Niche DPS with Support Capabilities
Shinku (Phase 1 Banner) was initially misunderstood as a traditional hypercarry. Based on CN server gameplay, she is actually a highly technical burst DPS with strong team utility [1]. Her kit revolves around timing, dodging, and using her Stare passive to trigger instant Esper cycles, rather than staying on the field permanently.
Recent CN Server Buffs:
Shinku received significant buffs on the CN server just days before the global launch [2]. Her Charge Enhancement passive now has an increased trigger radius, making it much more consistent. The energy she gains from her Ultimate has also been increased, smoothing out her rotation.
Pros:
- Provides team-wide energy acceleration, allowing teammates to use Ultimates more frequently.
- Incredible burst damage during her Frenzy state.
- Flashy, fast-paced combat style that rewards skilled play and perfect dodges.
Cons:
- Awakening Reliance: Her base E0 gameplay (specifically the Gaze mechanic) can feel clunky. Her early Awakenings provide massive Quality of Life (QoL) improvements that make her kit flow much better [1].
- High skill floor compared to characters like Chaos.
Pull Shinku if: You enjoy highly technical, fast-paced combat, or you want a DPS character who also acts as an energy battery for the rest of your team.
🛡️ Iroi: The Ultimate Sheep Summon Support
Iroi (Phase 2 Banner) is an Anima-element ranged healer and buffer. She uses three autonomous sheep summons to heal the team and boost their damage. Her defining feature is the Regression state: if an ally dies, they turn into a sheep instead of failing the encounter, allowing Iroi to revive them.
Pros:
- HP-scaling heals make her incredibly easy and cheap to build.
- Regression state makes high-difficulty content (like Hunter’s Crucible) extremely forgiving.
- Provides off-field sustain and universal Attack/Crit buffs.
- Enables the powerful Blossom reaction (Anima + Cosmos).
- High long-term account value; premium healers rarely fall out of the meta.
Cons:
- Will not carry your team’s damage on her own.
Pull Iroi if: You already have a strong Main DPS (like Chaos, Lacrimosa, or Mint) and need a premium support to keep them alive and amplify their damage in endgame content.
📊 The Verdict: Who is the Better Investment?
If you can only afford one character in Version 1.2 at E0 (no Awakenings), Iroi holds the highest long-term value.
In gacha games like NTE, DPS characters are frequently power-crept by newer damage dealers. However, a support character who provides revives, HP-scaling heals, attack buffs, and off-field elemental application will remain a staple in your roster for months, if not years. Iroi fits into almost any team composition and elevates your existing characters.
Furthermore, Shinku’s reliance on Awakenings for a smooth gameplay experience makes her a heavier investment for F2P players [1]. If you prefer smooth, easy combat without pulling duplicates, you may want to look toward Chaos (currently on banner) or wait for future DPS units.
What if I want both? (The C.S.U. 2 Core)
If you have been saving since launch, pulling both Shinku and Iroi creates a devastating “C.S.U. 2 Core.” Iroi’s Anima element and Shinku’s Cosmos element trigger the Blossom reaction, while Shinku’s energy battery mechanics allow Iroi to maintain 100% uptime on her buffs.
💰 F2P Saving Strategy
NTE’s pity system carries over between banners:
- Soft Pity: Starts around 70 pulls.
- Hard Pity: Guaranteed featured S-Rank at 90 pulls (There is no 50/50 loss in NTE’s current system).
If you are F2P and want Shinku, remember that the 1.2 update provides a massive influx of free Annulith through the new 999 Nights mode and Warren Continent exploration. Do not forget to claim the 1600 Annulith bug fix compensation distributed on July 6 [3].
References
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/NevernessToEverness/comments/1un52b9/i_think_people_are_looking_at_shinku_from_the/ [2] https://www.reddit.com/r/Stix/comments/1umvgej/cn_nte_12_update_drama_nutshell/ [3] https://www.reddit.com/r/NevernessToEverness/comments/1unxnk0/new_1600_annulith_compensation_for_bug_fix_in_cn/