Not one, not two, but four!

Here is the first report, with screenshots, of the new slots we'll be getting with Issue 20: Incarnates.

If you're wondering how you missed your chance, this is from the Euro Test. Our opportunity to go in and play is:

# Thursday, March 3rd, from 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST until 10:00 PM EST / 7:00 PM PST, on the North American Beta Server

Remember, they'll also be giving away Animal Pack codes in Pocket D before the Trial testing starts, so show up early.


Lots of interesting new possibilities, and it's only a small sample of what there is. Notice all of the different components, that are completely different than what you need for Alpha Boosts.

EDIT: note the time change in bold. Apparently they've got scheduled maintenance on the Beta server, so they had to cut the time short by an hour.

I wonder how much grinding we'll need for that?

I was on two successful Lambda Sector raids tonight during the preview event, so I figured I'd share my experiences with the trial and with the new slots/components.

When I logged in, I had 25 shards on the character I was playing and exchanged those for Incarnate Threads (new component for the new slots, which can also be earned by defeating enemies in the new trials). Using Threads you can also buy XP to unlock the slots, at a rate of about 10 mil inf and 1 thread for 50,000 XP, or about 4% of the total XP to unlock the slot (you also get XP for slots by defeating enemies in the trials; Lambda gives XP for Interface and Destiny I think).

Rewards for the new trials work a bit differently: for completing each phase, you get an Astral Merit which, for the time being, can be used to buy 4 Threads. For completing the trial you get an Empyrean Merit which, also for the time being, can be used to buy 20 Threads. However, upon completion of the trial you also get a reward table, either uncommon, rare, or very rare, from which to choose one of the new components. I got an uncommon table the first time and a very rare table the second time. If you're just getting started, you can break down that component for threads to unlock the slot or make your first tier boost, or you can hang onto it. I broke mine down.

Just like the Alpha slot, each first tier boost requires 3 components, each component requiring 20 Threads. That sounds a bit steep, but Threads drop 5 times more frequently than Shards. As far as I know you can ONLY get Thread drops from the new trials.

Anywho, on to the Lambda Trial. The max League size for the trial is two teams and it seems to me that having the max number aids considerably in completing the trial.

The trial itself has three main phases:

1) The setup phase. This phase has no time limit and requires you to kill 60 enemies in and around the Lambda courtyard. It's a good time to explain the plan to the team. On both runs I was on, after we killed 60 enemies we destroyed the turrets surrounding the facility. They're pretty beefy looking but went down quickly with concentrated firepower. After that it's onto...

2) The 'Let's split up, we can do more damage that way' phase. During this phase, the League enters the facility and defeats the Security Team. One team heads to the Labs (though the elevator said Training Facility) and the other heads to a warehouse type area. Each team has to destroy 10 objects; the lab team has these large yellow cannisters, but I never did see what the warehouse team has to hit. Anywho, this phase is timed, and it's in your League's best interest to avoid the mobs and focus on the objects, because once the timer runs out Marauder shows up whether you're ready or not. Destroying the objects extends the time you have until he shows up. The Lab objects give a Molecular Acid temp power while the warehouse power gives a special grenade temp power. Once all the objects are destroyed, you move onto...

3) The final boss battle phase. In this phase, you're back in the courtyard, and on the perimeter are 10 troop portals which continually reinforce Marauder, who got himself a serum from Neuron that makes him invulnerable. The portals can only be destroyed with the molecular acid power, while Marauder can only be made vulnerable using the grenades. Before the fight it's a good idea to destroy all the portals and take out all the mobs around Marauder. During the fight itself, Marauder will use a power called Nova Fist, which you'll get a BIG RED TEXT warning about, and for good reason. Massive AoE damage, best avoided. Also during the fight, as Marauder looses health he will jump to a random point around the facility (the points themselves are fixed, but he'll choose a different one each time). This is more annoying that anything else. He'll also go invulnerable again after a while, so it's good to keep the grenade temp handy. Defeating Marauder successfully completes the Trial.


Phew, that was a long-*** post. If you have more questions about crafting the new slots or about Lambda Sector, lemme know and I'll do my best to answer them.

So Judgement, Interface, Lore and Destiny are ALL going to become available with the release of issue20????

Dont toy with my emotions here.......

Any word on another lvl shift happening at all?