Riza reporting back from the Test Server. Just noticed last night on the message boards that the Winter Event has gone live, and I had to check it out. First thing you will notice is the badges you get logging in. Can't remember the name of it, I'm not that kinda person. LOL. Anyway, you automatically get Christmas Earmuffs added to Icons costume shop, and you get 2 temporary power, Christmas Spirit and Christmas Cheer. I believe the first one is 24 hours debt reduction, which means if you fall in battle, you don't get as much debt. The second one is much more interesting. You target a fellow character, and click on Chistmas Cheer, and you give that person a gift. Usually it is 250 influence/infamey, BUT, it could be the Christmas Hat from last year, it could be a snowball temporary power, or some other stuff. Both of these powers are one time use. I really encourage you all to check out the message boards, under Test Server to get better details.
ALSO..., a temporary area in Pocket D has been created, allowing you to head over to Father Time for a mission. You have to rescue Baby Newyear. I did the mission, but it took awile. It's one mission, but it felt like two. First, you head into a snow covered Croatoa wilderness, with the weredeers all around, and those lovely snowmen from last years event. You have to find a key, held on one of the baddies. Not sure if it's just dependent on how many things you kill in mish before you get the key, or just dumb luck in finding the right thing. The map is big, so I hope the former is true. I found the key, and headed into the cave, which is a Ice Cave. No map available in mish, btw, while in cave. You get the surface map, which at least kept me from backtracking to the exit a time or two. You go through, fighting redcaps till you find Snagtooth, or whatever his name is. He's the usual fiend, large Redcap. Kill him and his minions, and Baby Newyear will start following you. Lead him out of the cave, and then out of the surface area. Completion of the mission allows you to choose from 4 "gifts" and their badges. You can choose furry boots, furry gloves, and 2 temporary powers that I can't remember. I've not tried to run the mission a second time yet, but I know that Father Time will let you take the mish again. BTW, heroes and villians can fight together on the mish, just like the Valentines missions, but it's not necessary. As a side note, there are pond areas in mish. These are frozen water that you can skate on, or at least slide around on. They are also in the cave.
The only other thing is that the area around Father Times snow chalet is a snow skiing area. Feel free to slide down the slopes. There are the gueser things at the bottom of the hills to get you back up the hill (you can't climb back up, I tried, and got no where). The map is beautiful, as well as the mish area. Supposedly, phase 2 will leave presents around the city, just like last year, and, supposedly, you can get another Christmas Cheer temporary power by opening gifts. What the odds are, I have no idea. The X-mas Cheer seems to be the only way people can luck into the old chirstmas cap thing, which I feel kinda worried about. I've added a lot of toons since then, so none of them have that hat option. Anyway. if you get a chance, try out the test server, and don't forget to stop by Pocket D. Take care, gals.