First the Fitness pool (Swift, Hurdle, Health, Stamina) became an Inherent power set. Meaning once a character hit level 2, they automatically got all 4 powers. This essentially gave many characters in the game 3-4 extra powers to choose from depending on their build. So instead of having to use one of your four allowed power pools on the Fitness Pool, much less one of your valued power selections in game you now have a lot more flexibility. For existing characters, they'll need to Respec first to get Fitness as an Inherent set. The downside is that characters do not get any additional slots ot enhance their powers.
Secondly the game finally introduced the Alpha Slot of the Incarnate system. The Incarnate system is for level 50 heroes (the max level in the game) and allows them to further enhance/improve/customize their characters. Originally slated to be released with Going Rogue! the Dev team pushed it back after getting feedback from Beta testers saying that without additional content to go with the slot it didn't feel right. To get the Alpha Slot you need to talk to Mender Ramiel (new NPC in Ororoubos) and then go through a story arc that will unlock the Alpha Slot. The arc is soloable, just barely. The hardest mission is mission 4 (I think) where it seems like most people will get a team together to finish it off. After you complete the last mission (5th) you do need to go back to Ramiel and talk to him to actually unlock the Alpha Slot. If you're not sure that it's unlocked, check your Most Recent badges, you should have one related to the Alpha Slot.
After that you then need to collect shards that when you find them bond to you (think of WoW soul bound items). These will drop from level 50+ mobs throughout the game, as well as some special/upgraded ones that are available as a reward for completing: Imperious Task Force, Statesman/Lord Recluse Task/Strike Force, Reichsman Task/Strike Force, Lady Grey Task Force, and the Hamidon Raid. Once you have enough of the right shards you can then craft your first Alpha Slot enhancement. Basically this allows you to further enhance aspects of a power, some of which is not affected by Enhancement Diversification (ED).
So beyond the power benefits why get an Alpha slot? Simple it'll make the new Apex Task Force that much easier! Apex is a new contact within the Vanguard base in the Ritki War Zone. Basically you and your team are tasked to fight off an invasion from Praetoria within Paragon City. If you do not have the Alpha Slot available AND slotted you suffer a penalty in terms of mob difficulty. I've heard it's as high facing +8s in terms of level.
There's also the new Tin Mage Mk II Task Force. I don't know if it also has the penalty for not being Alpha Slotted but it's a lot of fun. It's a companion to the Apex TF in that instead of defending Paraong, you and your team is a first strike back at Praetoria.
So yeah the new issue is sucking up my time. Over the weekend I did 3 Hami Raids, 2 ITFs, 2 LGTFs, a LRSF, Apex, Tin Mage, tip missions, Patron arc, and followed that up with a LGTF on Monday. Plus I've been respeccing characters.
