1. Just Attack - Espio summed it up pretty well. On the 3rd invocation of your attack command, if you timed it correctly, you'll hear a new sound, see a new graphical effect. The attack itself might have a special effect, but from performing a "Just Attack" you'll be able to cancel into a photon art as well (for those who don't understand fighting game concepts, this means the elimination of any delay of the attack leading into your next attack). Additionally, this system will apply to photon arts too, but to a lesser extent (probably means it won't let you cancel 2 of the same PA).
2. Just Counter - Who said Evasion was useless? Ok, so maybe a lot of people do now, but this might change with the inclusion of Just Counter. Taking another page out of the fighting games handbook, Just Counter stipulates that whenever you evade or block an attack, if you time it right, you can guardcancel (see above explanation for cancel if you don't get this term, but change attack delay to evasion animation/delay) into an attack or photon art of your choice.
3. PP recovery from normal attacks. Simple explanation here, all normal *melee* attacks (sorry gunners, you're outta luck here) will recover small ammounts of PP, probably in the 1-2 range. In the case of a Critical attack, you will recover a large amount, many times more than a normal attack.
4. Monster Range. this is as I explained it before but just for monsters (no sign of weapon range adjustment). Rather than chasing down players in attempt for them to lure away, a monster will now use its attack range and knowledge of its attack options to its full ability. Fear of Bil de Vear and Goushin +1.
5. ELEMENTAL stat calculations. Sorry everyone, there's no mention of Racial stat changes here. Not too many details are given here, but expect a boost that makes low elemental ratio weapons and armors MORE useful.
6. No break grind system. You know this as well as I explained it last time. And yes, this IS the -1 system they're implementing. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, what this means is, if you fail the grind, your weapon gets reset to zero, but your max grind gets tagged with -1. Fail once, yur max is +9. Fail 10 times? You have really bad luck.
7. PA disk system. Espio's posting got it right. You are able to convert loaded PAs into Photon arts disks. From further information from Famitsu, this can NOT be exploited. Once you have Photon arts levels on a disk, you can't trade the disk or sell it, and unlike the Final PA system, it's unusable to other characters, even on the same account.
8. New classes. You know all there is to it. One side note, which most of you know from my ramblings. AT cast speed for all force weapons is the fastest of all classes.
New Fields
Il Carbo Base: I'm sure some of you guys have heard me mention this one. You could see it when you went into one of the mission counters on Moatoob; I think it was when you left Casino Volyale. Anyway, this map takes place inside an AMF base in Vio Tonga.
Saguraki Conservation District: Another one I've mentioned in the past. It's accessible from one of the mission counters at the Pavilion of Air on Neudaiz. The article describes this area as a mountainous path lined with blooming cherry trees.
AMF Central HQ: Missions here take place inside the AMF HQ in Holtes City.
Habilao Restricted District: Not sure where this one takes place, but it's described as a forested area with really high photon concentrations.
Caves: Just like from PSO. Are we back on Ragol...?
Mine: Just like from PSO. Hmm...
(Not trying to imply anything with those comments. The article doesn't specifically or officially confirm Ragol as being present here.)
New Enemies
Over 30 new enemies will appear in Ambition of the Illuminus. This article specifically mentions a new SEED-Form, the SEED-Ardite, as well as Alteratsu Goug, which beta testers will probably recall from the Pavilion of Air.
New Weapons
Van-brella (Shotgun): This gun is supposed to be designed after PSO's Madam's Umbrella. (No, seriously.)
Vishi Adan (Whip): A crimson-colored whip.
Eblozeek (Shadoog): Described as having a design like a wing bent at a sharp angle. (Probably a throwback to a certain MAG type.)
Ohsobera (Double Saber): Described as having half-moon-shaped blades.
Gungnata (Spear): The site says it has two points on it. (Like a double saber?)
Shura-hiken (Slicer): Designed after PSO's Flight Cutter.
Dory (Madoog): Says it has an emerald green body.
Flowduke (Shadoog): It has a flowery motif.
Madam-brella (Shotgun): Themed after Madam's Umbrella from PSO.
Ryo-sabeud (Twin Saber): Doesn't give a good description; just says they have sharp blades.
Ryo-beamtore (Twin Handgun): Described as having large barrels.
New Costumes
Twelve "PSO Replica" costumes will be available along with numerous new designs exclusive to the expansion. The twelve replica costumes cover all of the classes from PSO. The original clothing and parts sets are as follow.
SPF Set (male, clothes)
Valatenes Set (female, parts)
Granadas Set (male, parts)
Kohzue Set (male, clothes)
Goshikalia Set (male, clothes)
Bakorone Set (female, parts)
Hanaura Set (female, clothes)
Frauna Set (female, clothes)
Volyale Set (female, clothes) -- Cowgirl costume from Casino Volyale.
Mikumiko Set (female, clothes) -- Omikuji Maiden set from Mt. Ohtoku.
Musagan Set (male, parts)
Lukaral Set (female, parts)
Wai Wad Set (male, clothes)
New SUV Weapons
Gigas Faust: It's described as a straight-forward "rocket punch" attack.
Lapier Fluge: Anyone within the radius of this SUV's blast will have their HP recovered, any negative status effects removed and if anyone happens to be knocked out, well, not anymore! (Didn't see this one coming!)
New Photon Arts
Vishi Grudda (Whip)
Chikkyo-renjin (Slicer) - I'm not sure if this is a typo on the site's part, but I recall there being a PA for the slicer in the beta called Chikki Kyoren-jin.
Renga Chujin-shou (Twin Dagger)
