Details continue to roll in as GM Edward has posted the second round of notes detailing the upcoming supplemental update! This week, we're treated to information on GUARDIANS advanced missions and GUARDIANS advanced style.

GUARDIANS advanced missions

• Otherwise known as GAMs, these missions provide an extra challenge to players by setting certain restrictions, such as on character level or weapon and unit usage.
• GAMs allow you to earn advanced mission points (AMP) which can be used not only to progress your GAM stage (allowing you to play more difficult missions as they are released), but also for purchasing very rare items and materials.

GUARDIANS advanced style

• Also known as GAS, this is a customization feature which allows you to bring out the true potential of your character.
• GAS customizations require advanced points (AP), which can be earned by collecting advanced experience points (AEXP). AEXP, in turn, can be earned either by playing GAMs or by being at the game's current level cap.
• There are two types of GAS: type customizations and style customizations.
• Type customizations are upgrades which are bound to your current type, and include customizations such as those to weapons and attributes.
• Style customizations are all-around upgrades which are bound to your character instead of your current type. These include features such as increased blocking rates and boosted trap damage.

Discussion of this news is already underway at the forum, so feel free to chime right in! And stay tuned as part III of Edward's update notes (along with title update notes) will be arriving in the coming weeks!

Since the release of Phantasy Star Universe's Supplemental Update for PC/PS2 in Japan, there have been a couple other significant additions to the game. After the recently announced Supplemental Update for the Xbox 360 version of Ambition of the Illuminus, many players have been wondering exactly which features and content would make the transition.

The PSU community team has taken note of these concerns and GM Edward has posted a number of details on one of the most heavily discussed features; GUARDIANS Cash.

In Japan, the GUARDIANS Cash system involved microtransactions and as such has been seen as a negative by a significant portion of the Xbox 360 playerbase. It should relieve those players to find out that there will not be a method of paying additional money for in-game content or features for the Xbox 360 version of PSU. Instead, this content will be adapted through other means. Examples of possible distribution methods included releasing the items as mission rewards or making them available in the casino, but nothing has been finalized yet. Expect to see more information on this content as the update approaches.

Additionally, it was revealed that the limited, free-play mode known as "Community Course" or "Free Course" will not be part of the Xbox 360 version of the game. Despite this, the demo is still said to be an effective tool for bringing new players into the game.

For discussion of this news, there is a thread progressing in the forums.

The first set of details about the Xbox 360 Supplemental Update was posted earlier today. This update focused mainly on the type and photon art changes that are going to be made. Here is a brief overview:

• Exact Counter - Characters will become temporarily invincible while using an Exact Counter.
• Type Changes - The base attack strength for most types will be increased. Certain types, like Masterforce, will receive significant increases to their HP and TECHNIC strength.
• SUV Rebalanacing - The power and range on Paradi Cataract will be reduced. Also, several new S-Rank SUV items will be added.
• General Photon Arts Updates - Bow Bullets will have their firing speed and attack strength increased. Grenade Photon Arts will consume less PP.
• Specific Photon Arts Changes - A large portion of the game's photon arts will be receiving stat changes. Be sure to check out the webpage for a full list.

Edward, a Sega GM, stated additional details will be posted in the near future. You can discuss this news in our Phantasy Star Universe forum.

This week's update for Phantasy Star Universe on the Xbox 360 servers has been detailed on the English PSU homepage. Players can expect to see the following starting this Friday:

• GUARDIANS Boost Road on Moatoob featuring the following missions:
  • System Defense
  • Desert Terror
  • Tunnel Recapture
  • Caves of Ice
  • Awoken Serpent
• Wedding lobbies will be posted. The Wedding Cake will be available at the Variety Shop during this time.
• Casino Voloyal item rotation.

Parum Unification Commemoration lobbies will also be coming down with this update along with the Parum Unity Souvenir currently available at the Variety Shop. A thread has been created in the forums regarding this news. Update: GM Edward has confirmed that this GBR will once again involve a drop boost. Update: The Japanese 360 update page has been posted. System Defense has been added to the list of missions included in the GBR. Additionally, the GBR as well as the Wedding lobbies will be running up to June 21. This is the same day that V1 support is slated to be pulled. Update: As reported on the English and Japanese pages, MAG+ medals were not available for distribution between the last two maintenance periods. It is once again possible to receive these for those players that have yet to.

The English page has just gone up for this week's update. Included is the following:

• The Comeback C-S (partner mission at the GUARDIANS Branch in Ohtoku City)
• Medals for MAG+ will be rewarded to all Xbox 360 players who placed in the top 100 of the Time Attack Ranking. The medals will be distributed to common boxes and players will have until 1 AM PDT on July 1 to claim them.
• Spring lobbies will be available from April 23 until May 13.
• Casino Voloyal item rotation.

The Photon Art leveling boost as well as the Easter lobbies will be coming down with this week's maintenance period. This update is already being discussed in the forums. Update: The JP 360 homepage has been posted. It reiterates many of the same details, as well as gives the timespan for the seasonal lobbies.

Detailed by GM Edward and the Japanese PSU homepage is the Xbox 360 update for this week. Here's what will be posted:

• New Challengers C-S (partner mission at the GUARDIANS Branch in Holtes City)
• Easter lobbies will be available from April 2 until April 22. Players can find Rappy Paska during this time.
• Casino Voloyal item rotation.

As a reminder, the Photon Art leveling boost is also slated to continue until April 22. Update: The English page has been posted for this week's update.

As announced on the official English PSU homepage, there will be a content update for this week which applies to both Xbox 360 and PC/PS2 servers:

• The following missions will be available after the event with various modifications:
  • Maximum Attack G' (S/S2 difficulties to be added, new mission rewards)
  • Program DF' (S/S2 difficulties to be added, new mission rewards)
  • Gifts from Beyond+ (some price changes and the removal of other event currency)
• Medals will be distributed to players who place from 1 through 100 in the Time Attack Rankings for MAG+.
• Casino Voloyal item rotation.

These items apply only to the Xbox 360 servers:

• White Day lobbies will be posted alongside Jaggo Amure and WD Box. These will last from March 12 until April 1.
• A previously unimplemented Photon Art boost will be available from March 12 until April 22.

These bonuses apply only to the PC/PS2 servers until they are closed on March 31:

• Three Star Luck for all players
• +20% synth rate boost
• +15% grinding boost
• 10 Silver Voloyal Coins per day
• Free Lumilass
• 50% discount on clothing and cast parts
• A previously unimplemented Photon Art boost.

This will most likely be the final set of updates for the PC/PS2 servers until their closure. The planned time for the shutdown is midnight Pacific Time on March 31. You can discuss this update in this forum thread.

Update: The official Japanese Xbox 360 homepage has posted its version of the update notes. Update: The medals for the Time Attack participants were not handed out in this update. They will be handed out soon. Read here for more information. Update: WD Box is also available at the Variety Shop on the PC/PS2 servers. Update: GM Edward will be handing out medals himself to those who won them on the PC/PS2 server. More details on that in this official forum post.

Earlier today, a few announcements had been made regarding the western PC/PS2 and Xbox 360 servers.

The first notice is in regards to a maintenance which will occur at the normal time this week. There will be a short downtime in which corrections will be made to the following items:

• Ragan-Ragan
• De Ragun
• Deathrain
• Lumirus / Wall
• [B] Yamata-Misakic
• Parum Fountain

These items are not currently able to be traded or sold.

In addition, Sonic Team has confirmed that the Photon Art EXP boost expected during the Maximum Attack G+ event has in fact not been implemented. They will be waiting until the event closes to activate the boost. It is now scheduled to last from March 12th until April 22nd.

A discussion thread is located here in the forums.

The regional PC/Playstation 2 and Xbox 360 Phantasy Star Universe servers will receive a minor content update on February 19th. Here is a breakdown of what will be released:

• Maximum Attack G+ S2 will have its area drops updated. The following items will start dropping:
  • Igg Crown - Forest
  • Chain Edge - Caves
  • Twin Grip - Mines
  • Flowen's Soul - Ruins
• The Desert Arms Shop will have the Ely Sion (Sword), Edel Fucil (Rifle), and Edel Arrow (Bow) added to the mission's trade list. These items are the most powerful weapons in their respective classes for Ambition of the Illuminus. You will need the Edel Elym and Edel Harp to trade for these items. Note that you should select your Edel item carefully. You will only have one chance per account to trade for one. Since the items are account-bound, they cannot be traded or sold in player shops.

The Igg Crown drop will be very useful for players pining for a GUARDIANS Formal outfit.

You can discuss this update in this forum thread.