The 2009 Winter Event has reached Paragon City and the Rogue Isles and there is much rejoicing to be had again this year! But don't fall into the trap and keep your senses alert as a new menace is also looming in the horizon threatening to bring the holidays to an abrupt end! Will you be able to defeat Lord Winter before he succeeds?

This year's Winter Event goodies include a new "throw snowflakes" emote and a character respec (both bought by candy cane salvage), and two new holiday badges--Festive and Lord of Winter/Lady of Winter! All the temporary powers, badges, and fuzzy earmuffs from last year are also back, bringing nostalgic cheer. Along with streets and rooftops loaded with Father Time's gifts, you'll still encounter snow beasts and Winter Lords, Father Time's mission, ski challenges, candy canes, and more in this fun-filled feast of holiday festiveness!

• Starts:Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 8:59 a.m. PST (11:59 a.m. EST)
• Ends: Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST (2:59 a.m. EST)

Before you launch yourselves into the action, here are a few facts you should bear in mind to enjoy the 2009 Winter Event to its fullest:

• If you are in Lord Winter's Realm and the event timer runs out, you will be returned to Atlas Park (Heroes) or Mercy Island (Villains) rather than the zone you originally entered from (unless you entered from a PvP zone).
• The Winter Lord may not spawn in Mercy Island and Port Oakes.
• The Winter Event does not run in the Co-operative or Hazard zones.
• The Winter Lord will spawn in Bloody Bay, Siren's Call and Warburg but not in Recluse's Victory. Be careful though, since they are PvP zones, you may accidentally attack another player through the 'Tab' keyboard button or through your pets.
• If your team gets split to two different maps of Lord Winter's Realm due to the zone cap, you can rejoin each other through Lord Winter's Realm Portal. Please note that the primary purpose of Lord Winter's Realm Portal is to allow split teams to rejoin one another.

Happy holidays to you all!