Xfactor let's go
Ok, X-factor(as of Ultimate Marvel) is rather weird on that argument.... on one hand, it's completely reliant on players actions, you still have to know the character and the combos to really make any use of it. But that said, that is really it's only limitation. You don't have to earn it during the course of the fight, the bonuses that is gives are substantial (even as lvl 1, X-factor with any long combo can kill a character outright...maybe two, even then the speed-up still has it's uses), and there is no real penalty for having used it (sure, you lose X-factor as a random variable in the fight but that is really it. If you know the character and/or the match-up, you can more than compensate for that loss).
In many ways, Pandora is built on the same principles as X-factor save for one thing.... you are given a heavy penalty for simply using it and not putting it to good use.
So on one hand, X-factor fits somewhat by simply being defined by the player and their actions, the problem being that X-factor is built to be giving the player an arbitrary advantage by being freely given, having really high bonuses even at lower levels, and using it is at no risk to the player (the lack of penalty). Where as Pandora is a gamble to be made with the heavy penalty for use and Awakening is only something that applies at 25% of vitality (and even then, it's changes defensive properties, gives one extra super of varying usability and extends maximum special points are not really big bonuses to the losing player) and just gives a player more to work with.
Looks like the pushblock is probably the biggest comeback mechanic alongside the unlimited meter activation.
Their are those and then there is one thing that I think could be overlooked but might be a factor as a comeback mechanic. That is Grind, it has some defensive properties that would be rather handy in keeping a character alive after being hit... that said... it needs to be activated, and I am not familiar to anything else that grind has in terms of duration after activation (it doesn't seem to be long, but I could be wrong) or anything else. Still like Awakening, that is simply giving players more tools to use than some arbitrary advantage.
Yeah, IIRC they mentioned Loketests, but they didn't have a definite date planned yet or something.
Edit:
FB streaming on the 11th at 23:00 J-time.
Send questions here.
You know, one of these odd days we should compile a set of questions to be translated and sent to FB...