1. I never saw anything to indicate this to be necessary. It sounded like they had a random chance to appear any time you spin.
2. It sounds like it works a little bit differently as far as how the focus gets used up, but essentially yes. They keep getting stronger every time you defeat them, and it sounds like they don't have an upper limit on HP.

Any idea when this starts? I noticed on the home screen the event banner says "Elite Guard is on!" where it used to say "Coming Soon" but nothing happens when I click it

Nutaku said it started this Monday, but I have no idea at what time.

Wait so is this event live or no?

I can't really tell. The banner says it is, but I've yet to find a boss, nor have I got a request to help with one that I can see.

I honestly can't get to any event area.... click on the banner and that does nothing.

Can't click on banner, and have been to 0 boss battles.

HOWEVER i have gotten one of the 4 girls. The red haired one with the hat. Went to explore, got a few pseudo streaks, got her when the chance time finally happened. Showed me the card and all, but when i look in my list she is not there :<
I guess that might be because she isn't even in the damn card list at all, though. Unaquired or aquired

Edit:
Used an R ticket and got Shino Takase, who has absolutely no picture and does not show up in the list either. Sheesh

Looks like it just got fixed. Event is up now.

The event just started and my first impression is that the staff is really non-payers friendly ;D very nice , this kind of decisions attract more ppl , also ITEMS FOR EVERYONE! .

Ok so, I must be doing something very wrong.

How is everyone else gaining EP so damn fast?

I'm at less than 5k still, and I'm seeing a lot around 15k. I also see one of my friends over 50k already. And he was at like 30k not even an hour ago.