PvP rank statistics
by Elizabeth Harper 
Nov 7th 2006 at 5:00PM
PlayOn has been collecting some interesting data on PvP in World of Warcraft. And while I'm not sure any of the information provides grounds for conclusion, it's certainly interesting to peek at. Both of these charts take into account sample data from 128,477 unique characters across 5 realms (one RP, two PvE, and two PvP) during one week in October. Above is their chart of average PvP rank for each class -- as you see, shaman takes the top spot and priest the lowest, but there's relatively little difference in rank between the two. (Perhaps suggesting that any class can be competitive with effort? Or simply that more shamans, warriors, and mages PvP?)
Then we have average PvP rank for time played. Unsuprisingly, those attaining rank 13 are nearing 80 hours a week of playtime (for reference, the Daedalus Project suggests the average MMO player spends 20 hours a week in game), while those at rank 14 are dropping closer to 60 hours (possibly a sign of no further play efforts after reaching the maximum rank).
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, PvP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shat Nov 7th 2006 6:06PM
The whole priest at the bottom thing surprizes me. I always see priests melting faces in battlegrounds, and they're always near the top. I guess most priests just choose to go PvE.
Simon Nov 7th 2006 7:15PM
Many classes can excell in both pvp and pve without much change especially damage dealers. Though a holy speced priest isnt unless he/she is very well equiped up to much other then healing, which imo they do enough of in pve :D. BTW look at the scale of the difference of the table and you will find the difference is tiny, there isnt even a full level distance between the top and bottom class.
Hide-Eitrigg Nov 7th 2006 7:36PM
If you follow Nick Yee's Project Daedalus stats, you'll see that Horde players are generally more competitive/achievement/PvP driven. And shaman players rank highest on the Competitiveness personality trait -- and priests on the exact opposite end of the spectrum.
The numbers just show that some classes care about climbing the ranks more than others. The current PvP system is based off of time invested, not merit.
As for the time dropoff -- the reason why is that in order to rank up, the 14's must drop to make room for the 13's, etc.
Threadright Nov 7th 2006 8:42PM
I wanna see some error bars! Interesting though
Jeff Nov 7th 2006 9:46PM
Interesting, shows me that I have more of a life than most of the people playing this game. I don't even reach the average time played for rank 1. =P
Money Nov 8th 2006 1:12AM
80 a week means they are most likely letting someone play their account. A fatal flaw of the current PVP system.