Forum Post of the Day: The ten commandments of PvP
by Elizabeth Harper 
Feb 13th 2007 at 4:48PM
There aren't really any hard and fast rules to PvP success, but there may be some guidelines worth keeping in mind. Like these, a list of ten "commandments" and six etiquette suggestions from Anacin of Thrall. Of course, everyone has their own opinions, but Anacin gives us a good start.- If you do not enjoy PvP, play on a PvE server.
- There are usually several zones to choose from for your level. If one is overrun with the opposing faction, choose another zone to quest, grind.
- If you get ganked by a high level player, get up, dust off, and keep fighting.
- If you are getting camped over and over, ghost, and move to a different zone.
- Travel with friends to keep the ganking to a minimum.
- Be alert. Players will often attack you in the middle of a fight with a mob.
- Stand and fight when you can. Some of PvP is human nature and no one likes a pansy.
- There are always players willing to help if some rogue is having fun at your expense. Use the chat channels to call for some back-up.
- PvP is war! If it moves and you can kill it, do it!
- If you find yourself throwing things at your three-hundred dollar monitor, seek immediate psychiatric help. It's only a game!
- If an opposing player is grey to me, I leave them be.
- I avoid enacting revenge. It wastes time, and nets me nothing.
- I will either wait for a player to finish a battle, or I will help them kill a mob before I attack them.
- If I beat a player, I move on. I do not 'camp' the corpse.
- If I am traveling with a high level friend, I ask them to stay out of my PvP battles.
- If PvP gets aggravating, I log on an alt on a PvE server and take a break from it.
- Don't type /pvp.
- When you mouse over something else on the screen, if it says "player", do not attack it.
- If a player in your own faction is green (not blue), don't heal or buff them.
- If you somehow manage to screw up 1, 2, or 3, and end up dead. Wait five minutes. Heck, make it six. Go take a facilities break or check the forums or something. Then, go back to your body and rez. You've lost six minutes. Take a deep breath and move on.
Filed under: PvP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Syllas Feb 13th 2007 5:46PM
Yes, all rogues really are talentless ganking jerks. It doesn't matter which faction/server/level. Cigarettes cause cancer and baby seals get eaten by sharks. It sucks, but its true.
wastingtape Feb 13th 2007 10:48PM
LOL. Elizabeth Harper uses one of my screenshots again. I think i should have a wowinsder commission. ;)
http://www.wastingtape.com/photos/displayimage.php?album=3&pos=51
John Feb 13th 2007 5:40PM
If you live on a PvE server, do not attack town guards. this will flag you and be prepared to get squished.
James Feb 13th 2007 5:35PM
What if your whole server is overrun with the other faction? Playing Horde on a primarily Alliance PvP server is tricky. But when you reach that fantastic 35-45'ish bottleneck that requires you to level in Stranglethorn, there is no 'choose a different zone to quest'. I loved the PvP server I was on, right up til Stranglethorn Vale. I had exhausted my quests in Desolace, and it was so bad that level 60's with Tier 3 were ganking Horde in the middle of Booty Bay, and surviving the inevitable goblin attacks. When I can't go to a 'neutral' town and turn in quests, well, something is wrong.
And oh, yeah, there are not always players willing to help. I thought I had seen some asshat behavior by Alliance, right up til I saw how high level Horde treated lower level Horde players in STV when they asked for help, or in the case of one poor guy, just simply warned others in General chat that Alliance were in the area and got called a baby and was told to leave the zone because the high levels in STV were sick of protecting all the lowbies.
That is a very idealistic set of commandments, and it sounds like they were written by someone who plays Alliance on an Alliance dominated server (ie, Thunderlord). So Anacin, while I enjoy PvP, your commandments are...lacking.
I will add my own suggestion for PvE servers:
-Don't type /PvP when you're level 12 in Darkshore, then brag on General chat about what a badass you are for 'always' being flagged for PvP. If the other faction isn't there to see you do it, then it doesn't really count.
Calaf Feb 13th 2007 5:38PM
The "you should always pvp when on a pvp server" attitude always bothered me. Just because someone is on a PVP server does not mean they opted to do so because they enjoy PVP. In my case i joined a pvp server because that was where my friends were. SO i sucked it up... and so i always make a point of /sit or /golfclap or /shrug whenever someone feels the innate desire to gank me. If i can do anything to detract from their enjoyment of ganking me then i have done my job. Now... because i acknowledge i am on a pvp server I dont go to complain in the general channels. But I help the other side when i feel like it and i do many other things not typical on a pvp server... and its my right to do so.
James Feb 13th 2007 5:50PM
@2
That's a perfectly acceptable way to play on a PvP server. Now, prepare for about 5 posters, all of who will accuse you of both being a carebear and a QQ'er for daring to be on a PvP server and not attempting to kill everything that is red and within eyeshot. Congrats on speaking up--I'm sure other's agree, though unfortunately I doubt they will take the time to post their views.
Hell, I'll probably get accused of being a carebear for daring to complain about the lack of security in Booty Bay. If you dare complain about PvP, players who PvP, or admit that you sometimes don't gank someone 10 levels lower than you, then you are therefore weak, and should immediately leave the server and go play with the little kids on a PvE server. Which is ironic given the behavior I see exhibited by many PvP'ers, who believe themselves to be great warriors capable of incredible PvP feats, yet display the mental and emotional aptitude of a grapefruit in zone chats and in forum postings.
And, yes, I am aware that the Booty Bay security team is now level 67, plus a 67 elite. Fantastic. The same problems as before will reappear when level 70's have Tier 5 gear--they'll be able to gank lowbies even faster in the middle of BB and escape to do it all over again. Making the guards higher level doesn't really address the problem.
Krianna Feb 13th 2007 6:43PM
How about "if you are on an RPPVP server, realize that you are NOT at war."
Seriously, just read the bloody quests-- you don't even have to study....
Krianna Feb 13th 2007 6:45PM
James-- outstanding. Glad to hear from another adult with more than a nodding knowlege of manners, honor, etc.
Rich Feb 13th 2007 8:07PM
While I understand the draw to play on a PVP server, I don't. I've always felt that in general the people on PVP servers are people with something to prove or have a need to feel important. Playing on a PVP servers never felt like a sport for the casual gamer. It was for the people with plenty of time to devote to it. I do have a couple characters on Crushridge and play them occasionally, I prefer to stick to the PvE realms. I do love PvP and do it all the time in the BG's and the neverending defense of Crossroad's.
Yes I have a ton of HKs and yes I have been a ton of HK's for others. I just like the ability to be someplace and not have to worry about some prick, who never has nor never amount to anything needing to feel important or powerful by ganking people. Its my way of throwing dirt in their eye.
As for PvP commandents, mine are simple.
1) If your in a opposing city, your dead. No matter what your level.
2) If your flagged and out in the world someplace, there is a good chance I'll leave you alone unless your being stupid.
3) If you were attacking a city and out in the world, I'll ride you down, dismount, start casting shadow bolt, when you change direction, i'll remount and chase you down. I'll do that until your flag goes off or you get into a allied or neutral city. Making you sweat and paranoid is more fun that actually killing you.
4) 1 on 1, gear means squat. Pre TBC I wasn't cowered by Tier 3 armors. You took a little longer to die but you were still dead when I was done with you.
5) Undead Warlocks + fear kiting = pwnage...
:D
Dave Feb 13th 2007 7:20PM
Please, what trite bullshit is that?
This is an MMO game, and as such perhaps people enjoy playing -with- other people rather than against them, and the choices one or some made as far as 2 years ago when the game launched should not dictate anything at all about how one plays today. If you're STILL uber-jazzed about pwning nubs (which is a laughable concept on a launch server) 2 years after starting this game, I have nothing but pity for you.
Personally, I put a character on a PVP server because of other people. As such, I'm unfortunately subjugated to the whim of hundreds of asshats who don't want a fair fight and would prefer to stealth until I'm knee deep in two mobs, watch me finish the mobs and stunlock me while i'm eating or bandaging. Lovely that. After the first 10 or so times, maybe it's going to piss someone off. After that, it's just sad and boring. It's long since lost any bit of clever or interestingness.
So,
If you do not enjoy PvP, play on a PvE server. = idiotic things said by people who whine when someone doesn't really enjoy the 10 minute corpserun by the guy who ganks for no other reason than to stroke his own gank penis. Awesome. Personally, I dislike PVP servers, but what are you going to do 2 years after all your friends rolled on one and you're tired of PVP? Idiotic suggestion. And no, i'm not going to suggest that $1200 worth of a guild pays to transfer to a PvE server, that's also rather idiotic.
Stand and fight when you can. Some of PvP is human nature and no one likes a pansy. Why? What's in it for me? What's the advantage to giving a shit about PVP when there are no rewards, no penalties and no point? *yawn* Sorry, I'll just sit around and wait for gankzilla to get his rocks off by beating up on someone that doesn't really care one way or another about what's going on. %90 of the time, they're killing me with less than half health, so there's not even any honor there. Nobody wants a fair fight in PVP, so why bother fighting back when you're already at a disadvantage? Notice how only the idiots jump a fully healed class that can beat them?
PvP is war! If it moves and you can kill it, do it! Also, wholeheartedly wrong and foolish. The Alliance and Horde are not at war anymore. If they were, you'd see a much more fundamentally different game. Instead, they're barely conflicting and Blizzard has to contrive ways to make any sort of "war" into the storyline. Clearly both sides are happy with where they're at, aside from the Battlegrounds that blizzard also had to shoehorn into the game.
There is no war. It's just something that people wouldn't accept in a game if it weren't in there. As such, it's horribly pathetic, unrewarding and essentially pointless the vast majority of the time in any non-instanced situation. This is intentional. They're giving the PVP kids shiny things to attempt to distract them from the fact that PVP in WoW is nothing short of a pathetic afterthought.
Get over it gankers. Most people hate you. Cry some more.
IamDexx Feb 13th 2007 7:28PM
I do like those rules - maybe they should be official?
I also disagree with the mentality to kill anything and everything red - i usually just /wave or /salute. Ever since BC, for some reason on my server, ganking has reduced. Is this the same for any other pvpers?
Braz Feb 13th 2007 7:41PM
Whether or not you are prepared to accept all of the consequences of playing on a PvP server, and even if you are committed to simply completing quests and ignoring all players of the opposing faction, you should expect to encounter predatory players and the usual dregs of humanity on PvP servers.
Like many people, I originally played on PvE servers, so that I could learn the game without interference; and when my friends started playing on a PvP server, I joined them. Now I prefer PvP servers. I find that the added danger and challenge makes the game more interesting. I also get more satisfaction from defeating live human players than killing the 1,000,000,000th murloc.
The best advice that I can offer when dealing with gankers is not to lie down and die, but to fight to the end. Gankers are usually not the best players in the world, so you might get lucky and kill them. And wouldn't you love to dance on the level ??'s corpse instead of giving a lame /shrug before you die? Remember that if you are in the 30-40 range or below, the level ?? player may not be lv.60/70, so they could be much weaker than you initially assume.
Ramon Feb 13th 2007 7:57PM
To Dave @ #8,
I'm sorry mate, but you make me laugh. It is evident that your play style does not suit a PvP server. I for one play wow for one thing: PVP!
I do not enjoy spending hours and hours in an instance hoping for something to drop. I much rather be in competition with other players to gain my reward. Also, PVP & Battlegrounds are not half arsed anymore, have you seen the Arena rewards?
It's unfortunate that you had to roll on a PVP server, but I guess thats because your friends enjoy PVP and you don't. If they dislike PVP as well, then I'm sorry but then it makes no sence to stay on one.
Yes, I do have Rogue, but very rarely will I gank someone in Azeroth. I will do so, only if the guild they are in are on my list.
Furthemore, I find your over inflated rant sad. For example you talk about 10 minute corps runs, which don't exist. Secondly, the only class that doesn't want a fair fight are rogues, and that is simply because, well otherwise they die. As far as other classes, avoiding getting ganked is as easy as looking over your shoulder when leveling.
There is one negative thing about PVP servers, and thats constant gang ganking near instance entrances.
But in conclusion its evident from your post that even you realise that you don't belong on a PVP server. I'm sorry, if you realise it but choose to do nothing about it. Then who is to blame? A honour farmer who is trying to get good gear because he can't get into 40 man raids?
Please, I think you are full of your self.
Detheil Feb 13th 2007 8:43PM
Lesser Invisibility Potions > being camped
Pop one as soon as you resurrect and the only person seeing you is a warlock with detect invisibility. Perception only works on stealth, not invis.
Once you invis you can hearth(it breaks once you're done hearthing) or just run away. Either way it saves you time/repair bill from spirit rezzing.
Sam Feb 13th 2007 10:48PM
After reading all this, I'm rather glad to be on a PVE server. It's a PITA enough listening to screechy voiced, greasy teenagers and pre-teens whining who's daddy is better in Stormwind General.
Thalor Feb 14th 2007 12:50AM
Wastingtape, in that screenshot...what is the addon bar at the top of the screen called?
noizbot Feb 14th 2007 1:54AM
I've only played on PVP servers (since I started ~2 years ago) and I'm not a subscriber to the "red is dead" philosophy. I play on PVP servers because of the dynamic nature a PVP server can introduce into gameplay.
Yes, I've been ganked. Yes, it can become incredibly frustrating. However, tense cooperation5 sometimes results. Just recently, in Zangarmarsh, a combination of emotes resulted in a parternship with some opposing faction players -- they helped us take down a named mob, and then we helped them, being mindful of who got the first hit in each time.
I also like defending lowbies from gankers, or just enemies in general. This role (mercenary/bodyguard) doesn't exist on PVE servers, and I enjoy skulking around and jumping the horde that is jumping other alliance.
If you're able to tolerate the occasional ganking (which admittedly sometimes I can only barely tolerate) PVP servers elevate WoW from something that would be otherwise highly static and predictable.
My commandments are:
1) Protect any fellow faction member if they're under attack.
2) Don't start combat on any grey player -- I'll finish it though, if they are foolish enough to attack first.
3) Don't attack players while they are fighting mobs, unless that same player just did it to me.
4) Don't corpse camp.
5) Don't always do the predictable (ie: red is dead) -- I've saved tons of hordes from death against mobs. I've also been saved myself plenty of times. It makes the game more interesting for me when there is more than one course of action for any situation. Red is dead mentality is as boring as a PVE server would be.
wastingtape Feb 14th 2007 1:48AM
It's TitanBar. Also check out FuBar which is a "competing" mod.
KitKatDruid Feb 14th 2007 3:13AM
My basic rule about PvP: Be smart about it, for Heaven's sake! If you just left Gadgetzan with a bunch of 60+ horde running around inside, and you're level 40-whatever, do not gank and camp unless you want to run the risk of a team of vengeful guildmates or bored players bearing down on you. Honestly.
I help other players. I do not, however, help people who hit horde ten levels higher than them when those same horde are minding their own business and they only hit them 'cause I'm nearby.
I'll admit, I have ganked/camped in two instances: once, when lower-level horde were killing the npcs I needed to turn quests into (I needed something to do while I waited for them to respawn) and once when I was sore from losing at Guru and a few low level horde decided to harass a guildie.
I agree, if it's gray, I leave it alone. Heck, when I'm bored I'll even save their hide! I've also helped out horde my own level and gotten the favor returned. I much prefer this sort of dangerous cooperation, 'cause you never know if they're going to turn around and gut you for honor points (this has happened, sometimes successfully on their part, other times not). I honestly get bored in PvE realms. Where's the excitement if you don't have to check for some name highlighted in red bearing down on you? Where's the thrill of victory? I'm very chill about defeat, and I don't even mind getting ganked. PvP for me is all about trying to coexist with someone, not knowing if they're going to let you pass or chase you down. I've had people kill me for a thrill, then wave and cheer at me as I rez and run. I've killed a level 16 tauren who thought it was funny to run around and spit at any alliance he saw in BB (died for it, but hey, it was a good cause). I've frightened an orc out of his wits until he realised all I was doing was killing the spiders that attacked him, and I've been chased all over STV (and killed in every place imaginable) and chased people down myself. PvP makes you think of new tactics, like which guildie is going to act as the distraction while the others run away (Pally with a bubble, of course!). Basically, in PvP,
yes, the goal is to fight and kill. That doesn't mean it has to be constant, though.
daniel Feb 14th 2007 2:44AM
I've always played on PVP servers even though I hate getting ganked, maybe because it just adds that extra bit to the game. It can also bring a lot of enjoyment, especially when getting jumped on while fighting and being able to kill the ganker. There's also a huge hypocrisy on PVP servers, that the other faction is all a bunch of gankers.
Last night I was questing with my 46 shadowpriest and 48 mage friend in Searing Gorge when my friend got jumped by a 55 pala, he went down fast. One minute later, a ?? priest rides up to us and ganks us, when we've ressed, five more allies ride up to us and kills us. Something tells me the pala went wining in general about how we ganked him :P Good times.