Breakfast Topic: How did you learn to PvP?
by Amanda Rivera 
May 18th 2007 at 7:58AM
I fell in love with the Gladiator's War Staff as soon as I saw it, in all its shiny, spinning glory. And thus with a hopeful heart I joined a 2v2 arena team, eager to get my PvP on. Only, what I thought was PvP, that limited experience I had getting to the rank of Knight mostly in Alterac Valley, turns out not to be enough.
I don't want to put my partner out, especially since they are so patient with me. Plus I really, really want that staff. And so I put it to you readers, to the great PvP masters out there. How did you learn to PvP?
Filed under: PvP, Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Raynia May 18th 2007 8:02AM
Practice, Practice, Practice. Duel while youre not in arena.
Jeffrey May 18th 2007 8:04AM
Yea, Just Duel Outside of BG and also just flag when you see horde around lol, if alliance, then its born into you to hate horde
Keya May 18th 2007 8:09AM
I leveled a Hunter and did not want to raid with it (initially). PVP is a good place for a Hunter, even with moderate equip. The experiences gained kitting Alliance and placing clever traps definitely come handy now that I do instances and raids with this all beloved alt.
multikast May 18th 2007 8:11AM
yeah, pretty much just have to practice. and it really helps if you go against your own class. watch to see what they do, and if it works, copy it :)
i hate duels though and i don't think they are a good reflection on the bg forms of pvp. they are a tiny bit similar to 2v2, but i really wish they'd implement group dueling. then you'd really be able to practice.
also learn other classes abilities. i'm a mage, so if a rogue pops Cloak of Shadows, i will run away and fight someone else. timing is a big thing. i will also try to save my counterspell until i see the pally/priest/shammy/druid in the middle of a heal.
Rockstar May 18th 2007 8:15AM
I didn't. I fail at PvP.
Dipstick May 18th 2007 8:26AM
Did crap loads of battlegrounds on my paladin as ret-spec before the pre-TBC patch. Had some nice critadin gear so that helped well.
Now I play a warlock and I'm not so good :( It's all about hiding and hoping they don't see the sheets of flame burninating everyone.
Camaris May 19th 2007 10:13AM
/agree with #5. Mainly because I don't think PvP is fun.
Arawn May 18th 2007 8:52AM
Never pass up an opportunity to jump someone in world PvP, and never run from fight in world PvP when you get jumped. You'll learn a lot either way.
Play those BGs!!!
Todd May 18th 2007 8:49AM
I learned it from you, dad *sobbing* i learned it from you!
dontfront May 18th 2007 9:11AM
Rank 14 grind.
Tommysalomi May 18th 2007 9:11AM
Being good at PvP really comes from lots of time and BG work. AV is such a big mess that I don't think its a good example of how to learn to utilize your class efficiently.
As said before, dueling is good. However, it misrepresents what pvp is and I don't think you need to do it much. If anything, just duel to learn how your abilities work as well as how your opponents react. World PvP is a much better gauge of skill.
And lastly, know the other classes inside and out. Know which classes can dispel your stuff. Know how they fight your class. Know their talents, and this all comes with time. Don't ever be afraid to ask questions of a horde warrior when an ally one destroys you. He'll tell you how you could have won or perhaps done better.
Neowar May 18th 2007 9:14AM
I have been running battlegrounds almost every day since they first came out, so I guess im decent at PvP by now. Practice is definately the only thing that makes you better at PvP. Its probably the same in pretty much anything IRL...
andrewcip2 May 18th 2007 9:20AM
I just watched TONS of mage (my class) PvP videos to get ideas on how to do it, and then I took it in game and practiced to see which ones worked and which ones didn't. And then once i found good ways to PvP I took it to the BGs and Duels to use them. Now I have only been beaten a few times in a duel (by people higher than me), and I'm always top on BGs.
homant May 18th 2007 9:20AM
From weeks of banging my head against rank 10, begging for spots in premades, dueling outside Org (mostly getting my @$$ kicked), etc.
After you go up against a class enough times, you start to pick out the patterns. Eventually, you can predict just about everything they're going to do. At that point (and only then) does gear factor into the equation.
-Gritz
andrewcip2 May 18th 2007 9:25AM
Also on The above if you are a mage I would advise my build.
Improved Frostbolt Rank 5
Ice Shards Rank 5
Frostbite Rank 3
Improved Frost Nova Rank 2
Piercing Ice Rank 3
Cold Snap Rank 1
Improved Blizzard Rank 3
Arctic Reach Rank 2
Frost Channeling Rank 3
Shatter Rank 5
Ice Block Rank 1
Improved Cone of Cold Rank 3
Ice Floes Rank 2
Winter's Chill Rank 5
Ice Barrier Rank 1
Empowered Frostbolt Rank 5
Summon Water Elemental Rank 1
Frost Total: 50
Arcane Subtlety Rank 2
Arcane Focus Rank 3
Arcane Concentration Rank 5
Arcane Fortitude Rank 1
Arcane Total: 11
I do great with it.
You could substitute Piercing Ice Rank 3
with Permafrost Rank 3 which is what my mage friend did but I prefer DPS but you can make the change call yourself. I hope I have helped =].
Seper May 18th 2007 9:27AM
My main I actually dont pvp with. I'm a griefer on my main.. sry all.
Hes been resto from 1-70 pretty much. So I usually just heal others through their dmg. So didn't learn much on him...
Where I really started to strat. and stuff was with my rogue/hunter/mage.
You seem to be concerned about arena tohugh...
My 2v2 teams motto is : Prepared to lose. Were in it for the free epics.
Were not trying to be number 1. We dont care if were last place. We just want our gladiator gear. It might take a bit longer to get then everyone elses.. but will get it.
We try to win obviously. But with having a resto druid on the team the odds are stacked against us. So mabye join a more casual team if thats what your looking for?
Most of my guild hates to pvp but does arena for the free epics.
Rich May 18th 2007 9:32AM
The hard way, trying to fight Shadow Priests and Frost Mages in Alterac Valley at 60 as a Warrior.
ben1778 May 18th 2007 9:36AM
There are a lot of different ways to PvP, but the basis of all of them is two-fold. First, learn when to use and not use your various spells and abilities. The second is to know basic patterns of the different classes. Once you have enough experience either watching or playing you can pick out patterns among classes and that makes things way easier.
Also, being able to recognize gear sometimes can help as you can better identify a particular spec and thus be preapred for specific abilities so you aren't caught off guard.
Drtran May 18th 2007 9:39AM
See what others do and works then try to copy.
If it works against you, the best advice is: "Think outside de box".
Smutcakes May 18th 2007 9:41AM
15 - I'm curious, how much points does it rake in to do badly in arenas? Eyeing that staff as well but am quite sure I won't do good in arenas.