Play some music

I don't always recommend music during PvP because I believe game sounds are an important part of game play. There are specific battleground sounds that indicate match progress, such as the capture of a flag or the tagging of a node, that aren't present or even necessary in other areas of the game. I like having game sounds turned on and up during a match because I like to know if some fool abandoned the farm and let our flag get tagged. That said, when you just want to dive into battle and mix it up with enemies, it's absolutely fun to throw in a soundtrack. Colby enjoys music and has made it his signature to recommend listening music in every Blood Sport.

Depending on my mood, I can toss in anything from A Fine Frenzy to Street Sweeper Social Club to Barcelona to Rico Blanco. As I'd mentioned some time ago, there's nothing more satisfying (or embarrassing, if your opponents ever knew about it) than bashing an opponent's skull in to the tune of Mika's Lollipop. Play music that helps you get in the mood. Something to make you relax or fired up -- it's up to you. Music can either get you intensely into the game or take the edge off it. PvP videos always use some hard rock or metal, but I like my PvP to different tunes.

Learn how to read -- and ignore -- battleground chat

My approach to the game or the battlegrounds has been, for the most part, to stay detached. I don't often try to bark out instructions on battleground chat because I think it clutters everyone's screen. As long as I play the battleground the right way, by understanding the basics of the map and knowing the flow of the game, I can pretty much go around without having to type a single thing in chat. This lets me worry less about how the game goes and not have to manage the entire team. It's a PUG. I set my expectations pretty low.

On the other hand, it's important -- critical, really -- to learn how to filter battleground chat for the important information such as enemy movement. Even if I'm playing relaxed, I like to know where our defenses are weak and where the enemy is heading. This is why I check the battleground map constantly to see player density in key locations. This shows me if certain areas need reinforcing or if I can skip a node because everyone and his uncle are already there. The most important lines in battleground chat are player updates and not orders, as well as map alerts such as when enemies have captured a node. Everything else can be ignored. There are addons that automate battleground warnings, but I sometimes prefer to type things out myself.

Lead by example. Use battleground chat to inform your team of player movement. Ask for help if you're left alone at a node or if you see enemies coming. If you're caught by surprise in a rogue stunlock, use the dead time to type for help. Don't ever panic and don't ever type in all caps. Players are less likely to listen to you if you're yelling for help or barking expletives. Yes, there are probably morons on the battlefield, but if you go back to my first piece of advice, you really shouldn't worry about it. Show everyone how it's done by informing players in short, direct, to-the-point messages. Always give an approximate number of how many enemies are on their way to give your team an idea of how many should come your way for help.

Don't be frustrated if nobody listens. Again, it's a PUG. Expect the lowest common denominator and be surprised from there. This means you'll need to relax and know when to take a break. Take the game as it comes to you and play as best you can, without getting too invested in the match's outcome. There's room for competitiveness and intense play, but battleground PUGs probably aren't the best, ah, arenas for it.

Learn to PvP

No, really, learn to PvP while doing battlegrounds! PUG battlegrounds are about the most casual PvP experience in the game, making it the best place to hone your skills. You won't get the best experience through duels and definitely not through arenas -- at least, not for beginners. Players who typically abhor PvP can learn to enjoy it through the battlegrounds, where being under the learning curve is perfectly fine. It would serve you well to know your way around the map, at least, and understand how the game is played, but nobody will take you to task for not being able to trash opponents. The nature of battleground deaths make the environment absolutely perfect for learning. You can make mistakes on a player encounter level with minimal impact on the match.

Any expert on any subject will tell you that the best way to get better at something is to keep doing it. Treating the whole thing as a learning experience will help you survive it. Don't put such great expectations on yourself or even the match if you're not really honed or well versed in PvP. It's infinitely more frustrating for PvP veterans to flounder with a PUG full of beginners than it is for beginners just finding their way around. Everything can be a learning experience and the battlegrounds are no exception. In fact, I would go so far as to say that battlegrounds have a conducive environment for learning if you approach it the right way.

It all goes back to the first argument. Deaths have little consequence here. The Spirit Healer mechanic plays a significant role in shaping battleground play -- it allows so much more freedom and relaxation than players can normally expect elsewhere. Use that to your advantage. Enjoy it. Think of it as a course where you never really get a failing grade yet always get a chance to get a good marks, or as I'd like to put it ... even when you lose, you win.

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