Curse

Rieselle · Jan 03, 2007, 07:06 PM // 19:06

I think it's safe to say that PvP in GW is quite forbidding to new players.
When you have a group of dedicated GW players, it's easy enough to form a team. But when introducing people to the game, I'd say two (yourself and your friend) is probably the most common number by a large majority.

However, there is currently no PvP mode convenient for taking a friend into PvP and showing him an entertaining game.

Let's say I have a friend who I want to introduce to GW PvP. Where could we go?

TA? Finding 2 random people and jumping into TA seems like a formula for instant annihilation. Not particularly encouraging for my friend.

RA? Chances are we wouldnt be playing together. Which means if we are voice chatting or I'm trying to teach him, it's no use. Also we cannot coordinate our build, part of the unique fun of GW over other similar games.

HA? See TA. And triple it :P

GvG? A bit too daunting for a beginner. Plus it depends on your guild's policies etc.

The closest thing so far would be Alliance Battles, during the Factions Preview Event. In that, you could make a team of any size, and then hop on and play. You are put into a large side, so a beginner can make mistakes without affecting things too much. Plus in the chaos there's plenty of small moments of fun where small groups of people fight each other.

Sadly, ABs are now dead, and anyway, they changed it to require teams of 4.
Also ABs require GW:F.

So there we have it. Not really a suggestion, just a statement of a problem. ANet would be able to generate a lot more interest in the PvP game if they designed a fun, casual PvP gametype that allows pairs and small irregular groups of friends to play with and against strangers without requiring too much waiting or organisation.

Since it needs to be the most accessible gametype, it shouldn't be tied to a particular chapter, or linked to your guild etc. It might even be a good candidate for a free downloadable PvP trial demo mode.

I have several friends who might be interested in GW PvP, but the game isnt making it easy for me to convince them. (Especially since we are all busy people and dont have time to play through newbie island etc just to try the game out.)

Teger · Jan 03, 2007, 07:22 PM // 19:22

/signed

Definatly! Being able to pvp with a team of 2 would be awesome, and would open up possibilitys for some builds not normally seen in mainstream TA, and would probably be a bunch of fun.

Antheus · Jan 03, 2007, 07:36 PM // 19:36

Yea, because at launch pvp in this game was so welcoming to everyone... Everyone who's playing in pvp right now went through same thing.

GW's pvp is competitive. There is no casual let's hang around a bit style. You're either into it, or you aren't. If they can't take the heat, they won't like it anyway.

I mean, there is no easy mode for pvp. It's the same level for everyone.

And PvP is about team play. You cannot try it out solo. It all comes from synergetic participation of all party members.

Get them into a guild, get together with a few friends, etc. But don't expect them to be playing for 3 minutes and have any chance in pvp. It just doesn't work like that. Because when bringing someone who has never played GW before, your team is screwed. Nobody in their sane mind would allow that, unless they willingly chose it.

PvE is still the best thing. Between heroes and henchies, you can also take your time. Then there's observer mode.

But there is no easy mode for pvp.

Zonzai · Jan 03, 2007, 08:15 PM // 20:15

I agree with both sides of the argument. GW is forbidding, always has been and it needs to change. A two player PvP zone is a pretty good idea. At least, I can't think of a good reason to say no.

Vinraith · Jan 03, 2007, 08:17 PM // 20:17

I would disagree that it's "needed for growth" but it might be a good time anyway.

Zubey · Jan 03, 2007, 11:10 PM // 23:10

I agree with the original poster. I think a 2 player PvP option would be very welcome. Ideally, with heros.

Zui · Jan 03, 2007, 11:42 PM // 23:42

Sync enter Random Arenas. Problem solved.

bhavv · Jan 04, 2007, 01:01 AM // 01:01

Invite your friend as a guest to your guild, host a scrimmage match.

/notsigned.

darkdawn · Jan 04, 2007, 01:24 AM // 01:24

Yeah a 1v1 scrimmage match is the best thing to do to introduce someone to pvp. Otherwise AB works fine.

Aera · Jan 04, 2007, 01:28 AM // 01:28

We all learned it the hard way, we all got slaughtered, we all learned a lot by doing so.

Not A Fifty Five · Jan 04, 2007, 07:31 AM // 07:31

Yeah, this is only good as a learning scenario, and we already have RA for that. I remember my first monking experiences in RA lol, using a monk with sprint... you get slaughtered over and over again. But.. eventually you learn why and move on. I discovered protection prayers

Rieselle · Jan 04, 2007, 03:02 PM // 15:02

You or I only tolerated being slaughtered repeatedly as a learning experience because we're hardcore MORPG players who like the idea of the game and are willing to tough it out. (Heck, I spent my first months after release trying in vain to prove that an E/W meleer would work... and failed :P )

If GW PvP wants to become more popular, it needs to appeal to a broader audience You can say "I learned it the hard way, let them do it too". Well, as a business it would be better for ANet to attract as wide an audience as possible. (Especially considering GW's non-subscription business model, which relies on new sales).

A pair pvp mode makes sense because it's easiest to find one more person to play with at any given time (compared to 3, 5 or 7). It gives a taste of coordinating builds which is an attractive part of GW strategy.

Heck, if RA was changed so that you could either enter by yourself or in pairs that would work too. Or, as I previously said, an Alliance Battle-like mode that allows for groups of varying sizes to join.

There's also the very strange phenomenon of people playing with their partner/gf/bf, which seems to be really common. I know several people who prefer to play exclusively with their partner...

Series · Jan 04, 2007, 05:07 PM // 17:07

2v2 PvP would own. /signed