Curse

IndyCC · May 20, 2005, 05:47 PM // 17:47

Before playing Guild Wars I played AO for three years and CoH for a year. All this MMORPG experience and I just tried my hand at PVP for the first time yesterday. Lets just say I got slaughtered. After being called a stupid n00b by my team (which I was, so duh!) I decided to try again. After a few rounds of getting utterly decimated I decided I was done. I did learn a few things, like one how to call a target. However, I was wondering if there was anyone who would like to put up a "All basic strategies and tactics everyone should know before they PVP" list.

Thanks.

Red Locust · May 20, 2005, 06:28 PM // 18:28

Follow target calls
Focus fire on one target
Go for the softer targets and don't waste time hitting warriors
Specifically, monk is usually target #1
Don't get separated from your party and your monk
If any part of you is monk, always bring resurrection and rez your team asap
Keep moving constantly
Don't sit inside AoE spells
Manage your energy and dont blow it all for nothing
Follow team orders and strategies
Always keep one eye on the map and be aware of your enemies' positions
Always keep the other eye on the hexes and enchantments on you in the top left corner of the screen.
Always watch out for the enemy mesmer, whatever you are.
Watch out for the enemy ranger, if you're a caster.

That's all I can think of, off the top of my head. There are many more detailed tips, but those are the bare essentials. You'd be surprised at how many people don't know these few rules and get themselves and the rest of your party killed.

Jorge Llorens · May 20, 2005, 07:07 PM // 19:07

I'll add a few more things.

1. If you are playing random PVP matches (not arranged teams) make sure that you bring some sort of self healing and your rezzing signet all the time.

2. Never go 1 on 1 against a paladin (warrior/monk). It's a losing battle unless the entire team focuses on them or unless your character is specifically anti-paladin. Leave paladins for the end.

3. If you are a warrior make sure you have at least one skill to allow you to remain within melee range of your enemy. Hamstring, Sprint, etc.

4. Bring skills that interrupt abilities/skills. Interrupting an attempt to ressurect a fallen team member can mean the difference between winning or losing.

JLL

Phantom Force · May 20, 2005, 11:17 PM // 23:17

I have done 0 PvP, not even during BWE's did I do PvP. ATM I still have no interest in it because I"m more of a RPG type than PvP. PvP in GW does sound the best since you can't have lame ganking, naked killing, etc. But I do agree that starting PvP is always hard especially with a lot of loser Elitists who'd rather spend time name calling, putting down, and slamming people who are new to PvP. Some people are just to immature and ingornant to realize that not everyone takes interest in PvP right from the get go. I for one enjoy trying different job combos to see what I like. Yes they will prolly change slightly when I do decide to attempt PvP, but that's the way it goes. The idea for this post was a great idea to help those who do take interest and would like to have an edge. Nice job.

Zetor · May 21, 2005, 03:30 PM // 15:30

Focus fire works, unless the enemy team has 2 healers... if they're competent, you might as well throw it in unless you have two competent mesmers. Or switch targets often and try to aoe if you can...

just my observation,

-- Z.

midnyte13 · May 21, 2005, 06:40 PM // 18:40

im just about to start up...id be intersted in getting together with a couple of fellow intellects to form a noob party.

~M

RepinsMirg · May 21, 2005, 09:18 PM // 21:18

Kill 2 monks isn't that hard even without messers. All you need is some knockdown skills and some cordination and you just shut down the monk you are attacking. With the low AL of monks you should be able to plow through him regardless of the second monks heals.

Roken · May 21, 2005, 09:31 PM // 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Locust

Follow target calls

Go for the softer targets and don't waste time hitting warriors

Depedning on your build. I use pin down on charging Wars, and then use dodge to run away if they get too close, becuase I have not had a War use Sprint to chase me down. After I use Pin Down on them twice, they usually give up the chase, and have half their HP from bleeding (Hunter's Shot) plus low energy from healing. Its a win/win... Unless theres two people chasing you =(

DismalClown · May 22, 2005, 08:45 AM // 08:45

In the level 10 and 15 arena 2 simple things will help your team win.
1. Everyone hit the same target.
2. Get the monk(s) first.

Other hints: Slow running targets, slow warriors and run from them if you are not a warrior, and don't stray to far from your monk.

But it is amazing how many teams can't do this. Even after I ask everyone and everyone says, 'OK sounds good' they still don’t do it. Then 1 team out of 20 everyone actually works together and it’s amazing how many consecutive flawless victories we have.

And I don’t care what class configuration you have at this level, the team with the better teamwork wins.

I’ve been a part of a 1 monk 3 warrior team that got decimated because we didn’t work together. And I’ve been apart of an all mesmer team that kept winning because we did work together.

Because these teams are random, I would say, just keep trying until you find a good team. I may take 20 teams to get to that one good team, but eventually you will.

JYX · May 22, 2005, 01:24 PM // 13:24

Roken, they don't use sprint because that wouldn't work...cripple slows more than sprint speeds up.

Indy, perhaps you are simply not using a good build, or are not using a build which is suited to you.

try using using some of the premades in the arenas to test out what kind of classes work for you. I know some great monks who simply don't know how to use a mesmer at all, and vice versa.

T RAND · May 22, 2005, 03:51 PM // 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyCC

I did learn a few things, like one how to call a target.
Thanks.

So how do you call a target?

DismalClown · May 22, 2005, 07:56 PM // 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by T RAND

So how do you call a target?

Select target, ctrl space.

MyriaN · May 23, 2005, 02:47 AM // 02:47

I've noticed that most people in the level 10 and 15 Arenas don't seem to call targets or know how.

It's probably a good idea to make sure every team you join knows how to target. Even if someone else appears to be calling the target, there's no guarantee that the others know that pressing 'T' will lock on the called target.

I usually ask if anyone wants to call. If no one responds then I call, and I tell everyone else to hit 'T' whenever they see the crosshair next to my name.

Sometimes this works, but sometimes people are just not interested in listening to anyone else. Oh well, at least you tried.

mostro · May 23, 2005, 01:24 PM // 13:24

Pick or make a build, and test it in the arena (organized is better if you have guildies or friends, random otherwise). Although people like to scoff at the competitive level of the arena, I find it very valuable as a testing tool to get a feel of your build and to practice your individual playing skill. You may need to alter your build a little for the arena (bring a self-healing skill there) but generally you can easily tell whether your build is going to be successful by playing several rounds there. Once you are comfortable with your character then bring it into tombs and practice there.

IndyCC · May 23, 2005, 02:10 PM // 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everous

Indy, perhaps you are simply not using a good build, or are not using a build which is suited to you.

try using using some of the premades in the arenas to test out what kind of classes work for you. I know some great monks who simply don't know how to use a mesmer at all, and vice versa.

Yeah I have noticed this actually. I tried warrior/monk because that was what my first char was in pve and I was no good with him in pvp. Odd considering how everyone talks how godly they are, but perhaps you are right and it doesnt suit me. However, in the lvl 10 arena in ascalon I have a elem/necro that seems to win about 65% of the time. As was said by someone else, really it does seem to be about team work. When no one calls and I call and no one goes to that target well it becomes an uphill battle. When no one carries a rez signet but me and I die well poof to that effort.

But here is where my new problem arises. When you win lets say three in a row does GW match you with another 3:0 team? If this is a case and there is a pet necro it seems whenever I am 3:0 I encounter a team of like ten people b/c there is a pet necro who has carried the corpses over. That definetly also seems like an uphill battle I never win.

Myodato · May 23, 2005, 02:12 PM // 14:12

Heal > Res.

This is especially true in arena, where you will get people who aren't even worth resurrecting ('cos they just die again straight away). If somebody goes down fast, then chances are the next member of your team is about to get hit just as hard. there is no point spending 8 seconds raising somebody just to find out that another, better team member has been taken out in that time.

Make sure those still standing are okay, then res.

Aranarth · May 23, 2005, 03:04 PM // 15:04

Something that I think new players who want to learn to be more effective in PvP tend to pick up slowly:

There are a lot of possibilities with all of the skills out there. Rather than making a build to use a skill or two that you think is fun, pick some role that you want to play with your character. Try to find skills that suit that role.

Also, what works in the arena usually does NOT work in 8v8 games. Your builds are going to be a lot more specialized and a lot less self sufficient in the tombs or GvG.

After that it just takes practice and time to find a role that suits you and refine a build to do it. There are no lists that anyone can post here that won't be obvious to you by the time you complete this process for a character.

Twilight Doll · May 23, 2005, 03:41 PM // 15:41

Quote:

Focus fire on one target
Go for the softer targets and don't waste time hitting warriors

I don't why many people think focus fire is always good strategy. Strategy changes with party setup and skills, hence why it was such a good idea on their part allowing you to redistribute skill points without being able abusing it.

I find myself playing illusionary weaponry mesmer or total anti-caster build.

2nd, sometimes I do go after warriors or tease them as an IW build because they tend to think they can take me out. If there's a monk on their team I try to pull them away from their party and kill them in the corner.

Everything mostly depends on your teammates and your foes, rather than preset strategy guidelines. This is what seperates the good players from the, I don't want to say bad, but not so great... The ones are able to adapt.

Aranarth · May 23, 2005, 05:20 PM // 17:20

Focusing is always important, but it depends on how far you take it. There is never any way that a coordinated offense can be made to sound like a bad thing.

You want to have several people hitting one in order to make it hard to heal. You can adapt by switching targets for various reasons. You can adapt by splitting into two separate offensive groups, each capable of focusing on a different target. The idea is usually to put pressure on the monks so that they use their biggest skills or spend their energy. Then if you switch to an unprotected target while these skills are refreshing or their energy recharges, you've greatly improved your chances of killing someone.

The strategy of drawing away one person and killing them alone isn't quite used in the same situation as when you'd need to focus. Besides, a good and disciplined team isn't going to allow that sort of thing.

xakia · May 23, 2005, 05:35 PM // 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jorge Llorens

I'll add a few more things.

1. If you are playing random PVP matches (not arranged teams) make sure that you bring some sort of self healing and your rezzing signet all the time.

2. Never go 1 on 1 against a paladin (warrior/monk). It's a losing battle unless the entire team focuses on them or unless your character is specifically anti-paladin. Leave paladins for the end.

3. If you are a warrior make sure you have at least one skill to allow you to remain within melee range of your enemy. Hamstring, Sprint, etc.

4. Bring skills that interrupt abilities/skills. Interrupting an attempt to ressurect a fallen team member can mean the difference between winning or losing.

JLL

Paladins are easy ganks. Perhaps it was a good build in the ascalon arena, but not later on.