Curse

Carna Detonas · Jul 25, 2005, 10:06 AM // 10:06

I'm sure I'll be flamed for this post. =)

In the past two days I've started two new characters. One of the things that I most enjoy about new characters is low level duelling in the Ascalon arena. Generally I don't even start going through the missions or quests until I've worked my way out of Ascalon Arena at Level 11.

There's always been people who would rush to Forge for best armor and good mid-game skills. But from what I've experienced in the last two days that number has grown out of control, and it's something I certainly don't like. Sure, if I want to compete I can run my new characters all over creation. I am a Forge runner myself, after all.

But I always thought that was one of the points of separating arenas by levels. Over three years of playing D2 I can't tell you how many people I saw turned off of the game due to its open PvP system, and with more and more new players coming to GW I'd hate to see that happen here as well.

Yesterday I faced Level 15 bone fiends. (And faced them before anyone on our team had died... I'm not familiar with Necros at all, but somehow they were managing to kill themselves before the gates even opened. Didn't know this was possible.)

Today I faced a I-Wep Mesmer, a build I've always enjoyed, but one that does *not* belong in Ascalon Arena. Not to mention countless carbon copy W/Mo's sporting Forge armor sets. A monk with Spellbreaker. Another with Mark of Protection. Even the W/E in Glads using Glyph of Energy, Earthquake and Aftershock was rather devastating. How about a Mo/R with Poison Arrow and Frozen Soil?

These are gear and equipment that should not be found in a low-level arena. If a player wants to rush all over the map to get better armor and gear for PvE, I don't have a problem with that. If people play the game enough to have the money for a run to Forge plus armor, that's fine. It still doesn't belong in Ascalon Arena no more than many of these skills/armors belong in the Shiverpeak arena.

So... my suggestion...

I wouldn't suggest limiting skills and gear based on level. Not totally, anyways. They just need to be limited for arena play. Is Spellbreaker from the Ascalon area? No. If you have it equipped you can't enter arena. Is 80+20 Glads armor from Ascalon area? No. If you have it on or in your inventory you can't enter arena. These things should be in the Forge arena, not in Ascalon. (Or Shiverpeak, in many cases.)

I don't mind dying in the arena. In fact, I've always said losing is just as fun as winning. Two things *aren't* fun though. One is when you have one or more players on your team who *carry* the whole team, and the other is when your whole team gets slaughtered by such players who carry the other team.

I'm probably a little different of a player than most though. I enjoy low-level arenas far more than GvG or HoH. I like being able to delete and create characters on a regular basis without having to invest much into them. The game itself has gotten old, aside from the PvP aspect, and even that is going to start wearing thin if I have to self-rush new characters on my second account to Forge and elsewhere just to compete in the arenas *I* enjoy fighting in.

All that said... flame away. =)

Carna Detonas

Run to Forge! 2k at Forge! Whisper to Arrange.

Varcon · Jul 25, 2005, 11:07 AM // 11:07

The only PvP I've taken part in the Ascalon arena was very soon after the game out, and this wasn't a great problem; I rarely saw elite skills, and certainly no one with Droknar's armour. Obviously now, more people have got further on in the game, and with more cash. I haven't experienced the problem first hand, but if the extent at which it is at is as you say, then I agree that something has to be done.

Despite saying this, I think this same topic has been made many times before

Aaaaagh · Jul 25, 2005, 11:26 AM // 11:26

I really find the people who rush the game AND THEN go fight in the lowbie arenas pathetic. I have nothing against rushers and such, but you are pathetic if you think its fun to gain a huge advantage then go pvp.

The reason that these morons do this is because they suck. Its like the fat 7th grader beating up the skinny 3rd graders. He would get his ass handed to him if he picked on anyone his own age, so he takes on what he can handle. You pvp-rushers are no different, your big bullies who cant hold your own in HoH/GvG.

I wouldnt mind at all if they somehow made restrictions on the lowbie arenas, just for the newbs. They will lose player base if people think its 'fair' pvp then get their asses repeatedly handed to them in the lowbie arenas.

Calnaion Blackhawk · Jul 25, 2005, 12:19 PM // 12:19

hmf, necros can use blood rituals and sacrifice their own health, res, raise bone fiends and go, rinse, repeat, army before the gates open, of course it depends on time...
and yes the fact taht ive seen 85 armour at ascalon arena does bug me a lil, its unfiar and just a cheap way of winning,

Greentongue · Jul 25, 2005, 12:24 PM // 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carna Detonas

I like being able to delete and create characters on a regular basis without having to invest much into them. The game itself has gotten old, aside from the PvP aspect, ...

Use your 4th character slot for a disposable PvP character and play with the level 20s. Change as often as you want.
It's what I do and it works fine.

Carna Detonas · Jul 25, 2005, 01:36 PM // 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greentongue

Use your 4th character slot for a disposable PvP character and play with the level 20s. Change as often as you want.
It's what I do and it works fine.

That's the thing. I *enjoy* low-level the most. Don't know why, just do.

Carna Detonas

Darkest Dawn · Jul 25, 2005, 04:25 PM // 16:25

I agree. I have no problem with rushers. BUT I DO have a problem with uber dudes pwning the lower Ascelon and Shiverpeak arenas.

I too like the low level arenas. Small teams, not a ton of skills yet, so it's a simple clean challege. Not complicated, straightforward fun!

Then someone comes in and ruins it with unfair advantages!

Kaylee Ann · Jul 25, 2005, 05:40 PM // 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaaaagh

The reason that these morons do this is because they suck. Its like the fat 7th grader beating up the skinny 3rd graders. He would get his ass handed to him if he picked on anyone his own age, so he takes on what he can handle. You pvp-rushers are no different, your big bullies who cant hold your own in HoH/GvG.

Said perfectly. GG.....

Thom · Jul 26, 2005, 05:55 AM // 05:55

The problem would be removed if faction was completely removed from low level PvP. The game simply wasn't balanced for low level characters; balance was targeted at level 20s with full gear, runes and weapons. Not much you can do here except remove any reason to play the low level arenas.

Morganas · Jul 26, 2005, 06:11 AM // 06:11

Factions seems to be a nod to the pvp crowed, and no actual pvper is gonna waste his time in the ascalon arena, so I see no reason faction should be kept in the low lvl areas. The kinda people who take the time to enjoy things like low lvl pvp are probably going to play through pve to the end anyways, and unlock stuff that way, so they probably wouldn't care that much about the loss.

Pillz_veritas · Jul 26, 2005, 06:14 AM // 06:14

I do the exact opposite... I take lvl 10's to team arenas in Drokanrs and fight there! it gives more of a challenge. (and i die..... alot)

Kishin · Jul 26, 2005, 06:36 AM // 06:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carna Detonas

That's the thing. I *enjoy* low-level the most. Don't know why, just do.

Carna Detonas

Because its the same predictable, gimpy builds chosen from an extremely limited range of skills over and over again? There's nothing interesting or competitive about low level arena. You always know what to expect.

I'll say it again. They should close the Ascalon and Shiverpeak Arenas and roll their maps into the main Competition Arena at Lion's Arch, like they did with Fort Koga, the Crag and the Amnoon Arena. Thus would end the low level Arena griefing, and let people see what PvP is actually like, which is not limp wristed Ascalon/Shiverpeak flailing.

Cymboric Treewalker · Jul 26, 2005, 01:31 PM // 13:31

I had some fun the other day... killed a guy in the Ascalon arena who then started screaming in public that I cheated because he had Drok armor and I should not have been able to damage him...

I laughed and told him my mesmer skills ignored armor.