06-30-2005, 06:52 PM
Interestingly, the above comments about RP vs PvE vs PvP have led me to take a look back on my play experience.
When I first started playing WoW I went to RP specifically to avoid the types of juvenile behavior that plagued my D2 experience. I really really enjoyed the quiet soloing on an RP server and brought several characters into the upper 30s...
And then I read an article describing the merits of a PvP server. The description posed the idea of playing the game *not* such that you *would* PvP, but such you *could*. Quests requiring collecting or killing in contested areas could be settled by more than 'racing to tag the monster'. Now you could attack the offending player. Mines and herbs could be defended in similar manner.
My first PvP character (who will hit 60 tonight) was an Undead Priest, chosen specifically because I knew it would compel me to group (Disc/Holy) and that the skill set would be even more desirable in the more dangerous environs. I chose the lowest population server as I wanted to have the experience but not be plagued by it. I have yet to enter a battleground and have little interest, and I spent the first 40-50 levels /bow-ing or /salute-ing when I encountered the enemy Alliance. With only a very small number of bad experiences under my belt, I have found the experience to be far more enjoyable and far more interesting than RP.
People group together for defense even when 'effectively soloing'. Characters help out others and warn of incoming alliance. The server has the sense of community. None of annoying chatter of PvE and none of the silence of RP. I would hate the idea of being at a 2:1 disadvantage on a high population server, but as it is Stonemaul is about 1.6:1 with, even now, one of the lowest populations.
I highly recommend the experience to others. One of the most enjoyable nights for me was farming Deadwood Furbolgs in northern Felwood at lvl 59 for reputation. Over the course of the session, I partied up with several other Horde who came and went through the area for similar reasons, and constantly looked over my shoulder for the Alliance that might come to poach my kills (or my hide). There were several pitched battles between myself and other lvl 58+ who wanted to kill the 25 rep boss and we fought for King of the Hill. I would have to keep one eye on my target and the other on the dead bodies of the Alliance around the lake. When a body vanished I knew to back away, recharge my batteries and go in search. I never chase down anyone that runs (unless they attacked me) and I only attack in combat those that have either done the same to me or are clearly after my kill.
I still have not gone past 'Scout' and I don't expect to as I rack up only about 10 kills per week.
Overall, the addition of the *option* to PvP has greatly enhanced my gaming experience. It is akin to playing Myst with the lights off and the volume turned up alone at night versus playing it at a crowded cybercafe.
Thoughts and comments are welcome. What has your experience been like.
-Kersh
Stonemaul: Dehimen lvl 59+ Priest
and many more.
When I first started playing WoW I went to RP specifically to avoid the types of juvenile behavior that plagued my D2 experience. I really really enjoyed the quiet soloing on an RP server and brought several characters into the upper 30s...
And then I read an article describing the merits of a PvP server. The description posed the idea of playing the game *not* such that you *would* PvP, but such you *could*. Quests requiring collecting or killing in contested areas could be settled by more than 'racing to tag the monster'. Now you could attack the offending player. Mines and herbs could be defended in similar manner.
My first PvP character (who will hit 60 tonight) was an Undead Priest, chosen specifically because I knew it would compel me to group (Disc/Holy) and that the skill set would be even more desirable in the more dangerous environs. I chose the lowest population server as I wanted to have the experience but not be plagued by it. I have yet to enter a battleground and have little interest, and I spent the first 40-50 levels /bow-ing or /salute-ing when I encountered the enemy Alliance. With only a very small number of bad experiences under my belt, I have found the experience to be far more enjoyable and far more interesting than RP.
People group together for defense even when 'effectively soloing'. Characters help out others and warn of incoming alliance. The server has the sense of community. None of annoying chatter of PvE and none of the silence of RP. I would hate the idea of being at a 2:1 disadvantage on a high population server, but as it is Stonemaul is about 1.6:1 with, even now, one of the lowest populations.
I highly recommend the experience to others. One of the most enjoyable nights for me was farming Deadwood Furbolgs in northern Felwood at lvl 59 for reputation. Over the course of the session, I partied up with several other Horde who came and went through the area for similar reasons, and constantly looked over my shoulder for the Alliance that might come to poach my kills (or my hide). There were several pitched battles between myself and other lvl 58+ who wanted to kill the 25 rep boss and we fought for King of the Hill. I would have to keep one eye on my target and the other on the dead bodies of the Alliance around the lake. When a body vanished I knew to back away, recharge my batteries and go in search. I never chase down anyone that runs (unless they attacked me) and I only attack in combat those that have either done the same to me or are clearly after my kill.
I still have not gone past 'Scout' and I don't expect to as I rack up only about 10 kills per week.
Overall, the addition of the *option* to PvP has greatly enhanced my gaming experience. It is akin to playing Myst with the lights off and the volume turned up alone at night versus playing it at a crowded cybercafe.
Thoughts and comments are welcome. What has your experience been like.
-Kersh
Stonemaul: Dehimen lvl 59+ Priest
and many more.