New to PvP? Start here!

New to PvP? Start here!

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Posted by: Josh Davis.6015

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Introduction

Player vs. Player in Guild Wars 2 is an exciting game-type that pits you against other players from across the world in the ultimate test of skill. Whether you’re looking for casual skull-cracking or competitive domination – we’ve got you covered. While you play you’ll earn ranks, gold, and if you’re playing during a league season – you’ll earn prestige!

There are three main avenues to choose from to participate in PvP in Guild Wars 2:

  • Custom Arenas – Duel your friends or setup scrimmages with competing teams! With the customizable settings, you’ll have your very own playground to make your own. Custom Arena owners are also able to play on an exclusive death-match style map – Courtyard.
  • Unranked Arena – The perfect place for getting your feet wet in structured PvP – this is the main arena we recommend for new and veteran players. All conquest maps are available in this queue.
  • Ranked Arena – During PvP League Seasons, jump into the most competitive version of Guild Wars 2 PvP. Those who perservere and conquer can join the elite few in the Legendary division.

Conquest

In the Conquest game-type, two teams of five players each are matched up against each other. The objective is to be the first team to reach 500 points. Points are awarded through holding capture points and kills. There are 3 capture points on the map, and when captured, each location grants one point every two seconds. Each player kill grants five points. If neither team reaches 500 points, the team with the most points will be declared the winner after the 15 minute time limit. In the event of a tie, the team with the highest total player score wins.

Each PvP map (listed below) also has a secondary objective:

  • Forest of Niflhel – NPC monsters spawn after some time and then after every 3 minutes in the north-western and north-eastern corner. Defeating them grants your team 25 points and a short-time buff (+50 to all stats).
  • Legacy of the Foefire – NPC guards and ‘guild lords’ spawn at the beginning of each match in the starting zones of their respective team. In order to get to the guild lord, the enemy team has to take down a wall first. Walls can only be damaged by direct damage. Defeating the Lord grants 150 points.
  • Battle of Khylo – Each team has access to a trebuchet which can bombard any enemy or area on the battlefield. It causes massive damage to enemy players and causes knockback to players who get caught in the area of effect. It does no friendly-fire damage or knockback.
  • Temple of the Silent Storm – Four ‘meditations’ spawn periodically through the map. After completing the channelling for each meditation, the respective team acquires the buff granted by that meditation.
  • Spirit Watch – Capture the Orb of Ascension and bring it to any of the three shrines for bonus points.
  • Skyhammer – Calibrate the Skyhammer to your team to do massive damage to the areas you select.

Conquest Tips

  • Your personal score doesn’t correspond to the amount of rank you gain. You get fixed amounts of rank for winning and losing. Play to win!
  • You only need one person to stand on a point to capture it.
  • You cannot capture a point if you’re stealthed or invulnerable.
  • Try not to take part in uneven fights. Use numbers in your favor.
  • Watch your mini-map! You can see the location of your teammates and any enemies that they can see.
  • Each capture point has a unique name. Learn them! Players will often refer to the specific name rather than the location of the point.
  • Home is the closest capture point to your spawn, mid (or middle) is the capture point nearest to the center of the map, and far is the enemy team’s home point.

Rewards and Leagues

For information on PvP Reward tracks, please visit this Wiki page.

For information on the PvP League system, please visit this Wiki page.

How do I participate?

The Heart of the Mists is the central-hub for all things PvP-related.

  • To access Heart of the Mists, click the crossed-sword icon in the top left-hand corner of your in-game interface.
  • In the top left-hand corner of the PvP panel, select “Go to Heart of the Mists”.

(edited by Josh Davis.6015)

New to PvP? Start here!

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Posted by: Josh Davis.6015

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What now? Builds and beyond!

Now that you’re in Heart of the Mists, you need to setup a build for your profession. The Guild Wars 2 trait system allows for incredible customization, letting you to play your character exactly the way you want to. You can access the build editor by clicking the “PvP Build” button at the top of your UI while in either Heart of the Mists or a PvP map. From here you can quickly edit your build on the fly. New stat combinations, runes, and sigils can also be purchased from this panel.

Now that you know how to edit your build, here’s a quick explanation of the basic roles in conquest PvP:

  • Bunker – As a bunker, your main role is to support your teammates and to keep control over capture points. Players accomplish this by building very defensively, either through large health-pools, high-healing power, or builds that focus on evasion.
  • Roamer – The roamer is a mobile damage-orientated player, focused on moving between capture points and helping his allies where needed. He moves quickly and strikes quickly.
  • Far-Point Assaulter – This player’s role is to constantly assault the enemy team’s capture point and to keep them distracted. This player is usually very defensive and can hold off multiple opponents at once. This player can also be very mobile, like a thief.
  • Home Defender – The Home Defender’s job is to make sure that nobody takes their home capture point. I mean nobody! This is usually a very mobile profession or very tanky.

Grouch, give me a build, yo! (courtest of MetaBattle)

All up-to-date builds can be found at the community-run website MetaBattle.com.

Make sure to select the “Conquest” category on the right side and then find the profession that you’re interested in playing.

Now you’re geared up and ready to roll!

  • Enter the PvP Panel by clicking the crossed-sword icon in the top left-hand corner of your in-game interface.
  • From here, select “Unranked Arena” to queue up for your first match.
  • You’ll need to accept the queue within 20 seconds or you’ll be kicked from the queue. Make sure to vote for your favorite map!

Before you go, here’s a bit of advice…
PvP in any game has a fairly steep learning curve. Don’t get discouraged if you get owned the first couple of matches you play – you’ll get better!

Interested in competing in community organized tournaments?!
There’s a number of community tournament organizers out there that host events on a weekly basis – events that span the skill spectrum, from amatuer all the way to expert. Participating in these events could earn you prizes such as gems and Mini Llamas!

You can find more information on these events in our Community Tournament thread.

(edited by Josh Davis.6015)

New to PvP? Start here!

in PvP

Posted by: Josh Davis.6015

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Josh Davis.6015

Streamers

Official Guild Wars 2 Twitch Channel – The official ArenaNet Guild Wars 2 Twitch channel.

Storm – North American Shoutcaster

Jebro – European Shoutcaster

Phantaram – Elementalist on World Champion team the Abjured.

Noscoc – Necromancer on World Champion team the Abjured.

Five Gauge – Engineer on World Champion team the Abjured.

R O M – Warrior for the World Champion team Orange Logo.

Helseth – Mesmer gameplay and captain of the Civilized Gentlemen

Youtube Channels

Jebro – PvP shoutcaster, profession guides, and variety vids!

QQMore.Net – One of the best resources for PvP-specific guides.

(edited by Josh Davis.6015)