SPvP 101: A Guide for Everything You Need to Survive Your First Day in Structured PvP
in PvP
Posted by: Pinder.5261
Updated 9/12: Added skill interruption findings (1c), Amended Custom Build info (1e), Amended Quickness info (3c), Fixed numerical errors (3c, 4d).
I had intended to post this guide here on the official forums in its entirety. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too long (actually, way too long). Instead, I’m putting it all up right here on the GW2 subreddit.
As long as we’re here, I present to you the intro, index, and golden rules as a teaser to the full guide. I hope that this, and the full guide, helps out with your PvP endeavors.
Structured PvP 101:
A Guide for Everything You Need to Survive Your First Day in Structured PvP
Introduction:
I won’t lie: the first time you PvP it feels like a great big mess. The upgrade to level 80 opens up a truckload of choices and the combat will drown you in particle effects. You’re going to feel confused, lost, and very often disoriented. That’s all perfectly normal. It took everyone some time to get used to it. And I promise: it does get a whole lot better.
This guide is to help you more quickly overcome the first-time confusion. To help you reach the point where you can look at combat and say to yourself, “Yeah, that all makes sense.” I won’t tell you which weapons to use, what talents to choose, or the strategy to win games. Instead, this guide explains the fundamentals. Issues like: how animation-based combat functions, what to know about buffs and debuffs, and how the map mechanics work. For those players who have already experienced a great deal of PvE content, some of this will sound very basic. I apologize for that, but this guide is largely written for those players who have skipped the level grind to get in to the PvP action right away.
This is a lengthy guide. You may not want to read all of it at once, and I don’t blame you. I do encourage new players to read section 1, especially the part about Animation Based Combat, as that seems to cause the most confusion when players start. After that, go by the index. You can search for a section by its header (1-A, or 2-C, and so forth) to quickly pinpoint the topic location. Find the topic you need help with and read on.
I wish you all the best of luck.
—The Pinder
PS: Did I make a mistake, misinform, or get it altogether wrong? Tell me about it. I will update as necessary.
Index
0. The Three Golden Rules of PvP.
1. Combat Fundamentals
1-A: Before You PvP
1-B: An Animation Based Combat System
1-C: Skill Targeting and Avoidance
1-D: Movement and Positioning
1-E: Your First Custom Build
2. Advanced Battle Tactics
2-A: Dodge
2-B: The Downed State
2-C: Dealing Damage and Healing
2-D: Combos
3. Boons, Conditions, Controls and Other Effects
3-A: Categories
3-B: Status Stacking Rules
3-C: Boons and Positive Status Effects
3-D: Conditions and Negative Status Effects
4. Map Fundamentals
4-A: The Basics
4-B: The Scoreboard and Glory
4-C: The Control Points
4-D: Unique Map Mechanics
0:
The Three Golden Rules of PvP:
Rule #1: Keep your health in mind and take regular breaks away from the game. Go on a walk, eat some fruits or veggies, talk to a friend, check in on your kids/pets/significant other. The game will be here when you get back. Your body will thank you.
Rule #2: You will die, and you will lose matches. You will do a lot of both. Don’t stress out when it happens. Our ultimate goal is to have fun, and we want you to have fun too. If you aren’t having fun, see rule #1.
Rule #3: Be nice to other players. It is our responsibility to build a community worth joining. Insults and rage-tantrums bring it down for everyone. If you cannot muster the energy to stay positive, see rule #1.
Once again, here is the link to the full guide.
(edited by Pinder.5261)
