1.) The map
The map is sort of your most important tool in WvW. On the map, you can see where fights are going on (orange crossed swords) and where your commander(s) are going (blue icon). There are several towers and keeps on each map; if there are white crossed swords around a tower’s/keep’s icon, that means it is under attack by other players OR NPCs.
You can also see if there are any of your fellow server members near you (green dots).
2.) The Teamchat
If you haven’t set it up yet, do it now! You can set up the teamchat by adding a new tab in your chat window, then clicking on the small arrow next to “New Tab”, tick the box for “/team”. Teamchat is for tactical communication, such as “where is the fight at?”, “where do you need help?”, “Keep xyz is under attack”…. the mapchat (/map) is for general chitchat, such as “Wow, WvW is so much fun!” or “I’m looking for a guild” etc.
3.) The commander
First thing you should look for when entering WvW is: Where is our commander? Use the map. Ask in /team where you’re needed. You don’t always just have to follow a commander… believe me, every commander is thankful for people scouting the other towers and keeps for supply status or possible attackers.
4.) What’s a “good” commander?
This is difficult to answer. Generally speaking, a good commander is someone who communicates in the teamchat, tells the others where he’s going and what’s happening there, who fights in first line, but who also considers other people’s opinions and is willing to accept a change of plan if there is a better way to do things. A good commander will also not just run around and attack one point after another (this is considered karma/influence farming), but sticks with the things he conquered and defends them, or at least tells others to do so without splitting the forces too much. But after all, it’s still a personal thing whether you like someone or not…
5.) Supply
This topic is as old as GW2 itself (HAHA). Although so simple, many players fail to stick with this one rule: Never take supply from towers and keeps. Supply in towers and keeps is very limited and strongly depends on the supply caravans that reach the tower/keep. Supply in keeps and towers is always desperately needed if under attack and should not be wasted carelessly. Supply in supply camps is practically unlimited, so if you happen to capture or pass by a supply camp, always remember to take supply from there.
6.) Attack or defend?
This is an easy one. Keeping/defending things is always, always easier than attacking and capping new things. You can defend a well-upgraded keep against 20+ attackers with just 5 defenders. This counts for us defending our own stuff, but also for others defending theirs from our attacks. Before you attack something, first have a look at the map and see if the other keeps, camps and towers are more or less secure.
To conclude:
Generally speaking, there is just one simple rule you have to keep in mind when playing WvW. Follow, but don’t follow blindly. Commanders are sadly not always the better tacticians, only the richer. Don’t let yourself be misguided by a fancy blue icon, but always remember to question if the commander’s orders are actually making any sense.
Over and out!
