WAR Open RVR Servers - Be Sure Before You Leap!

Over the weekend I touched base with some friends that are playing Warhammer Online.  Two of them rolled characters on Open RVR servers and are unhappy about the selection.  Unlike me, they were in the closed BETA so are a bit over starting up from scratch.  I understand where they are coming from.  I’ve only done the Empire zone a few times at the low levels and as much as I like it, I will wait on my alt Warrior Priest so that doing the content again doesn’t seem stale.  I feel bad for them even though starting over at these low levels isn’t hard but who wants to now that things are underway for real.  I don’t know what they were even thinking when they created characters on an Open RVR server.

If the PVP experience you have is World of Warcraft after the implementation of Battlegrounds and honor rewards, particularly after the changes to Alterac Valley, then you have NOT done world PVP, even if you rolled on a PVP server.  If you think you enjoy PVP but all you know is WOW PVP, think carefully before choosing an Open RVR server.  If you’ve done EQ2, AOC or Vanguard PVP, you have a much better idea of how conflict is likely play out on an Open Server so go for it, if you’ve got the stones, the time and the allies.  I always rolled on PVP servers while playing WOW but I quickly bailed on PVP in EQ2.  Somehow surviving massive conflict in WOW even when world PVP meant something and low level towns were sacked for hours at a time, didn't prepare me for the roving gank squads in EQ2.  There's no way in hell, I'd try it on WAR servers.

World PVP in WOW all but died once the BGs were implemented with epic gear Rewards tied to Honor points and gaining marks from the various BGs.   Many players shifted from being motivated to win for the pride of winning, to wanting to gain honor and marks as quickly and efficiently as possible – regardless of the means.  If losing provided the most effective manner of gaining what they needed then losing is what players advocated be done in battles.  AV in particular saw both of the factions rushing to complete the PVE content while conspicuously avoiding each other on the battlefield.  For those of us who enjoyed the old world PVP this wasn’t to our liking.

Don’t go into WAR with the WOW PVP mindset.  Players in WAR are actively seeking each other out for player conflict.  No one is running by anyone who is available for a fight.  It sounds corny and old now but conflict/war is everywhere.  If you want to do PVP on your own just cross over into an RVR area and pick a fight.  You can also go to contested areas and find others who are flagged for RVR.  If you want to aide in the general cause head to where your faction is battling the opposition and help out.  For small group RVR/PVP then join the scenarios which are like WOW BGs. In any case, if you’re a healer, please help heal.  At least on Averheim, our guild is finding that Order is very short on healers compared to Destruction.  Warrior Priests that means you too whenver possible.  I can’t tell you how many WPs I see die without attempting to heal themselves once in a fight!! Grrr.

The point of my post being that there are many ways to engage in PVP/RVR without exposing yourself to constant encounters.  I don’t know how players will get quests completed or participate in Public Quests in the all out war zones of an Open RVR server.  Exploration, killing mobs in quantity, doing the unexpected, killing named mobs and completing quests are tied to unlocking entries in the Tome of Knowledge.  I would think that the average person wants the opportunity to explore the Tome and what it has to offer beyond the regular quests.  I don’t know how you’d do that in peace in an Open RVR setting.

Open RVR is for the hardcore set who want to engage in a constant “kill or be killed” environment.  I would advise against assuming that because you were decked out in WOW PVP epics that you’re as leet as you think.  I’m going to hazard a guess that most of you aren’t. *Smile* If you’re not, you will quickly get tired to being attacked, ganked and griefed at every opportunity.  Hell, people are griefing in the Core servers so I can’t imagine what is taking place on Open servers.  In the T2 and T3 PQ areas is not uncommon to find the opposing faction running around in and amongst the PQ mobs trying to have someone attack them by accident.  Of course these players are doing it when they are at the max level for that zone to avoid being turned into a chicken, while holding a slight advantage over their would-be opponents.

Anytime I see a Destruction player near the PQs I watch them carefully.  If they are flagged then I watch to see if they head toward or attack another flagged player.  It’s a bit easy to flag yourself and not back out of the zone in time to avoid opening yourself up to RVR. Higher than me or not, if I see a Destruction player attack an Order player I’m all in.  I’ll get flagged myself at that point and just have to watch my back for the 15-minute duration.  It’s not a problem. So far factions are sticking together and helping defend each other – again, this isn’t WOW thank goodness.  I don’t know how many times I died in WOW to a Horde player while a higher Alliance player just stood by and did nothing.

Re-rolling isn’t fun if you’re the doing same race and class so choose your server wisely.  When in doubt take the safest route.  In WAR you can always find a fight when you’re up for one.  I encourage people to error on the side of caution, and roll on a Core server since you can always throw caution to the wind when it suits you, versus being unhappy on Open and facing the choice of sticking it out or starting all over like my friends are debating at this moment.

Comments

[Openedge1]

I have also read one post which states the "twink" issues have been handled well by Mythic.

I think the fact that the "chicken" mechanic is in place and the "twink" issue keeps players out of battlefields that could cause overall issues for a new player are both good moves.

But, I have yet to find a reason for ANYONE to play an Open Server of any game...but why does a certain personality join an Open server?

I always imagine the kid who was a bully at school or those who try to get away with something they should not be doing as the audience.

We live in a society with rules, so why does a person want to enter a world with no rules? Are they really homicidal at heart? I have heard the "it's the danger" excuse. But, c'mon, why then pick on people who are way lower level than you and ruin their gaming experience?

Bah...all games have rules for a reason. Take away reason, chaos ensues, with no winner.

[Darwinsfolly]

I have rolled on an open rvr server Dark Crag and am currently 25 I also like to solo and have made it to Avelorn southern half Yesterday my younger brother and his friends were being griefed by a 40 Brightmage in Tabacland so I headed over to see if I could help (I play a Witch Elf) the first attack he got me but I had him down to 1/4 health so I healed and ran out again 2nd time I got him so I continued to hang around and farm influence at one of the PQ's and on the chat channel I see he was back so I headed over and got him again. As you have said this is not WOW and I could not stand PvP there, here I love the adrenaline rush I get and the fact that I could take out a 40 by using the right tactics and skill combo to do it. That said had this been a witch hunter(another melee DPS) or a tank class I would not have fared as well. There is always a scissor to your paper.

[Grant Veris]

I personally wish there were only 2 option of servers, one for the RP's and the other pure PvP, if you want carebear, that's what wow is for :)

[Kinless]

I picked an RP, Core, server, hoping to steer as near I could to folks interested in playing in the Warhammer world, and not dance naked on mailboxes or sporting lolspeak names. They still show up naked in the public quests hopping around useless. Shrug.

As you say, pvp on my server is there when I want it, and conducted where it's appropriate. Battles off the battlefield are nothing more than terrorism. And I can do quests and public quests, in peace, as I choose.

Open RvR does cater to folks with certain mindsets, and I'm glad there's an outlet for them.

The worst of the breed, however, will know they've been offered a corral to play in and will choose to roll on our worlds instead to cause their grief. Serial killers don't prey on serial killers afterall.

My hat's off to folks on Open RvR. They're willing to endure more than I am in the name of amusement.

[Saylah]

@Kinless - I've been told that the naked people are trying to complete a Tome unlock that actually gives some nice gear. I don't know that for sure but that's what a few people told me when I asked why they were playing naked.

I did my first RVR without crashing last night and it was Tarren Mill vs. Southshore goodness!!! Oh Mythic PLEASE tell me what to do to stop crashing in Scenarios. I know that I'm missing so much action and fun. I tried again last night after following more ideas from different forums and I crash the minute I'm zoned in. The RVR was fun and I'll post about it in a day or so. When it was over I was still flagged so I ran around with a couple of others picking fights. I can get all the PVP/RVR I need without exposing myself to an unwanted amount of griefing.

[Copra]

Saylah: Tarren Mill vs. Southshore? Those are in Hillsbrad Foothills in WOW!!

Hmm... RvR in WoW... kewl... I think?

[Capn John]

@ Copra - Saylah's actual words are "it was Tarren Mill vs. Southshore goodness!!!"

What I believe Saylah means is the RvR in which she participated, in WAR, reminded her of all the knock down, drag 'em out, slug fests the Horde & Alliance used to have many years ago, where raid-sized (or bigger) groups would descend upon Hillsbrad Foothills and kill each other for hours on end. Literally. But Blizzard put a stop to that with their silly battlegrounds.

[some guy]

@ openedge: your post is so terrible, i think it gave me cancer.

this game is about war. you seem to believe that the only reason for someone to play on an open rvr server is to gank people, which is just silly. for me, playing on a server with absolutely no world pvp would simply ruin the feel of the game. i don't want to stand around like an idiot, watching an enemy group kill a quest boss or hero thing or whatever just because they tagged it first. the chaos that you're so afraid of is a part of war, which is exactly what this game is all about.

you even acknowledged things like the chicken mechanic that have been implemented to prevent excessive ganking, but even that isn't enough for you? ugh.

and please, labeling people who choose to play on an orvr server as 'homicidal?' that is so incredibly fu*king stupid it hurts my head. you can be a perfectly respectable, well-adjusted person while slaughtering hordes of enemies with a group, but fighting over rare spawns or farming spots or something out in the open world makes you some kind of sociopath? ridiculous. not only do you have a fear of anything unexpected, you somehow find it necessary to insult and demean the people who can deal with a few surprises and prefer the more intense, dynamic style of play that a pvp server offers. i find that rather pathetic. and please don't ever go into psychology/psychiatry/therapy/whatever.

i guess what i'm trying to say is, you suck. have fun on your carebear server, carebear.

[saylah]

Capn wins the prize for reading comprehension. That is precisely what I meant.

@some - I'm not sure that you're rant-like comment filled with personal attacks helps assertion about the well adjusted people on Open RVR servers. Open's comment while filled w/sweeping assumptions, was at least generalized compared to your personal attacks. We can disagree and still remain civil. I do appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my blog and comment so let's all play nice.

[Saylah]

@Grant - Why would you want to restriction other player's options? Games don't survive limiting huge games with restrictive implementations. Game development costs millions of dollars and they need subscribers. Separating by server type solves the problem perfectly. Everyone gets to have the playing experience they prefer.

Clearly more players prefer controlled PVP which is why FFA type servers are fewer. They won't get more people to do Open RVR simply by making it the only option. They'd just get fewer customers.

[Warhammer Rookie]

Saylah,

Do you still play on Averheim, and if so do you play under the name Saylah?
I'm looking for a solid server to play on, and why not join the server/realm of someone like yourself.

Any idea if your guild is in need of specific careers?

Thanks.

Signed,
Guy Who Can't Decide What To Roll

[saylah]

Yes, I'm on Averheim as Order. It's a high population with queues after 10PM ET. Our guild recruitment is on hold but dont let that sttop you from putting in an application. Roll there and if we stay on hold try Candymancers. I've played with them and they are another large guild w/nice folks.

My main is Alysianah. Saylah is created in reserve for my Warrior Priest alt.

[Warhammer Rookie]

Thanks for the reply Saylah.

Candymancers appears to be full up, according to random people I contacted in the guild. With yours and theirs full, I suppose I will have to ride things out on another realm.

Good luck, and be sure to crush any goblins you see. They make for a tasty treat.

Cheers.

[ambert]

I don't think it'll be that bad in the long run.

You gotta remember that this game ships with a ver good faction PvP system. There's really no incentive for roving gangs of gankers because they could be spending their time better elsewhere

There'll definitely be killing, ganking, and frustration, but I don't think it'll be that bad