What makes PVP realms fun? I think it's the tension that comes from knowing that combat could happen just about any time. Mostly, that tension adds to the game. Occasionally it does get to be too much, and that's why I'll always have characters on PVE realms. After PVP, PVE realms seem extremely peaceful.
I play a fire mage, probably the squishiest class in the game. I've only been ganked a few times:
- in STV at 39 by a rogue (i actually won this one)
- in my 40s in badlands by a hunter and his lvl 70 buddies
- in hellfire peninsula at 61 by a rogue
- in hellfire peninsula at 61 by a pair of hunters
- in terrokar at 63 by a 70 hunter (repeatedly)
- in zangarmarsh at 64 by a warlock, while questing with my rogue buddy (foolish warlock)
- on the elemental plateau by a warlock
- while doing the quel danas dailies by a rogue and a warrior
I've probably forgotten a few, and I've omitted the times when I've come to a guildmate's defense, or gotten entangled in world PVP. Our guildies have also occasionally raided Tarren Mill, Splintertree Post, and Kargath. Good times...
As a mage, I don't really gank people. As a shaman in Hillsbrad and STV, I have to admit to crushing a few people just because I felt like it.
Ganking happens, but I have a selective memory and can easily forget the times I've lost. The best part is when you win -- that's unforgettable. As a 50ish enhancement shaman freshly geared from the 49 BGs, I was escorting Amy the robot ape out of her cave when I ran into an undead rogue. I was just about to wave at her when she hit me with a sinister strike. Storm strike! Windfury proc! Crit! Crit! The rogue just disintegrated. Good times.
What did I learn from my experiences? Here are a few things:
- Don't go alone. If you don't have a group or a buddy, try to fight near anybody in your faction. Maybe they'll help you if there's ganking, but at the least, gankers have to worry about it.
- Don't push it. Try to stay above half health at all times. Don't go AOE grinding and run out o mana. Be a little overpowered for your quests. Difficult quests are going to leave you battered and bruised and would be a great time for you to be ganked. Also, you should be slightly higher level than the guys on the other faction in the same zone.
- Plan an escape route. Be ready to jump off a cliff or into an instance or into the water. I can featherfall or blink to make a gentle landing and I have a staff that lets me breathe underwater (got it solo out of Gnomer). Follow me into the water and I will sheep you.
- Speed enhancements are good. Carrot on a stick, mithril spurs, gloves with riding enchant, riding crop -- it's all good. You're vulnerable when you're travelling, so keep your travel times short. Being able to outdistance chasers is very pleasing. Of course, once you get your flying mount, things get a lot easier.
- Listen to the environment -- turn off the music. You need to be able to hear that rogue stealthing or the fight on the other side of the hill.
- The more enemies there are, the more likely they are to jump you. You may be happily farming motes up on the plateau next to that warrior you waved at, but as soon as his buddy shows up, things will change. In any group of 5, somebody is going to be in a mood to fight. One time, my 5 man group was heading to an instance. We were happily chatting away over vent when we ran into a horde warlock. There was not even a break in the conversation as we mowed him down. Nobody said "go", we just squished him and went on. I think I've gotten into more fights waiting for Kara runs than any place else.
- After you get into a fight, you might think about moving to a different spot. More often than not, that 30 priest you just tusseled with has a 70 alt, a big brother, or a bored guildmate ready to come pound your face.
- BGs are a great place to hone your skills. Get your keybindings such that you can hit the important abilities and macro yourself an "I win" or "Oh sh*t" button. Save your cooldowns for when you get jumped. Sure, you might kill that mob a little faster by blowing a cooldown, but it'd be much more fun to have it when you really need it.
- Join the local defense channel. You might want to join world defense before you hop on a taxi.
- Playing in off-hours avoids lots of the gankers. You might not want to be in STV half an hour after school lets out.
- Some gear you might not otherwise use can be great for pvp. It's hard to target someone when their Barov servants are in the way. The green whelp vest that puts melee attackers to sleep is great for battling rogues.
Anyway, I hope somebody finds this useful. We'll see if it convinces my friend to come over.
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