Originally Posted by Gambit7

As I said before, without true purpose to PvP - it's dumb... I agree with that. Here's a good article talking more about it (if you havent read it already):
http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/age-of-cona.../870785p1.html

On pg. 4 they discuss the PvP servers in detail.

One thing that worries me is that they intend to impose a harsher death penalty sometime down the road (like in a few weeks from release). Personally, I'd like to know what that penalty is before I make a toon on a PvP server.

Right now, it's just disorganized folk just running around ganking people for no reason... which is fine, given that's purpose of the whole event today. The harsher penalty is designed to quell some of this (due to retribution), along with respawn invulnerability (they're deactivated right now though btw). But, that penalty could also be a serious annoyance.

The other thing that worries me, is that AoC is a graphically gorgeous game with a very interesting storyline and lots to do. I must've been ganked 5 times today staring at half-naked courtesans and/or trying to read interesting questlines. It CAN get annoying at times. If this game was more "vanilla" with a bland gamespace and disinteresting storyline, then the PvP gankness wouldnt be so bad... but, this game is far from that. It's a lot like being handed a lollipop and having it slapped out of your hand. It's truly tough to study and admire the game when you've gotta watch your back.

As for PvP purpose: in order to gain a seige battle slot your guild has to have a certain lvl of pvp status. And in order to be uber-effective in siege (or any pvp for that matter) you must earn pvp-specific loot/gear. On a truly PvP server you of course have an added avenue to do this, as you can gain rankings outside of the battlegrounds/minigames. Concurrently, smart guilds will concentrate their attacks on guilds they wish to keep out of the siege slots. It's a give and take thing... basically, if you want to have any hope of being effective at endgame - you've gotta PvP effectively in all areas on a PvP server and prevent others from doing so (even before you step on the field). Very challenging to say the least. Needless to say, there is purpose to ffa PvP.... you cant just halfass it or you'll hurt yourself and the guild, while making someone else and another guild more powerful.

Lastly, if TG does indeed go PvP... we'll need to get used to scheduling group questing times. Reason being, you wont be able to just log on at any time during the day and quest all you want to... you'll just die and waste your time. Part of being successful in PvP is staying grouped at all times. If that's not your style, then dont vote for a PvP server. This is not your momma's PvP game... the stakes are high since not everyone gets to automatically siege. There's a layer of politics here that cant be trifled with. You either go at it full bore, or go home.

It's an exciting concept, but definitely more intensive both with Time and Energy/Concentration. Aint nothing "casual" about it really. Unless you're content with being a griefer guild, merc, or just raid.

I already love the sound of this. Being outside should be dangerous, and while you might get interrupted reading quest lines or staring at the naked ladies, Conan's world was harsh. Good allies were invaluable, and being anywhere was dangerous. It will settle down when the game opens.