PVP seems.... Dead

"

Yewthane wrote:

For an introductory bracket, the level 28 range still easily represents many of the issues with pvp balance as it now is. I think though the problem here is exacerbated by the evident and conspicuous lack of players and class types, which has the consequence of only so much exploitation and imbalance being so far manifested. Some of these issues were evident from day one, which is deeply perplexing to me especially as the same continue weeks later; other issues that have been speculated have appeared in some forms but probably not to their full extent. If nothing else the one-hit phenomenon needs to be looked at carefully, whilst I wouldn't recommend compromising the essential design, that type of experience so casually determined from items and skills (Voll's Baptism and the likes) is going to deter the next wave of players and so on.

"

Yewthane wrote:

in a roundabout way that makes the same point, if a character which is not fodder by default can be easily 'two-hit' then something about the basic mode of interaction in pvp is not well balanced. Likewise if specialised counters are necessitated to avoid such easily overpowering methods. Before too many comparisons are made, I am primarily referring to the ease of this outcome, the effect it has on the average player and by extension the meta-game (or something, I'm rather tired. Let's say the normative concept of pvp). I'm also of the opinion much of the exploitation has barely been utilised, there are examples of what extreme itemisation does which is sufficiently telling, yet even before that distinct category if there are items that will beat the average character in the most blatant manner possible then if not balance perhaps playability comes into question.

"

EpsiIon wrote:

"

Yewthane wrote:

in a roundabout way that makes the same point, if a character which is not fodder by default can be easily 'two-hit' then something about the basic mode of interaction in pvp is not well balanced. Likewise if specialised counters are necessitated to avoid such easily overpowering methods. Before too many comparisons are made, I am primarily referring to the ease of this outcome, the effect it has on the average player and by extension the meta-game (or something, I'm rather tired. Let's say the normative concept of pvp). I'm also of the opinion much of the exploitation has barely been utilised, there are examples of what extreme itemisation does which is sufficiently telling, yet even before that distinct category if there are items that will beat the average character in the most blatant manner possible then if not balance perhaps playability comes into question.

PvP balance at this point, is a farce at best. The pvp meta, as it exists now, is simply exploiting and leveraging the most broken mechanics possibly allowed in the game, to the greatest degree possible. More so in open level pvp.

Calling the scene and state of pvp a "meta" is a gross exageration, because there is no stable or dynamic meta so to speak. There is simply who can leverage the most broken mechanics, as quickly and as lethaly as possible.

Whether that is intended or not has not yet been divulged. I am hesitant to call anything a meta at this point simply because the devs have acknowledged many broken mechanics and skills/powers in PvP, but have stated that they will not be looking at or be overly concerned about how pvp will do, until after open beta.

"

Yewthane wrote:

I think we agree on the present situation then, although the problem is as you note the 'meta' by design or lack thereof places unabashed emphasis on exploitative play. It is reassuring to hear the developers have given some indication, the lack of details from their perspective on future directions after what is now a protracted period has instilled some doubt about the viability of this aspect of the game. On that last point, I say that after previously not expecting much from a pvp system only to realise how the potential of their elaborate skill and itemisation design is probably better represented in the pvp context compared to the usual game.