ArenaNet has released a gigantic article bursting with information on the large-scale World vs World (vs World) PvP system that will be featured in Guild Wars 2. As this article really is quite giant, we’re going to go ahead and summarize the essence of the system and highlight what you will need to know before jumping into the game when it comes out (or if you’re lucky enough to grab a beta spot).
The over all system is very similar to the one used in Dark Age of Camelot. This is not a bad thing, given that DAoC had one of the absolute best large-scale PvP systems in MMOs. In Guild Wars 2, three servers (as opposed to realms/factions) are pitted against each other for a two week period. Three servers, as opposed to two, lends itself to a more balanced competition where one side can’t easily dominate over another – something that fans of Dark Age of Camelot and PlanetSide will likely appreciate. Players can capture and defend large keeps, smaller towers, or even smaller villages and camps. To take over one of these, players can make use of siege weapons, NPC mercenaries, and their own large forces to take on the PC and NPC defenders.
There are four areas in the Mists – where the PvP areas are located. Each server has their own home area where they have the advantage, referred to as “Borderlands” with a central, neutral area in the center, complete with a massive keep. ArenaNet has stated that these maps “are the largest maps [they] can make in Guild Wars 2,” and can handle at least hundred players from each side.
While large keeps will take a massive force to conquer, towers can be done with smaller groups, and smaller camps by a group of determined players. Taking them over is useful, because towers provide a universal resource called “supply” which enables the construction of siege weapons as well as the ability to reinforce the defenses of towers and keeps. Taking them over means your side is getting a benefit and denying that benefit to your opponents.
In addition to control points like keeps and towers, players can capture Orbs of Power for their server. These Orbs provide bonuses to the side that holds them. Each side stars with one Orb, but they can capture an enemy Orb to both deny them the benefits of them, and to amplify their own bonuses. These bonuses are in addition to the ones that a server can gain when they capture towers and keeps.
Guild Wars 2 seems to be very focused on not letting levels get in the way of fun, so every character that wanders into the Mists for World vs World PvP will be automatically boosted to the 80 level cap. That isn’t a permanent increase, and players will also continue to earn experience to their actual level.
