fanatical

A quick lesson in PvP etiquette for WoW players (or any MMO players in general):

Putting this under a cut because it’s a bit lengthy.

First, a tiny bit of background in regard to WoW.  I’ve played both Alliance and Horde characters over the past three years or so, and I’ve had characters on both PvE and PvP realms.  I never really took to the PvP realms, though, and there’s a reason for that.

My main characters have always been Alliance.   Although, about a week ago, I created a new Horde character on a PvP realm so I could team up with some friends from school.

I’ve been playing on and off since then, trying to level so I can catch up with them.  BUT, leveling is fairly hard to do when I’m continually ganked by characters of much higher levels than myself.  This is where I see a bit of an issue.

Let’s say I’m level 31 Blood Elf (Horde), and I’m running around questing and minding my own business.  If you, a level 85 Human (Alliance), run up to me, I’m going to ignore you.  I don’t want any trouble, I just want to finish what I’m doing so I can move on.  If you leave me alone, or even wave at me, that’s great, and I appreciate it!  Hell, that’s the kind of polite behavior that makes the game worth playing.

On the flip side, if you attack me, how do you think that would make me feel?  I won’t fight back.  Why would I?  I know I don’t stand a chance when you’re such a high level.

Let’s say you kill me.  Now you have another choice. Do you camp near my body and wait for me to resurrect?  Or do you leave and let me resume my business?  If you leave me be, that’s the end of it.  I’m a little angry, but you got what you wanted, and now you’re gone, so I don’t really care.

If you sit there and wait for me, though, what exactly do you intend to accomplish?  It’s a waste of time for both of us.  I’ll probably end up resurrecting at a graveyard, and your “kill” will get away from you.  It’s a lose-lose situation, and it absolutely makes my blood boil.

Do you understand what I’m getting at here?  Do you see how rude and uncalled-for those actions really are?  Yes, I understand that it’s a PvP realm for a reason.  As I said above, I’ve had plenty of experience with this and I know how it works.  The problem isn’t the PvP itself, it’s the enormous level gap between our characters.

According to WoWWiki (and basic common sense), “Killing players of too low-level will result in zero honor and is usually considered a form of poor sportsmanship.”

And WoWWiki is absolutely right.  Use your brain and most basic morals.  Don’t be an asshole like the people I’ve had to deal with.  Think before you do something mean to someone else.  Follow the Golden Rule and treat others the way you want to be treated.