The Arena: PvP - Before and After.

Honestly 6 months ago I wouldn't of even dared to post anything whatsoever about PvP. Shockingly mostly to myself I find that oh man look I am. My initial PvP experiences weren't in the least bit positive for me I lost more matches than I won and higher ranks then and now would gloat, foul mouth, and over all be big jerks. It seems like for most people when your winning your code of conduct or morals towards other peoples goes out the door. However I found there is a silver lining to this Pvp stuff and my attitude towards it as a whole as vastly changed.

So before I had met my dearest Cassandra Dragonheart, Alura Hexcaster, and Kevin Battleblood I had been a Grandmaster for some time I had already grown a hatred towards the activity for the simple fact of poor manners. I won't lie to you now and say I'm some sort of saint I am far from it however there is a time and place for everything besides this was a kid's game. It seemed however that these people lacked any sort of conduct to maintain while in the Arena and I hate to put you Warlords on the spot but it was mostly you and Commanders who gave me most grief.

As time passed I met Cassandra and Alura both you I might add hated PvP as much as I did and for the exact same reasons. I admit I was happy to share my disdain with others about them sadly I now regret my original hate. I was content hanging out in the Spiral with my friends and Mercenaries as it seemed none of them Pvped I feft like I was at home with the haters. However, I had at this time already became friends with my bro Kevin Battleblood and Missy A.K.A Scarlet Deathblood. Kevin tried to show me you can't judge a book by it's cover. I being me though although it "lightened" my mood about it was too stubborn to allow reason into my silly head.

Then next thing I know Cassandra Dragonheart is Pvping and loving it. I was in utter shock and although I wouldn't admit it then it put a strain in our relationship as close friends cause I felt sort of a betrayal but again it was me being stubborn and readers I'll have you know this ridiculous stubbornness lasted months where I'd only see Cass every once in awhile or at Merc events. I also didn't like her friend Nathaniel Earthweaver for the same reasons and cause quite honestly I felt put aside cause I didn't Pvp.

Months passed again and Cassandra, Missy, and Kevin slowly eased me into an acceptance of Pvp with Cassandra leading the "team". I admit I was extremely scared. At a snail's pace Cass showed me how enjoyable PvP could be while Kevin showed me basic strategies and sort of guidelines for Pvp I have them here as I remember them.

• Nothing in Pvp is set. Ways to play are always changing like how people change and adapt.
• Just because you lose doesn't mean that your any worse than your opponent and likewise it doesn't mean he is better than you.
• All in all it's suppose to be fun; go into the arena to have fun and leave the arena having had fun.
• Be respectful don't knock or berate people cause they use Treasures or your losing etc.

I try to go into the arena as such although I am not a perfect human being and sometimes I get caught in the moment and winning over fun overrides and it will frustrate me when I lose.

One main thing I have taken from PvP is the importance of Teamwork and Coordination. I being a sorcerer know all about this and have witnessed as very recently as at last night's Pvp party that a team that doesn't coordinate and have teamwork utterly fails. As a sorcerer I am extremely versatile and can easily switch from attacking to support however if there is no communication between the team the plan fails. I have also tasted the fruits of great teamwork it was at a Pvp party and it was Kevin, Fallon, and 2 other players and Me, Diana Wildheart, Kelsey Fireheart, and 1 other player we all communicated to great effect we took out Fallon and their healer then the other player Kevin was the last one standing.

At first I didn't like that we were up against Kevin and Fallon who both are good at PvP and have cohesion as they Pvp together many times as a team. I didn't wanna give up though and knew although it was a daunting task if we worked as a team we would at least give them a fight. Kevin definitely put up a great fight but we implemented great teamwork Melting kevin's attempt to Frost giant us so he couldn't get a free turn to build up pips, low heal, or resurrect a fallen teammate. We also managed to Entangle him so he couldn't heal with Tree or something like Unicorn. (I consider this luck that his pig didn't activate to remove the Entangle :P ).

We pulled off the win but it also struck me hey this is exactly what Kevin was talking about. Kevin as many of you know is an experienced Pvper like Fallon and he lost to what most of you would consider a "less experienced team" this doesn't mean Kevin or Fallon are any worse than us or that we are better than them. It was just good teamwork and draw of the cards that helped us pull through to a win. In fact I've adopted my own little thing for the PvP it's " Anticipation and Coordination" although that directly goes into the battle aspect of Pvp it still means have fun and just be respectful to fellow players. That brings me to the Pvp party last night I had never seen such behavior at these parties before. It was so negative and vulgar I voiced it out loud and through whispers to Cassandra Dragonheart.

I made me feel like when I had first entered the Arena more than a year ago. It hasn't however diluted that I rather enjoy Pvp now and will continue to refine and adapt and have fun with my friends. I even took up some PvP on my Pyromancer Alexander Ghostflame and although I lost I managed to hold my own for an hour against a Life Knight player while I was a private. I also did a match (and hope for more in the future) with my dear Alura on her death Alt Tasha Spellwraith it was a ranked 2 v.s. 2 match and through Coordination and teamwork took out a Fire/Ice team both I believe were Knight or possibly Commanders.

Before I was shut out from the concept of Pvp and now I am open to it and enjoy it. I ain't no die-hard Pvper and I enjoy Pvping against friends instead of random people but I have fun with my friends and I learn as a player of the game and as an individual. In fact if it wasn't for these Pvp parties I don't think I would of became friends with Fallon, Diana, Kelsey, and the many other people who names escape me at this very moment Lol.

I also must give a big shout out to the "Arena Commentaries" hosted on Kevin's Livestream page (Link) and the Pvp parties hosted by PVP party forum they have allowed me to learn so much about Pvp and it's funny to hear my tia snort or Fallon's dogs bark in the background Bloopers make for the best entertainment. I hope you all enjoyed this and if you hesitant towards Pvp don't be get a group of friends and do it together it's a slow process though don't expect to win every match and try always to have fun.

Until next time your friend,
Alric Ravensinger