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Blizzard: Arena was the biggest mistake in the history of WoW
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Post by
484496
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Post by
Gnostik
If Blizzard hadn't designed their PvP system so that the best gear came from arena, then they would never have felt so much pressure to balance it perfectly. The gear system also immediately made arenas into the "real" PvP, turning BGs and world PvP (ha) into second-class endeavors.
I have beeing playing MMOs for a long time, and I've always enjoyed PvP more than PvE. WoW's arena system is one of the worst PvP schemes I've ever run into. Separating PvP out from the rest of the game through instancing was bad enough when they did it for BGs. But arenas took a not-so-great PvP system and made it even worse.
In addition to the gear system, the rating system is ... quirky, to say the least. Giving out PvP rewards based on a points system where you fall behind when you lose (i.e. a "Jeopardy" system, as opposed to a straight up grind) may be the single worst idea I can think of for MMO PvP. It is probably this factor that most makes me hate arena.
By all means, have some "ladder" or ranking system. But don't have a system where damage-dealing characters do incredible burst, you throw two small teams into a cage to see who can blow the other one up quickest, and then you rate them on that factor. Fighting other players in an online fantasy game involves so many variables, that your wins and losses in these matches might not mean very much.
True, over many weeks a team's rating will probably say something about their skill. But what about the player who has a latency problem, or the one who can't find the right partner, etc.? An arena rating in WoW may say something significant about your skill in PvP - or it may not. Personally I find the "grind" of a straight up honor accumulation over a number of weeks to be less daunting than the idea that if I don't do great in these cage matches I may end up languishing in terms of PvP progression.
And that's just it: in the end, WoW's arenas are a very specific and arbitrary type of PvP. It has certain implications that may or not be good. For example the use and countering of powerful long-term cooldowns becomes hugely important. But if I had to pick out one consequence that I probably hate most it's line-of-sight. The fact that most arena matches turn into a pillar-humping session for healers while I, as a range DPS, am constantly fighting just to keep LoS ... well, it's just the opposite of fun for me.
The actual
combat
dynamics of WoW's PvP system I really enjoy (even if I think burst is a bit too high right now.) The pacing and level of complexity are, I think, just about right. But then they go and force you into these death matches if you want the highest achievements. Why? Keep them around for those that want them. But get rid of the gear system that makes them the "real" PvP.
---
TL;DR:
Arenas suck because of the rating system and because of the weird stuff it emphasizes like LoS. Yet it's the only way to get the best PvP gear.
Post by
Lecks
I've been an avid fan of World PvP and BG's for years and I don't agree with the sentiment that Arena is an effective way to judge skill. It
is
an effective way to screw up other, more easily balanced aspects of the game though.
As far as competitive PvP goes, introducing Arenas was the wrong choice
for WoW
. For games where the classes are less diverse it can work, it just won't work for this one.
Edit: And /agree with Gnostic.
Post by
234331
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Post by
105944
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Post by
Solenar
Blizzard wont cut arena, they want to get money..If they delete arenas they will lose half of WoW population..me included =D
Post by
chase123
Blizzard wont cut arena, they want to get money..If they delete arenas they will lose
half of WoW population
..me included =D
Barely 4% of the WoW population even participate in arenas. They wouldnt be losing that many people.
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105944
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248538
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105944
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Post by
jefflovealex
This post has massively deteriorated from the original point. People don't like pvp and want to pve. But because arena has balancing issues their pve specs are nerfed because of the unbalance caused in arena.
I enjoy the odd arena match from time to time. But i don't like the idea my character is going to take a cracking on certain talents in order to allow fair play arena.
My 2 cents. Or 2 penny's because i am british.
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468487
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319099
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486912
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105944
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