3.0 PvP and Siege Combat

Read all about Age of Conan’s exciting PvP system, as well as the elaborate siege warfare.

3.1 What does PvP mean?

PvP is an acronym for player-versus-player, which describes combat between players, rather than players fighting computer controlled monsters or NPCs. The opposite of PvP would be PvE, or player-versus-environment, which is used to describe combat between the player and a computer-controlled entity. You will find lots of both in Age of Conan!

3.2 Will the Real Time Combat System also be present in PvP combat?

Yes! The Real Combat System is how we handle combat throughout the game. When fighting with other players, you will use the same rules, dynamics, skills, etc., as you use when fighting computer-controlled enemies. To prevent exploits, there may be slight tweaks or limitations.

3.3 So I will be able to fight other players?

Yes. Age of Conan has numerous options for PvP players. There will be PvP minigames like Capture the Skull, as well as massive siege PVP battles over Battle Keeps. For those who just can’t get enough PvP, there will also be special PvP-focused servers with slightly different rulesets.

3.4 Can everyone attack anyone or are there limitations?

Fighting between players is consensual, because it is limited to certain areas of the game world. If you want to avoid PvP combat, all you have to do is avoid these areas (and the PvP server).

The PvP regions are the main regions for massive PvP combat, and this is where player guilds will fight over ownership of battlekeeps.

The PvP servers will have their own special rulesets.

3.5 What is the PvP regions?

King Conan has opened up the PvP regions for expansion. This means that players can set up their own persistent battlekeep—a castle, in other words—in these areas. This battlekeep must be defended against other guilds, as the battlekeeps are limited in number and can provide rare and valuable resources to the guild that controls them.

The PvP regions are the “Wild West” of Hyboria, deadly, lawless places where it is wise to ride carefully.

3.6 So the PvP regions are the only place for PvP?

No, there are other areas to engage in player-versus-player combat but the PvP regions are the only places you can take part in siege PvP. In general, though, other players will not be able to harm you outside the PvP regions. Obviously, this doesn’t apply on a PvP server.

3.7 What are battlekeeps?

Battlekeeps are structures that players can build and maintain in the PvP regions. There are a limited number of areas where these can be built, though, and it’s a certainty that other guilds will come and try to take it from you (or even destroy it completely) through the use of siege engines. By using collected resources such as iron, stone, and wood, players can improve these battlekeeps, building walls and other buildings to aid in the defense. It is also possible to add computer-controlled guards to your building.

3.8 How can another guild capture a battlekeep?

Very few people want to stand on guard duty for twenty-four hours, so there will be specific periods when a battlekeep is open for attacks. The attackers will then have to bring down the defenses by any means possible! For more on sieging and city building, please see this article.

3.9 Is siege PvP combat only available in the PvP regions?

Yes, Siege PvP combat will only be available in the PvP regions.

3.10 What would be the benefits of getting involved in PvP?

Control of resources for your guild and crafters, special abilities for advancing in PvP levels, potential cash bonuses for signing on as a mercenary (depending on what the guild hiring you wants to pay), crushing your foes, getting your name on a leaderboard, bragging rights, fun. You’re certainly not required to get involved in PvP, if that’s not your thing, but it will have lots of nice to have (but not mandatory) benefits.

3.11 Is PvP the endgame in Age of Conan?

Yes and no. We certainly anticipate lots of PvP for guilds who want to partake! But there are also plenty of other things to do. The wide world of Hyboria is open to exploration, and we guarantee you hours upon hours of adventure through some of the most fantastic areas you’ve ever seen. There are quests to complete, raids to run, dungeons to be explored, and all sorts of things to do even at the highest levels of the game. The end is only the beginning!