PvE RvR PvP

Mention the three letters PvP and immediately you get a flame war. Things settle down into three groups: full PvP folks who insist its the only way to go and anything else is for losers, restricted PvP folks who insist that the only way to keep griefing down is to put up some kind of restrictions, and PvE folks who don't like the idea of facing off against another human being.

For a long time I was a self-confessed carebear that hated PvP because my only exposure to it consisted of being repeatedly hammered by some character well above my level, and then have them dance on my grave like it was some kind of accomplishment (EQ, AC). I was later exposed to RvR (DAoC) which at least let me know who my enemies were, and that was a little more tolerable. I played Lineage 2 which had a PvP system with a twist where player killing wasn't free. I enjoyed that system, but it had its issues too.

Eventually I found out that I had the most fun in an RvR system when things were on a level playing field. Level-limited playing areas and safe zones kept things balanced and it was immensely fun to join a bridgade of other players in a battle for dominance. Yes I died a lot, but it didn't detract from the fun because I also helped kill a lot and I could get a sense of accomplishment regardless of whether I was defending an outpost or attacking one. It wasn't a meaningless free-for-all and I didn't have to join a large guild to experience the fun.

I think a lot of PvE people would get enjoyment out of PvP if they felt they had a fair chance at winning a battle. Of course its nice to beat up a monster with predictable AI that doesn't dance on your grave when you die. But there isn't anything like the thrill of going up against another human, winning some and losing some, and never knowing how the next battle will turn out. Its also especially satisfying to see someone dancing on your grave, and then get killed while doing so. What comes around goes around.