Or does circle strafing really play that big of a role in the PvP?

Circle strafing is a fine tactic, but it makes you extremely predictable and vulnerable to someone who can debuff your physique.

As with most MMOs, though it is more prevalent in TCoS, debuffs from team mates can buff you greatly. For example, a friend of mine did Expose melee on an enemy for me just a second before I slammed my shoulder into him (read: Shoulder Slam), and it did loads of damage. Certain classes cannot do certain exposes/buffs and can rely on others to do so.

It's still a matter of being a good aimer, and dodging but it's very tactical.

If you're moving around and the other player knows where you're going, it's easy to lead a predictable target and hit you. 

No, pvp requires much more then just being able to circle straf. It also requires you to have better gear, a class is stronger then the class it is fighting, and having a bigger group of people then the group you are fighting.

Player skill and abilty are not requirements though, just who has the more time to spend on the game to get better things.

Originally posted by BloodDuality

No, pvp requires much more then just being able to circle straf. It also requires you to have better gear, a class is stronger then the class it is fighting, and having a bigger group of people then the group you are fighting.

Player skill and abilty are not requirements though, just who has the more time to spend on the game to get better things.

only in this game gear doesnt matter (maybe sigils will?)

you also have to watch the buff/debuff system

your aiming skills and  the enemy's dodge skills

and offcourse youll have to know how to set up your skill deck

even level difference doesnt really matter that much

in a pvp event organised by Origin (EU int. pvp server)  there was a guy in level 10-20 range (dont know what level he was exactly) won the last man standing event in the level range 20-40, maybe he got lucky... but still

Originally posted by BloodDuality

No, pvp requires much more then just being able to circle straf. It also requires you to have better gear, a class is stronger then the class it is fighting, and having a bigger group of people then the group you are fighting.

Player skill and abilty are not requirements though, just who has the more time to spend on the game to get better things.

You haven't played the game, have you?

Sigils and level can help a bit but it cannot overcome a bad skill deck or strategy. Honestly i would say that level plays the bigger role but it isn't like say WoW where a lowbie can't kill a max level. In TCOS you can easily kill a higher level if you have a better strategy, hit them more than they hit you, or you don't take hits : P.

I always run with a buddy of mine. I am a Ancestral Mage and he is a trickster. We were both level 25 and we got into a battle with a rank 40 Rune mage, 26 blood warrior, 20 trickster, and a 23 AM. It wasn't like we jumped them either. They formed up out of range and we stood our ground. Both parties were ready for the fight. The result? My buddy died but we killed all 4 of them. So 2vs4, they had the numbers advantage, the level advantage, and we still won.

Back to the OP. Doing circles around someone will probably get you killed or at least gimped. I know when someone tries that on my I just use Thundercry(use it all the time anyways :P) which puts a debuff on them that does damage and lowers morale(gimps their damage) when they move. Then I just teleort to my pet :P.  Also circling 1 target often makes you an easy target for any ranged because you are easy to predict and the ranged aren't pressured.

Originally posted by Distaste

Originally posted by BloodDuality

No, pvp requires much more then just being able to circle straf. It also requires you to have better gear, a class is stronger then the class it is fighting, and having a bigger group of people then the group you are fighting.

Player skill and abilty are not requirements though, just who has the more time to spend on the game to get better things.

 

You haven't played the game, have you?

Sigils and level can help a bit but it cannot overcome a bad skill deck or strategy. Honestly i would say that level plays the bigger role but it isn't like say WoW where a lowbie can't kill a max level. In TCOS you can easily kill a higher level if you have a better strategy, hit them more than they hit you, or you don't take hits : P.

I always run with a buddy of mine. I am a Ancestral Mage and he is a trickster. We were both level 25 and we got into a battle with a rank 40 Rune mage, 26 blood warrior, 20 trickster, and a 23 AM. It wasn't like we jumped them either. They formed up out of range and we stood our ground. Both parties were ready for the fight. The result? My buddy died but we killed all 4 of them. So 2vs4, they had the numbers advantage, the level advantage, and we still won.

 

Back to the OP. Doing circles around someone will probably get you killed or at least gimped. I know when someone tries that on my I just use Thundercry(use it all the time anyways :P) which puts a debuff on them that does damage and lowers morale(gimps their damage) when they move. Then I just teleort to my pet :P.  Also circling 1 target often makes you an easy target for any ranged because you are easy to predict and the ranged aren't pressured.

i agree, pure bunny hopping and strafing ont get you that far

there are plenty of skills (for example my lvl 38th deathands shred) that will make you either loose life or stats while you move.
apart from a good combination of classes you fight alongside the opinimization of your own skilldeck also plays a role in the combat.

i feel tough atm ranged classes have a bit of an advantage compared to meele but soon well see what teams/classes come out atop of the arena matches

Why would anyone run around anyone in a circle?

That would mean that one of those two are standing still, and that should not be happening.

That circling/strafing is quite annoying in all mmos at times tbh. What happened to people standing toe to toe and fight fair? Anyway... :)

Originally posted by Spiritraiser

That circling/strafing is quite annoying in all mmos at times tbh. What happened to people standing toe to toe and fight fair? Anyway... :)

Since when do you stand toe to toe in a real fight. I know we are not talking about this, but if you do fight like that. Expect to get your butt whooped. Even boxers who have a 14-16 foot ring move around to dodge puches, same with UFC and pride fighters. What I don't get, is people who enjoy just standing there letting themselves be whacked. To me that is a boring fight, and I have never seen a fight were people just stand there. It almost reminds me of that game you could buy back in the day, where it was two boxers and only that hands moved. You had this little stick on the side of the ring that would either punch left or right. So boring, and really unrealistic. I mean put it this way. You and a guy are about to rumble and he's about 6 inches taller than you and maybe 20 pounds on you. You going to just stand there and whack away or are you going to try and dodge his punches and circle him to get him off balance. Now I understand you wouldn't be hopping around, but you could if you could keep your energy up.

Gear, you say... well i have not been playing for that long but to my knowledge gear is only for looks.
Plate, cloth or what ever makes no different, same goes for dagger - 2h do not change the damge. And the shild are usless.
Its all about how you use the skills that comes whit the class, and how they are i do not know. But at realy low lvls i can say that my mage ( lvl 3) can solo a lvl 7 mob, and that i cant do whit the worrior or the ass - classes.

But as i said im all know to the game, so my information more or less comes form ingame questions. So if im miss informd plx corect me here :) 
I love to know all there is to know about this game :)

Originally posted by Spiritraiser

That circling/strafing is quite annoying in all mmos at times tbh. What happened to people standing toe to toe and fight fair? Anyway... :)

There is two people in the fight you and the opponent. Both of which can move to avoid being hit.

Given that cuircumstance if would find it odd that one person would stand still and let the other one hit. Both are in it to win, both are trying to avoid being hit while they also are trying to hit the other one. There is no server calculating on hit chance, it is up to you to avoid it and it is also up to you to hit the opponent.

So... stand still :)

Gear is completely unimportant.  Even sigils aren't that significant, most have maybe a 2% increase or something to that effect, nothing that gives a huge advantage.  Skill is far more important in TCoS than in most other games.  A well built skill deck makes all the difference.  If you can combine powerful combos with eratic, unpredictable movements, you can take out anyone, regardless of their gear or even level.  When I was level 26 I dueled several level 35+ players and I beat them all almost every time.  I'd advise against circle strafing.  It's very useful to zig zag and suddenly change directions, especially if you know they're about to use their skill/spell.  If you notice how fast they're attacking and time your movements based off that you can dodge a fair amount of their attacks, unless they've reduced your physique hugely.

Also, if you're a mage, I'd advise you to aim at their feet a lot with most single-target spells.  Usually it's a little easier unless they start jumping.

PvP in this game is very fun, in my opinion.  The way the healing skills work it's possible to come back from the brink of death to kill your opponent and even end the fight at full health.  I've had several fights that looked like they were over that then last much longer thanks to well timed healing/attack combos.  There's a lot to pay attention to, but once you've got it it's a lot of fun.

Sounds interesting, I just may have to check this game out.