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PvP Guide

Faisal Baig Posted:
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Runescape: PvP Guide

MMORPG.com Runescape Correspondent Faisal Baig writes this new guide to PvP in Runescape.

After the Runescape update, the wilderness and basically player killing itself was eliminated and replaced with PVP worlds. PVP worlds, or Player-Vs-Player worlds, are entire designated worlds that are almost entirely Player-Vs-Player combat enabled. Think of it as almost an all-over wilderness. This thorough guide covers the many aspects of PVP worlds.

In PVP worlds, only select areas (such as banks, respawn points, Entrana, and some guilds) are disabled to combat, and are marked by a skull with a cross over it. These worlds are modeled after the original wilderness, and many of the same rules apply, such as level restraints to attack and "skulls" when you attack someone. To begin, simply choose a world that is marked as a PVP world when logging in. You will be warned of the obvious dangers. The first time you enter a PVP world, you will be transported to Lumbridge, and a manual will be given to you explaining much of the concept (you can get a new one from the Doomsayer in Lumbridge should you lose it). When you first log in, you will have a short immunity period before you can be attacked. In PVP worlds, you can lose your items, but at the same time, there are great rewards available!

NOTE: PVP worlds are extremely risky. If you die on a PVP world, you will not receive a gravestone, and you will lose your items! Be aware at all times! But of course, you already knew that, right?

NOTE: You must have level 20 combat to play on PVP worlds.

Rules

There are a few ground rules on PVP servers to enhance the Player-Killing experience. These are:

  1. You will have a short immunity period when you log-in to a PVP world.
  2. You must have 20 combat to use PVP worlds.
  3. Borrowed items cannot be used or lent on PVP worlds.
  4. The same immunity is received upon teleportation or travelling (such as charter boats) , but these grace periods will be reduced if used too often, so use them wisely.
  5. The "Skull" system is used. If you are killed, you will lose all but three of your items, as with the old wilderness. However, if you attacked someone recently, you may be "skulled" (designated by a skull and crossbones hovering over your head). In this case, you will lose all your items upon death. The protect item prayer works the dame as it would normally.
  6. You do not receive opponent's items upon their death. Instead, you will receive a reward based on the impressiveness of the kill. This is based upon you and your opponent's combat levels, the value of the items both of you are carrying, how long you have been in a dangerous section of the PVP world, how many players you have killed recently, and whether you are in a "hot zone". These are marked by a flaming skull icon on your screen; these are generally popular and/or dangerous areas.
  7. The value of the items carried improve your drop chances until you have reached 75,000 coins value (non-members) or 25,000 coins value (members) excluding your three most valuable items. Since your drops will not improve over this limit, take only items you are willing to lose; don't bring your most expensive items unless they will help you!
  8. Many minigames are closed on PVP worlds, so see below for a list.
  9. You can only attack players who have a combat level difference of up to 10% of your combat level +5 levels. Wilderness levels are added in addition to this, making it an even deadlier place. Use this equation to help you calculate who you can attack: level range = ( 0.1 × Combat level) + 5 + Wilderness level

Notes

Players' combat levels are shown in the usual way, with one exception; if you cannot attack them due to level restraints (see above), their combat level will be shown as white. Some safe mini games are still PVP accessible, but if killed during one, you will safely respawn without losing any items. If you let the mini game choose a world automatically, it will never choose a PVP world. Drops from players are a mixture of your opponent's inventory and the PVP world automatic drops. If you die many times and lose items, your drops will steadily improve when you achieve kills. Your combat level on PVP worlds is displayed differently; your level will be shown including summoning-based levels only if you are carrying pouches or have a summoned creature, otherwise your level will be shown without summoning, with a limit of 126, opposed to the 138 combat level maximum with summoning. This also applies to Bounty Hunter mode. If you are currently in combat, and then run to a safe area, your opponent will have ten seconds before he is stopped from attacking. This is used to stop players from abusing this feature. Finally, the following areas are not enabled on PVP worlds:

  • Barbarian Assault
  • Bounty Hunter
  • Castle Wars
  • Duel Arena
  • Fist of Guthix
  • Tears of Guthix
  • Trouble Brewing
  • Tzhaar Fighting Pits
  • Party Room

Tactics

Making use of tactics and innovative ideas can help to turn the tide and therefore hopefully be victorious during battle. Working together in a group/clan, with friends or teammates can also improve your chances of succeeding.

A common tactic used is to stay in protected areas such as banks until there is an appropriate opponent to fight. This will, however, decrease your chances of good loot, as you will hide away in safe areas as opposed to spending time in dangerous areas, increasing your chances. Also, there is a good chance of your opponent running to the safe area, so this is not recommended.

The PVP world special items can deal very large amounts of damage quickly, have very high defence, and have high accuracy. These items can make a large difference to a fight in your favor, as well as the corrupted dragon (see rewards section) items having a large effect in free worlds. The Miasmic spells can also give that crucial edge.

Use the environment to your advantage! Terrain can deter combaters, and dangerous monsters nearby can make your opponents think twice about a fight. If you are alone, avoid multi-combat zones, such as Falador or other large cities. Large clans can dominate these areas, clearing it of any competition.

Using special attacks to KO your opponent once they are at low health will cut down on their ability to run to a safe zone or teleport. Keep the same thing from happening to you!

Bring enough wealth to ensure good drops, but don't bring too much; if it doesn't help you get kills, it's not worth the potential loss should you die.

Make use of the Combat Triangle and make use of hybrids to increase the probability of you getting kills.

Making use of Ancient Magics' Ice Spells or Normal Magic's binding spells can help you get that last few damage in before they can escape. Teleblock helps also.

Straight after getting a kill, many people will try to kill you while you are weak. Avoid this by teleporting right after getting the loot.

Rewards

There are several rewards that can be gained from killing other players on PVP worlds. In addition to a sampling of your deceased opponent's equipment, you can also gain random drops, ranging from ordinary low-level metal armour or food, to high level equipment such as a dragonfire shield, and finally the prized PVP exclusive equipment, which, although wearing out quickly, can deal high amounts of damage, giving you an edge in pking (player killing). There are special rewards for both Non-members and Members.

Brawling Gloves (members only)

Brawling Gloves have the ability to greatly increase experience gained while training on a PVP world. While wearing Brawling Gloves on a PVP world, you will get a 50% bonus on any experience gained. If used in the Wilderness on a PVP world, you will receive four times the usual experience gained! Brawling gloves will eventually disintegrate after use. Brawling gloves come in these types:

  • Agility
  • Cooking
  • Firemaking
  • Fishing
  • Hunter
  • Magic
  • Melee
  • Mining
  • Prayer
  • Ranged
  • Smithing
  • Thieving
  • Woodcutting

Corrupt Dragon Armour

Corrupt Dragon equipment is available to free players, and is identical to regular dragon armour (Seen here), but will decay and disintegrate after 30 minutes wear. In addition, none of these weapons have special attacks. Corrupted Dragon armour is available as:

  • Chainbody
  • Medium Helmet
  • Platelegs/Plateskirt
  • Spear
  • Battleaxe
  • Dagger
  • Scimitar
  • Mace
  • Longsword

This guide, however thorough, is still brief compared to the countless other opportunities in PVP worlds. Jump in and play for yourself to experience the thrill. But remember, there are several risks involved, so be careful!