...this I found on the aoc forum
PVP Guide by Bojovnicka
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LESSON 1 - OPTIONS
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/8788/guideoptions1.jpgTargeting options for pvp plus hotbar switching disabled.
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7...deoptions2.jpgOne of the most important thing: Turn off auto camera mode and turn around when holding right mouse button!
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/8...deoptions3.jpgAll these give quick overwiev of everything around you(levels, hitpoints, guilds,...).
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/896/guideoptions5.jpgRemap your A+D keys to strafe instead of turn as from now you are turning around using your mouse.Also bind "switch weapons" key to one key-I personaly use the key next to "1" under "Esc".
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LESSON 2 - INTERFACE
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/219...interface1.jpgAdjust your bars so you can easily cast each spell/combo with one finger and dont need to use mouse for it.
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/380...interface2.jpgDont forget that ALT key brings one extra bar!What is more, you can switch bars with shift+1, shift+2, ...
Its wise to use one key for one effect with each weapon/character.Example: I use "R" as shield knockback, alt+R as polearm knockback and also use "R" as knockback with my bearshaman.
UPDATE: Few guys asked me whats the idea of interface so once again.Try to have the most frequent combos on one key(not alt+something or shift switching).Like I have e=stun, r=knockback, q=high dmg combo, ...I only say this because someone told me he has frenzy stance on alt+5 what is in my opinion useless.I recommend you to have all combos/abilities that can save your life on standalone key which is easy to access without you looking on the keyboard.Therefore I use F1 for frenzy, F2 for defensive or F5(first key in the second row) for cunning deflection.Binding these on 3rd+4th mouse button works great as well!
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LESSON 3 - POSITIONING
So why are all the good pvpers strafing around you all the time?Lets take a deeper look...
The first thing you need to learn is to hit unshielded side while strafing around character.
When you are standing face to face, it pops up 3 shields(left, right and up).
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/7...deshields1.jpgBut when you change position(see picture) you make one of those shields dissaper(what means extra dmg).However if the right shield dissaper you need to hit target with right hand combo(doesnt matter if upper or lower).
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/3...deshields2.jpgThe same thing from the other side:
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2...deshields3.jpgThis positioning is easy to use when you cast CC(stun, knockback, fear, root).So lets say the target is stunned so you hit the combo keys but meanwhile position yourself so you can hit unshielded side:
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6...deshields4.jpgUse strafing to hit the unshielded sides of your target as well as to cover your unshielded sides!
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LESSON 4 - KEEP THE DISTANCE
You might say this is nothing new to you however only few players actualy keep their distance in pvp.
Situation A - both players with 1 hand weapons
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2...iderange1c.jpgWhen you get a bit further from target, you wont hit it with one hand weapon.
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1653/guiderange2.jpgSituation B - one player with 2h, one with 1h.
The situation dramaticaly changes if one player wield 2 hand weapon.While one player can easily hit, the other one need to come closer(in his weapons range).That means player with one hand weapon cant use his CCs if you keep distance(for example Crankshaft couldnt use stun/strike and guard/ now!).
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7213/guiderange3.jpgSo if you are HoX, Conq, BS or polearm guard always keep the distance.Meanwhile snare targets or root them so they will rarely come in their range!
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4...iderange4g.jpg----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESSON 5 - KNOW YOUR ABILITIES
The very basic of pvp combat is also to know what and when to use.The same spell/combo on different levels can share only a small CD or could be without any CD!Therefore it is important you use different ranks of your combos as well as have them available at your bar.
Example 1: Ability Overreach 4 goes on 3 seconds cooldown after successful hit but meanwhile you can use Overreach 3 which doesnt share any CD with Overreach 4.So all in all you use rank 4, rank 3, rank 4, ...without any cooldown!
Example 2: Ability stunning charge goes on 40 seconds CD after use however it shares CD with normal charge.If you use stunning charge, your normal charge goes on 20 seconds cooldown(20 against 40).So if you use only one "rank" of charge you can do it every 40 seconds, if you use both, you can charge every 20 seconds!
All you need to do is to try all your abilities and see the cooldowns yourself.
Another important thing is, you know the casting time of all your abilities/combos.Lets say you knockback someone and want to do dmg(for example in frenzy) until the target is able to react(get up from the ground).Your higher rank of combos looks like this:
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1...ideattack1.jpgSo its 4 keys and long animation.Lower rank(3 keys, shorter animation):
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/838/guideattack2.jpgNow its lower dmg however faster execute of the combo what means you can do whole combo in frenzy stance.If you went for rank 4 it would take 4 keys to "summon" and longer animation to execute so target could react before the combo finisher(double tap S, cunning deflection, fear, ...).But if you use rank 3, you do even more dmg(since you can stay frenzy all the time) and you execute combo much faster so target will be hit by that before it gets up from the ground.
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LESSON 6 - MAKE A PICTURE
Always make a picture of the upcoming duel before it starts so you wont use your abilities randomly.For example:
You face demonologist and you take in account first of all you will be rooted and then you will hunt him while he will be kiting you around.
Or you see hox attcking someone.It goes root, later comes morph stun and he still has fear in a hand.
Why to do this?
First of all you need to figure your own tactic.Like I simply have to play very offensive against ToS as well as I know the fight wont last longer than 20 seconds.When on the other hand fighting barb I know it could take much longer.Each class need special tactic for other one(even for the other build!) and thats what you have to take in account. (Here comes a rule when fighting BS-get it under pressure and never let him to play offensively.if you let him, you simple cant win that one!)
Secondly you need to know what to expect.As a guardian I know each HoX will open with root against me so I immediately switch to polearm and use long range knockback(LESSON 4) before he gets to me.I am rooted and hox is KB so its still 1:1.At the same time I spare my stun to interrupt his buffed high dmg combo(simply stun him while he is casting something.this works against long casting time lightning strike as well).
The last thing to know here is not to waste any of your CC ability.Lets say you are fighting assassin and you know he will go avatar of death sooner or later.Therefore you have to keep in mind avatar gives resistance to everything but knockback.So never use knockback against assassin before he goes avatar.Wait for avatar and just then knockback and get to the distance!Also always do bacis math and count your CCs and your opponents CCs; like I am DT and I am going to face guardian(juggernaunt spec).its 1:2 for guardian(my stun against stun+knockback).Therefore i cant afford to use my CC before he uses his CC as I would be 2:0 down and that means guardian can go frenzy stance and simply hit the sh*t out of me if he covers that frenzy with 2xCC.
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LESSON 7 - KNOW YOUR BUFFS (Updated 31.5.2009)
Always check yours and your targets buffs before you use any CC or go frenzy as soldier.
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/3...howdebuffs.jpgHow to show all the buffs and make the icons bigger?Read How to make guide by Annarea here!
http://forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php?p=2136428Feel free to setup the icons even bigger if you have smaller screen so you always see "what" and "how long"!And dont forget to set "friendly | hostile" thing!
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LESSON 8 - STUNS/ROOTS/FEARS/KNOCKBACKS (Updated 31.5.2009)
Guardian (S+S)
Stun = Strike and Guard, 40 seconds CD
Knockback = Shield Sweep, 60 seconds CD
Knockback = Stagger, 60 seconds CD (doesnt work on soldiers)
Guardian (polearm)
Knockback = Shield Sweep, 60 seconds CD
Knockback = Stagger, 60 seconds CD (doesnt work on soldiers)
Conqueror
Stun = Throat Slash, 15 seconds CD (but gives 20 sec immunity)
Knockback = Burst of Aggresion, 40 seconds CD
Knockback = Batter Aside, 60 seconds CD
Fear = Overwhelm, 60 seconds CD(need 2x one hand equipped to cast)
Dark Templar
Stun = Mind Wrack, 40 seconds CD
Stun = Mind Shatter, 55 seconds CD
Fear = Dooming Presence, 60 seconds CD (name corrected, thanks for notice)
Demonologist (fire)
Knockback = Detonate, 60 seconds CD (needs incinerate effect, max 5)
=> 1 = cloth , 2 = light, 3= medium, 4 = heavy, 5 = full plate
Stun = Fiery Torment, 60 seconds CD
Root = Storm Chains, 25 seconds CD
Herald of Xolti
Root = Word of Command, 30 seconds CD
Fear = Dread Visage, 60 seconds CD
Stun = Avatar of Xotli, 300 seconds CD
Stun = Desecrating Essence, 90 seconds CD (added, thanks for notice)
Necromancer
Fear = Unimaginable Terror, 45 seconds CD
Stun = Freeze, 40 seconds CD
Fear = Death Terror (instant fear with pet only )
Root = Frost Blast, 40 seconds CD
Barbarian
Stun = Stunning Punch, 60 seconds CD
Stun = Earth Shatter, 60 seconds CD
Stun = No escape, 180 seconds CD (added, thanks for notice)
Knockback = Clobber, 45 seconds CD
Konckback = Scatter Foes, 60 seconds CD (added, thanks for notice)
Ranger (bow)
Fear = Immolation, 60 seconds CD (cant do this with bow/xbow, need change to 1h)
Knockback = Volley Backwards, 80 seconds CD (only on cloth+light+medium)
Root = Leghold Trap, 40 seconds CD
Stun = Mezz Shot, 35 seconds CD (only from hide)
Assassin
Fear = Deaths Gaze, 60 seconds CD
Stun = From the Darkness, 60 seconds CD
Knockback = Snap Kick, 45 seconds CD (only works on cloth+light armour)
Bear Shaman
Stun = Ursine Crush, 120 seconds CD
Knockback = Ferocious Smack, 60 seconds CD
Tempest of Set
Stun = Cobra Snare, 45 seconds CD
Root+Silence = Thundering Voice, 30 seconds CD (effect corrected, thanks for notice)
Root = Quicksand, 30 seconds CD
Knockback (only when Eye of the Storm activated and you hit ToS) = 15 minutes CD on EotS
Charm = Puppets of Set, 120 seconds CD (added, thanks for notice)
Priest of Mitra
Knockback = Repulse, 15 seconds CD
Fear = Eye of Judgement, 30 seconds CD
Stun = Condemn, 120 seconds CD
Stun = Avatar of Mitra, 120 seconds CD
Knockback = each Smite and Rebuke have KB effect when spellwaving with the buff called Mitra's Thunder (added, thanks for notice)
-plus bubble thing(no dmg on mitra) have 5 minutes CD, 3 minutes 30 seconds if specced
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LESSON 9 - BASIC "STANCE DANCE"
This lesson is dedicated to all soldiers and their use of frenzy/defensive and neutral stance(neutral means both frenzy and defensive are turned off).
1.Use frenzy stance when you have your target under CC and take in account LESSON 5 and use lower ranks of abilites to avoid frenzy catch.
Activate frenzy stance for your combo finishers so they does much more dmg and then immediately CC target(for example stun) to avoid frenzy catch.
Go frenzy stance and keep distance with 2 hand weapons when your target is out of any CC(LESSON
!
2.Use defensive stance only when defending.It adds nasty -15% dmg nerf and "only" 10% dmg mitigation.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7...edefstance.jpgActivate defensive stance when you expect stun or fear.If you are knockbacked you can always change to defensive stance when you lie on the ground.Same when you are rooted-you can change to def stance after root.
Activate defensive stance when you see player casting charm as those spells have long casting time!
3.Try to use neutral stance as much as possible to avoid -15% dmg nerf.Neutral stance also boost dmg of your counterstrikes!(guardians only)
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LESSON 10 - MANNERS
Even when AoC is a cool place to relax and socialize, its still only a game.Therefore:
-never cheat (you can find some cheat guides on the internet but keep in mind all this stuff ruins the fun for you and your opponent)
-never abuse (dont take any use of broken and imbalanced mechanics in the game or at least try to use them less)
-reduce the ganking (ganking is obviously part of this game but you have to consider killing someone at the ress spot to get max exp from it/them for the upcoming 24 hours/until exp reset back to 100 per kill/ sux)
-dont care about the K/D stats (possitive K/D ratio means nothing and manytimes only proves your ganking abilities.as one w3 player said "care stats, be noob")
-show respect to other players even if you losse(
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1626/guidegg.jpg )
